Seattle Day 2: the EMP

Those that know me are by now aware that I have something of a coffee addiction. During an all too brief stint during which I had a working espresso machine, I learned far too much about espresso and its preparation. Just ask anyone who has been misfortunate enough to be around me when I get started talking about the perfect latté. Zoka Coffee is one of the growing number of establishments where a coffee lover can go and know that their drink is being accorded the same reverence that a glass of 1945 Mouton would command. In 2005 Zoka also produced both US and North West Regional Barista Champions. That being said, their philosophy didn’t seem to extend to all of the staff. While our first round of drinks (a latté and a traditional cappuccino) were excellently made, there seemed to be very little attention paid to the subsequent espresso and next day’s milk drinks. At some of the better Vancouver cafés I have yet to have a bad drink served to me, and have on more than one occasion had an espresso poured out by the barista because it was not quite up to standard. If you are looking for coffee in Seattle and are near a Zoka location then I highly recommend giving them a try, if you hit a good barista then you’ll be glad you did.

After an incredibly late start and much lingering at our table amidst a sea of laptops at Zoka Coffee, we made our way back downtown to visit the Experience Music Project (EMP). Unlike the previous day’s parking disaster, we were able to park just a few blocks away for the all day weekend fee of $4. Coupled with the half-price admission coupons we were given by our friends, the day was turning out to be far less of a financial drain than originally anticipated.

Designed by Frank Gehry, the EMP became an instant Seattle landmark upon its opening in mid-2000. The entire structure is covered in curved aluminum plates that give the building a feeling of being fluid rather than solid. A tribute to such classic guitar colours as the Gibson Les Paul, the light blue of a classic Fender, and even taking inspiration from Hendrix’s Purple Haze, the building is anything but subtle and is clearly visible from the highway. Once inside visitors are instantly thrown into the spirit of rock and roll with a free exhibit featuring various costumes and clothing worn by famous artists. While wandering around the KISS uniforms and marvelling at a snakeskin jacket once worn by Jim Morrison, you are surrounded by a light and sound show that gives the impression of being on stage at a stadium show.

Many people have complained that $20 is far to expensive considering how small the EMP actually is. While we only paid half price for our tickets, I would gladly pay the full fee for my next visit. While it is true that the inside of the building is much smaller than it would appear from the outside, the exhibits were of exceptional quality and well worth the price of admission. If you really love music and want to get the full experience, then I highly recommend a MEG rental. Be warned though, the unit is somewhat hefty and is worn over one shoulder as a purse. Headphones attach to the strap by a short cord (not easy to share with a friend) while a smallish handheld display connects to the main unit via an umbilical. Using an infrared sensor, you can then point it at key spots in the exhibits to get background information on what you’re looking at; everything from interviews with artists, to songs, to random tidbits of information that couldn’t possibly all be displayed in the actual gallery. A and I both enjoyed the two large Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan exhibits as well as some of the smaller displays of the history of the electric guitar and a feature on Pop music. What really stood out for me was the interactive nature of the displays. At one station you had access to master tapes from a vintage Hendrix recording and were able to mix the 8 tracks provided and compare them to the commercially released version, at another you could sing into a microphone in an attempt to harmonize with prerecorded voices whose volume levels you could control. Upstairs is the Sound Lab, complete with private booths and semi-private booths where you can try your hand at mixing and sampling; singing into a professional microphone; playing guitar, bass, drums; or just fooling around with the large interactive hand drum installation in the center of the room.

With a heavy focus on the North Pacific music scene, the EMP is not for everyone, but for those who count this music as an integral part of their lives, the Experience Music Project is not to be missed.

To finish off the day we drover over to Fremont, self-proclaimed Center of the Universe. An eclectic mix of shops and restaurants, Fremont is a great place to spend an afternoon wandering around and shopping. In front of the Taco Del Mar stands a 7 ton bronze statue of Vladimir Lenin.

Lewis Carpenter

An American veteran teaching in Poprad, Lewis Carpenter found the sculpture lying face down after it was toppled in the 1989 Revolution. He recognized Venkov’s skill and craftsmanship and the boldness of his portrayal, and was determined that the statue be preserved. Carpenter mortgaged his house to acquire the sculpture and brought it back to Issaquah. He died in 1994. The statue is now owned by his family. It is sited here temporarily for viewing and sale, both to fulfill Carpenter’s dream, that the work be seen and enjoyed and eventually find a permanent home and to serve as a reminder of an important historical period.

After snapping a few shots of the infamous Fremont Troll and its Volkswagen Bug, we were off back to our friends place for a night of lounging, helping out with home renovations (A) and an extensive Xbox session (Me). Sunday saw us leaving town fairly early in an effort to get in a bit of factory outlet shopping before hopping back across the border. Well, I say hopping, but in reality it was more of a slow steady grind. Thinking to take advantage of our duty free liquor allowance, we quickly found ourselves going from one long line up inside the store, to another long line outside where tempers quickly flared as everyone jockeyed for position. Once in the actual border crossing lanes the game wasn’t over as multiple lanes merged together and vehicles pushed their luck trying to edge in where no one would let them.

Next time, we’ll be trying to get back across the border well before noon while most other Canadians are still distracted by factory outlet malls and roadside diners.