Seattle Subsonic

Ballard’s rockin’est venue, The Sunset Tavern, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this June. Back in 2000 when it opened, Ballard Ave was much a quieter place flanked by tiny fishing houses rather than Condo-maximums.  The Sunset was actually one of my first 2 stops when arriving in Seattle, the other being the Tractor, and they’re still my favorites. It’s a small space with big sound and bigger bands.  Since it’s inception The Sunset stage has been graced by amazing acts such as The Fleet Foxes, Camper Van Beethoven, Of Montreal, The Cave Singers… I even saw The Rebirth Brass Band squish their 9-piece band up on that little platform – eventually we all found it ridiculous and proceeded to march our asses “second-line-style” out into the street to get some breathing room, might be the best show ever.

You don’t have to be a big name to play the Sunset, however. They are launchpad for many an upstart no matter what the genre INCLUDING the Subsonic 1st Birthday Party. Not many rock clubs can stake claim to surviving this long, and doing it so well… All while having the cleanest bathrooms in rock n’ roll. (Not to mention my favorite “puzzles…”)

Come celebrate the 10-Year anniversary and The Year of The Tiger with 3 nights and one afternoon of performances from some of the Northwest’s best talents, including Red Fang, special reunited performances by The Cops and The Catheters, Jason Dodson of The Maldives, Kinski, The Tripwires and more. We’ll have live music, DJ’s, treats and charity raffles hosted by The Benevolent Fez & Mask Society each night. We hope you’ll join us for the fun and surprises during our special weekend!

Jason Dodson (of The Maldives)

Drew Victor

Tomo Nakayama (of Grand Hallway)

Kaylee Cole

DJ Kevin Large

$10 ticket / $8 with a non-perishable food donation to the Ballard Food Bank. Doors at 8pm. Show time at 9pm. Advance ticket sales through Brown Paper Tickets.

The Cops

The Catheters

The Tripwires

The Basements

DJ Danger Nun

$12 ticket / $10 with a non-perishable food donation to the Ballard Food Bank. Doors at 8pm. Show time at 9pm. Advance ticket sales through Brown Paper Tickets.

Red Fang

Kinski

Virgin Islands

Eugene Wendell and The Demon Rind

Special guest DJ TBA

$12 ticket / $10 with a non-perishable food donation to the Ballard Food Bank. 9pm doors. Show time at 9:30pm. Advance ticket sales through Brown Paper Tickets.

Sunday Bloody Sunset Anniversary Party with

Atomic Bride

Hearseburner

Omega Moo

$5 cover. 4pm doors. Show time at 5pm.

The Sunset’s 10 Year Anniversary is sponsored with help from The Stranger, KEXP, New Belgium, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Maker’s Mark.

The Benevolent Fez & Mask Society will be on site to spearhead our food drive and fundraising efforts. We have chosen our neighbors the Ryther Child Center and the Ballard Food Bank as the recipients. There is an increasing need in our community to help put food on people’s tables. The Ballard Food Bank serves 4000 individuals a month. They provide food, clothes, hygiene items or emergency financial help each week to households in Ballard, Magnolia, and Queen Anne. They have seen a tremendous increase in the need for the services that they provide in 2010. Ballard Food Bank will begin operating from its new location 5130 Leary Ave this summer. We want to welcome them to their new digs as we celebrate our 10th year.

Advance tickets for all shows will go on sale the morning of Tuesday June 1st through Brown Paper Tickets. All tickets for The Sunset can be purchased directly from our website, or at: www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/10052

A complete listing for this event can be found at