So I was quite please with the first hour of the performance. It felt like a combo of Night at the Apollo meets A Prairie Home Companion meets Native American culture. Gene Tabagan was the host of the evening and told humorous short stories through music. Reminding us “to breath” I assumed this entertaining yogi who sang tales of his family was going to set the path for the rest of the show. His sidekick, the violinist, Swil Kanim, was remarkable and you felt his energy through every flick of the string.

From funny to serious, we all paid our respect to our veterans, past, present and tomorrow. One vet came to the stage and was given the most beautiful blanket that seemed to represent a beautiful mixture of Native American roots with the American flag of today. I would’ve been overwhelmingly beautiful and I’m pretty sure I heard a few soft tears in the house.

Then we were treated to a band by the name of Silver Jackson. Straight out of Alaska, this young group could easily open for Vince Mira. With songs about craziness, cops and love, this toe-tapping intermission was music to my ears – so to speak.

But the last hour turned out to be quite different than the first. Not that this was good or bad – it was just different. The Little Big Band was a melting pot, slapping us in the face with it to prove a point. Their performance was personally not my choice of music, and as I looked around I saw a lot of receding hairlines and wrinkles that probably saw these exact shows every weekend.

During one song, Gene dressed up in Native American garb and danced around the stage as a bird while the singer jazzed her way through a song about domestic violence. I didn’t much care for the song, but the dance was a much appreciated reminder of the first half of the show.

Personally, I think this soul/funk/cuban/middle-aged folk band would’ve fit perfectly smack dab in the middle of Folk Fest, but in the middle of Meany Hall I was confused. What finally made me leave was when the band played a song that basically screamed at us to STAND UP. After the chorus told us to do so about 50 times, without a hint of anyone actually standing up, my friend and I took that as our queue to stand up and walk out.

What we had come for – the wild dancing, drums and maybe even a bonfire, we pleasantly got in the beginning and then quickly lost by a very big band with lots of opinions. Again, maybe my expectations got the better of me, but overall I’d give this show a passive B-.

If you’re looking to experience more of the Native American vibes, you can still catch The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition: Indigenous Voices Reply at the Burke Museum. On display are historic objects and photographs from the 1909 fair with contemporary artwork by 16 Native artists. This special exhibit ends November 29th.

That all said, I was just as excited to go to Silent Movie Mondays. This Mighty Wurlitzer Organ induced movie experience isn’t new to Seattle, but it was to me. After 3 years of living here, I finally had a chance to enjoy my first film at The Paramount. I’ve seen plenty of shows there, but it just seemed different to actually sit back for 2 hours and watch a movie while Jim Riggs, the organ player, jammed away with such caress and ease.

After stalling the movie thanks to latecomers (this would never happen at 45th Guild) we finally were graced with our feature film – 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Apparently this was a very important movie for its time because it was the first flick was able to film in the ocean. You can tell the movie took advantage of this brand new technology because there were maybe a few too many scenes that lasted a wee bit too long and all there was to show for it were some little fishies, lots of coral and a big shark.

The movie was entertaining in the way that you see old photos of yourself with a bad trendy hairdo. It wasn’t a quality movie, but one to laugh out for it’s ridiculous characters and bad acting. And sure, the organ maestro played perfectly with each scene and we all had a few chuckles. But I also found myself nodding off every now and then because I just couldn’t stay interested to the actual movie.

Maybe I’m no movie buff, or maybe I just rather see laugh out loud silent movie comedies, but 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea just wasn’t for me. If I were a critic I’d give it a solid C. But thanks to some free popcorn my boyfriend scored, the beautiful ambience that is The Paramount and the very talented organ man, I’d give the Silent Movie Monday experience a whole hearty A.

Silent Movie Mondays is happening throughout the month of November. To get tickets, click on this link.

-Those crazy teens should take advantage of “Teen Swim” at the Ballard Pool where they can splash around for free between 7-8 pm, tonight (Friday).

-Give audience feedback and see a free special workshop of ARTIFACTS OF CONSEQUENCE performed at Theater Schmeater at 1500 Summit Ave, tonight (Friday) at 7:30-9:30 pm.

Have a free, wet weekend.

That’s why I’m excited to tell you that Run Vera Run is absolutely FREE to register! And the word on the street is that the treats are worth the FREEness. Walk around Seward Park and when you’re done feast on free pizza and cupcakes. Of course, they are taking donations, but like I said the registration is FREE and that’s FREE enough for me.

Now that Summer officially ended yesterday and with a nice, warm day to send us off into Fall, what better way to celebrate (or mourn) than with free ice cream from http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/promos/makeawish/. They do ask for a donation, since the flavors they’re handing out were created by Make-A-Wish kids. But I remember partaking in my free cup last year without a dime on me and no one seemed to care. Yay free (or practically free)!

Park(ing) Days – I just went to the one on University and 1st. It’s worth going to see the musician in velvet pants. Wow. Go right now because it all ends at 3pm.

Festival of Fruit – Saturday September 19, 11 am – 3pm. Talk about fruit at Carkeek Park for free.

Cascade Free Market – every Sunday at 1:30pm – After seeing the size of their squash and zucchini blossoms I can attest that if you’re looking for free produce, you won’t be disappointed. I’m not sure the logistics of this, but heck just go and see their bountiful garden anyway. It’s free!

-Ballard SeafoodFest is here Saturday and Sunday for its 35th year of long lines and yummy smoked salmon.
-Green Lake Star Party is nice simply for the fact that it’s supposed to be hella hot tomorrow. Since most of us don’t have air conditioning it’s a great excuse to still be outside at night, while staring at the stars really close up.
-KiteFest is a one-day only event at Magnuson Park that kids and people like me will love!
-Seattle Really Really Free Market is something I just found out about (thanks poster on tree). Looks interesting, and I’d love it if someone could tell me if you can actually get good knick knacks from this event. This free market takes place every last Saturday of the month.

Have a great free-filled weekend folks. I’m leaving work early to enjoy Careek Park (for free)!

Here are the details.

Side note: I stole this directly from a STG email. Thanks for my weekly update!

KEXP and The Seattle Center are proud to present Concerts At The Mural in partnership with STG, every Friday, July 31 – August 21, 2009 at Seattle Center’s Mural Amphitheatre. Included in this series is the annual KEXP BBQ on Saturday, August 8. All Mural concerts and the KEXP BBQ are free to the public and all ages.

Friday 7/31, 5-8pm
Blitzen Trapper & Throw Me The Statue

Friday 8/7, 5-8pm
Dyme Def & Fresh Espresso

Saturday 8/8, 7th Annual KEXP BBQ! 2-9pm
Dinosaur Jr, Viva Voce, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Japandroids, Born Anchors & More (to be announced)

Friday 8/14, 5-8pm
The Dodos & Army Navy

Friday 8/21, 5-8pm
Fruit Bats & Johnny and the Moon & More
(to be announced)