In a creative fundraising opportunity, E Pike’s Capitol Cider will use the alleyway west of Broadway between Pine and Pike to celebrate multiculturalism and raise money for the Northwest Immigration Rights Project (NWIRP) during the Capitol Hill Block Party, which takes place from Friday, July 20th to Sunday, July 22nd.

“A lot of us here at Capitol Cider are upset about the current situation regarding immigration and asylum seekers,” Julie Tall, the owner of Capitol Cider, tells CHS.

Capitol Cider has decided to mobilize their resources in Capitol Hill to support the rights of immigrants as the cider bar continues its annual tradition of embracing the activity around the outdoor music festival to throw a celebration of its own.

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The project is part of a broader effort by Capitol Hill Housing to fully activate the alley that connects Pike and Pine behind Neighbours. Capitol Hill Housing, which aims to establish affordable and locally-owned shelter in the neighborhood, recently received funding to develop an alley design vision and implementation roadmap from the City’s Only in Seattle program. This funding will be used to support a design consultant and a community design process. A stakeholder planning committee is currently being formed, according to Capitol Hill Housing.

“The alley could be a great public space with a bit of love,” Joel Sisolak of Capitol Hill Housing said.

On Friday, Capitol Cider plans to install art in the alley that highlights diversity. Accompanying this will be a 1970s-themed party, which will include a DJ and dance lessons, to kick-off the action-packed weekend from 5 PM to 9 PM.

On Saturday, Capitol Cider will be facilitating another art project in the same alley. People of all ages are welcome and art supplies will be provided to the attendees from 3 PM to 10 PM. This artwork will be temporary, but Tall would love something more permanent in the alley to celebrate the sense of belonging being advocated.

There will be a Twister tournament hosted in the alley alongside other activities that fit into the 70s theme of the festivities.

Capitol Cider will be one of three groups using the alley; Neighbours will also be in the middle of the action and the Seattle International Film Festival’s Egyptian Theatre will be at the end opposite of Capitol Cider. They plan to work together to clean up the area and make it usable for the party.

All the profit from sales will go to NWIRP.

“We are excited to raise money and awareness for NWIRP, and to provide a place for people to gather to celebrate multiculturalism and have fun,” Tall said.

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