Drop by to get your copy of the hot-off-the-press 2012 Seattle Bike Map, coffee courtesy of Zeitgeist, and some sweet treats thanks to Sugar Bakery & Cafe.  The good folks from Back Alley Bike Repair will be on hand to do bike safety checks, and we are generously giving out high fives and other goodies.

Look for the energizer table in front of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington office at 314 First Avenue South.

Saturday May 12

10 am & 1 pm

Klondike Gold Rush National

319 Second Avenue South

Free!

Join us on this musical adventure to discover this important and thrilling period in Pacific Northwest history. Witness the hardships, struggles, and triumphs experienced by those in the frontier, and learn how the Klondike Gold Rush shaped our region forever.

This one day only event happens at 10 am and 1 pm, Saturday May 12, at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park visitor center in Pioneer Square, 319 Second Avenue South. The musical will be presented by the 5th Adventure Musical Theater. Seating is limited but there are seats still available. To reserve your spot at this free event please call 206-220-4240 or reply to our Facebook post.

Since opening in November 2010, Intrigue Chocolates has been making fine chocolate truffles crafted in the French tradition. A defining quality of Aaron’s chocolates is how fresh and natural they are, as they are often organic and local. New flavors rotate in and out according to season.

Being in the Intrigue shop is an experience in itself: instead of rows of pre-packaged chocolates lined on shelves, you are greeted by a long stainless steel chef’s table and a chalkboard outlining the season’s offerings. It is a chocolate artisan’s workshop where assorted spices are kept in jars on racks, immersing you in the process of chocolate creation. Instead of a cashier waiting for you to buy a mysterious box of chocolates, you are greeted by Aaron in his chef’s coat ready to take you on a tasting tour of some traditional, yet wildly inventive chocolate flavors.

First things first, Aaron informs you of how to truly taste the chocolate. The truffles at Intrigue Chocolates are not to be munched on in the conventional sense, but are designed to melt in your mouth. The truffles lack the distracting hard shell and are dusted with cocoa power, leaving the taster to discover the complex flavors of the chocolate as it melts. Aaron is so passionate about the flavors of his chocolates, he often hosts chocolate and wine pairings as well as pairings with Zoka Coffee and Zen Dog Teas. ”My favorite customers are a tie between those who are blown away by their first chocolate tasting and those who come back to revel in new flavors every month,” says Aaron.

Aaron’s passion for chocolate spills over to the historic location he chose to put his shop. His upper level space overlooks the streets of Pioneer Square and gives a unique vantage point of neighboring picturesque historic buildings. We ask Aaron what his favorite part about being in Pioneer Square is. “I love how people who live or work here are intensely passionate about their neighborhood.  And it’s never boring!”

So if a customer came into Intrigue Chocolates to buy something in preparation for the zombie apocalypse happening tomorrow, what would should they buy?

“All they could carry.  Seriously.  Chocolate will give you a reason to keep on fending off the undead.  And who knows?  Maybe good chocolate is a cure for the alien virus that turned them in the first place.  Not that I need an excuse to buy more chocolate….”

As an advocate for bicyclists and a bike-friendly Washington, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington is a non-profit with a mission.

Passion for bicycling shows at the Bicycle Alliance headquarters. Bicycle art by Executive Director Barbara Culp’s husband hangs on the exposed brick walls. A vintage 1959 Raleigh bike is displayed before a row of desks. And while the entrance to the Bicycle Alliance office is on First Avenue South between Main and Jackson, ambling towards the back of the office leads you to a somewhat secret hallway with a back door connecting to Nord Alley and the Back Alley Bike Repair shop. Perfect.

Meet Barbara Culp, and her staff (pictured above):

How long has your shop been in Pioneer Square?

The Bicycle Alliance has been in Pioneer Square for six years, most recently next door to Salumi.

What’s your favorite story about working in Pioneer Square?

The time we were asked, “do you have any adult films?” We’re a non-profit focused on growing bicycling statewide! We all got a good laugh out of that!

Who’s the most famous person who has ever visited your shop?

We claim to have seen Barack Obama when he was in Pioneer Square and he waved at our Communications and Outreach Manager.

When customers ask you for recommendations for other shops to visit in Pioneer Square, what do you tell them?

We often make restaurant recommendations, and Fireworks for shopping.

If a customer came into your shop to buy something in preparation for the zombie apocalypse happening tomorrow, what would you recommend they buy?

We’d recommend they race to the bike shop in our building, rent a bike and get outta town!

Gallery Frames at First Avenue South and Cherry Street is in what Yocom calls its final resting place – which is actually its fourth location in Pioneer Square. Since its beginnings on Second and James, Yocom worked closely with Greg Kucera Gallery and Davidson Galleries, both staples on the First Thursday art walk. Since then the store moved around until it reached its current location seven years ago. Now it’s right next door to Yocom’s other project, ArtREsource, a gallery devoted to the resale of fine art.

We caught up with Yocom at Gallery Frames, where the sample frames on display create zigzag patterns on the walls, and a small bust of a cat sticks its head out overhead.

We asked what his favorite story about working in Pioneer Square is. Yocom says he enjoyed the day of the Nisqually earthquake that shook the Pacific Northwest in 2001. “Watching the buildings clap together causing dust to be ejected between them”…was a sight to be seen, says Yocom.

Of the celebrities who frequent Gallery Frames, Yocom counts Rob Morrow in the early ’80s and Dale Chihuly as a regular.

When customers ask for recommendations for other shops to visit in Pioneer Square, Yocom recommends exploring: “Just walk around. There are many fine shops and restaurants including all the art galleries, Ragazzi’s Flying Shuttle, Wessel and Lieberman booksellers, and the Grand Central building.”

After meeting Larry Yocom, his quiet and refined demeanor shows us a sophisticated side of Pioneer Square, but his passion for the neighborhood and for the art culture here is something you’ll likely stumble upon no matter who you meet when you explore the Square.

It’s hard to imagine Pioneer Square without all the creative spirits and galleries holding down the fort. We caught up with one gallery that specializes in urban art and participates in the neighborhood’s First Thursday art walk, Flatcolor Gallery.

Featuring local and national underground contemporary artists, from designers and illustrators, to street artists and tattoo artists, Flatcolor Gallery has steadily brought a fresh perspective on art and creativity to Seattle’s First Thursday art walk every month.

Not to mention their growing line of affordable fine art prints and products, which are a blessing if you can’t quite see yourself bringing home an original masterpiece. Meet Luke, one of the curators at Flatcolor.

How long has your shop been in Pioneer Square?

What’s your favorite story about working in the area?

Who’s the most famous person who has ever visited your shop?

When customers ask you for recommendations for other shops to visit in Pioneer Square, what do you tell them?

If a customer came into your shop to buy something in preparation for the zombie apocalypse happening tomorrow, what would you recommend they buy?

Historic treasures seem right at home in Seattle’s historic district. Indeed, antique shops in Pioneer Square only seem to add to the charm of the neighborhood, an environment where exposed brick and Victorian Romanesque architecture make us feel as though we’ve stepped back in time. Distant Lands is one such antique shop, an importer of beautiful treasures from afar, specializing in Chinese and Tibetan furniture and decor.

Join us in sharing the square with Tom Pantaleoni, owner of Distant Lands.

“My name is Tom Pantaleoni and I am the owner of Distant Lands. I have had the shop in Pioneer Square since 2003 when I moved here from California.”

What’s your favorite story about working in Pioneer Square?

“About five years ago there was a performing artist troupe that would come through Pioneer Square. They would wear bunny costumes. Usually they would show up on art walk night. Wearing bunny costumes and carrying whips. They were a lot of fun. Just stopped people in their tracks – bunny (nice comforting soft loveable) + whip (demanding domineering merciless sexy). Perfect for Pioneer Square. Somebody should mention getting those guys on the city budget. Mayor McGinn, I have a suggestion…”

Who’s the most famous person who has ever visited your shop?

“I have had a number of authors and poets in the shop, mostly during the days of their book readings at Elliott Bay Bookstore. Did have the actress Tea Leoni in on afternoon. She ended up buying some large curved horn calligraphy brushes from me.”

When customers ask you for recommendations for other shops to visit in Pioneer Square, what do you tell them?

“I recommend Turabi’s Carpets next door, Delicatus and Cafe Paloma and Cafe Hue for food. Ragazzi’s Flying Shuttle has some very nice wearable textiles. Laguna Pottery for pottery, Red Red Photo for photography.”

If a customer came into your shop to buy something in preparation for the zombie apocalypse happening tomorrow, what would you recommend they buy?

“For the zombie apocalypse I would have to recommend the ivory statue of Amita Buddha. The workmanship is beautiful and calming. It is said that Amita Buddha created a buddha-field (a place very conducive for attaining enlightenment) where people can go if they call his name at the time of death. So, very practical.”

Form a team with your co-workers, friends and neighbors to compete for sweet neighborhood prizes, including a grand prize of $200 cash. Or if you’re feeling really confident, challenge the whole bar by yourself!

Both events begin at 5pm and the pub quizzes run from 6-8pm. Teams can be up to 6 players. Attendance will be capped at the restaurant’s max capacity.

Oh, did I mention it’s free?

RSVP to either of these events:

Thursday December 22, 2011
Thursday December 29, 2011

Special thanks to quizmasters Geeks Who Drink and to Merchants Café and Saloon for hosting and providing snacks for our guests!

Produced by the Metropolitan Improvement District’s Pioneer Square neighborhood.

Part of Holidays in the City.

When visiting Pioneer Square for shopping, dining, or for the First Thursday art walk, Pier 48 and the 305 1st Avenue Lot are especially great parking locations at $3 an hour.

Your Spot Is Here is part of Washington State Dept. of Transportation’s (WSDOT) project to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct, in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation.