By Tyler Steele
Humor writer and Wedgwood resident David Volk released “The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to Seattle,” the latest travel book in a national series targeted at not only tourists, but also locals looking to have fun without breaking the bank.
“I think it’s for everyone in Seattle,” Volk said while relaxing at Espresso Express in Ravenna. “Times are tough, and it doesn’t look like things are changing anytime soon. It’s really all about doing the things you’d already do for less, and working within the system while having a good time doing it.”
After the series received commercial success in New York, Chicago and Boston, Globe Pequot Press decided to tackle the Northwest.
“We needed an insider’s perspective for the book,” Editorial Director Amy Lyons said by phone from Guilford, Conn. “This one is very much for the person that lives in Seattle.”
“I’m the perfect person to do this book because I know how to pinch pennies till they scream,” declared Volk, who makes his living as a freelance journalist. “I wrote about what I’ve been doing for years — surviving on cheap haircuts and happy hours.”
A resident of Seattle for the past 20 years, Volk highlighted some of his favorite places for free entertainment and kids’ meals in the Maple Leaf neighborhood:
- Kona Kitchen at 8501 Fifth Ave. N.E.: A mix of professionals and amateurs show up for stand-up comedy on the second Thursday night of the month for this open mic format show (this month, it’s on Tuesday, Dec. 14, because of the holidays). The fun starts around 8 p.m., comedian standard time, and usually goes until around 10ish (pg.72).
- Coriolis Dance Collective at 10701 Eighth Ave. N.E.: Coriolis focuses on experimental dance that involves collaboration among artists from many disciplines. Volunteer slots are available during some performances and often involve jobs including venue setup, ushering and performance teardown. Volunteers get comp tickets (pg.76).
- Marie Callender’s at 9538 First Ave. N.E.: Children 12 and younger get a free kid’s meal with purchase of adult entrée on Tuesday and Saturday. The meals include a choice of ice cream sundae or slice of apple or chocolate cream pie (149-150).
You can read an in-depth profile on Volk on our sister site, Wedgwood View.
Tyler Steele is the intern for our sister site, PhinneyWood. He is a journalism student at the University of Washington.
