What does a folk-rock quartet, a garbage dump, a breakdance crew, a fortune-cookie factory, a guitarist, a WWII hero and a proposed sports arena have in common?
Answer: they were featured in some of the most-watched Seattle Channel productions in 2016, garnering the most views online (via our website and YouTube channel).
In a bit of a twist, topping the list are several music performances by local acts featured on Art Zone with Nancy Guppy. Drum roll … Here’s a look back at the 16 videos that captured the most clicks in 2016.
1. Art Zone: Rabbit Wilde performs “Howl” (Video not available)
Miranda Zickler, Nathan Hamer, Zach Hamer and Jillian Walker, the folk-rock harmony that is Rabbit Wilde, perform “Howl” from their album “The Heartland.” The performance was recorded at Fremont Abbey Arts Center for Art Zone with Nancy Guppy on April 2, 2016.
2. Art Zone: Trey Gunn performs “Hard Winds”
Guitarist Trey Gunn, a 10-year veteran of the ground-breaking rock/jazz band King Crimson, chats with Nancy Guppy and tears up the fret board on his Warr guitar with his original composition “Hard Winds.”
3. Art Zone: Trey Gunn performs “Benimotu”
Guitarist Trey Gunn, a 10-year veteran of the ground-breaking rock/jazz band King Crimson, breaks out a baritone uke to accompany himself on the Warr guitar in this original composition “Benimotu.”
4. Art Zone: Wimps perform “Old Guy”
Hot off the new album “Suitcase,” power-punk trio Wimps perform “Old Guy” in the back room of the Seattle Goodwill store. Wimps is Rachel Ratner, Matt Nyce and Dave Ramm. Filmed for Art Zone with Nancy Guppy.
5. CityStream: New North Transfer Station
Over in Wallingford, Seattle Public Utilities put the finishing touches on the North Transfer Station, also known as the city dump. The new facility features a green roof, solar panels and many other features you might not think about when you plan your visit to the dump.
6. Community Stories: Massive Monkees
The famed Massive Monkees breakdance crew started in the mid-nineties as a group of kids bonding together at a local community center around a love of hip-hop and dance. After winning world championships and achieving many other accolades in the breakdance community, the Seattle crew now runs its own studio, The Beacon, where they teach, mentor, and inspire people of all ages.
7. City Inside/Out: Sound Transit Proposition 1 debate
In September, City Inside/Out examined the pros and cons of a $54 billion tax plan to extend light rail and add buses across the Puget Sound region. What is in the 25-year transit package? Will it solve our worsening congestion?
8. City Inside/Out: 7th Congressional District Debate
In September, Washington state legislators Pramila Jayapal and Brady Piñero Walkinshaw, popular Seattle progressives vying to replace veteran U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott, debated on City Inside/Out.
9. Art Zone comes to you from Vashon Island
Art Zone comes to you from the new Vashon Center for the Arts. Enter the whimsical world of artist Ken C. Judd. Soak up the rich harmony of Elaine Summers and Pete Droge. Encounter the creative mind of entertainer Mik Kuhlman. Plus, Nancy Guppy talks with Greg Robinson, guest curator for the November exhibit, “Revering Nature,” at the Koch Art Gallery.
10. City Inside/Out: Arena Future
In May 2016, the Seattle City Council voted whether or not to close one block on Occidental Avenue in SoDo to construct a new arena. Supporters say investor Chris Hansen needs the street vacation to make his project shovel ready, and claim the city will ultimately benefit from more sports teams, new open space and traffic safety measures. Critics, however, argue the arena wastes taxpayer funds and will increase congestion, hurting freight mobility and jobs at the nearby Port of Seattle.
11. CityStream: Caspar Babypants
Other than perhaps the Rolling Stones, being a rock star is usually a profession with a limited shelf life. So the question is, what do you do after being a world famous rock ‘n’ roller? The answer for Chris Ballew, formerly of The Presidents of the United States of America, is to “think small.”
12. Community Stories: An American Hero — Frank Nishimura
This animated short film tells the story of World War II veteran Frank Nishimura and is based on the graphic novel “Fighting for America: Nisei Soldiers,” written by Lawrence Matsuda and illustrated by Matt Sasaki.
13. Citizen University TV: Democracy Vouchers
In the premiere episode of Citizen University TV, host Eric Liu offers up a lesson on the sources of civic power and shares real-life stories of citizen action, including a conversation with Estevan Muñoz-Howard, one of the leaders of the “democracy vouchers” Honest Elections Seattle initiative approved by Seattle voters last fall.
14. Community Stories: Fortune & Family
Tucked in a quiet corner of Seattle’s Chinatown/International District is a special place where prophecy and prosperity have flourished for nearly a century. The Tsue Chong Company is the state’s oldest noodle and fortune cookie factory, serving up 17 varieties of noodles and churning out 80,000 fortune cookies a day!
15. Art Zone: Wimps perform “Take it as it Comes”
Rachel Ratner, Matt Nyce and Dave Ramm of the power punk trio Wimps give up a rendition of “Take it as it Comes” from their newest album “Suitcase.” Filmed in the back room of the flagship Seattle Goodwill for Art Zone with Nancy Guppy.
16. City Inside/Out: Bike Plan Backpedal?
Early in 2016, some in the Seattle cycling community cried foul over the city’s roll-out of a pared-down Bicycle Master Plan. Bicycle and street-safety advocates had hoped for more improvements in light of the 2015 passage of the Move Seattle levy. Why were bike lanes and greenways delayed or cut? City Inside/Out asked whether the Seattle Department of Transportation needed to backpedal on its new five-year proposal?
