Seattle Gay News headed to free Blitzen Trapper show - tonight, Seattle Center

What's better than a cool band playing under a hot sun right smack in the city? Not having to pay to see them.

Local radio station KEXP has partnered with Seattle Center to bring several great concerts free of charge throughout the summer to residents of this music-appreciate city. Tonight, Blitzen Trapper who're signed to Seattle-based Sub Pop Records (Fleet Foxes, The Shins, Flight of the Conchords) will perform to a crowd already assembling at the Mural Amphitheatre.

Concert begins at 6pm with an opening act, followed by Portland-based Blitzen Trapper going onstage around 7'sh - you still have time to dart there. In the crowd, Seattle Gay News - of course! Killer rock bands, we're all over it.

Jazz newbie Spencer Day interviews with Seattle Gay News

He's the freshest face of America's most vintage genre, and the opportunity to meet him is a newstand or mouse click away.

Spencer Day, a Utah-born singer-songwriter brought up in rural Arizona by a single mom who still teaches music, is being compared to Michael Buble and Harry Connick Jr. His vocals are smooth and seductive, his arrangements are sophisticated and dreamy, and his looks...well, you can arrive at your opinion.

Day gives his first headlining appearance in Seattle with back-to-back performances at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley (www.jazzalley.com) on July 28 and 29. Visit the venue's website for admission price and show details. This is your chance to see a young star at a very early point in his career, and we should point out that film scripts are already being sent his way. Interesting sidenote: Peter Cincotti gave his first headlining performance at the Jazz Alley.

Pick up a copy of Seattle Gay News at your favorite bar or coffeeshop or visit www.sgn.org and look for "The Music Lounge" column for an interview with Spencer Day. You can also ear-sample his songs at www.spencerday.com.

Cupcake Royale giving free cupcakes at new Capitol Hill store today

It's raining cupcakes on Capitol Hill, specifically at 1111 Pike Street (between 11th and 12th avenues)!

Local favorite Cupcake Royale is celebrating the opening of its new store by offering free Strawberry 66 cupcakes all day long (July 22 only), while supplies last. Simply go inside the store and say the magic words "Legalize Frostitution" and voila, a cupcake lands in your hands!

While you're at the shop, grab a cupcake or two from the many other flavors to take back to your partner, colleagues, or friends. They make wonderful little birthday treats, or if heading down to Portland to visit friends or relatives, surprise them with a dozen - a unique taste of Seattle.

Help welcome Cupcake Royale to Capitol Hill by dropping by today!

Kelly Clarkson coming to Seattle, in November!

Don't make those Thanksgiving plans too early, as you might want to stay in the Jet City for the return of Grammy winner and American Idol champ Kelly Clarkson.

Seattle Gay News is happy to report that the pop diva will perform November 24 at WaMu Theater, adjacent to Qwest Field and now accessible by Seattle's new light rail service.

More on Clarkson's upcoming visit coming soon in the Seattle Gay News.

Seattle Gay News picks hottest musician: Followill, Kravitz, Shimabukuro, Roth make list

You want some heat with that pop?

Seattle Gay News unveiled its picks for the "Hottest Guys in Music" in a special Pride feature on June 26. Among the hunks and hotties selected, Kings of Leon's bassist Jared Followill, Grammy winner Lenny Kravitz, openly gay dance artist Sam Sparro, country star Billy Currington, and newbies Jake Shimabukuro and Asher Roth.

For a full list of these striking, talented men click here: http://sgn.org/sgnnews37_26/page33.cfm.

Seattle's own Fleet Foxes on Mojo magazine cover

Congrats to Seattle-based folk geniuses Fleet Foxes, on scoring the cover story in the August issue of Mojo magazine!

The group's stunning debut was selected as the "Best Album/CD of 2008" by Seattle Gay News, and it be can't be recommended any higher for those who love organic Americana/folk music.

Read more about Fleet Foxes in "The Music Lounge", in the July 17 issue of the SGN.

Arctic Monkeys and Grizzly Bear announce Seattle concerts

The best shows keep coming to Seattle, and we're not complaining.

Two incredible noisemakers have announced upcoming concerts this fall, Arctic Monkeys and Grizzly Bear.

The Grammy-nominated Arctic Monkeys will perform September 19 @ The Showbox Market, while Grammy hopefuls (pay attention NARAS voters) Grizzly Bear play October 16 @ the Moore Theatre. Veckatamist, the new release by Grizzly Bear, landed on the "Best of 2009 1/2" in Seattle Gay News' mid-year music section (June 26 issue).

Look for details on the Arctic Monkeys and Grizzly Bear concerts in "The Music Lounge" column inside the July 17 edition of Seattle Gay News.