Annual neighborhood block party coming up on Tuesday, August 6th

The block party flyer crew at work.

Hopefully you received a flyer from your friendly Douglas Park Cooperative block party flyer crew on Thursday. If not, here is your digital version:

On Tuesday, August 6th, our neighborhood will have our annual neighborhood block party. It kicks off at 6 p.m. on 25th Avenue NE, between 127th and 130th.

We will have a fire pit, lots of toys for the kiddos, grills and some good ol' fashioned community fun.

Bring some food to grill or to share and meet your neighbors.

This will be our neighborhood's 5th annual block party and we plan to feature a music performance again this year. In previous years we have featured a bagpipe band and a performance by vocalist Ray Dalton and Camila Recchio. Dalton went on to fame with international star and Nathan Hale alum Macklemore.

We will see you there!

DPC block party singer featured on David Letterman last night

Recently we wrote about Ray Dalton, the Seattle singer that joined members of Douglas Park Cooperative for our annual block party and helped lead our kids parade with his powerful voice.

Along with local hip-hop artists Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Dalton's memorable voice has shot to the top of the charts with the track "Can't Hold Us."

Well, last night Dalton, Macklemore and Lewis were the featured artist on the David Letterman Show in the Ed Sullivan Theater. Their performance was flawless. You can see the video below. Watch until the end to see how Letterman mixes up the artists and creates a mildly awkward moment.

Singer who led our neighborhood parade helping hip-hop artist top the charts

Vocalists Ray Dalton, right, and Camila Recchio, center, lead our neighborhood parade.

During the Douglas Park Cooperative neighborhood block party a couple years ago, we hosted a parade of neighborhood kids to kick off the party. We were lucky enough to have the parade led by talented vocalists Ray Dalton and Camila Recchio, shown above.

Since then, the pair have had much success with their respective music careers. Recchio is releasing an album in January and Dalton teamed up with Seattle hip-hop artists Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis, collaborating on their self-produced album that is topping all the charts.  As Associated Press national music writer Chris Talbott says, the lauded album is shaking up the hip-hop paradigm in the U.S.

Expect to hear much more about the two singers as they continue their skyrocketing careers after performing on our humble streets.

Below, Dalton performs with Seattle's chart-topping Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis on KEXP.




Below, Recchio and Dalton perform together.

PHOTOS: Douglas Park Cooperative Night Out Block Party

Neighborhood kids get to turn on the lights on Seattle Police Officer Kip Strong's patrol car at the Douglas Park Cooperative Night Out Block Party.

Our annual neighborhood Night Out Block Party was a success. About 100 neighbors came out over the course of the evening and spent time meeting their neighbors, enjoying some food, and appreciating their community. The street was decorated with sidewalk chalk art, people roasted marshmallow in the fire pit, and connections were made among neighbors.

We hope to do at least one more neighborhood gathering at Virgil Flaim Park so if you missed the Block Party you still have more chances to come out and meet neighbors. Just keep an eye out here on the blog, on our Facebook page or on on our email list serve* for details about future gatherings.

*To be added to the email list send a message to douglasparkcooperative@gmail.com

People gather around a fire at the Douglas Park Cooperative Night Out Block Party.

Food is grilled

Neighborhood kids have some fun

Grilling

Meeting neighbors

Many generations of neighbors came out for the celebration.

Fun on the teeter totter

Kids get to look in the back of Officer Strong's patrol car.

Sidewalk chalk art

Meeting a neighborhood dog

Discussing issues

Relaxing around the campfire

DPC Block Party, Tuesday, August 7th, all are invited!

You’re invited to the Douglass Park Block Party!

Tuesday, August 7th, from 6pm to dusk
25th Ave NE, between 127th and 130th
(see invitation below)

We will need some help this year putting our block party together. If you would like to be involved please review the list and comment below or email coordinator Lina — linarose@earthlink.net — to let us know what you can do.

Even if you can’t volunteer we hope to see you there. This is a great time to eat, laugh and get to know your neighbors. There will be plenty of kids activities and we always close it down with a campfire and s'mores!

Parade

• We need a parade leader. Preferably someone who plays a drum or other instrument to lead us along

Eating and drinking

• Chairs — the more the better
• Grills — it's good to have at least 2
• Tables — the more the better
• Drinks —juices, soda, water, tea, etc.
• Cups — preferably paper so we can dump in compost
• S'mores — Lina will take care of this
• Plates, plastic-ware - Lina will also get this

Entertainment

• Music — we would love to have a band this year - any ideas?
• Kids play stuff —Lina, Josh
• Skateboard ramp/rails - Kevin, George
• Firepit — Lina, Josh
• Name tags— meet your neighbors, remember their names
• Firewood —Josh

Set up and Clean up

• Help setting up road closed signs, tables, chairs etc (5:00 or 5:30)
•  Trash cans — the more the better
•  Labels for trash/recycle/ compost
• Someone in charger of clean up

Can you think of something else we need?


We look forward to seeing you all! Feel free to invite a neighbor to join us!

See our flyer below the jump: