It's Almost New Year's Eve!

Embrace 2011, kick 2010 in the ass on its way out!

We'll start up the turntables at 8pm but we open at 3pm like any Friday (with happy hour from 3-7) so come early for dinner and snag a table. If you've been here for our monthly bellydancing events you know tables can get few and far between when there's a show featuring lovely people shakin' it on stage...

Don't forget your sparkly outfits/accessories...that's what gets you the free champagne toast at midnight!


New Year's Eve Burlesque Sparkly Party on Fri, 12/31 /  21+ / 8pm / $7

Skylark: Open Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day with our full menu!

Happy hour 3pm to 7pm, as always.

Full menu available from 3pm to midnight.

We will have board games, fun Christmas music that you maybe haven't heard repeatedly, and lots and lots of festive beverages to either prolong a happy Christmas morning's mood or obliterate any bad memories.

Skylark: here for you during the the holidays. :)

NW Harvest Benefit Concert TONIGHT! Free, donations accepted...

Ben Garves and Ramona The Band are putting on a concert at Skylark tonight to help feed hungry children throughout the holidays. Come on down and check out some hip-hop/electronica for a good cause.

We will have someone collecting donations in either cash, check or in the form of canned food and non-perishables. There will be a silent auction for an autographed pair of Ben Garves Nike Air shoes among other prizes.

It's a good night to get any last-minute Christmas shopping done as well, Skylark has a good amount of hoodies and tees in stock as well as the always appreciated gift card (any amount you want).

Time is also running out (2 more days!) to try our December charity cocktail: The Gingerbread Man. It's a tasty concoction of our cinnamon-infused vodka, Goldschlager, Bailey's, butterscotch with a shake of cinnamon. A portion of each sale goes to local food banks. More info here.

To recap:

1) come down tonight and see Ben Garves/Ramona The Band at 9pm (21+)
2) drink a Gingerbread Man

A Burlesque Sparkly Party to Start 2011!

Join us for an evening of fun and frivolity and count down the new year with some of Seattle's finest burlesque performers: Whisper de Corvo, Ava Raqs, Miss Elaine Yes, Fosse Jack, and Scandal from Bohemia. MC Mr. Bawdy and DJs will keep the party going during costume changes. Wear something sparkly or shimmery to get a free champagne toast at midnight.

8pm/21+/$7

Scrabble Tournament for Charity! Monday, Dec 6th

Spread the word! Scrabble lovers are coming together at the Skylark to play for charity. Come and flex your mental muscles while raising money for a good cause. Oh, and there will be prizes.

Here's how it works: $5 per person to enter, three 45-minute game rounds with 2-person games. Highest total score and runners up win prizes. Raffle tickets may be available for additional prizes.

The first tournament on December 6th (and every first Monday of the month) will benefit Team Tracy. This 21 person team raises money for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the cure. Team Tracy was founded by West Seattle native Tracy Dart, a breast cancer survivor and former Skylark employee.

Upcoming charities are Furry Faces on the 3rd Monday(s) and Books To Prisoners every last Monday of the month. Come for the charity that speaks to you the most or just to slay everyone with your mad word skillz.

UPDATE! Community Harvest of SW Seattle is the charity every SECOND Monday.

http://www.skylarkcafe.com/

Come register at 7pm. First game starts at 7:15 so don't be late... 

Singer/Songwriter Showcase Presents: Jenna Summer Smith

Jenna Summer Smith, daughter of Michael "Smitty" Smith, original drummer for the NW 60's band Paul Revere and the Raiders, is coming to the Skylark! Smith is headed straight from Corvallis, OR and is bringing a unique freestyle-folky blues style to the Skylark stage. She is a talented songwriter and musician who recently won the 2010 Alchy Award for best acoustic performer.

Jenna has performed up and down the west coast and is currently working on a new album. Come and check her out! You'll be just in time for late night happy hour- $1 off wells, wine, and beer plus a $4/$2 menu until 1am!

Show is on Tuesday, November 23rd starting at 9:00p.m. free/21+
www.myspace.com/jennasummersmith

The Fall/Winter Cocktail List 2010...mmmm

Riki’s Spiked Cider
Cinnamon-infused vodka, Yazi ginger vodka, Strongbow cider  9

Z’s Dark & Stormy
Sailor Jerry spiced rum, ginger syrup, ginger ale, Myers’s dark rum  9

Roger’s Manhattan
(Ri)1 whiskey, sweet vermouth, chocolate bitters, orange twist  11

Tony’s Hot Toddy
Hennessey cognac, muddled oranges, honey  8

Ryan’s Patron Saint
Patron Silver tequila, St. Germaine, grapefruit juice, muddled lime   11

The Britannica
Hendrick’s gin, Aperol bitter orange liqueur, orange twist  10

Megan’s Sunrise
Stoli Vanil, orange and pineapple juices, Bacardi rum  9

Dawn’s Oatmeal Cookie Cocoa
Goldschlager, Jagermeister, Bailey’s, butterscotch, hot chocolate, whipped cream  8

Halloween Lineup Update!

8:00pm     LEVI FULLER as The Fall
8:20pm     M. BISON as Elliott Smith
8:40pm     SPEEDMOP as Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
9:00pm     WATCH IT SPARKLE as The Doors
9:20pm     NINE N OUT as Girlschool
9:40pm     LORI CAMPION (of the Hot Rollers) as Van Halen
10:00pm   JEF SHOCKI  (members of Apple War) as The Clash
10:20pm   HELEN CHANCE as Blondie
10:40pm   HOTELS as The Misfits
11:00pm   NODDY as The B-52s
11:20pm   THE STEVEDORE as T. Rex
11:40pm   THE MANGLES as Joan Jett's Judas Priest

4th Annual Come As You Aren't Halloween Band Battle!

More cowbell! For the fourth year in a row, local rockers are going incognito as their favorite stars for Skylark’s “Come As You Aren’t” Halloween battle of the bands.

12 acts have 3 songs each to wow the crowd, as they out-rock and glam each other for possession of the coveted Golden Cowbell™. Is that Watch It Sparkle or The Doors? Levi Fuller or The Fall? Skylark regulars Nine N Out and Stevedore or Girlschool and T. Rex? Helen Chance, who last year channeled David Bowie, will conjure the female form of Blondie. Even Elliott Smith’s spirit will make a ghoulish visit in the form of M. Bison.

This event is free, 21+, and has always been Skylark's biggest night of the whole year. Costumes! Props! Band rivalries!

*Please note this year is NOT on Halloween itself, but the day before.*


This year’s complete lineup:

8:00pm LEVI FULLER as The Fall
8:20pm M. BISON as Elliott Smith
8:40pm ARMED WITH LEGS as Morphine
9:00pm SPEEDMOP as Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
9:20pm WATCH IT SPARKLE as The Doors
9:40pm NINE N OUT as Girlschool
10:00pm LORI CAMPION (of the Hot Rollers) as Van Halen
10:20pm JEF SHOCKI (members of Apple War) as The Clash
10:40pm HELEN CHANCE as Blondie
11:00pm HOTELS as The Misfits
11:20pm NODDY as The B-52s
11:40pm STEVEDORE as T. Rex
12:00am JUDAS JETT as Judas Priest/Joan Jett

Nadamucho.com’s Matt Brown, KEXP DJ Troy Nelson, and Skylark booker Jessie SK will judge the bands on originality, talent, and style. The Cowbell and runner-up prizes will be awarded shortly following the last set.

Don't forget to stop by for hangover halloween brunch on 10/31...9am to 3pm!

Seattle indie pop "for smart, sexy people like you"

Sweet SecretsPhoto by Sarah Jurado

So, there was this one time. I met a sexy man at a bar. We were shouting over some music until we realized that the music was more interesting than the conversation. Spellbound, we watched the unknown band with mouths open and hands clapping, until the very end! Then we approached the band! How many times do you feel compelled to approach the band to tell them they rock??? And the guy--who cares?!

The band was Sweet Secrets, and the show was at Skylark back in May. These bringers of indie pop "for smart, sexy people like you" (as their site describes), really know what's going on. I mean, vocalist Roger Lloyd has smart lyrics for days, and Corrina MacFarlane can tear up a violin! It's sentimental stuff but not saccharine or cliched in the least. Think Ida if they had ever been rockin'.

We also hear that: "The bass player has a goth-mambo background, the drummer is a dirty punk, the violinist is a dirty classicist, and the guitar player is an extreme bow-hunter."

SWEET!!! And here is some photographic evidence from that May show, snapped by Fredd Luongo.



AND to top this off, headlining the evening is STILL FALLING. For those not in the know:

"Still Falling formed near Seattle, Wa. in 1988. The band disolved in 1992 and reformed in 2008. New shows and recordings in 2009 have begun. Stay tuned."

Members are:

*Patrick Napper- Guit/Vox/Keys
*Rusty Urie- Keys/Guitar/Vox
*Daniel Harper- Bass/Vox

(former members:)
Robert Wheeler
Andy Mitchell
George Aragon

Here is a photo by Damian Lix:



Now I'll tell all you sexy people a secret: YOU BEST COME OUT!!!

Tonight! Rachel Goodrich, The "Queen of Miami Indie"

Playing her own self-described genre of acoustic folk that she calls "shake-a-billy," Rachel Goodrich launched on to the independent music scene in 2009 with her self-released debut full-length Tinker Toys. Licensing placements on the hit Showtime series "Weeds," MTV's "My Life as Liz" and commercials like Crayola have helped her popularity spread nation-wide.

The New York Times calls Rachel the "Queen of Miami indie" and the Austin Chronicle chose her as one of their main picks for SXSW 2009. Rachel is currently in the studio with Grammy nominated producer Greg Wells (Katy Perry, Mika, Pink, Rufus Wainwright) working on her follow up album.

Pictured: Rachel Goodrich (Tuesday, August 10th at 9pm with Timmy Sunshine & The Conductors)

Brunch: By Definition

Deep Thought 9000, er, Wikipedia, defines brunch thusly:

"Brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch.[1] The term is a portmanteau of breakfast and lunch. Often, it is a heavy meal meant to take the place of both breakfast and lunch."

So much for AI!

Still, check out that lovely vocabulary word portmanteau. Shouldn't it always be italicized, just 'cause? As our Moms would say, look it up!

Still does not compute? You can enjoy the bounty of brunch, the delirious pleasure of consuming bacon and champagne at once, all over this fair city. And many of its citizens find the Skylark's brunch really hits the spot. Our bloody mary--a secret recipe muddled with lemons and limes, and garnished with happy little artichokes and green beans--has garnered rave reviews. You can turn it into an "Empress" by adding Absolut Peppar vodka, or a "Maria" by trading vodka for tequila. Either way, she will dance your hangover into submission with her fetching good looks and stealthy seduction!

Brunch early birds enjoy 10% off EVERYTHING and $20 mimosas carafes before 11 a.m.

So what about our food, the food you eat between or instead of or in addition to breakfast and lunch? Survey Says: SUPERB!

Riki and Tony cook up two great specials each day. One sweet, one savory. Savory options have included a mindblowing variety of Benedicts and everything-but-the-kitchen-sink scrambles! Sweets have included flapjack options such as strawberry/blueberry, and the unbelievably orgasmic candied walnut/banana and pineapple/macadamia nut combos! Also, Riki's been known to douse the french toast in Kahlua or Bailey's. And who doesn't love french toast anyway?



SKYLARK BRUNCH: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Sunday. Hooray. Bonus points for counting the number of times "breakfast" and "lunch" appear in this post.

Down & Dirty, Folkalicous Rebel Roots Rock in August!

Somewhere between Alaska and Burning Man, Sacramento's charming neo-honky-tonkers BLVD PARK are landing at the Skylark. Precisely, on Friday August 6th, along with Charles Hargis & The Northern Hunger, who are celebrating a CD release.

The ragtag group of instrumentalists in BLVD PARK infuse their music with a joyful folk-punk edge and a bit of bluesy swing. With roots in gypsy, gospel, R & B and rock, they call it "Spaghetti Western Desert Folk." We call it "Awesome!"



This is music you better dance to! These pics of the band and a rowdy audience doing just that are courtesy BLVD PARK's Myspace page. Take a listen and shine up your shoes!

And we can't think of a better match for this lineup than Hargis and his Northern Hunger! Word on the street is that:

"Chuck McCammon of "Halophile" has given birth to his alter-ego "Charles Hargis", a solo performance of acoustic guitar and a dark heart singing such sweet lullabyes of sorrow and redemption with humorous twists of poor crowd banter."

Bring it on, ya'll!

Why pay for studio time when we can record your show live?

“It’s like the cheapest studio time you’ve ever had!”
            -- Unknown, somewhat tipsy Skylark musician

Did you know we’ve got toys at Skylark that let us do things that even the big clubs can’t do? With our Presonus StudioLive 16.4.2, we can offer multi-track recordings of every show.

Let me say that again slowly. Your whole performance. Recorded. Multi-track.

At the end of the night, you just give us $20 (we pay the sales tax) and get to take home a high-quality recording of your show to remix and tweak to your heart’s content using whatever software you want (ProTools, GarageBand, etc.). You can also give the files to your favorite engineer for mixing. You're not paying much more than you would for a board recording (which is usually all vocals and kick drum with the rest of the band at the bottom of a well--in my experience anyhow).

Suggestions:

• release your first double-live album
• add a secret live track to your EP
• supplement your facebook/myspace with live tracks
• videotape your performance and sync it up later with our high-quality sound
• fix a flubbed note, edit out embarrassing stage banter
• add backing vocals or instrumentation
• completely remove that bongo player you just fired*

Don't feel sorry for yourself if you love this idea, but don't have a show booked at Skylark in the near future. Every single Wednesday night is open mic, which is fully backlined for bands. Why not record your open mic set?

P.S. Come to open mic or purchase your show recording before the end of July and only pay the low introductory price of $15 + tax.


*Sorry Steve, we’ve been meaning to talk to you for a while.

Pseudo Slang: Hip hop at the Skylark

"Rap is something you do, Hip Hop is something you live!"



Pseudo Slang image from hiphopanonymous420.blogspot.com

The motto of NYC's Fat Beats Records, a retail spot established in '94, serves the artists on their boutique label as well. Coming to Skylark on Thursday, July 15 is Buffalo crew Pseudo Slang, whose smooth, smart flow and sampladelic relics bring to mind the good old mid-'90s: think Digable Planets and Common, but with even warmer grooves. Their debut album Keep Looking is out on Fat Beats this summer. It's sure to turn some heads, so check yours here first.

Joining Pseudo Slang are openers APOC and Modill, and local headliners Proper Etiquette. Of APOC, San Diego City Beat says: "[Their] music sounds like the last 30 years of hip hop and electronic music happening at once." Day-um! That's a whole lot of goodies tossed in the blender, and we can't wait to get a taste!

Chicago duo Modill brings rhymes by Racecar and production by funk drummer K-Kruz, to get the party started. Their impressive debut, Midnight Green (EV Records) is a great accomplishment, representing a city that should be known for way more than Kanye.

Seattle's own Proper Etiquette is a six-person project aiming to bring back live instrumentation to hip hop. As they note on their page,

"Proper Etiquette is about putting the right work back into urban-style roots music. Paying the right homage to the genres that not only birthed Hip-Hop, but also that Hip-Hop has borrowed from over time such as Jazz, Soul and World/Ethnic music while not limiting themselves to a specific genre classification."

Five Alarm Fire, featuring John Maurer of Social Distortion! This Saturday!

Back in the day, when MTV still played videos, the singles from Social Distortion's self-titled third album were all over it--remember "Ball and Chain" and their ass-kicking version of "Ring of Fire"?

Now the music industry has been turned upside down, but it's good times for former SD bassist John Maurer, whose new band Five Alarm Fire is gonna burn down the Skylark this Saturday!!

On FAF's Myspace page, he says, "It's a new music world out there; the days of the controlling record company suits are OVER."

We do things differently at the Skylark too. Like bringing Maurer's band to you FREE on a Saturday night! That means more $ in your pocket for a 'lil libation or two.

The 'hard-rockin' riffs and hard-livin' lyrics' will please Social D fans looking for a fix. Maurer says:

"Punk almost falls under roots based music nowadays. We're not tryn' to reinvent the wheel here. Five Alarm Fire is just good ol cowpunk, rock-n-rolla, she left me for a bottle of whiskey, urban blues let's have a flipn' beach party and a pop."

STORY OF MY LIFE!

Every Second, Every Moment...

We've got to, we've got to make it last!

(Apologies to OMD, who played the theme to Andie, Duckie and Blane's prom in Pretty in Pink).

But yeah, our prom totally ruled.



Click here to view the whole set, shot by the one & only RJB Photo.

Here's How Our Prom Will Be Different!

Some of you may hear the word "prom" and think of overpriced banquets, awkward photo shoots set up by the parents, and the hassle of smuggling hooch past the chaperones. I'm here to assure you the Skylark Rock 'n' Roll Prom will have none of these terrible things, quite the opposite! Here's a handy list of ways our prom will kick your prom's ass on the playground...one reason for every year Skylark has been bringing original live music to the westside.

1. There will be no plate fees, limo fees, or any other fees. Not even a cover charge to get in and see the three wonderful live bands and awesome D.J. Our full menu will be available all evening and night. Beat that, high school.
2. There will be a rock 'n' roll photographer to take your photo. Say goodbye to those frozen-faced grimaces as your mom poses you in the yard for endless photos. RJB Photo, pro pin-up and band photographer, will be on hand should you desire a memento.
3. There's no need to smuggle in hooch or spike the punch! Our punch comes pre-spiked. (Some have said smuggling booze is what makes prom "prom," but we say a full bar and 12 beers on tap is what makes being a grown-up RULE.)
4. There's no need for a date or an expensive outfit. All these things are relics of a more conventional past that we can take or leave here at the 'lark. You've come of age, your life is your own, and you can interpret "rock 'n' roll" to mean a variety of sartorial things. Recycle an old dress, rent a powder blue tux, come dressed as Cyndi Lauper...it's up to you. There are no cliques here to shun you!

Skylark's 4th Anniversary Rock 'n' Roll Prom
Saturday, June 5th
8pm / free
featuring DJ Create and prom bands M.Bison, Zack Stokes Knows Scholarly Gentlemen, and Danielli.

Skylark's Turning 4!?! Let's Boogie!!

Four years, how they go by so fast. One minute you're navigating through vicious cliques, struggling to prove your coolness--the next, you're stranding boys at the drive-in and kicking ass at the prom dance-off! Oh, wait...

A lot has happened in four years at Skylark too. Yeah...we let Rizzo get us drunk and pierce our ears. Peer pressure is a $*#@! Now, we're the hottest thing in leather pants. We've been rocking and rolling the Delridge neighborhood since opening in 2006, so it's tres appropriate that we're celebrating our anniversary with a ROCK & ROLL PROM on Delridge Day, June 5. One of DD's themes this year is "fitness"--limbo, anyone?

Get your best moves ready, quick! You could be up against The Best Dancer at St. Bernadette's (or Pigeon Point):



PROM ENTERTAINMENT will be provided by Zack Stokes & the Scholarly Gentlemen, Danielli, and M. Bison! More details on the bands, photo booth and special treats coming soon! Mark your calendars!!!

Taste of West Seattle: You Gonna Eat Your Tots?

 
This is what can happen at food festivals. Get ready. This summer's full of 'em, and Skylark Cafe is officially in the mix.

Why not get pumped for July's Bite of Seattle--that T.rex of local foodie events--by getting a Taste of West Seattle on Thursday, May 20th? The Hall at Fauntleroy is offering nibbles and bits from close to 35 of W. Sea's beloved eateries, caterers and "beverage houses."

Now, we could rave all day about the culinary delights cooked up by Tony, Riki, Ryan and DeLeon in our lil kitchen. My West Seattle tastes like their tender tuna melts, creative daily pasta specials, warm homemade soups and at least TWO pocketfuls of tater tots! And don't forget our Yelp-tested, Yelp-approved Bloody Mary and all its variants.

Tickets to this chowdown of epic proportions are $35 if you get 'em now, and are available at Metropolitan Market, Hotwire Coffee, Husky Deli and Capers. Or call 206-932-2746.

Taste of West Seattle
6-8:30 p.m., Thursday, May 20th
THE HALL
at FAUNTLEROY
9131 California Ave SW

Confirmed May Shows Are Blowing My Mind

Upcoming Confirmed Shows

Shows are 21+ and start at 9pm unless otherwise specified. Check the website calendar often for additions and cancellations, or to hear music clips.

5/1 POST HARBOR, YOU MAY DIE IN THE DESERT, ARMED WITH LEGS
5/2 [All Ages!] GRAVES, MESTIZO, EXISTEREO, CADALACK RON

5/5 SINEM SANIYE (NYC) featured artist at open mic

5/6 Ninkasi Brewing Presents EMKAYTWO, KRISTI NELSON, TYLER FORTIER 

5/7 THUNDERBIRD MOTEL, THE BOURBONITES,
JEFF GRANT (of M.Bison)

5/8 BEND, THE VAGUE PROPHETS, ABRAHAM

5/9 [All Ages!] Mother's Day

GIRLS ROCK! benefit show 3pm-6pm

GHOST LOBBY, AMBER DARLAND

TEAM TRACY benefit show 7pm-10pm
JULIA MASSEY, ABI GRACE, ANNIE LOCKWOOD
5/13 MAN ON THE WALL, FOUNDRY FIRE, CHOKING MONA

5/14 TO THE SEA, THE FUZZ, guests
5/15 MINIREX, THE LITTLE PENGUINS, STROPPY

5/16 [All Ages!] TO PAINT THE SKY, ALABASTER, AMSTERDAM, 

REBEL STRIKE
5/18 7:30pm ALAUDA freeform bellydance

5/20 PENESIS, THE TAILENDERS cd release party, CHARLES HARGIS (of Halophile)
5/21 KEXP Hood-to-Hood Showcase with THE TRIPWIRES, THE FUCKING EAGLES, THE HOTELS, DJs Troy & Hannah
5/22 THE STEVEDORE, CASEY RUFF & THE MAYORS OF BALLARD, guests

5/23 [All Ages!] HI-FI RESET, guests

5/27 INNUENDO, SUBURBAN VERMIN, guests
5/28 THE DIGNITARIES, GLAD GIRLS, SOUTH SOUND BUREAU CHIEFS 

5/29 CADY WIRE, JONES FAMILY FORTUNE, SWEET SECRETS
5/30 [All Ages!] PETER HANKS, JACK STAFFORD FOUNDATION, guests

Tuesdays OPEN TURNTABLES 6pm
and LATE NITE HAPPY HOUR 9pm
Wednesdays TRIVIA with Britannica 7pm
OPEN MIC 9pm (signup 8pm)

It's All Good in the Hood: KEXP reps W. Sea on May 21st!

The Tripwires, courtesy their Myspace page.

Hop on your hog, rent that Zipcar, bus it on out to Skylark on Friday, May 21st, when West Seattle celebrates its victory in KEXP's Hood-to-Hood Challenge! No, it had nothing to do with switchblades down by the harbor. Our triumph represents our community's willingness to support Seattle's rockinest radio station. During pledge drives, the station pits neighborhoods against each other to see who can raise the most bread. And guess who's got the dough this time!

Since we won, KEXP is sponsoring and hosting shows all over the neighborhood, including our killer triple-bill featuring The Tripwires, the Fucking Eagles, and Hotels, and hosted by KEXP DJs Troy Nelson and Hannah Levin.

Can't sleep in the wee hours of Saturday morning? Ever come home from the bar sad and alone? You've probably tuned into Troy (below) doing his variety mix from 1-6 a.m. on Friday night.



Photo courtesy of KEXP

At the helm of Audioasis every Saturday from 6-9 p.m., Hannah (below) spins Northwest-centric tunes and hosts amazing in-studio guests. Recently, that included students from the School of Rock. She's truly on the case when it comes to what makes Seattle's music scene so special.



Check KEXP's Hood-to-Hood page for a schedule.

May 8th and 9th: What a Weekend!

Can you say "junk in the trunk"???

Skylark kicks off a happening weekend of Mother's Day festivities and TWO benefit shows by joining West Seattle Yard Sale Day!

The West Seattle Community Garage Sale is in its 6th year, and this community is not playing around. On Saturday, May 8th, there are approximately 200 yard sales for you to scavenge through, all referenced via an online map or an 8-page a 12-page .pdf (!!).

But you know you want to start your search at Skylark! (We are 53 on the map there, under the words "Harbor Island.") Not only will our parking lot be filled with items such as glassware, retro chrome sconces, scrap lumber and snowboard/boot combos, but maybe our cook Riki will even throw down her famous Kahlua french toast for the occasion. Brunch is the bomb here at Skylark...be sure to check your May email newsletter for 50% off a mimosa carafe with purchase of any yard sale item. Not on our mailing list yet? Better go sign up for next month.

Bring mom for a flower-filled brunch on Sunday, May 9th and stay for one (or both) of our exciting benefit shows.

First up! From 3-6 p.m. we're hosting an all-ages benefit for GIRLS ROCK! This radical non-profit encourages 300 girls a year to creatively express themselves through music. How I wish I'd had access to such a thing in my teens--I'd be able to play more than one song on the guitar I've had now for 15 years! (Although, it is "Livin' on a Prayer.")

Representing the rawk are the band Ghost Lobby (who slayed Skylark last month!) and sassy singer-songwriter Amber Darland (pictured below).



NEXT! At 7 p.m., "Mommies & Mammaries" is a showcase to benefit breast cancer research, with proceeds going to the Susan B. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk (via Team Tracy) in September. M & M is "a call to celebrate feminine creativity in it's many forms," featuring musicians Annie Lockwood, Abi Grace and Julia Massey (below). There will be a raffle for an awesome gift cards package from many local women-owned businesses.

Next Thursday: Dining Out for Life!

Lifelong AIDS Alliance holds a special place in my heart. The organization, which has been supporting and advocating for those living with HIV/AIDS in the Northwest since 2001, also happens to run one of the baddest-ass thrift stores in town. The trash jewelry of countless Grandmas and drag queens has become my shiny treasure time and again!

So I'll be sure to wear my secondhand pearls while working my lunch shift next Thursday, April 29th, when Skylark takes part in Lifelong's annual Dining Out for Life event. All day long--we're participating from 11:30 a.m. til 9 p.m.--30% of the proceeds from your meal will benefit Lifelong, and "the fight against illness and hunger in our community," as they say.

PLUS! If you make a donation of at least $25 to Lifelong while dining at Skylark, you'll become a member of the 20% Off Tuesdays Club. This means that every Tuesday, ALL YEAR, that you dine with us, you'll receive 20% off your total bill! Sweet!

Learn more about this vital organization here.

Then check out our online menu to plan your visit. Will it be our comforting mac & cheese, perhaps with bacon and bleu? A hearty burger? Our famous grilled steak salad with roasted red peppers?

A portion of our beverage sales will also be included. Psst...we've got a few new cocktails on the menu, featuring the use of Aperol, rye and (the favorite of genteel ladies everywhere) Hendrick's gin.

We look forward to living it up with you!

Skylark Stars in a "MOHAI Minute"

Holla!

We've been profiled in a short video made by the Museum of History and Industry here in Seattle. It turns out that our building has quite an interesting history. The West Seattle Blog passes on the word that the video "puts the hysterical in historical." See for yourself!

Kisses, Hugs and Hammered Dulcimer!

Portland's Loaded for Bear. Photo: Jonathan January.

Come out of hibernation and enjoy the musical bounty of the great Northwest (and beyond) this month at Skylark. Birds are a-chirpin', beer is a-flowin' and musical wildflowers of every color are popping up in our meadow.

Don't miss our sweet triple bill on Friday, April 16th, featuring the Rose City's Loaded for Bear (pictured above). The foursome describe their songs as "pieces of hills and fog and trees and creeks and space and old-world carnival and a compass rose." To us, that sounds like vintage Macha, or Red Stars Theory with a five-day scruff.

Exohxo features Danny and Jasen from local pop-punk darlings Speaker Speaker, plus five partners-in-crime, playing folk-tinged songs that are wistful and raucous. The critics have been drooling on this ensembles' skilled musicianship and remarkable politesse.

Finally, our headliners are SHiPS, AKA Jacob, Laurie, Chase and Garrett, who bring the "noise," "positive attitude" and hammered dulcimer to our music hall. Their fantastic sounds will ease you into psychedelic realms without landing you in a coma.

Friday, April 16. 21+/9:00pm/no cover

Confirmed April Shows At Skylark

4/1 EIGHT LEGS TO NOWHERE, KRIS SPECIAL, THE QUICK & EASY BOYS
4/2 BLUE STAR CREEPER, GHOST LOBBY, HALF LIGHT
4/3 GUNSTREET GLORY, HELEN CHANCE, DUSTIN SCHMIDT, RUBY HILL (duo)
4/4 {all ages} SEEING BLIND (duo), TAMARA POWER-DRUTIS
4/8 TWISTING FATE, FEEDING GEORGE, PERPETUAL JET LAG
4/9 OPEN CHOIR FIRE, CROWN ARUBA, THE GLAD GIRLS
4/10 WE WROTE THE BOOK ON CONNECTORS, DEAD AMERICANS, CAROUSEL
4/11 {all ages} WAY SOUTH, THE WHOLE BOLIVIAN ARMY, ADHD
4/15 GRAVES, VERSE THE VILLAIN
4/16 SHiPS, EXOHXO, LOADED FOR BEAR
4/17 TBD
4/18 {all ages} CHELSEA SPEED PARTY, THE KLEENERS, RAZORS & RED FLAGS
4/22 WAH WAH EXIT WOUND, LETHE
4/23 NATHAN WADE & THE DARK PIONEERS, ERIC MILLER, JIBRAN
4/24 THE HOOT HOOTS, VARNISH, SHINING SKULLS
4/25 {all ages} PONYHOMIE, EVELYN BOSKER
4/29 GREEN HANDSHAKE, THE POPULAR MONSTERS, MIDDLE AGE CRISIS
4/30 KLED, THE PLAID PERSPECTIVE, JOHNSON COUNTY

Tuesdays OPEN TURNTABLES 6pm
and LATE NITE HAPPY HOUR 9pm
Wednesdays TRIVIA with Brittanica 7pm
OPEN MIC 9pm (signup 8pm)

Ninkasi Debuts Its "Spring Reign" Ale Here On Tuesday 3/30

Spring forward with this refreshing seasonal ale. Notes of toasted malt up front, finished with a bright and refreshing Northwest hop aroma, it’s a session beer that everyone can enjoy!
6% alc./vol. 38 ibus.

Reps from Ninkasi Brewing Co. and their distributor Odom will be on hand Tuesday, March 30th from 5:00-7:00pm to play some records (Tuesday is Spin Your Wax night after all), toss back a few pints, buy a few rounds if you're lucky, and discuss and enjoy Ninkasi beers with the Skylark customer. It's going to be an even happier happy hour than most, and may go beyond!

 

March show calendar! Local & national acts...

3/4 HUNTING GROUNDS, BREAKER BREAKER, GOLDEN GREYS
3/5 ARMED WITH LEGS, POST ADOLESCENCE, THE SWEET DOMINIQUES
3/6 SHIFTLESS LAYABOUT, SATELLITE 4, SUPERMASSIVE
3/7 {all ages} JAMES COATES, THE WELCOME MATT, JACKIE DAUM
3/11 THE SHOTS, GOLDEN CITY RIOT, LEAFY GREENS, BRENDAN BOOGIE
3/12 NINE N OUT, KINK ADOR, CANDYSOUND
3/13 THE RESETS, HORACE PICKETT, JOHNNY UNICORN
3/14 {all ages} HELEN CHANCE, KRISTI NELSON, BRADY BANKS
3/18 POLAND, GAVIN GUSS, RUXTON TOWERS
3/19 THE GOOD LUCK NUMBER, JULIA MASSEY & THE FIVE FINGER DISCOUNT, 3 NINJAS, CRAZY BOY FLOYDS
3/20 SPACE HOTEL, DONERAIL, THE MOIRES
3/21 {all ages} KILL CUPID, HELLA SUNSHINE
3/25 TAYBOT, DEATHSTAR, HELLO SQUARE
3/26 THE GLASS NOTES, HALOPHILE, WORKER BEE
3/27 CASEY RUFF & THE MAYORS OF BALLARD, HORSE OPERAS, LENA LOU
3/28 {all ages} HOLLY FIGUEROA O'REILLY, CHRISTOPHER DALLMAN, AIDEN JAMES

Ladies, Bring Your Tramps To Skylark On Valentine's Day...and Valentine's Night

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2010

Seattle, WA - Sunday, February 14th, 2010 – Skylark Cafe & Club is hosting our third annual Valentine's evening with dinner, dessert, a bottle of wine and live music. This year we are also adding a romantic brunch to the offering...if "romantic" means a full carafe of mimosas to you. And doesn't it always?

Sunday brunch for two on 2/14 is just $30 and includes:

• two mixed-berry flapjacks
• an egg breakfast with two eggs, home fries, and your choice of meat (bacon, Black Forest ham, sausage links)
• a mimosa carafe (1 liter)

Dinner for two on 2/14 is just $40 and includes:

• starter salad
• spaghetti and meatballs family-style
• an amazing dessert from Shoofly Pie Company in West Seattle
• a bottle of Cycles Gladiator Syrah

Skylark’s regular menu and beverages will also be available all day and night. No reservation is necessary, just come on down and grab a table unless you have eight or more people in your party (then a phone call is appreciated). Weekend brunches are 9:00am to 3:00pm. Valentine's dinner will be seated from 5:00pm to 10:00pm while supplies last.

Live music in the evening will transport you with two excellent female vocalists:

8:00pm  Indie folk band LEMOLO
9:00pm    Down-tempo electroacoustic band THE DEEPSLEEP NARCOTICS COMPANY

Contact: Jessie SK 
206-935-2111

This Sunday 1/24 100% of Brunch Profits Go To Haiti

LOCAL SEATTLE RESIDENT ORGANIZES DINE OUT SEATTLE FOR HAITI
Seattle Restaurants Support HAITI Disaster Relief on Sunday January 24, 2010

After hearing that a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the island nation of Haiti on January 12th, local Seattle resident Monica Mendoza made her own personal donation to NetHope to support disaster relief efforts.  Yet, as she watched the constant updates of the unbelievable crisis the people of Haiti are facing on the news and on online she was moved to do more. 

She got to work quickly to begin organizing Dine Out Seattle for Haiti.  She made countless number of phone calls and wrote several emails reaching out to many of the local restaurants in Seattle and the surrounding area asking them to directly donate a percentage of that night's proceeds to NetHope or the organization of their choice.

Through her efforts she has proven that one person can make a difference and has pulled together the support of fourteen Seattle area restaurants so far which includes:
    •    Dinette
    •    Restaurant Zoe
    •    Quinn's Pub
    •    Le Gourmand
    •    La Rustica
    •    Skylark Café (donating 100% of Sunday brunch proceeds)
    •    La Isla - Puerto Rican food in Ballard
    •    Café Venus (donating a % of Brunch/Sunday night karaoke proceeds)
    •    Tavolata
    •    How To Cook A Wolf
    •    Barking Frog - in Woodinville
    •    Springhill
    •    Feedback Lounge
    •    Mission Bar

On her Facebook invite Monica states, “this is a devastating blow to a country that has already suffered a great deal for decades due to poverty, violence and unrest.”  She hopes that a great number of Seattle residents will make plans to dine out for Haiti at one of the participating restaurants on Sunday January 24 as well as make their own personal contribution to relief efforts in Haiti.

Here at Skylark, we hope you'll spend some time with us in between 9:00am and 3:00pm on Sunday January 24th for a delicious weekend brunch, and then perhaps head to another participating restaurant above for dinner. Double donations to a suffering nation!

Memphis Radio Kings Bring Their "Cow Punk Boogie" to Skylark Saturday January 9th

These westside favorites are finally performing on the Skylark stage, and it will be a fabulous party. Says a writer on Rhapsody Music Service:

"Fans of the Americana sound who feel betrayed by their heroes leaving the twang in the dust to pursue more radio-friendly music may now bow down to the Memphis Radio Kings, who fuse some of that Bo Diddley rhythm with dexterous Telecaster picking and melodies that stick like cactus candy. Oh, and their songs rule."

With Gunn & The Damage Done, Nathan Wade & The Dark Pioneers. 9pm / free