Mona’s Bistro & Lounge has put together a regular live music schedule that is sure to put Green Lake on the entertainment map in Seattle. Featuring some of Seattle’s best musicians and DJs, the music will focus on funk, soul, and jazz as they try and stay true to the sexy vibe that is Mona’s.

Music will be happening every Wednesday through Saturday nights from 10PM until closing and to help get you in the mood, they’ll have a special happy hour on music nights from 9pm to 10pm with $2 wells and drafts! There is never a cover charge at Mona’s.

In preparation for the new music nights Mona’s has upgraded their sound system, installed some ambient lighting and will be putting in a small stage. Mona’s has also updated their website with a calendar of all the musical acts. Mona’s has also created a Facebook group where you can stay up to date with the music.

This week’s music events at Mona’s Bistro & Lounge feature some of Seattle’s best musicians. Starting the music week on Wednesday will be the Unsinkable Heavies. Led by Nate Spicer’s Hammond B3 organ and Ben Bloom’s guitar, the Heavies are a subgroup of the mega all-star Funk Orchestra, Polyrhythmics but with a funky improvisational twist. They will be shooting some video of the band for some future YouTube postings so come down and take part!

Unsinkable Heavies

Thursday brings the Farko Collective, Seattle’s most groundbreaking, genre-stretching jazz fusion group today. The Collective is the brain child of electric bass prodigy Farko Rustamovich Dosumov. Originally hailing from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Farko became a US citizen and chose the incredibly fertile music grounds of Seattle, Washington to start his remarkable career. Farko has been in many other Seattle projects over the years and also holds down the bass with Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder.

Friday is DJ night at Mona’s and this week will be the dueling beats of Night Train and DJ Sloth. Both these DJs have been spinning in Seattle for years and at many of Seattle’s biggest DJ events. They’ll be spinning House, Disco, Nu-Disco edits, Soul and Funk…and a whole lot more.

Night Train

Saturday brings bassist Paul “PK” Kemmish to Mona’s along with noted keyboardist Marc Hager and drummer (and long-time Mona’s veteran) Guido Perla. PK returns to Seattle after touring the world with Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam for the last two years and we’re very happy to have him back! For you locals that have been around a while, you may recall PK as the bassist for Das Rut when they appeared for years on Thursday nights at the old Scarlet Tree. Well PK is back and he’s bringin’ it to Mona’s!

Paul “PK” Kemmish

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: bars, local businesses, music, restaurants

The Ben & Jerry’s Green Lake Scoop Shop (7900 E Green Lake Dr N) is re-opening Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012.

Winter hours will be 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. or 10 p.m., with later hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

New owners Maria Hug and Rhett Russell have remodeled the store with an updated look. They will be serving a full Ben & Jerry’s menu, including a new offering: smoothies.

The Green Lake location will be the fourth Ben & Jerry’s that Maria and Rhett have owned and the third that is currently in operation. They also offer catering throughout Washington State.

Maria says that she and Rhett make community support a priority at each of their scoop shops. You can read about their fundraising programs here and their donation policy here.

Hiring is complete for the opening.

Welcome to Green Lake, Maria and Rhett!

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: local businesses

Photo courtesy Cafe Bonjour

Some news from Cafe Bonjour (7119 Woodlawn Ave NE):

We have got our beer and wine license and will starting opening 9am-9pm daily starting Feb. 11. 2012.

We added pasta to the menu starting at $7.95 , with our house made basil tomato sauce, creamy Alfredo or Creamy Pesto and Chicken. Crepes and panini are served all day.

Imported and Washington wines are available by glass.

On Valentine’s Day, we offer complementary suprivised kids play, so the parents can have a nice dinner at our cafe.

Reservations are recommended 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Cafe Bonjour is a My Green Lake advertiser.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: advertiser, kids, local businesses, valentine's day

At least 50% of each dinner bill will be donated to the Food Bank, and 66% of the cost of orders from a special menu will be donated.

“Our monetary goal for the evening is to raise $6,000,” Paul Yunker, Development Director at the University District Food Bank, said in an email sent to Food Bank supporters earlier today. “That’s essentially 50% of our food purchasing budget for the month of February.”

The Greenlake Bar & Grill is a My Green Lake advertiser.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: food, fundraiser, local businesses, restaurants, udistrict

2010 W.O.W. | Photo credit Dave Ho (dho designs)

Women on Wheels (W.O.W.) is returning to Gregg’s Greenlake Cycle (7007 Woodlawn Ave NE) on Thursday, March 1, 2012, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

W.O.W. is a celebration of women and cycling. Entry, food, drinks and raffles are all free.

Tracey Gramenz will be the keynote speaker.

Tracey is the founder of Raw Retreats and a well versed bicycle guide.

Tracey has spent the good portion of the past ten years on the saddle.  After retiring early from work as a bilingual family therapist, she hit the road and started professionally guiding luxury bike tours in America’s west (think Zion, Banff, Glacier, Crater Lake, San Juan Islands).  When not guiding others, she has spent her fare share of nights in the tent during extensive, self supported bike tours through Portugal, India, Italy and New Zealand.

The M.C. will be Kat Sweet, the Youth Program Coordinator at Cascade Bicycle Club and the Director for Trips for Kids Seattle.

Sign up for Women on Wheels here.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: bargain alert, cycling, local businesses

• The Seattle Public Theater at the Green Lake Bathhouse (7312 West Green Lake Dr N) is accepting applications for a Front of House Manager [info].

• The Greenlake PCC (7504 Aurora Ave N) is hiring a Courtesy Clerk [info].

Photo credit: bochalla

• A venture capital group that provides online information to patients about medical marijuana strains and dispensaries is looking for a relationship associate [info].

• Skinlogic Skin Center (7900 East Green Lake Dr N) is hiring a waxing specialist [info], a massage therapist [info] and an esthetician [info].

• Title Nine (7000 Woodlawn Ave NE) is hiring part-time sales associates [info].

• Children’s Communication Corner (444 NE Ravenna Blvd) has an opening for a speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist [info].

Please email us at tips [at] mygreenlake.com if you would like us to help spread the word about a current Green Lake job opening. We post all opportunities, including short-term jobs. 

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: jobs, local businesses

Mona’s Bistro & Lounge (6421 Latona Ave NE) is launching a no-cover regular live music line up.

A variety of music, including jazz, funk, soul, Latin and disco will be offered beginning at 10 p.m. four nights a week (Wednesday through Saturday) at the east Green Lake bar.

Here are the show listings for February 2012, via Mona’s:

During our $2 Music Happy Hour from 9pm to 10pm our awesome bartenders will be playing their own choice of tunes to get everyone in the mood for the live music!

WED / FRI / SAT

Spinning funk, soul & Latin…

THE CHILL ZONE

9pm – 10pm ~ no cover

——————————————————–

THUR

Spinning funk, soul & disco…

FUNKLOVE (Victor Trey)

9pm – 10pm ~ no cover

 

Live Music Listings:

 

WED – Feb 1

organ-based funk, jazz & groove…

JOE DORIA’S FOG (Funky Organ Group…) (http://joedoriamusic.com/)

This week featuring Ari Joshua/Guitar & Mike Stone/Drums

10pm ~ no cover

 

THUR – Feb 2

Eclectic Funk jazz grooves with a progressive texture…

CURTIS SEALS AND THE SEASONING

10pm ~ no cover

 

FRI – Feb 3

Spinning House, Disco, Nu-Disco edits, Soul and Funk…

NIGHT TRAIN (Innerflight Music)

10pm ~ no cover

 

SAT – Feb 4

Eclectic Funk jazz grooves with a progressive texture…

CURTIS SEALS AND THE SEASONING

10pm ~ no cover

 

WED – Feb 8

Greasy dirty Funk & soul grooves…

UNSINKABLE HEAVIES

10pm ~ no cover

 

THUR – Feb 9

Fusion / Latin / Jazz with a ‘twist’…

FARKO COLLECTIVE

10pm ~ no cover

 

FRI – Feb 10

Spinning House, Disco, Nu-Disco edits, Soul and Funk…

NIGHT TRAIN (Innerflight Music)

DJ SLOTH

10pm ~ no cover

 

SAT – Feb 11

Funky jazz and groove explorations…

PK and What Army?

Featuring Marc Hager – keys and Guido Perla – drums.

10pm ~ no cover

 

WED – Feb 15

organ-based funk, jazz & groove…

JOE DORIA’S FOG

This week featuring SKERIK!

10pm ~ no cover

 

THUR – Feb 16

Fusing jazz with funk, soul, rock and world beats…

ARI JOSHUA & FRIENDS

10pm ~ no cover

 

FRI – Feb 17

Spinning House, Disco, Nu-Disco edits, Soul and Funk…

DJ SLOTH

10pm ~ no cover

 

SAT – Feb 18

Funky metered  fusion groove…

RAI

10pm ~ no cover

 

WED – Feb 22

organ-based funk, jazz & groove…

JOE DORIA’S FOG

This week featuring SKERIK!

10pm ~ no cover

 

THUR – Feb 23

Fusion / Latin / Jazz with a ‘twist’…

ISTVAN & FARKO

10pm ~ no cover

 

FRI – Feb 24

Spinning House, Disco, Nu-Disco edits, Soul and Funk…

DJ NIGHT TRAIN (Innerflight Music)

10pm ~ no cover

 

SAT – Feb 25

Latin Jazz, Salsa, Son, Haitian, Soukous and straight ahead Jazz…

ARTURO RODRIGUEZ & LEIF TOTUSEK

10pm ~ no cover

 

WED – Feb 29

Greasy dirty Funk & soul grooves…

UNSINKABLE HEAVIES

10pm ~ no cover 

Artist information:

JOE DORIA - Hammond Organ + Synth/Piano/Vintage Keys (http://joedoriamusic.com/)

Raised in the Northwest, Hammond organist Joe Doria has been making big waves on the music scene and is the most sought after organist in the area. Featured in numerous bands and CD’s, Audiences are dazed with his ability to comp both the bass lines and the chordal structure of a song, while at the same time adding depth and dimension to every song he performs. He is obviously at home and in touch with the Hammond, knowing the instrument and it’s history so well as to make it sing in any situation.

Never limiting himself to one style and constantly working with new projects, Joe can be heard on many cd’s and playing live in projects such as his latest “MCTUFF” (feat Skerik, Andy Coe and Tarik Abouzied), and The Joe Doria Trio.  Other projects include: Skerik’s Syncopated Taint Septet; “Arisawkadoria” feat. guitarist Ari Zucker and drummer Kevin “KJ” Sawka (Pendulum); Spellbinder feat. drummer “Michael Shrieve” (Santana); DOS(e) feat. John Wicks (Fitz and the Tantrums) and Skip Heller (Hyena Records); The Drunken Masters (w/drummer Mike Stone and guitarist Thaddeus Turner) , SwampDweller w/Mark Fendel; The Living Daylights (w/Jessica Lurie, Dale Fanning, Arnie Livingston) and many more….

As a musician’s musician you never know who will be playing with Joe on any night because so many great local musicians show up at his show…the only way to know is to go!

UNSINKABLE HEAVIES (http://www.facebook.com/Unsinkableheavies/)

Unsinkable Heavies are a subgroup of the mega all-star Funk Orchestra, Polyrhythmics. The music is decidably greasier, dirtier, and full of EGO ! Big solos, spinning leslies and a no holds barred, “taking it to the top” approach to classic soul/jazz tunes and their own compositions. “Raw Musical Adventurism” at it’s finest! Most performances include the added sax aphonic freakiness of Thomas Deakin from the Yogoman Burning Band , who adds to this dynamic rhythm sections ability to melt minds and stop time!

NIGHT TRAIN (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Innerflight-Music/136285900149)

Harp Attack!! Cruising the beat universe on his harmonica spaceship, the Night Train just probably graced a venue near you. This local favorite adds edgy and innovative sounds to dance floors across town. Starting in 2007 playing along side DJ’s adding live harmonica over a traditional DJ set, the Night Train has since become a DJ himself playing live harmonica over his own set! Musical styles that usually includes House, Disco, Nu-Disco edits, Soul and Funk! Currently in residency at monthlies: Strobe at Rebar and DROP at Lofi and a long time part of local DJ crew/record label Innerflight Music. Choosing from his bandolero straps of harmonicas, the Night Train… If you’re crossing the bridge between digital and analog, you’ll probably end up catching a ride on the Night Train.

DJ SLOTH (http://www.djsloth.com)

Over the past 7 years, DJ Sloth held residencies at Watertown with Andrew Cox and Kundabuffer, Shift at En and Spy.  He partnered with Kundabuffer producing the Bloom parties, produced mixes for Zenzi Burlesque and has played throughout the region venues such as Trinity, Capitol Hill Arts Center, Lo-Fi, Columbia City Theatre, the Baltic Room and End Up in San Francisco.  Sloth opened Sky Cries Mary’s reunion show at Fenix Underground as well as the Sky Cries Mary cd release party at Rendezvous and parties in Vancouver, BC and Chicago.

PAUL “PK” KEMMISH (http://www.reverbnation.com/pkwhatarmy)

Paul “PK” Kemmish has been a steadfast member of the Seattle music scene for nearly 20 years, helping found Rockin Teenage Combo, Dasrut and PK & What Army?. He then spent 2 years touring internationally with Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam. Currently, he is performing locally with Eric Barber’s MetriLodic, Beth Fleenor’s Figeater, The Harmonica Pocket and various side projects.

FARKO DOSUMOV (http://www.facebook.com/farkocollective)

The Farko Collective is Seattle’s most groundbreaking, genre-stretching jazz fusion group today. The Collective is the brain child of electric bass prodigy Farko Rustamovich Dosumov. Originally hailing from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Farko became a UScitizen and chose the incredibly fertile music grounds of Seattle, Washington to start his remarkable career.  Farko has been in many other Seattle projects over the years and also holds down the bass with Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder.

CURTIS SEALS (http://www.reverbnation.com/curtissealsandtheseasoning)

Born and raised in Syracuse New York, Curtis has been in the mix of the northwest music scene for some time and his trio, “The Seasoning” is the new flavor with an entertaining mix of eclectic funk/jazz grooves and progressive textures…  Curtis also plays with Northwest bands Gruvbox, jazz fusion group Klyntel, Carmel Latte, Fonky2death, and the tribute bands of Michael Jackson/Prince (MVP) and Pfunk(Endangered Species.) The beat goes on…

ARTURO RODRIGUEZ (http://www.arturorodriguez.com)

Coming from a musically infused childhood, the ever-versatile Arturo Rodriguez shares his passion for percussion with thePacific Northwest and beyond. An accomplished musician, author, and teacher, Rodriguez has performed worldwide, sharing the stage with music legends that include Tito Puente, Dave Valentin, Paul Horn, and Pete Escovedo.  Never one to stand still for very long, LP endorsed percussionist Arturo Rodriguez is both a popular face and a powerful force on the local Seattle music scene; One night you might catch him tearing up a Salsa set with his quintet configuration at The Triple Door and the next performing more intimate Latin jazz with his trio configuration at Axis. While moving through the musical boundaries of jazz, pop, rock, and even folk music, Rodriguez has an amazing talent for bringing and keeping people together in a social setting.

LEIF TOTUSEK (http://leiftotusek.com/) 

Leif Totusek is an American born guitarist, band-leader and composer. A major player on the scene in London, Seattle, Boston, who has played, collaborated and been special guest with African Artist Mose Fan Fan, Ali Birra, Geoffrey Oryema, Diblo Dibala, Orchestra Virunga, Tabu Ley Rochereau and many other important artists.He is also well versed in the be-bop idiom, and many other musical styles and cultural music.

ARI JOSHUA (http://arijoshua.com/)

Born in Cape Town, South Africa but his early days as an artist were spent in Seattle, WA., where he grew up and first discovered his musical calling. His hard work and raw talent were quickly recognized, and Ari was awarded a scholarship to study music on the East Coast.  “Moving to New York and studying music for 5 years was one of the richest experiences of my life,” says Ari. “It was from my fellow students and mentors at The New School, and Mason Gross School of the Arts that I began to appreciate the true power of musical expression.”  Ari graduated in 2001 with a degree in Jazz and Contemporary music from The New School In New York City.

Despite being relatively under the radar, Ari Joshua has recorded and performed and rubbed shoulders with a list that reads like a highly diverse Who’s Who of the music scene today: Robert Glasper, Stone Gossard, Peter Buck, Joe Doria, Michael Kang, Kevin Sawka, Michael Shrieve, The Benevento Russo Duo, Barrett Martin, EJ and Marcus Strickland, Reggie Watts, DJ Swamp, Blake Lewis, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Tom Morello, Mike McCready, Skerik, Matt Butler’s Everyone Orchestra, David Tiller, Matt Sircely, New Monsoon, David Brogen (ALO), Shawn Smith (Brad, Satchel), Handful of Lovin, Richie Beirach, Kenny Barron, Reggie Workman, Ted Dunbar, Jack Wilkins, Vic Juris, Hal Galper, Jimmy Owens, Milo Petersen, George Garzone, Armen Donelian, Richard Boukas, Bobby Sanabria, Bill Kirshner, Jimmy Cobb, Gary Dial, Classical Guitarist Virginia Luque, Ralph Peterson, Noah Baerman, Larry Ridly, Mike Richmond, Ralph Bowen, Bill Fielder, Badal Roy, Robert Bedford and many, many more.

RAI

Rai is a local quartet featuring Russ Grabski (guitar), Lennox Holness (bass) and Mike Saskor (guitar.)  Rai’s music blends rock, funk, and jazz into an infectious groove.  Rai shows create music with great energy that seems to get people dancing.  They have developed a loyal fan base since they started out in early 2000.  The members of Rai are no strangers to the scene though, over the years they have played events with such acts as Jazz is Dead, Merl Saunders, String Cheese Incident, Galactic, Zen Tricksters, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Garaj Mahal, Steve Kimock Band, Jerry Joseph, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, Charlie Hunter, and Jiggle the Handle to name a few… If You like bands like The Allman Brothers and Steve Kimock, you will groove to RAI!

Mona’s is open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. The kitchen is open Sunday-Thursday from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Happy hour is 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Mona’s at (206) 526-1188 or info [at] monasseattle.com.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: bars, local businesses, music, restaurants

• The Seattle Public Theater at the Green Lake Bathhouse (7312 West Green Lake Dr N) is accepting applications for a Front of House Manager [info].

• A venture capital group that provides online information to patients about medical marijuana strains and dispensaries is looking for a relationship associate [info].

• Skinlogic Skin Center (7900 East Green Lake Dr N) is hiring a waxing specialist [info], a massage therapist [info] and an esthetician [info].

Photo by Michelle Auer

• Mighty-O Donuts (2110 North 55th St) is seeking a lead barista [info] and a demo rep [info].

• Title Nine (7000 Woodlawn Ave NE) is hiring part-time sales associates [info].

• BluWater Bistro Greenlake (7900 Green Lake Drive N) is looking for a closing cook [info].

• Children’s Communication Corner (444 NE Ravenna Blvd) has an opening for a speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist [info].

• FROGBOX Seattle is hiring a part-time driver [info].

Please email us at tips [at] mygreenlake.com if you would like us to help spread the word about a current Green Lake job opening. We post all opportunities, including short-term jobs. 

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: jobs, local businesses

Gnocchi with Tomato and Basil. Photo courtesy facebook.com/CioppinoSeattle

Trattoria Cioppino (7900 East Green Lake Dr N) is once again open for lunch, serving Italian appetizers, Italian-inspired salads and sandwiches. Lunch is served Tuesdays through Sundays from noon to 2 p.m.

The north Green Lake restaurant offers a $9.99 lunch special which includes a choice of more than ten pastas, including Basil & Tomato Gnocchi, Pear Ravioli, Cavatelli Bolognese, Penne Puttanesca and Spaghetti Carbonara, and a small house salad or homemade soup.

The restaurant can be reached at (206) 526-7900 or contact [at] cioppinoseattle.com.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: food, local businesses, restaurants

Green Lake’s eXit SPACE School of Dance (414 NE 72nd St) is hosting a launch party for new business book Steps on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 at 7 p.m. The event will include a free ballet class and a reading from the book by author Patricia Vaccarino.

Manny Frishberg describes Steps this way:

The title of Patricia Vaccarino’s new book Steps is a mixed metaphor. There are the stair steps up in her grandmother’s house, which she mastered decades ago; there are the steps of a ballet class – the central metaphor of the book. Also, the steps of growing a business and a brand – the subject of the book. “Steps” is more than a business manual; it is part memoir, part meditation on the inner world of the ballet class, part exhortation to excellence: a pean to stretching beyond one’s reach.

Revenue from the event’s book sales will be donated to the Seattle Dance Project.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: bargain alert, dancing, local businesses