Thursday, August 20, 2009
Nightlife / Photo Setting up for the $10k 500 Block Party II
Posted by Matt Hickey on Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 4:34 PM
They're almost done setting up for tonight's party to dwell in the former glory of the 500 block of Pine Street. Recreations of the old Cha Cha, Manray, Kincora and Bus Stop are up and they look awesome. There are tiny pool tables, photo booths, amplifiers, and a taco truck. Sadly, Harry's Market isn't showing itself, so at the end of these photos I've included one of the last photos ever taken there. Also, note the Jansport backpacks.
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1
I went by there this morning on my coffee break, and saw all that. I thought maybe Manray was reopening in that building to the east of the parking lot. No such luck, eh?
BTW, if anyone wants to buy me that incredibly greenish painting of some ships that is in the window of the Capitol Hill Value Village, please be my guest.
BTW, if anyone wants to buy me that incredibly greenish painting of some ships that is in the window of the Capitol Hill Value Village, please be my guest.
4
Honestly Manray was pretty much dead for a few years before the demolition. My bf and I would stop in there twice a year or so, and it had become sort of a sad living room for young, soon-to-be-old-and-toothless alcoholics. Quite a few of the video screens and lights were defunct, and it just felt kinda pathetic. It served its purpose at one time, and I'm actually glad that it's been put to rest. The best nightlife is fleeting - a gossamer wind of noise, people, drugs, booze, concepts and shiny lights that dissipates before you know you've missed it. I guess it's fine that people want to commemorate that block, but several of the establishments have moved to new locations and are thriving, and quite honestly that block was a disaster waiting to happen (I used to live right behind it and frequented those bars - seriously it was slummy behind the facade). I prefer to focus on the now and future, and put energy towards the new, unexpected and unseen. Without anticipating and envisioning the future, we risk sitting and wallowing, rather, stagnating, in the "glory" of the recent past. I'd rather focus on what's ahead.
5
Yeah, I saw it, but after emailing them several times offering assistance when I first heard about the idea, I never received a response. Oh well!
6
And the party was insanely lame. A whole bunch of hipsters standing around- not dancing, not talking to each other. Typical. And the line to get in was around the block.
9
you know, all the original bar owners, inlcuding cha cha and pony were cut out of this "thing".
it's going to be pretty lame, with just corporate sponsership....
it's going to be pretty lame, with just corporate sponsership....
11
Best description of Capitol Hill ever: a bunch of people standing around, not dancing, not talking to each other. A line around the block to get in.
There is so much more happening in the city that isn't in Cap Hill. Too bad no one will ever take their fixies to a neighborhood without a safe American Apparel haven. Oh, well. Stay in your hood and miss out on the good shit...no one wants you to just hang out creeping without talking to anyone or dancing or adding anything to the world anyway.
There is so much more happening in the city that isn't in Cap Hill. Too bad no one will ever take their fixies to a neighborhood without a safe American Apparel haven. Oh, well. Stay in your hood and miss out on the good shit...no one wants you to just hang out creeping without talking to anyone or dancing or adding anything to the world anyway.
12
While I have to say I'm proud to see those hipsters do something creative as opposed to their normal activities(shopping, fucking, drinking, bitching), I do think the "glory" of the 500 block is bloated at best. As soon as that block went down, new business' started moving in and some bars that were displaced relocated. You'd have to be a complete drunk idiot to think that provincial, one block strip was better for this neighborhood then what has happened since. And the best part? Now you can actually avoid the douchebags that clog the cha cha and Havanna by going to another part of the neighborhood. Wow. What a fucking idea. Death to 500.
13
oh, the gaping hole in my heart that was the former barmuda triangle! oh wait, there's a new bus stop, bimbos & cha cha -- all alongside another dozen new places that have opened circa what's now apparently a gravel quarry. move on, change is good for you.
14
@11, there are loads of people who live on the hill who don't fit that description, who live there for the neighborhood density and ease at which a non-driver can live. i totally agree that the surplus of stunted hipsters on the hill is certainly a deterrent, i could not, however, find myself living in ballard or georgetown (or really any neighborhood besides maybe lower queen anne and um, no thanks) due simply to the lack of accessibility.
15
@11 this sort of comment really amazes me... you really have no idea who the people were that hung out on that block. not only that, but you prefer what? the generic and shallow facades of the belltown atmosphere? at least hipters have better fashion sense.
but if you thought all of those places were hipster places, you were mistaken.
if you thought hipsters didn't dance (hello pony), you were mistaken.
if you thought thought people who hung out there were not artists, and could not communicate, you were mistaken.
it might not have been your scene, but it was alive and authentic. it was walkable and i think the friendliest nightlife in town, if not most unique and artistic as well. that is what capitol hill offered then and still offers now. and of course there are other parts of the city that have things to offer as well. i just happen to appreciate the atmosphere on the hill best.
but if you thought all of those places were hipster places, you were mistaken.
if you thought hipsters didn't dance (hello pony), you were mistaken.
if you thought thought people who hung out there were not artists, and could not communicate, you were mistaken.
it might not have been your scene, but it was alive and authentic. it was walkable and i think the friendliest nightlife in town, if not most unique and artistic as well. that is what capitol hill offered then and still offers now. and of course there are other parts of the city that have things to offer as well. i just happen to appreciate the atmosphere on the hill best.
16
God dammit, can we please just talk about the hilarity of the Jansport backpacks for like 5 minutes???
@11 do hipsters make you feel a little insecure or something? What's with the bitter post? I'd rather be hanging out with hipsters then the douche bags that clog Fremont/Belltown/Pioneer Square. And have you seen Ballard on the weekends? Where do those people come from?
I think that paying tribute to that old block was a little bit excessive because a lot of the bars are alive and thriving. I had a good night and I got asked to model Jansport backpacks and that my friends will be worth years of laughter.
@11 do hipsters make you feel a little insecure or something? What's with the bitter post? I'd rather be hanging out with hipsters then the douche bags that clog Fremont/Belltown/Pioneer Square. And have you seen Ballard on the weekends? Where do those people come from?
I think that paying tribute to that old block was a little bit excessive because a lot of the bars are alive and thriving. I had a good night and I got asked to model Jansport backpacks and that my friends will be worth years of laughter.
17
It is shocking that there was a $10k budget for this. Looked pretty grim when we went by at about 11:30, after the Dead Weather blew the Paramount's mind.
19
I had tons of fun! My friends and I danced for the majority of the night and it was awesome to see pretty much everyone that I know on the hill in the same place at the same time! The line/guestlist was poorly organized but really, how do you prepare for something like that? I don't think Jansport knew what they were getting into! Anyway, just wanted to put it out there that I had a very positive experience last night and appreciate all the hard work put into throwing such a rad party!
21
#11, you know who people love to dance with, talk to, and be around? People who bitch and whine about how everyone else is so inferior. It's just like hanging out with grandpa. I'll bet you do it really loudly, too, so everyone can hear how above it all you are. I've known plenty of people like you and you're all so boring.
23
Seemed like a good time to me. I had fun. There's also plenty of places on the hill that aren't about hipsters. I think the Cap to the Hill ladies just wanted to throw a party that their friends and people in Seattle would have a good time at.
I think they accomplished what they were looking for. Most of the people I saw in there looked like they were having a good time.
I did.
I think they accomplished what they were looking for. Most of the people I saw in there looked like they were having a good time.
I did.
24
of course you can't say anything negative Steven - you make money off the very idiots that participate in this type of bullshit.
don't bite the dick that feeds ya, honey.
don't bite the dick that feeds ya, honey.
25
How did I make money off of this? Seemed like I was spending $ to buy drinks and eat some tacos. I just call it like I see it. It was fun. I had a good time. If you didn't or don't care about it, then don't go. How hard is that. At least these people are out doing something instead of sitting and bitching on comment boards all the time.
Also, why the fuck is everybody afraid to say who you are. Anonymous is bullshit. Y'all wouldn't say half this shit if you had to post your name.
I'm done. Go back to bitchin. I'm going to go tube down the Yakima River.
Enjoy.
Also, why the fuck is everybody afraid to say who you are. Anonymous is bullshit. Y'all wouldn't say half this shit if you had to post your name.
I'm done. Go back to bitchin. I'm going to go tube down the Yakima River.
Enjoy.
26
Steven - when you're done rolling around in your Scrooge McDuck vault of millions (tm) after you made a sweet killing off of these same-minded stupid jock hipster hybrid fucks come outside to the real world and talk to us. Until then, stay in your fantasy world.
27
You have no fuckin' clue what you're talking about 26. Ask anybody who knows me. I live in a small condo and don't own a car. Yeah, sure am making millions over here. I love idiots that spout off on nothing. Insecurity must be a real bitch for you.
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