Center City Holiday Roundup (2023)

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Center City Holiday Roundup (2023)

Downtown parks come alive with lights, music, vendors, art installations, and more in November and December. Experience the magic of the holidays all month long in the very heart of Seattle.

Tree Lighting Celebration @Westlake Park

Fri, November 24, 3:30-7:00 PM

3:30-5:00 pm enjoy a pre-show with local live music. At 5 PM the tree is raised and lit, then follow with a fireworks show! More live music culminates with the African American Cultural Ensemble and the Motown trio The Jewel Tones.

Tree Lighting Celebration at Westlake Park (downtownseattle.org)

Dickens Carolers

Wed, December 6, 12:30-1:30 pm @Denny Park
Thur, December 7, 12-1 pm @City Hall Park

Two free lunchtime performances by The Dickens Carolers, Seattle’s premiere Victorian caroling group!

The Dickens Carolers – Seattle’s Premier Victorian Christmas Carolers

The Dickens Carolers, shown at Freeway Park. In 2023 they will sing at Denny Park and City Hall Park.

Pioneer Square Holiday Market
& Wintry Weekend Ice Skating Rink

Fri, December 8: Skating 1-7 pm / Market 3-7 pm
Sat, December 9: Skating 12-6 pm / Market 11 am-3 pm
Sun, December 10: Skating 12-6 pm / no market

Occidental Park is a double hit on December 8 and 9, with a holiday market of over 40 vendors including craftmakers, sustainable gifts, local artists, and much more. While the grown-ups go shopping, the kids get to play! Free ice skating, including free skate rentals, on December 8, 9, and 10.
Occidental Park, 117 S Washington St, Seattle, WA 98104

Experience the Holidays in Pioneer Square – Seattle, Washington | Pioneer Square

Wintry Weekend Ice Skating Rink in Occidental Square (downtownseattle.org)

Families enjoy the free all-ages ice skating rink at Occidental Park, Pioneer Square

Pet-Friendly Holiday Photos & Cookie Crawl @Bell Street Park

Sat, December 16, 12-3 pm @Bell Street Park

Celebrate the season at Bell Street Park with free holiday photos and cookies! Enjoy free treats from local businesses and take your holiday card photo with Mrs. Claus. Pets welcome!

Pet-Friendly Holiday Photos and Cookie Crawl at Bell Street Park (downtownseattle.org)

Tuesdays: Merry Movie Matinees at City Hall Park. Movies begin at 12 noon. 11/28, 12/5, 12/12, 12/19.
Wednesdays: Holiday Buskers in Westlake Park. 11 am-1 pm. 11/22-12/27
Thursdays: Fire Pit at Pier 62. 3-6 pm. 11/1-12/31.
Fridays: Festive Friday Concerts. 4-5:30 pm. 12/1: Dancer & Prancer · 12/8: Payge Turner · 12/15 The High Seagrass.
Saturdays: Sweet & Snowy Saturdays at Occidental Square. 12-2 pm. 11/25-12/16.

Info tile for Merry Movie Matinees, Tuesdays at 12 pm.

Luminous Light Sculptures @Westlake Park. November 24 to January 9.
Downtown Holiday Lights & Delights @Occidental Park. November 24 to January 9.

A couple poses for a selfie in front of a winter-themed light sculpture.

McAllen native wins 3 Latin Grammys, including songwriter of the year

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McAllen native wins 3 Latin Grammys, including songwriter of the year
Édgar Barrera arrives at the 24th annual Latin Grammy Awards in Seville, Spain, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Only have a minute? Listen instead

McAllen native Édgar Barrera won three Grammys Thursday evening, including the new songwriter of the year category during the 2023 Latin Grammys ceremony in Spain. 

The 32-year-old is the first winner in the newly created songwriter of the year category, which aims to recognize the written excellence, profession and art of songwriting, the Latin Recording Academy said on its March 21, 2023 announcement.

Barrera also won Grammys for the producer of the year and best regional song categories, with the latter featuring three of his nominations (“Alaska” by Camilo and Grupo Firme, “La Siguiente” by Kany García featuring Christian Nodal and “un x100to” by Grupo Frontera featuring Bad Bunny).

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The best regional song win also includes fellow Rio Grande Valley stars Grupo Frontera, known in their hometown as the Sons of Edinburg, for their song with Bad Bunny “un x100to.”

The Mexican-American composer, who was born in McAllen and grew up in Miguel Alemán, Tamaulipas, led this year’s Latin Grammys nominations with 13. Barrera also had nominations in the record, song, album of the year — as well as the best pop song and best tropical song categories. 

Thursday’s wins adds to Barrera’s acclaim, totaling one Grammy and 21 Latin Grammys. 

“Being an artist who is a public figure and things like that doesn’t really catch my attention,” he previously told The Associated Press earlier this year. “I don’t like that prominence or anything like that. Being hidden behind, writing the songs, producing, doing what I like to do, what I know how to do, that is enough, and I don’t need the mark of being the artist, of being named.”

Read more about Barrera here:

Édgar Barrera is the producer behind your favorite hits — and the Latin Grammys’ top nominee

Russian artist jailed for seven years over anti-war price tag protest

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Russian artist jailed for seven years over anti-war price tag protest

Alexandra Skochilenko was convicted of spreading ‘false information’ after she replaced five supermarket price tags with criticism of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Russian artist Alexandra Skochilenko has been sentenced to jail for seven years after being found guilty of spreading “false information” about the Russian military by replacing a handful of supermarket price tags with messages criticising the war in Ukraine.

The 33-year-old, known as Sasha, is one of thousands of Russians to be detained, fined or jailed for speaking out against Moscow’s invasion of its neighbour amid an escalating crackdown on free speech and opposition to President Vladimir Putin.

Skochilenko was arrested in her native St Petersburg in April 2022, after an elderly customer at the supermarket found the slogans on the price tags and notified the police.

“The Russian army bombed an arts school in Mariupol. Some 400 people were hiding in it from the shelling,” one read, in reference to Russia’s brutal siege of the southern Ukrainian city. Another said, “Russian conscripts are being sent to Ukraine. Lives of our children are the price of this war.”

Judge Oksana Demiasheva delivered the verdict on Thursday hours after Skochilenko, who has a congenital heart defect and coeliac disease, had made a final statement to the court, asking for compassion and to be set free.

As well as the prison term, the artist was banned from using the internet for three years.

Skochilenko, wearing a colourful T-shirt decorated with a large red heart, reacted with shock to the sentence, covering her face and wiping away tears.

Supporters shouted “shame” and “we’re with you Sasha”, the AFP news agency reported.

Skochilenko’s lawyers left without giving any comment.

Skochilenko’s arrest came about a month after authorities adopted a law effectively criminalising any public expression about the war that deviated from the Kremlin’s official line.

Human rights group Memorial – now banned in Russia – said police spent 10 days interrogating supermarket staff and inspecting security camera footage before arresting the artist.

“They sometimes give less for murder than for five price tags in a supermarket,” Boris Vishnevsky, a politician linked to the opposition Yabloko party, told AFP.

“Hopefully, someday, the pendulum will turn the other way.”

Skochilenko was accused of committing what the state prosecutor described as a serious crime out of “political hatred” towards Russia. He had asked for her to be jailed for eight years.

Skochilenko admitted to swapping the tags but denied that the text written on them was false. She said she was a pacifist who valued human life above all else.

“How weak is our prosecutor’s faith in our state and society if he thinks our statehood and public safety can be ruined by five little pieces of paper?” she said in court.

“Everyone sees and knows that you are not judging a terrorist. You’re not trying an extremist. You’re not even trying a political activist. You’re judging a pacifist,” she said.

Friends of Alexandra Skochilenko hug each other after the verdict.
Skochilenko’s friends and supporters said the verdict was a disgrace [Olga Maltseva/AFP]

Amnesty International condemned the verdict.

“Her persecution has become synonymous with the absurdly cruel oppression faced by Russians openly opposing their country’s criminal war,” it said in a statement.

Memorial has designated Skochilenko a political prisoner and has launched a campaign calling for her release.

She has already been in detention for nearly 19 months, meaning that her overall term will be reduced by more than two years, since every day served in a pre-trial detention centre counts as 1.5 days of time served in a regular penal colony.

But she has struggled in custody due to pre-existing health conditions, and her need for a gluten-free diet, according to her lawyers and her partner.

According to OVD-Info, a prominent rights group that monitors political arrests and provides legal aid, a total of 19,834 Russians have been arrested between February 24 2022, when Russia began its invasion, and late October 2023 for speaking out or demonstrating against the war.

Also on Thursday, opposition politician Vladimir Milov was convicted in absentia of spreading false information about the army and sentenced to eight years. Milov, who was once Russia’s deputy energy minister and is now an ally of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has left the country.

ArtSEA: Art, film and food to honor Native American Heritage month

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ArtSEA: Art, film and food to honor Native American Heritage month

And here’s where I start to run out of room. But not before I let you know about several Indigenous-themed documentaries coming up at Northwest Film Forum. While Killers of the Flower Moon may be getting all the box office buzz, these docs reveal powerful Native American histories as well (and with much shorter running times). 

Bad Press (Nov. 16-19) is a gripping story about the fight for free press in the Muskogee Nation, where the tribe’s own legislative branch worked to gain full editorial oversight of what was reported in the tribal newspaper. Ever Deadly (Nov. 18-22) profiles mesmerizing Inuk throat singer Tanya Tagaq via concert footage and animated storytelling. 

And as part of the “Moving History” series, NWFF is also screening two video segments about prominent Northwest Native activists: Upper Skagit elder and environmentalist Vi Hilbert; and Bernie Whitebear (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation), who played a major role in the occupation of Fort Lawton and the founding of the Daybreak Star Cultural Center (both screening Nov. 26).

Which brings us to shopping. If you’re planning to partake in “Black Friday” madness, consider channeling some of that consumer energy toward one of our region’s many options for buying Native art. 

Daybreak Star Cultural Center houses the original Sacred Circle Gifts and Art shop, featuring all kinds of cool cards, jewelry, prints, calendars and more made by Indigenous artists. (Also currently on view: an exhibit by painter Shana Yellow Calf Lukinich, who blends Coast Salish, Plains and Metis/Chippewa styles.)

And there’s another Sacred Circle shop at Sea-Tac Airport — which I can personally attest is a great way to pass the time when your Thanksgiving travel has been horribly delayed.

The Duwamish Tribe is hosting its hugely popular Native Art Market in the Longhouse and Cultural Center once again (Nov. 24-26), featuring a wide array of arts and gifts made by local artisans. 

And while you’ll have to wait for a restock to purchase the gorgeous Eighth Generation blanket recently featured on the cover of British Vogue (wrapped around Killers of the Flower Moon star Lily Gladstone — who, by the way, grew up partly in Seattle and took drama classes at Stone Soup Theatre), you can shop for other items at the new location of the Snoqualmie Tribe-owned store. 

Founded in 2008 by Louis Gong (of Nooksack heritage), Eighth Generation recently moved from inside Pike Place Market to a bigger location across the street — all the better to bring you more wares crafted by Native makers from across the country, including warm, fuzzy piles of fashion-mag-worthy wool and cotton blankets.

Rockford native Jodi Benson previews ‘Disney 100: The Exhibition’

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Rockford native Jodi Benson previews ‘Disney 100: The Exhibition’

CHICAGO, Ill. (WIFR) – Celebrating a century of the Walt Disney Company, “Disney 100: The Exhibition” hosts 10 interactive galleries, with more than 250 pieces of art, props and costumes.

Making an appearance at the Chicago exhibition Thursday, was Jodi Benson, who portrayed Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” (1989).

Growing up in the stateline, Benson says she would not change anything about her early acting days.

“Everything was a surprise, like once I did the film, I had no idea that anyone would ever know who I was, because we were supposed to be anonymous,” Benson said. “I really didn’t know if I had the talent to be able to take it to the next level.”

Benson graduated from Boylan Catholic High School. 10 years later, she would be cast in “The Little Mermaid” (1989).

“I love Ariel, I love my character, I love what she stands for, I love that new generations can fall in love with her,” Benson said.

She says she has always loved the arts, but truly discovered her passion performing as a young Rockfordian.

“I started singing when I was probably 5 years old and started to do some community theater, took a few dance classes and then I was able to do a few shows during high school and also did the summer theater program at Rock Valley Starlight. It was a wonderful start in Rockford. I wouldn’t change a thing,” Benson said.

“Disney 100: The Exhibition” opens Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Exhibition Hub Art Center in Chicago. Tickets can be purchased on their website.

Copyright 2023 WIFR. All rights reserved.

Around the World With Galaxy: Samsung’s Innovative Marketing Campaigns in South America, Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia

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Around the World With Galaxy: Samsung’s Innovative Marketing Campaigns in South America, Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia

Throughout the years, Samsung Electronics has continually led innovation within the mobile industry — and this year was no exception. Following the release of the highly coveted Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 foldables, Galaxy S23 series smartphones and Galaxy Watch6 series, Samsung has engaged in a variety of global marketing initiatives aimed at bringing users closer together. Samsung Newsroom has handpicked a selection of these creative campaigns that have truly captivated the imagination and resonated with consumers around the world.

The Intricacies of Nature Captured Using Galaxy’s Powerful Camera

[Argentina] Showcasing Nature Through a Galaxy Mini Documentary



▲ The mini documentary “Epic Nature” was filmed using the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Samsung teamed up with National Geographic to release “Epic Nature,” a captivating mini documentary shot using the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The film captured the stunning and diverse wildlife inhabiting Cuenca Los Ojos, a biological reserve in Sonora, Mexico. Utilizing the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s incredible high-definition 200MP camera, the documentary recorded the smallest details of the wildlife reserve, rendering breathtakingly vivid imagery. Additionally, Nightography mode allowed filmmakers to shoot seldom-seen nocturnal animals — such as jaguars, black bears and ocelots in low-light environments — giving audiences a rare glimpse into the lives of creatures that are active at night.

[Europe] Monitoring and Protecting Wildlife With Galaxy



▲ Capturing wildlife with the Galaxy S23 Ultra

In Europe, Samsung has joined forces with Africam and the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit to create the “Wildlife Watch” program in 2021. This initiative harnesses the cutting-edge technology of the Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy S23 Ultra to monitor wildlife and combat poaching at the Balule Nature Reserve in South Africa. Viewers can alert rangers of danger and aid in conservation efforts through 24-hour live streams of wildlife in the savannah. Thanks to their advanced recording features and Nightography mode, the Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy S23 Ultra are protecting animals and keeping them out of the hands of poachers.

Prioritizing Health and Wellbeing With Galaxy

[Netherlands] A Night of Restful Sleep With Galaxy Watch6

▲ Images from the Sleep Rave event in the Netherlands

Samsung Benelux organized the first-ever Sleep Rave event at the Hotel Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands. During the Sleep Rave, participants wore the Galaxy Watch6 and listened to an eight-hour DJ set specially designed for sleep — by Mr. Belt & Wezol, Dutch DJ duo, and Dr. Els van der Helm, a sleep expert and neuroscientist. Samsung analyzed participants’ sleep patterns — including sleep stages and regularity — using the sleep coaching feature on the Galaxy Watch6 to gain new insights on how music impacts sleep quality. The gained insights were used by the DJ Duo and Dr. Els van der Helm to create the ultimate sleep track, which is now available on Spotify. For a full recap of the whole event, check out the aftermovie.

[Chile] Sports Fans Gear Up for a Day of Wellness

▲ The first-ever Watch6 Wellness Festival held in Santiago, Chile

At the Prince of Wales Country Club, Samsung brought sports enthusiasts and fitness lovers together for the Watch6 Wellness Festival in Santiago, Chile. Attendees participated in a variety of instructor-led exercise sessions with activities such as yoga, spinning and CrossFit. Exercise data from each session was recorded on the attendees’ Galaxy Watch6 — giving them in-depth insights into their physical health including heart rate, body composition, blood oxygen levels, exercise length and more.

Showcasing the Capabilities of Galaxy Nightography

[Germany] Capturing the Beauty of the Night With Nightography

▲ Anajat Raissi’s photo won first place in the photo contest held by Samsung and FOTOTEST magazine.

▲ (From left) Photos by Pratul Jonnagadla Narasimha Murthy and Sylvia Chahed took home second and third place, respectively.

To give German creatives a new way to capture their city, Samsung organized a smartphone photo contest earlier this year in collaboration with German photography magazine FOTOTEST. After receiving submissions from nearly 800 individuals, five finalists were selected to participate in the final round — the ultimate nightography competition using the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The finalists’ photos each captured distinct scenes at night in extraordinary detail and clarity, highlighting the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s impressive Night Mode functionality.

Creative Collaborations for New Artistic Accessories

[Brazil] Collaboration With Graphic Designer Unveils Galaxy Digital Art

▲ Galaxy Z Flip5 digital art by graphic designer Jean Rosa

Samsung partnered with graphic designer Jean Rosa — an artist who reimagines landmarks in São Paulo, Brazil, through photography and illustration — to create a joint piece of digital art. The collaboration spotlighted the Galaxy Z Flip5’s unique foldable form factor and showcased the user-friendly functionality of the Galaxy Tab S9’s S Pen to demonstrate how both devices’ advanced capabilities are perfect tools for creatives. The full collection of Jean Rosa’s digital art can be viewed on Samsung Brazil’s official Instagram account.

[Middle East] A Limited Edition Galaxy Collection

▲ TM Roh, President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ MX Business, at the Galaxy Z Flip5 Gift Pack launch event

▲ The Galaxy Watch6 Classic Astro Edition resembles the astrolabe, used by ancient explorers and astronomers.

Samsung unveiled two exclusive Galaxy products tailored for the Middle East market — the Galaxy Watch6 Classic Astro Edition, celebrating the region’s legacy with modern technological innovation, and the Galaxy Z Flip5 Gift Pack, created in collaboration with Lebanese artist Nouri Fleihan. The Galaxy Watch6 Classic Astro Edition pays homage to the astrolabe, an instrument used by ancient explorers and astronomers, whereas the Galaxy Z Flip5 Gift Pack is a modern interpretation of the United Arab Emirates culture and includes a phone case, “abaya” (traditional dress), eco-bag and more.

[Colombia] The Galaxy Z Flip5 on the Runway

▲ Designer Diego Guarnizo takes a selfie with the Galaxy Z Flip5 at the sustainable fashion show in Colombia.

▲ Models donning designer Diego Guarnizo’s collection with the Galaxy Z Flip5

In support of eco-conscious movements within the fashion industry, the Galaxy Z Flip5 was donned by models on the runway during Colombia Fashion Week. The event showcased the Galaxy Z Flip5’s commitment to sustainability in perfect harmony with the sustainable fashion philosophy of local designer Diego Guarnizo. To emphasize this message, models wearing Guarnizo’s designs performed in an upbeat flash mob with the Galaxy Z Flip5 before engaging with visitors directly at the Galaxy Z Flip5 booth. Samsung’s collaboration with Guarnizo at Colombia Fashion Week highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability, underscoring Samsung’s use of recycled materials like discarded fishing nets and plastic bottles in its device components.

[Indonesia] ‘Samsung x You’ Campaign Celebrates Individuality

▲ Posters from the “Samsung x You” Campaign

Samsung rolled out the “Samsung x You” campaign across Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO), offering an unparalleled opportunity to experience limitless device customization possibilities. Displaying the extensive collection of accessories available for the Galaxy Z Flip5, the initiative encouraged users to express their individuality through their devices. In addition, Samsung collaborated with renowned local artists and brands to bring region-exclusive accessories that incorporate cultural designs and elements — providing users with unique colors, themes and designs to choose from. Created with younger generations in mind, the “Samsung x You” campaign will gradually expand to all SEAO markets including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

2023 Dodd Market

By in Art World News

2023 Dodd Market
image

About this Event

270 River Road, Athens, GA 30602

View map

Organized by Lamar Dodd School of Art’s Dodd Ambassadors at the University of Georgia, join the second annual Dodd Market. Dodd Market’s mission is to provide valuable selling experience to art students and to engage the UGA and Athens community with student artists. 

Oftentimes, student artists face high start up costs for markets, organization, travel and percentage of sales at traditional markets. Dodd Market provides a completely free experience for UGA students. This event is made possible the UGA Parents Leadership Council. 

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