'The Big One': 20th Annual Art Walk at The Greenwood Branch

The Seattle Public Library will display work from local artists Thendara Kida-Gee and Katarina Reka during the 20th annual PhinneyWood art walk, "The Big One," from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 8 and Noon to 5 p.m.  Saturday, May 9 at the Greenwood Branch, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-684-4086.

The art walk is free and open to the public. No registration is required. On Friday night, the Greenwood Branch will close at its regular time, 6 p.m., and access to materials or holds will not be available. Please note that only the meeting room and restrooms will be open during the art walk. The parking garage will also close at 6 p.m., however street parking is free and available near the branch.

"The Big One" is a free annual art walk in the Greenwood and Phinney Ridge neighborhoods. Work from over 100 local artists will be displayed in over 65 venues. The art walk is organized by the Greenwood Arts Council in collaboration with the Phinney Neighborhood Association.

For more information, call the Greenwood Branch at 206-684-4086 or www.spl.org.

Young App Developers Honored at Microsoft

This coming Saturday, May 9, Western Washington middle and high school students will be recognized for developing apps for tablets and smartphones to help solve community problems at the second annual statewide Youth Apps Challenge. The event will be held beginning at 8 a.m.  at Microsoft’s Redmond campus, Building 33, 16070 N.E. 36th Way, Redmond, WA 98052.

The Youth Apps Challenge is a statewide competition launched by the Technology Alliance to give students hands-on experience in computer science, engineering, and entrepreneurship. During the Youth Apps Challenge, teams of students from communities across the state generated original ideas for apps that solved community problems, developed prototypes, identified user profiles and market potential and pitched their apps to local audiences. 

This year’s competition received 154 submissions from 24 schools and non-profit teams, with almost 500 students from across the state participating. Apps submitted include: an app that helps you test water quality; an app that teaches young kids the concept of genetics; and an app that shows you what kind of clubs are at your school.

For more info go to www.technology-alliance.com/stemchallenge/youthapps.html

Use Your Library Card to Visit Museums for Free

The Living Computer Museum has joined The Seattle Public Library’s Museum Pass program, bringing the total to 14 Seattle museum partners offering free admission to Library cardholders.

The Museum Pass program allows patrons of The Seattle Public Library to use their Library card to check out free museum passes. Participants can reserve a pass to an individual museum once every 30 days, and may use one pass per week. All passes are good for up to two people -- some passes even include free admission for kids ages 17 and under.

The program reservation system requires the cardholder enter their Library card number, personal identification number (PIN), choose a specific date, and print the museum pass. To read more details and reserve a museum pass, visit www.spl.org/museumpass.

Other participating museums include: The Burke Museum, The Center for Wooden Boats, EMP Museum, Henry Art Gallery, The Log House Museum, Museum of Flight, Museum of History & Industry, Nordic Heritage Museum, Northwest African American Museum, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Asian Art Museum and Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience.

The Museum Pass program is sponsored by The Seattle Public Library Foundation.

For more information, call the Library at 206-386-4636 or go to www.spl.org.

Fashion, Music Anchor the 10th Annual Spirit of West Africa Festival

Seattle Center Festál:  Spirit of West Africa offers drumming, dance, fashion and an authentic African marketplace, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, May 9, in Seattle Center Armory. The traditions of West African countries come to life through this spirited festival of live music, film, art and games.

Now entering its 10th year at Seattle Center, this festival honors and celebrates the performance traditions of West Africa and the African diaspora. See musicians and dancers from Guinea, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Honduras, Senegal and Cuba perform on the Armory stage and participate in a West African dance workshop. Featured performers include master kora player Prince Diabaté, Gansango Music & Dance Company, Obo Addy’s Okropong, Udoka Cultural Dance, Hagucha Garinagu, Mapathe Diop & Family and Bembe Olele.

Visitors can browse the offerings of local vendors specializing in African products and crafts, including handwoven baskets, carvings, handmade jewelry, masks, singing bowls and drums. Visual artist Marita Dingus will lead an African doll making activity suitable for children of all ages. Nansare Consolata of Best of Both Worlds will send her designs down the runway, showcasing an aesthetic that unites traditional African textiles with modern tailoring. La Teranga will serve delicious West African specialties such as lamb and vegetarian mafe, chicken yassa and a variety of refreshing beverages.

Seattle Center Festál is a program of Seattle Center Productions. Admission is free-of-charge. For more information on Spirit of West Africa and other Seattle Center public programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.