Welcome to the Page of Abbey Parties!
{Scroll down for some fun memories from ages past.}
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November, 2025
You’re Invited: A Celebration of Two Decades of Arts & Community
Fremont Abbey Arts Center’s 20-Year Anniversary Party
Friday November 7th, 2025
RSVP | DONATE
An Evening of Celebration, Art, Music, and Connection
Please join us for a very special evening as we celebrate a remarkable milestone: 20 years of Fremont Abbey Arts Center. Two decades of music filling the halls of this remodeled 1914 building that inspired events all around Seattle & the PNW… and our other unique venues such as Ballard Homestead or Woodlawn Hall.
This is more than a party; it’s a heartfelt thank you to the family, friends, artists, and supporters who have been the fuel of this journey. We invite you to stop by and toast with us… to reflect on our vibrant history and to look with excitement (and empowerment) toward the future.
But seriously, can you believe it… Abbey Arts is turning 20 this November!
From our very first concerts back in 2005 to now, in the old basement before it was remodeled… folding chairs, tile floor, makeshift lamps for lighting, old Mackie speakers… and some truly amazing shows with the likes of Damien Jurado, members of Fleet Foxes, Brian from SYML, Mary Lambert, Deep Sea Diver and many more over the years who have gone on to tour the world
or share a Grammy stage with Madonna & Macklemore.
Since our founding, Abbey Arts has empowered 1000’s of artists, and more than half a million individual experiences to happen — from attendees at listener style concerts, ongoing classes, workshops, and poetry… to dances, weddings, dinners and cozy community foodie or birthday gatherings.
That’s half a million+ moments of connection that have supported people across Seattle and the PNW.
We just found this sweet throwback from our 10th birthday party — a student sharing their voice on the Abbey stage. So fun! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOGd8qpDbBA (song by Rilo Kiley, student name unknown, teacher playing along is Andrew Vait)
And remember this? Tomo Nakayama performing a song that would go on to be featured in the film Touchy Feely (filmed partly at the Abbey, RIP Lynn Shelton ) — such a beautiful moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkWYkOmwHzU
(here’s the ending montage in the film that as partly filmed at the Abbey, with Ellen Page and many more – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtOMb7vJEyg – see if you can spot founding Exec Director Nathan Marion’s old hat! )
Will you join in and help sustain community spaces like Fremont Abbey, Ballard Homestead, Woodlawn Hall and more?
Here’s to 20 more years of art, connection, and community.
Thank you for being part of the story.
~Abbey Arts Team
The Evening May Include:
- Curated Artwork: Enjoy a pop-up gallery featuring works from visual artists who have been part of our story. There will be live painters creating pieces that will be auctioned at the end of the evening.
- Light Refreshments: Delicious bites and a complimentary beverage from our favorite sponsors and local businesses.
- Toasts and brief words from Co-founder now Creative Director Nathan Marion, Executive Director Juliann Itter, Board Chair Cestjon McFarland… and you?
- Special guests from our 20 years of shows may hop on the mic?
- A Call to Get Involved: Discover meaningful ways to deepen your connection with our mission and help ensure that Abbey Art can sustain & thrives for another 20 years.
- Live Music: Opportunity to add on a ticket to the incredible Tomo Nakayama show in the Great Hall upstairs at 8p.
This is a curated event with limited space, and we are honored to have you in our community. We sincerely hope you can join us for this milestone celebration.
Event Details:
- Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
- Time: 6-8p Party Downstairs, ~6:30p brief program
- Location: Gallery 1st Floor @ Fremont Abbey Arts Center, 4272 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
- Attire: Creative Cocktail / Seattle Concert but a little fancy if you want
Please RSVP by 11/5 to confirm your attendance if at all possible so we can plan food & drinks.
Using this ticketing site (donations welcome here or at the event, or just stop by!)
+ Check out other celebrations in the 20 year series like Laura Gibson & Cumulus returning on November 14th!
RSVP | DONATE
- A Note on Our Mission: Fremont Abbey Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to presenting welcoming, heart expanding and awe-inspiring arts experiences in unique venues around Seattle and the PNW.
This celebration honors the thousands of artists, volunteers, staff, partners, members and attendees who have helped make this mission continue to be a beautiful creative reality.
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Enjoy a walk down memory lane…
11/3-14, 2015: #Abbey10
Abbey Arts Tenth Anniversary
(10 Events, 10 Days)
*PHOTOBOOTH & EVENT SLIDESHOW ON FACEBOOK*
Celebrating a decade of arts & culture for all ages & incomes. We’ve done the math and it turns out Abbey Arts has empowered an estimated 225,000 moments (individual experiences) in the past 10 years. That’s concerts, events, classes, rehearsals, art creation and more.
Join in the fun and support Seattle’s creative community as we empower the next 10 years of Abbey Arts programs and events. With over 31,000 attendance at our events and programs annually we are growing fast. We also discount over $60k per year to local profits and raise over $10k in donations for charity via our partner bar programs.
Abbey Arts needs your support to provide even more affordable arts & culture opportunities for a growing city. Thanks to our event rentals, 100% of your donation goes to support arts & community programs, including ArtsConnect, Young Artists, Abbey Artists, and affordable music & arts events. Nonprofit, non-religious, 501c3, since 2005. Donate Here.
{Abbey10 Media Kit.pdf | Abbey10 Flyers to Share }
11/3: Launch Party @ Evo
11/4: Art Making for a Cause
11/5: The Moth StorySLAM*
11/6: Family Concert & Square Dance
11/6: Folk Concert
11/7: OneBeat Music Event*
11/8: OpenSpace Edition 1
11/10: The Round 126*
11/12: An Evening for Abbey Arts*
Exclusive performances, live painting, great food & drink, more. Event Chair: Helen Nesbitt, Event Host: Devin Schweppe. Musicians: Naomi Wachira, Gabriel Wolfchild. Live painter: Emilee Morehouse. PRIVATE EVENT, RSVP REQUIRED. SOLD OUT
11/14: Tenth Anniversary Party*
@Fremont Abbey Join in the big party! Food, drinks, art making, games, photo booth, Art Raffle, Family Fun Hour, and more. All funds go to support Abbey Arts programs for people of all ages & incomes. Special short performances by musicians Tomo Nakayama with a Grand Hallway reunion, Andrew Vait (of Sisters), Shenandoah Davis, Abbey students, modern dancer Ashleigh Miller, live painters Brent Holland & Fritha Strand plus slam poets and more.
Complimentary appetizers generously donated by The Upper Crust Catering, taco bar from Pecado Bueno (healthy mexican food), fancy popcorn bar by Kukuruza. Cash bar. Event Co-chairs: Erin O’Malley, Lori Austin.
Raffle includes items from Travel with Rick Steves, WA Sauna (float on Lake Union!), local art, Candere Cruising,
$10-100 suggested donation. 7-10p Party (6-7p Family Fun Hour), All ages, bar w/ ID.
DONATIONS AT THE DOOR | FACEBOOK EVENT
RSVP for any event by contacting Heather – rsvp(at)fremontabbey.org
All events are all ages | *Indicates Bar w/ ID
11/21/14: 100 Year Party
11/21/14: Celebrate Fremont Abbey’s 100 year history and help power the next 100 years of community. Everyone is invited! The theme for the evening will be historic 1914 era with futuristic 2114 flair. Feel free to dress up if you’d like. Food, drinks, live music & performances, interactive art making, storytelling, more. Abbey Arts as a nonprofit turns 10 next year but the building here was built in 1914.
FREE Event, donations welcome, all ages, bar w/ ID.
6-10pm drop in, toasts at 7p and 9p
Sponsored by Abbey Arts, Church of the Apostles, Pecado Bueno, Hilliards Brewing, Two Beers Brewing, Seattle Distilling Co., Dry Soda,
2013 FANCY PARTY:
Sunday, December 1st, 2013
@ The Triple Door
THE WINTER ROUND
& Abbey Fundraiser evening
Featuring an amazing lineup
of 2013 performers – see here
Full menu & drinks available.
7pm show, 6pm doors open for dinner.
All ages, bar w/ ID, seated.
Silent auction, holiday music gifts, and more.
Emcee: Brent Holland
Tickets Available online
or by phone
216 Union Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Tickets 206.838.4333
Thanks to our sponsors:
Fremont Brewing, Hilliards Beer, Pecado Bueno, Skillet,
graypants Inc., True Fabrications, BlueTree Design
Interested in donating services or items for our auction? Email arts(at)fremontabbey.org
Thanks to our amazing sponsors!
COZY PARTY:
Please join us Friday November 15th, 2013
@ Fremont Abbey in the 1st floor Gallery
6:00-8:00p Community Dinner
{VIP/Arts Advocates/Members}
Email: rsvp(at)fremontabbey.org for info
8:00-10:00ish Birthday Party
All ages, bar w/ ID. Families welcome.
ComedySportz, teen virtuoso band Bleach Bear, and other fun antics.
Fremont Brewing, Hilliards Beer & WA wine available by donation.
Free snacks from Pecado Bueno, Skillet, and more.
RSVP ON FACEBOOK
VIDEO OF MAYOR MCGINN’S SPEECH, 2011
Some photos from past Birthday Fundraisers which included performances by musicians such as Jonathan Russell (The Head & The Heart), John Van Deusen (The Lonely Forest), Campfire OK, Greg Paul, music students, Seattle Teen jazz band, more.
PHOTOS – 2012
PHOTOS – 2011
CAMPFIRE OK, 2011
JOHN VAN DEUSEN (THE LONELY FOREST)
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