The Shoreline Small Business Forum has cooked up a unique event for the revitalized North City business district that the group hopes will become a fixture in years to come.
The North City Jazz Walk, set for 7 p.m. Tuesday Aug. 14, is a multi-venue event featuring local jazz musicians performing at five neighborhood businesses, which will also be serving a selection of gourmet cuisine, appetizers and specialty beers and wines. Proceeds from the event will benefit community projects in North City.
Shoreline Arts Council vice president Keith McClelland, who is also a working jazz musician — in addition to being an attorney — said he’s been entertaining the idea of a “jazz in the clubs” event in Shoreline for some time, and North City seemed like the place to do it. “The re-hab of North City caused us to wait,” McClelland said, “but once the construction was over it seemed like a natural fit.”
McClelland said he rallied fellow arts and business community supporters such as Steve Cook, CPA and a fellow founder of the Shoreline Small Business Forum, and Gary East, an attorney and North City Business Association leader. With the help of Tom Boydell at the city of Shoreline’s Economic Development Office, the city lent its financial and logistical muscle to the project. Arts Council President and the city of Shoreline’s communications specialist Susan Will was also integral to the process.
With major funding secured from NRG::Seattle, a Northgate area insurance brokerage owned by Michelle Rupp, locations and musicians were quickly secured.
First on the Jazz Walk map is The Peking House Restaurant &Lounge, which will host tenor jazz saxophonist Danny Ward &Reality and serve from its menu of Mandarian cuisine.
Shoreline’s new live theater group, The New Space Theatre, hosts the jazz vocals of Jannette West and her Quartet. Specialty beers and wines and other beverages as well as gourmet desserts will be served from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
The Hot Wire Cafe will host the Shear Jazz ensemble, and in addition to its regular menu, wine and assorted beers by the glass will be offered.
Vineyard Community Church hosts Critical Mass Big Band and will be serving small plates and gourmet deserts in addition to specialty beers and wines from France, Italy &Spain and other beverages.
North City Bistro &Wine Shop will present the Doug Reid Jazz Group and serve its Mediterranean-style cuisine and specialty beers and wine bar.
If the Jazz Walk is successful, “everyone expects it to be of a large scale next year,” McClelland said, adding that future events could incorporate the Arts Council’s Showmobile and feature local student jazz ensembles.
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