Seattle thrives despite itself.

More specfically, Seattle music thrives despite a city government intent on limiting fun, state liquor laws that are nothing short of puritanical, and unchecked development constantly pushing artists and musicians to the margins. The fact that the Georgetown Music Festival can host 50-some bands--the vast majority local--in an out of the way setting and a less than supportive civic attitude towards outdoor celebration owes everything to the attitude of its producers. Props all around.

Props to the weather, too. Way to pull it together!

As I said before, we--you, me, your neighbor, Greg Nickels--need events like these to happen in this city. Seattle must maintain its cultural gravity or else, in the face of overdevelopment and gentrification, it will lose its creative currency. Whether Nickels knows it or not (or knows it and just doesn't care), that currency is a prime motivator for prospective tourists and would-be residents. Kill it and everyone goes to Missouri. I hear rent is cheap there.

And the Quintessential Seattle Weekend continues with Emerald City Soul Club at the Lo Fi Gallery. Don't sleep.