May happenings

May 6 (Friday):  Families and friends of John J. McGilvra Elementary School are gearing up for a fun-filled Seis de Mayo McGilvra Mixer to be held at Pravda Studios (1406 10th Avenue). There will be dinner, dancing, and drinks at this "shakin' things up" fundraiser, which will benefit programs at the School.  The fun begins at 6 pm. Tickets ($30 per person, including dinner and a drink) are available online here.

May 9 (Monday):  Night work on E. Madison Street is expected to begin and to continue for two weeks (8 pm until 6 am, Monday through Thursday).  The roadway affected is in Madison Valley between 28th Avenue E. (next to Luc) and E. Lake Washington Boulevard.  During construction there will be only one lane available on Madison Steet through the construction zone.  Our posting on the reasons behind this night work is available here.

May 10 (Tuesday):  Madison Park-based The Junior League of Seattle is hosting an evening wine and hors d’oeuvres event to celebrate publication of “The Art of Discovery.” The book profiles the work of artists involved in the League’s Northwest Art Project, a volunteer program designed to educate and inspire young minds through exposure to significant area artists and their art.  Profits from the sale of the book will go to the Art Project.  Some of the artists contributing to the book will be on hand at the book celebration, which will be held at the League’s office, 4119 E. Madison St., from 5 until 8 pm.  RSVP to askus@jrleagueseattle.org.  The neighborhood is invited.

May 11 (Wednesday):  Madison Park’s own independent-film distributor, IndieFlix, hosts a sneak preview of Finding Kind, a “powerful new film” about girl-against-girl bullying, which is reportedly garnering both awards and buzz at film festivals nationally. The event will take place at Town Hall (Eight Avenue & Seneca Street) at 6 pm and will benefit the IndeFlix Foundation, which will offer screenings of the film to schools that can’t afford the screening fee.

First-time filmmakers Lauren Parsekian and Molly Stroud, both victims of “mean girls” during their teenage years, will be on hand for the screening. Finding Kind chronicles their 10,000-mile journey across the country, during which they set up “Truth Booths” in various locations and captured tearful and poignant memories and confessions from schoolgirls.  Madison Park resident Scilla Andreen, IndieFlix’s CEO, reports that she, too, had once been a victim of bullying, which is one of the reasons she is personally so supportive of the film.  To increase the film's audience, IndieFlix has created a new distribution model, Theatrical on Demand (TOD), for screening Finding Kind across North America in schools and community centers, as well as theaters. Tickets for the May 11 event may be purchased here.

May 14 (Saturday): The Original Children’s Shop (4216 E. Madison St.) will be one of the local businesses participating in the Madison Park Spring Fling to benefit Seattle Children’s Child Life Department Toy Fund.  Between 11 am and 5 pm, award-winning photographer Michael Rosenberg will be on hand for mini-photography sessions (suggested donation: $20).

Other Village shops, including Cookin’, Madison Park Bakery, Martha E. Harris Flowers & Gifts, and Red Wagon Toys, will be participating in the Fling by donating a portion of the day’s proceeds to the Toy Fund.

Photos by Cate Petit.