Bell Street’s transformation into a reduced-traffic “park boulevard” street doesn’t start until later this year. But residents and workers in the area got a glimpse of what it might become on July 16, when a low-key block party occurred between Second and Third avenues. It was organized by Great City, a “green development” advocacy group originally founded by mayoral candidate Mike McGinn. McGinn appeared at the event, along with Belltown Citizens on Patrol, the Apex housing co-op, and groups advocating urban gardening, bicycling, and something called “street activation.”
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The Bicycle Music Festival, billed as “the largest 100 percent bicycle-powered music festival in the world,” visits Seattle on Saturday, Aug. 22. It begins at Waterfront Park at 10 a.m., then moves to Denny Park at 3 p.m. and Seattle Center at 7 p.m. Promoters also promise a late-evening concert, at a site to be announced.

The festival features a 2000-watt, pedal-powered PA system carried within a completely bike-haulable stage, plus a moving “Live On Bike” stage which rolls down city streets. For lineups and other info visit seattlebicyclemusicfestival.com.

In other bike news, a King County Bike Share Expo will introduce residents to the concept of bicycle sharing, a self-serve rental program that’s already underway in several U.S. cities. It’s Tuesday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at the South Lake Union Discovery Center, 101 Westlake Ave. N. Call 206-263-6230.
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Tom Douglas Restaurants, vowing to “bring the county fair to Seattle,” will hold an indoor Ice Cream Social Tues., Aug. 11, 5-7:30 p.m. at the Palace Ballroom, 2100 5th Ave. The $20 admission ($10 for children 12 and under) includes games, snacks, and treats from Poco Carretto, Molly Moon, Empire, Half Pint, Full Tilt, and Douglas’s own Dahlia Bakery. Reservations: 206-448-2001 or christinal@tomdouglas.com.
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Comedy nights have come and gone in Seattle clubs in recent years. The newest entrant is Belltown Comedy Night, premiering Friday, Aug. 7 at Spitfire, 2219 4th Ave. MC Big Irish Jay hosts headliner Ralph Potter (who’s been on BET’s show One Mic Stand) and seven other standup comics.
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This year’s Pike Place Market Sunset Supper is Friday, Aug. 14, 7:30-11 p.m. Some 1,200 guests are expected for an evening of fine dining and dancing along Pike Place’s cobblestones, with live funk music by Lady A and the Baby Blues. The event raises some $120,000 each year for the Market Medical Clinic, the Market Senior Center, the Market Child Care & Preschool, and the Downtown Food Bank. Tickets: Pikeplacemarketfoundation.org.
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Senior Services’ Volunteer Transportation Program needs more volunteer drivers to help carless seniors get to medical appointments. Volunteers use their own vehicles and choose the weekdays, times and areas in which they want to drive. They also receive mileage and parking reimbursement, as well as supplemental liability insurance. Call 206-748-7588 or email melissat@seniorservices.org.
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As it does every year, the Seafair Torchlight Parade drew thousands from the whole tri-county region to Fourth Avenue on July 25, to witness the usual sequence of drill teams, marching bands, floats, horses, big balloons, clowns, and politicians. This year’s grand marshalls were ex-Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren and local radio legend Pat O’Day.

KIRO-TV’s parade telecast ended promptly at 10 p.m., so the station could air a rerun of one of CBS’s near-identical detective shows. The telecast ended before the Seafair Pirates came into camera range, which is exactly like cutting off the Thanksgiving Day Parade before Santa shows up. π=