Hi Seattle!

In today’s edition of the Seattle Scoop:

• Where and how to get free tax help in our libraries!

• New Texas BBQ spot opened in Fremont 😋 

• Get ready for Seattle Cocktail Week!

Let’s dive in!

-Edwin

Looking for events? They’re now located at the bottom of the newsletter ⬇️ 

Civil News

Free Tax Help At The Libraries

The Seattle Public Library, in collaboration with United Way of King County (UWKC) and AARP, is once again offering free, in-person tax preparation service for individuals (not businesses) at 12 locations through mid-April. Trained volunteers will be on hand to help answer questions and prepare personal tax returns, with UWKC providing assistance for anyone who earned less than $80,000 in 2024 at the Central Library and South Park Branch, and AARP serving 10 other locations with both drop-in and appointment-based help. Visit spl.org/TaxHelp for a list of eligibility requirements, what to bring, and the current schedule (note that the last client is typically taken 30–45 minutes before closing). In 2024, the Library hosted 251 Tax Help sessions and helped taxpayers file 4,514 returns. Most IRS forms and publications can be accessed at www.irs.gov, and the Library offers free black-and-white prints of forms from its computers. (Source)

Bus Ride Fares Will Now Be Checked

Local bus riders will soon need to get their fares in order, as King County Metro is bringing back fare inspectors to enforce payment for the first time in nearly five years. Beginning March 31, two to three inspectors will board buses to check for proof of payment, with riders who haven’t paid initially receiving verbal reminders and written warnings before potential fines kick in on May 31. The decision to resume fare inspection, which Metro paused early in the COVID-19 pandemic, is less about revenue or crime prevention and more about “fairness” for paying riders. Anyone earning multiple violations will face a $20 fine (rising to $40 if unpaid after 30 days), but Metro’s new approach—shaped in part by community feedback—also provides options to avoid payment, such as loading $20 onto an ORCA card, doing community service or enrolling in a reduced-fare program. Metro estimates around 34% of its riders currently don’t pay, and in a system where fares once covered more than a quarter of operating costs, the agency hopes this measured reintroduction of enforcement will help restore fare revenue while ensuring that the process is fair and doesn’t send people into the criminal justice system. (Source)

Community News

New Texas Style BBQ Restaurant Opens in Fremont

Barbecue fans have a new destination to check out as Turkish American pitmaster Onur Gulbay debuts his brick-and-mortar Outsider BBQ and Beer Garden in Fremont. Opening in the former Ballard Pizza Co. space next to the Turkish steakhouse Hamdi, Outsider specializes in Central Texas-style smoked meats—think brisket, beef cheeks, pork spare ribs and pulled pork—alongside Turkish-inspired sides like a bright lemon poppy slaw and a refreshing potato salad. Gulbay, who’s operated Outsider as a pop-up and food truck for 2½ years, said he’s thrilled to have set up shop ahead of the summer rush, giving his growing crew time to find their footing. Gulbay hopes the new space, which even retains a kid-friendly play area, will become a go-to spot for locals craving quality barbecue and craft beer. (Source)

Seattle Scoop Exclusive Deals 🤩 :

• Want your home cleaned for only $67? Take advantage of Puget Sound Cleaners amazing deal! They are currently offering your first service for only $67 which also includes FREE oven cleaning!

• Get $100 OFF any new circuit installation with Tribal Electric LLC! Tribal Electric LLC is the only queer women of color union electrical shop in the state of WA.

• Moving and need help? Get 2 movers for $120/hr or 3 movers for $165/hr - moving truck included! Get transparent pricing and no hidden fees with New Horizons Moving today!

• Are you in need of an honest contractor? Well Handy Andy and Honest Homes Construction are offering 20% OFF kitchen and bathroom remodels. Doesn’t matter whether the project is small or big, reach out today!

P.S. Looking to advertise in the Seattle Scoop? Reply to this email or reach out to us at [email protected]

Sports

🏒 Seattle Kraken:

• February 22: Won against the Florida Panthers 2-1

• February 23: Will go against the Tampa Bay Lightnings at Amalie Arena, Tampa

• February 25: Will play the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center, St. Louis

• March 1: Will face the Vancouver Canucks at Climate Pledge Arena

🏀 Washington Huskies Women's Basketball:

• February 16: Lost to USC 64-69

• February 20: Won against the Rutgers 83-65

• February 23: Won against Nebraska 83-62

• February 26: Will play the Minnesota at Williams Arena

• March 2: Will go against Oregon at Alaska Airlines Arena

🏒 Seattle Thunderbirds:

• February 16: Won against the Wenatchee Wild 4-0

• February 17: Lost to Portland Winterhawks 3-4

• February 21: Lost to Wenatchee Wild 1-2

• February 22: Lost to Everett Silvertips 1-3

• February 28: Will go against Everett Silvertips at Angel of the Winds Arena

• March 1: Will play the Spokane Chiefs at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

• March 2: Will face the Tri-City Americans at accesso ShoWare Center Kent

Stay tuned for next week's updates and results!

Events

Special Events 🎨 

• Smash Putt | Through April 12 | Varying Times (Tickets)

  • Location: Base Camp Studios 2

  • Description: Like minigolf, but with a twist! The limited-run event Smash Putt returns with nine new mini-golf holes built by local makers, designers, and art collectives. Play through holes with immersive themes like "Year of the Snake," "Summer Sizzle," and "Battleship" while you sip drinks curated by Belltown taproom Just The Tap. Check out the most unique mini golf experience before it’s gone!

• Seattle Cocktail Week | Mar 2 - 9 | Varying Times (Tickets)

  • Location: Varying Locations

  • Description: Seattle Cocktail Week starts this coming Sunday and it’s jam packed with events! From March 2 to March 9, Seattle Cocktail Week is a celebration of the city’s mixology scene, featuring top bartenders, bars, and over 200 spirits across various events like bar takeovers, pop-up bars, and seminars. The centerpiece, the Carnival of Cocktails on March 8 at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, offers tastings, live performances, masterclasses, and a unique K9 Cocktail Lounge with Motley Zoo Animal Rescue and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, while the Bartender's Circle Summit on March 3 and 4 provides industry professionals with educational sessions on the latest trends and techniques.

Family Fun 👪️

• Petit Troll Parade | Mar 2 | 12 AM (More Info)

  • Location: : Evanston Plaza

  • Description: It’s time for someone to turn a toy truck into a dazzling mini Mardi Gras-inspired float for the Petit Troll Parade! The event takes place on Sunday, March 2nd, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, and everyone’s invited to join the excitement. The procession kicks off at Evanston Plaza, winds through PCC, and wraps up at the Fremont Sunday Market, where a stage will feature toe-tapping tunes from local brass bands, eye-catching costumes, dancing, and a fantastic lineup of whimsical, imaginative mini floats. No one should miss this lively bash—it’s set to be a one-of-a-kind blast!

• Seattle Miniature Show | Mar 2-3 | Time Varies (More Info)

  • Location: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton - Southcenter

  • Description: Curious about a miniature show, whether you’re a first-timer or haven’t attended in ages? You’re in for a treat! Dollhouses, room boxes, vignettes, and their tiny treasures have come a long way. Forget the purely nostalgic trinkets of the mid-20th century—modern miniatures are genuine works of art that demand to be seen. From everyday items to elaborate designs, nearly anything you can imagine is recreated in mesmerizingly small scales like 1" = 1 foot, ½" = 1 foot, and 1/4" = 1 foot. Whether handmade or commercially produced, every accessory you could possibly need is here. Stop by to chat with knowledgeable dealers, participate in workshops, or pick up a few tips at the how-to demos.

• The Magic Flute | Multiple Dates | Varying Times (Tickets)

  • Location: McCaw Hall

  • Description: Experience the enchanting blend of myth, magic, and Mozart in Seattle’s fresh take on The Magic Flute, where classic opera meets modern spectacle with stunning hand-drawn animation. This innovative production, hailed as “an international sensation” by the Los Angeles Daily News, follows Prince Tamino, armed with a magic flute, and the charismatic Papageno on a daring quest to rescue the beautiful Pamina from a vengeful Queen of the Night. Seamlessly integrating onstage performance with vibrant animated visuals, this reimagined opera promises a captivating journey for opera enthusiasts, newcomers, and families alike, all set within the historic ambiance of McCaw Hall.

Comedy 😆

• Stavros Halkias: The Dreamboat Tour | Feb 28 | 7 & 9:00 PM (Tickets)

  • Location: Moore Theatre

  • Description: "Thick Babe Spring" might still be a ways off, but that’s no excuse not to prep your wardrobe now. Stavros Halkias, the boisterous Baltimore-raised Greek American comedian who used to co-host the delightfully irreverent "dirtbag left" podcast Cum Town alongside Adam Friedland and Nick Mullen, is stepping away from "tweeting like his life’s on the line" (thanks, GQ, for the laugh) to skewer your five-year goals in front of a live crowd. Seize the day and hang with the body-positivity champ before he unleashes his next wave of zingers.

• UpDating | Feb 28 | 7:30 PM (Tickets)

  • Location: Neptune Theatre

  • Description: UPDATING is a praised live comedy and dating spectacle based in New York City, where two strangers are on blindfolded first dates before a buzzing crowd. Labeled “the most unvarnished dating show out there,” it’s a side-splitting, no-holds-barred peek into today’s love game, packed with audience input, off-the-cuff chaos, and genuine, responses from real folks. Imagine reality TV, but raw, live, and unpolished on stage! Dreamed up, brought to life, and steered by NYC comics Brandon Berman and Harrison Forman. Host: Brandon Berman, Wingman: Harrison Forman, Daters: Two Brave Local Singles

• Kathy Griffin: My Life On The PTSD-List | Mar 1 | 8:00 PM (Tickets)

  • Location: Moore Theatre

  • Description: Kathy Griffin, a two-time Emmy and Grammy-winning comedian, TV icon, and best-selling author, is celebrated for her biting wit and bold advocacy, holding a Guinness World Record for her unmatched 20 televised stand-up specials. Best known for her Emmy-winning Bravo hit Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, she’s also shone in Suddenly Susan, Seinfeld, Law & Order: SVU, Glee, You, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, while voicing characters in Shrek Forever After, The Simpsons, and more. A vocal cancer survivor, Kathy remains a fierce champion for the LGBTQIA+ community, women, and the marginalized, inspiring with her grit and unstoppable spirit.

Music 🎶

• Social Etiquette, Stereo Plague, and Electric Head | Feb 24 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Sunset Tavern

• A R I Z O N A | Feb 24 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Showbox SoDo

• Michigan Rattlers | Feb 24 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Madame Lou's at the Crocodile

• Blind Pilot | Feb 24 | 8 pm

  • Location: Neptune Theatre

• Kitty Craft | Feb 24 | 8 pm

  • Location: The Crocodile

• Decapitated | Feb 25 | 6:30 pm

  • Location: El Corazon

• Jeremie Albino: Our Time in the Sun Tour | Feb 25 | 7 pm

  • Location: The Crocodile

• Jack Kays – Washed Up Dried Out | Feb 25 | 7 pm

  • Location: Neumos

• Ronnie Baker: Brooks Blues In My DNA Album Release Celebration | Feb 25-26 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Jazz Alley

• Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol. 2 Tour | Feb 25 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Moore Theatre

• Mercury Rev | Feb 25 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Madame Lou's at the Crocodile

• Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Feb 25 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Neptune Theatre

• Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra | Feb 25-26 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Triple Door

• This Wild Life | Feb 26 | 6:30 pm

  • Location: Vera Project

• Little Stranger | Feb 26 | 7 pm

  • Location: The Crocodile

• 9Million | Feb 26 | 7 pm

  • Location: Black Lodge

• Chat Pile | Feb 26 | 7 pm

  • Location: Neumos

• Cavalera – Third World Trilogy Tour | Feb 26 | 7 pm

  • Location: El Corazon

• Jon Spencer | Feb 26 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Madame Lou's at the Crocodile

• Translinear Light: The Music of Alice Coltrane | Feb 26 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Moore Theatre

• The Darts with Bexley | Feb 26 | 8 pm

  • Location: Sunset Tavern

• The Altons & Thee Sinseers: Club Heartache Tour | Feb 26 | 8 pm

  • Location: Neptune Theatre

• K.Flay | Feb 26 | 8 pm

  • Location: The Showbox

• Dan Rodriguez | Feb 27 | 7 pm

  • Location: Here-After at the Crocodile

• Brantley Gilbert - The Tattoos Tour 2025 | Feb 27 | 7 pm

  • Location: Angel of the Winds Arena

• Dylan Sinclair | Feb 27 | 7 pm

  • Location: Barboza

• Noise Service, Cherry Dragon, and Oliver Elf Army | Feb 27 | 7 pm

  • Location: Tractor Tavern

• Deftones - North American Tour 2025 | Feb 27 | 7 pm

  • Location: Climate Pledge Arena

• DENM | Feb 27 | 7 pm

  • Location: Neumos

• Dream Theater - 40th Anniversary Tour | Feb 27 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Moore Theatre

• WAR | Feb 27- Mar 2 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Jazz Alley

• ROGÊ | Feb 27 | 8 pm

  • Location: Sunset Tavern

• Confluence 2 | Feb 27 | 8 pm

  • Location: Good Shepherd Center/Chapel Performance Space

• Asher Fulero & Friends | Feb 27 | 8 pm

  • Location: Nectar Lounge

• Left on Tenth, Halley Greg, and Sweet N' Juicy | Feb 27 | 8 pm

  • Location: High Dive

• BAYNK | Feb 27 | 8:30 pm

  • Location: The Showbox

• Fulton Lee - The Groove With Me Tour | Feb 28 | 6 pm

  • Location: The Crocodile

• The Backfires | Feb 28 | 6 pm

  • Location: Barboza

• Geographer - Animal Shapes 15th Anniversary Tour | Feb 28 | 6:30 pm

  • Location: Madame Lou's at the Crocodile

• Stoneyard, Hewn, Lawn Darts, and Sexting My Friends | Feb 28 | 7 pm

  • Location: Black Lodge

• The O. & Youngs Tour (Jenny Owen Youngs and Jenny O) | Feb 28 | 7 pm

  • Location: Fremont Abbey Arts Center

• ALO | Feb 28- Mar 1 | 8 pm

  • Location: Nectar Lounge

• Lori Goldston | Feb 28 | 8 pm

  • Location: Good Shepherd Center/Chapel Performance Space

• GoldFish | Feb 28 | 8 pm

  • Location: Neumos

• Lane 8 - Childish Tour | Feb 28 | 8 pm

  • Location: WaMu Theater

• Ben Dyleuth, Arthur James, and Young Chhaylee | Feb 28 | 8:30 pm

  • Location: Sunset Tavern

• The Devil Makes Three | Feb 28 | 8:30 pm

  • Location: The Showbox

• Coool Babies Perform Stop Making Sense with Kim & Tom | Feb 28 | 8:30 pm

  • Location: Tractor Tavern

• Molchat Doma | Feb 28 | 9 pm

  • Location: Showbox SoDo

• NOTD - The Digital Notes Tour | Mar 1 | 6 pm

  • Location: The Crocodile

• Freakout Weekender | Mar 1-2 | 7 pm

  • Location: The Crocodile

• ATLiens | Mar 1 | 7 pm

  • Location: WaMu Theater

• Gaytheist, Nasalrod, and Wild Powwers | Mar 1 | 8 pm

  • Location: Southgate Roller Rink

• Rare Americans | Mar 1 | 8 pm

  • Location: Neumos

• Ship Wrek | Mar 1 | 8 pm

  • Location: The Showbox

• Reverend Horton Heat | Mar 1 | 8 pm

  • Location: El Corazon

• Destroy Lonely | Mar 1 | 8 pm

  • Location: Showbox SoDo

• Maruja | Mar 1 | 8 pm

  • Location: High Dive

• Hockey Teeth, waltzerr, and Die Right | Mar 1 | 8:30 pm

  • Location: Sunset Tavern

• Happy Minds School of Music: Rock/Pop Concert | Mar 2 | 2:30 pm

  • Location: Vera Project

• Palomino Blond | Mar 2 | 7 pm

  • Location: Black Lodge

• Hazlett | Mar 2 | 7 pm

  • Location: Neumos

• Gaby Moreno | Mar 2 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Vashon Center for the Arts

• Tyler, The Creator - CHROMAKOPIA: THE WORLD TOUR | Mar 2-3 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: Climate Pledge Arena

• The Georgetown Orbits, Mother Blue, and Dawson Shaw Band | Mar 2 | 7:30 pm

  • Location: High Dive

• Odachi, Sorcia, and Stricken | Mar 2 | 8 pm

  • Location: Sunset Tavern

• A Very Special Evening with Pete Yorn – You & Me Solo Acoustic | Mar 2 | 8 pm

  • Location: Neptune Theatre

• Soccer Mommy with Hana Vu | Mar 3 | 8 pm

  • Location: The Showbox

• Madelline | Mar 3 | 8 pm

  • Location: Chop Suey

• Skegss | Mar 3 | 8 pm

  • Location: Neptune Theatre

• SahBabii | Mar 3 | 8:30 pm

  • Location: The Crocodile

Edwin - Publisher

P.S. Have a story, business, or event that you would like to have us share? Reply to this email or email us directly at [email protected]