Women's History Month at the Cloud Room

The Cloud Room is proud to be both woman owned and woman operated, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion that extends far beyond our mission statement. Since our inception, we have been fortunate to have provided a home to some of Seattle's most influential womxn in the creative, non profit and business world. That has included The Gender Justice League, The Goodship Co, Maria Semple, Makini Howell and KT Niehoff.

This month we're celebrating Woman's History at the Cloud Room lounge by hosting Kiki Wolfkill, head of Halo Transmedia and former Director of Art at Microsoft Studios. Kiki is a pioneering woman in the gaming and tech industry, former professional race car driver and all around badass. We're so excited to host her and hope you join us in our lounge on March 15th. 

Check out some of the other amazing womxn who make The Cloud Room what it is below. All of these Cloud Room members past and present are individuals who inspire us everyday, this month and beyond. 

The Cloud Room Suggests: March

March 3'd: National Moscow Mule Day

A day worth celebrating in the dead of our rainy winter. Check out local gems at Barrio, Canon and Rachel's Ginger Beer. 

March 4th: Cafe Racer Grand Re-Opening

One of the University Districts hidden institutions gets a new chance to be a wonderful haven for artists, weirdo's, students and locals. 

March 5th: Robert Reich

Touring off of his new book, The Common Good, Robert Reich encourages us to return to the idea of the governance as bettering society, not just the elites. 

March 8th: International Women's Day March- Safety Is Our Right

Join council member Kshama Sawant and others in protesting sexual violence and harassment, condemning politicians who associate with the NRA, and promoting safe communities and universal health care.

March 11th: Citrus Room Squeeze

 

March 11th: 2'd Annual Dumpling Festival

If all the world could be united under our mutual international love of pillowly steamed dough slathered in sauces, that world be a peaceful place. 

March 17th: Captive Light: The Life and Photography of Ella E. McBride (Tacoma) 

Ella McBride, who was born in 1862 and died in 1965 at 102, was one of the most accomplished and widely exhibited Pictorialist photographers during the early 1900s. Pictorialism introduced a more painterly rather than documentary approach to photography by combining artistic composition with experimentation during the development process. In McBride’s “Shirley Poppy,” a single bloomed poppy with two budded stems stand tall in an overlarge Chinese vase while cherry blossoms cast shadows on the wall behind. Not sepia-toned nor black and white, the warm tan hues lend a soft elegance to the piece. When not producing her own work, McBride ran famed photographer Edward Curtis’s studio and was an accomplished mountaineer.

March 21'st: When Words Dance: An Evening with Porter Ray

Seattle hip hop has a night out, with Sub Pop signee and local Porter Ray. 

March 28th: Edoardo Nesi: Everything is Broken Up and Dances

Italian political writer Edoardo Nesi's book chronicles the shift of economic policy and finance in the 21st century, from encouraging societal welfare to attacking the middle class. He'll speak about his work.

Member Mix Tape: Anthony J.R. and Tenoa of Laid Back Allure

Anthony J.R. is a media personality/ host and men’s fashion enthusiast with radio and lifestyle consulting experience. Tenoa is an active dancer and choreographer who travels the world working with various celebrities and entertainers. They are two of the four members of the Laidback Allure men’s lifestyle collective that looks to inspire well-curated living through the community. Visit the Cloud Room March 1 for The Social Club and hang with Anthony J.R, Tenoa and the rest of the LBA crew!

 

LBA Nostalgia

• J Dilla - DTFT Instumental (Don't Fight The Feeling) 
• Pharrell - Frontin
• A Tribe Called Quest - God Lives Through
• Ego Ella May - Underwater
• Drake - Thrill Is Gone
• Jay Z - I Know
• N.E.R.D. - Yeah You
• Daniel Casear - Best Part
• Party Next Door - Relax With Me
• Dwele - Truth 

Top 5 after work drinks

• Manhattan (with Maker's Mark whiskey)
• Old Fashion
• Courvoisier VSOP (neat)
• Jameson with coke
• Heineken 

Where do you take someone new to Seattle? 

• Columbia Towers Observatory
• Pike Place
• Seattle Japanese Garden in Madison Park
• Kerry Park

 What do you do to decompress from a busy day?

• Anthony: I like to come home and listen to various genres of music. Sometimes I'll be listening to Neo Soul/ Hip Hop and other times, I'll listen to Brazilian House/ Jazz. It depends on the mood. Typically, I'll be cleaning my apartment, getting things organized. If my apartment is already clean, then I'll watch interviews or documentaries then take a nap.

• Tenoa: Typically, I listen to music. If I need to get out the house, I'll go on a late night drive near the beach or alongside anytime of water. If I'm staying at home and time permits, then I may binge watch shows on Netflix or watch some movies.

Inspired Seattle: Red Light Lit

The Cloud Room is proud to be part of a community that includes some of the most innovative, bold, and inspiring individuals living and working in Seattle today. For this months Inspired Seattle, we are thrilled to welcome our friends Van der Pop, Seattle's preeminent female-focused cannabis lifestyle brand, to our space in partnership with Red Light Lit from San Francisco. Hosted by April Pride and featuring Jennifer Lewis, this Friday's event will include diverse voices and performances discussing sexuality with humor, sophistication and wit. 

To learn more about the event and purchase tickets, please visit our Eventbrite and check out more below. 

Van der Pop is the leading cannabis digest for discerning women. With an emphasis on discretion, education and style, our aim is to enhance flower-powered pleasures through a thoughtful and candid exploration of cannabis.

Red Light Lit is a collective of writers, musicians and artists who explore love relationships and sexuality through spoken word and song. We showcase diverse voices who discuss sexuality with humor, sophistication and wit.

In House Astrology: February

Want some celestial 411 to help you navigate the month? Check out the latest from resident astrologer Stephanie Gailing’s February horoscope column on The Fold.

"February begins at the heels of a Lunar Eclipse, which occurred on January 31. Yet since Eclipses invoke an energy field that lasts for numerous weeks, I consider February to be colored by this January Eclipse. And then mid-month, on February 15, we have a Solar Eclipse, a New Moon lunation featuring the Sun and Moon in Aquarius.

There’s a strong connection between February and last August, since this Aquarius Solar Eclipse is a mirror Eclipse to the one that occurred on August 21, given that they occur in almost opposite sides of the zodiac. As such, it seems like what’s being ushered in is a new perspective on chapters that may have emerged for us at that point, about six months ago.

Remember that even if we can’t see an Eclipse in the sky where we live, these celestial events are renowned for being very powerful in the way in which they can impact our lives. Oftentimes, life-changing events or reflections occur around the time of an Eclipse. Keep in mind, though, that reflective of the word itself, things are often “eclipsed” around the time of Eclipses. You may find yourself feeling like there is a sea change in your life, that seeds are being planted, yet not clear what it will be that will bear fruit. That clarity may become greater when weeks and months pass; and so, if you’re not yet clear what it is that is being given form, that may be just as it should be.”

Want insights that are particular for your sign? Check out the rest of the article here.

The Cloud Room Suggests: February

The Limits of Presidential Power: Feb 1

Need a civics refresh? Two UW law professors lay it down for those of us who are a few years out of AP Gov.

Humaira Abid: My Shame (Through Feb 28th)

Opening First Thursday, February 1, 5-8pm, Abid’s second gallery solo exhibition in Seattle presents carved wood sculptures, often incorporating elements of miniature painting and installation, examining the stigma that women feel over natural, social and cultural issues. The power and politics in women’s lives are brought into focus through Abid’s global lens as an artist working between the United States and Pakistan.

2 Dope Queens on HBO: Feb 2

The dopest of queens get their own four part HBO special. Tune in and snuggle up for an hour of some of the finest, sweetest, and funniest comedy out there. 

Brewology at the Pacific Science Center: Feb 9th

Beer is basically magic- but magic is basically science. So come bring a few friends and spend an afternoon filling your minds and your bellies with knowledge and brews. 

Northwest Women Stars of Food & Wine: Feb 11

This annual reception gathers tastemaking women chefs, winemakers, and sommeliers of the Pacific Northwest (and their fans) in the Columbia Tower for a night of bites and drinks. The lineup this year includes Chera Amlag of Hood Famous Bakeshop (she of the beloved ube cheesecake); chef and “hummus maven” Kristi Brown, owner of That Brown Girl Cooks!; Carrie Mashaney, Top Chef alum and executive chef of Mamnoon; chef Nicole Matson of How to Cook a Wolf; Tamara Murphy, chef and owner of Terra Plata; and many more.

Red Light Lit at the Cloud Room: Feb 16th

While we hesitate to toot our own horn- this months Inspired Seattle is shaping up to be a real winner. Join us for an evening of storytelling, sex, music, and cannabis by Cloud Room family Van Der Pop and Red Light Lit. Get tickets now!

The Black and Tan: Reimagining Seattle’s Legendary Jazz Club: Feb 27th

Member Mix Tape: Sharlese Metcalf

Sharlese Metcalf is a local treasure.  From hosting Audioasis on KEXP, to supporting womxn and non binary musicians and artists in TUFF, we are incredibly proud to have her as a Cloud Room Member. This month she prepared a playlist of her favorite work tunes for our listening pleasure throughout the day. Check out the track-list below and keep your ears tuned in our workspace to these brilliant jams from this brilliant woman. Click here to listen!

In House Astrology: January and the New Year

Want a periscope into 2018, astrological insights that reveal the key opportunities and challenges that this new year may hold for us personally and collectively?

In addition to joining resident astrologer Stephanie Gailing at her Astrological Insights for 2018 AstroSalon* on January 17 in the Cloud Room Lounge, check out her recent horoscope column on The Fold. There she frames a look into 2018, through the lens of three different planetary happenings this year, and how they may inform and inspire particular themes for each astrological sign. These lens are INVEST, GROW, and INNOVATE.

INVEST. In this section she looked through the lens of Saturn, which climbed into Capricorn at the end of December and will reside there through early 2020. Saturn, the planet of hard work and responsibility, beckons us to pay attention to structure. Wherever Saturn focuses is where we need to attend with judiciousness and responsibility. If we follow this approach, we can reap great rewards. Being that Saturn in Capricorn is about conscious allocation, she's called this section INVEST.

GROW. Here she share with you the opportunities that Jupiter in the sign of Scorpio (its residence through early November) may yield. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and plenty. As Jupiter widens our sense of optimism and possibility, you’ll find some insights about it in the GROW section of her column.

INNOVATE. Uranus spends part of the year in Aries (where it’s been since 2011) and part in Taurus. (It will then remain firmly planted in Taurus in 2019, where it will reside through 2026.) Uranus upends our conventions so that we may find a greater sense of freedom and liberation. The path to this is often peppered with surprises, and so being flexible and able to pivot with agility are often key to learning. Given that it encourages us to do things a different way, you’ll find insights on how Uranus dancing between Aries and Taurus will inspire you in the INNOVATE section of her 2018 forecast.

Read her 2018’s Astro-Wellness Forecast here. We hope it brings you stellar insights, whether for your personal life or navigating upcoming business opportunities.

* Cloud Room Members enjoy a discounted ticket price for the AstroSalon. Use the code CLOUD2018 when you register.

Stephanie Gailing

Best of 2017: A Very Short List

2017 was a rough one folks. Regardless of political orientation (or lack there of) both our local and global communities faced some serious issues in the past year. From the summer wildfires, to the bizarre reality of POTUS Tweets, to a mediocre season of Game of Thrones, saying goodbye to this year should be easier than most. 

However good things do come in times of darkness so we thought we'd look back at 2017 positively. Here in no particular order are the Top 6 Moments of 2017. 

6. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: If the monarchy is going to be relevant for anything anymore it better be for heartwarming stories of biracial American princesses and former hunky bad boys turned champions of equality. May their future be bright and their kingdom strong. 

5. Kevin Durant's Mom: The Real MVP finally gets a championship ring, and the results are impossible not to smile over. 

4. Southwest Airlines flew puppies out of Hurricane Harvey: We would definitely pay for that upgrade. 

3. Roy Moore did not win the Alabama election: This one is a mixed bag, as getting to the point where Roy Moore could have won the election is bad enough, and the margin was truly thin. However we are counting this as a win, and want to thank the coalition of young progressives and black voters (especially black women) who came out and did the thing that many Americans could not do. 

2. Moonlight won Best Picture: In a truly deserving move, Moonlight won Best Picture and Best Director at the 2017 Academy Awards, making it the first film directed by a black man to win Best Director and the first film about an LGBTQ character to win Best Picture. Barry Jenkins's story of love and growth was one of the most beautiful artistic statements of the year, and we cheered along with everyone else when he won (even if it was a confused way). 

1. This guy: @sarperduman: This Instanbul based pianist plays songs for his pack of adopted street cats. The palpable connection remind us all that even though humans are flawed, they are occasionally wonderful. 

Thats it! Here's to a better year in 2018. May your holidays be merry and bright. 

In House Astrology: December

Each month, astrologer-in-residence Stephanie Gailing writes a monthly horoscope column for The Fold that she is sharing with us at Cloud Room as well. In it, she provides each sign's monthly outlook also includes a wellness tip, Stellar Reflection Question, and a realm about which to be mindful. In addition, she highlights some important days of the month for all of us to mark on our calendar, and the opportunities and challenges that they may bring.

You can read your horoscope here!

For December, these include:

December 2

Jupiter/Neptune: Trine*

Dream the dream. Feel the feels. Orienting numinously. Overflowing water. Breached boundaries.

December 3

Gemini Full Moon

Local vs. Global. Curiosity about the world. Learning about the media. Exploring the neighborhood. Casual conversations about big topics. 

December 3

Mercury: Stations Retrograde** 

Look to insights from the past. Open to your intuition. See things from a different angle. Go slow, and see what’s revealed in stillness. 

December 18

Sagittarius New Moon

Expanding the horizon. Travel and explore. Aiming like an archer. Discovering your soapbox. Understanding truth.

December 19

Saturn enters Capricorn ***

Prizing structure. Honoring authority. Revering vintage. Climbing mountains. The matter of time.

* There are two other upcoming Jupiter/Neptune Trines: May 25 and August 19, 2018

** Mercury Retrograde continues through December 22

*** Saturn will be in Capricorn through 2020

Cloud Room Suggests: December

Washington Brewers Guild 2017 Winter Beer Festival

Its the holidays! Nothing says celebrate the season like imbibing to the fullest. First up in the relevatory sphere of events is the Washington Brewers Guild Festival celebrating all things winter beer. Take the pup for a nice run in the park and then settle in for a late afternoon brew (or two). 

STG Presents: Sam Harris and the Waking Up Podcast

"In the fall of 2014, Sam Harris staged a series of live events — in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco—to coincide with the publication of his book, Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion. In these talks, Harris discussed a range of experiences that have traditionally been considered “spiritual”—in particular the phenomenon of self-transcendence. Although such experiences tell us nothing about the origins of the cosmos, they confirm some well-established truths about the human mind: Our conventional sense of self is an illusion; positive emotions, such as compassion and serenity, are teachable skills; and the way we think can profoundly influence our lives and the lives of others. "Sounds pretty cool no?

Citrus Room Squeeze

Our very own Citrus Room podcast (ne: Brittaney Bunjong, Community Manager and creative force) is throwing a party up the street. Slide through, drink and dance a little!

Chophouse Row Guilty Holiday Party

The only function you want to be at this season. Champagne and cannabis, drag queens, Tilson in a Santa suit, what more do you need to get in the spirit?

Twilight Noodle Slurp

Put on and led by the Wing Luke Museum, the Twilight Noodle Slurp brings the best of the International District to your mouth with over 45 minutes of artisan noodles and local business. Perfect for warming up on a cold evening while imbuing local culture and history. 

Industrial Revelation Plays Bjork

Local Genuis's (and Cloud Room Members!) Industrial Revelation play all of Homogenic. This one is a can't miss. 

Homo for the Holidays

A Capitol Hill Institution featuring some of the most enduring stars of the Seattle entertainment world. Bring in the gay yuletidings!

Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice Celebration

Whether you celebrate the holidays by partying till dawn, or embarking on long solo hikes, take this holiday seasons to regroup, refresh and reconnect. This year has been hard! You deserve a break. 

Member Mix Tape: Ben Lindbloom

Ben Lindbloom is a Seattle based photographer, musician, and Cloud Room member who specializes in lifestyle and outdoor brands. To kick off Member Mix Tape, we asked Ben a few key questions and he made us a playlist of his favorite songs to (co) work too. Check out his work for such local icons as Filson, Capitol Hill Block Party and The Goodship Co here.

Top 5 happy hours (local or global!)

1. Casco Antiguo (Pioneer Square)
2. Poquitos (Capitol Hill)
3. Momiji (Capitol Hill)
4. Captain Blacks (Capitol Hill)
5. Taylor Shellfish (Capitol Hill)

Where do you take someone new to Seattle?

If they're outdoorsy, I take them on a day-hike in the Cascades. Mt. Pilchuck is probably my favorite. If they like to eat, I take them to Capitol Hill or Pioneer Square. The Captain Blacks patio is also great for afternoon drinks. Casco Antiguo is my go-to for dinner. 

What do you do to decompress from work?

Cooking. Or playing music with my band, Sundries. 

Listen to Bens Playlist Here

Chophouse Row Tenants Featured in Seattle Met's November Issue

This month we are honored to announce that multiple members of the Cloud Room family are featured in Seattle Met’s Best 100 Little Shops! Even in the digital age, brick and mortar business is the core of any city and Seattle Met has picked their top Seattle shops just in time for the holiday season. In this issue resident Cloud Room stylists Colton and Christine of Cuniform share what they love about Seattle, and our very own Sundry is included in the new wave of corner markets taking over the city, alongside Cloud Room member Dani Cone's Cone and Steiner.
 
Included as well are Chophouse Row and Piston & Ring tenants Honed, Good Weather, Niche Outside and Sway and Cake Pop-Up Shop. The Cloud Room is so proud to be part of a community that supports and houses so many wonderful entrepreneurs and business owners, so please stop in and say hello to everyone who made the list. Check out the article below or pick up a copy on newsstands this month!

Cloud Room Suggests: November 2017

• November 1-2: Seattle Restaurant Week

  3 courses for $33.00 at some of Seattle's most beloved and respected establishments. We recommend keeping it in the neighborhood with Lionhead, Barrio and Marjorie.

• November 6th-13th: The Midnight Show at the Can Can

  Date night? Can't get any better than the midnight show at the Can Can, a subterreanean performance institution under the Pike Place Market. Except absinthe, burlesque, grit and glitter.

• November 7th: Seattle Mayoral Election

• November 11th: Culture Fest Vol 2

  Featuring Shana, Brittaney and Cindy from our Chophouse Family!

• Tues + Sun through Nov 12th: We are the Ocean, an Indigenous Response to Climate Change

  hrough objects, installation, poetry, and oral histories, this exhibition engages with the history of climate change while providing a wealth of creative, philosophical, and spiritual insight for the future.

 

• Nov 9-16th: Cinema Italian Style @ SIFF

  SIFF's Cinema Italian Style returns for the ninth annual festival of the best in current Italian films. The week will showcase 16 extraordinary feature films with some of the biggest names in Italian cinema today.

• Thru Dec 31: Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Mexico's Poet of Light at the Frye

  This exhibit will feature images that "show the artist's ability to synthesize motifs of Mexican religious and indigenous works and plant forms (such as agave leaves) with a Modernist approach to image making."

• Thru Nov 13th: Coriolanus: Fight Like a Bitch at 12th Ave Arts

  If a man can destroy an entire city… can’t a woman do the same? We say they can.

• Nov 18th: Oyster Classes (Hama Hama Lilliwaup WA)

  Get out of town, drink some champagne, take a date and learn to shuck straight from the source.

• Nov 19th: An Evening with David Sedaris

  "… If America had an award for satirist-in-chief, David Sedaris would be the odds-on favorite. If there were a garland for humorist laureate, it would rest on his head..” — Broadway World

• Nov 23'd and 24th: Thanksgiving

  • May we suggest in tandem with giving thanks this week that you consider making a donation to the organization of your choice raising funds for those impacted by the country and globe's recent traumas.