Redmond Joins Washington's Space Council, Zombie Dancing & Best Pet Store?

Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days!🛰️ Redmond Gets a Seat at Washington's Space TableOkay, this is a pretty interesting one. Redmond Mayor Angela Birney is one of 23 members of Washington's new Space Council, created by Governor Bob Ferguson to figure out how the state can grow its commercial space industry. The council includes people from Blue Origin, SpaceX, Amazon Leo, Stoke Space, Starfish Space and other aerospace and technology organizations. Here's the thing: nobody knows yet what this will mean for Redmond specifically. The council is just getting started. But Redmond now has a direct voice in conversations about space, advanced manufacturing, jobs and investment across Washington. Worth watching.🚗 Exotic Cars Take Over Redmond Town CenterIf you've ever driven past Redmond Town Center on a Saturday morning and wondered why there are suddenly a ridiculous number of very expensive cars parked together, here's your answer. The Exotics at Redmond Town Center show is back Saturday, October 3, from 9 to 11 AM at 7525 166th Ave NE. You'll see everything from rare exotics to cars most of us only see in pictures. It's free to watch, and the whole thing is pretty casual. Bring the kids, walk around, take some pictures, and try not to ask what any of the cars cost. Weather can affect the show.😂 Tamasha Open Mic Comes to RedmondThursday night, October 1, you've got a free open mic happening at Ada Social, 16126 NE 87th St, from 6 to 7:30 PM. Tamasha is a Desi open mic where comedians, poets and performers can try new material in front of a live audience. That's actually what makes this one interesting. You're not necessarily getting polished, finished material. You're watching people test stuff, which means some jokes will land and some probably won't. Either way, it's free to attend. Show up, grab a seat, and give somebody brave enough to get onstage a little support.🧟 Get Ready for the Zombie DanceHere's your excuse to learn the Thriller dance before Halloween. The Seattle Thrillers are holding a rehearsal Saturday, October 3, from 6 to 8 PM at the Redmond Senior & Community Center, 8703 160th Ave NE. You don't have to be a professional dancer, and the group welcomes people who want to learn the choreography for Thrill the World. They're asking for a $6 donation to help cover the room rental, but nobody gets turned away because they can't pay. If you've ever wanted to do the full Michael Jackson zombie routine, this is your chance to start.🍂 Redmond in AutumnIf you want to get outside without turning it into a major hiking expedition, there's a two-mile urban hike through Redmond on Saturday, October 3. The group meets at 1 PM at the parking area behind Half Price Books at 7541 Leary Way NE. The route heads through the Central Connector, along the Sammamish River Trail, past City Hall and back downtown. It's mostly paved and relatively flat, and the whole thing takes about 45 minutes. They're planning to check the weather the day before, so check the event listing before heading out if the forecast looks questionable.🎃 Make a Halloween Tray With the KidsKids can make their own Halloween decoration Saturday, October 3, from 2 to 4 PM at the Redmond Senior & Community Center, 8703 160th Ave NE. The Family Halloween Tray Workshop has kids decorating a 10-inch wooden tray with pumpkins, leaves and other Halloween details. It's for ages 5 and up, with younger kids attending with an adult. The cost is $35 per project and the materials are included. Parents can make one alongside their kid, too. If your house needs a little Halloween upgrade and your kid likes making stuff, this one's pretty straightforward.🚲 Bicycle Bling: It's Never Too Late to LearnThink you missed your chance to learn how to ride a bike? Nope. Biking 101 is a small-group class Saturday, October 3, from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Redmond City Hall parking garage, 8711 160th Ave NE. The class is for absolute beginners and covers balancing, pedaling, steering and braking, with actual on-bike practice. It's $10, and bikes and helmets are available at no charge if you need them. The October 3 class is currently full, but there's a waitlist. So if learning to ride has somehow remained on your list of things you never got around to... this might be your sign.🐾 Leonbergers Take Over MarymoorGot a giant fluffy dog? Or maybe you just really like giant fluffy dogs? The Leonberger Club of the Northwest is meeting Saturday, October 3, at noon for its monthly LeoWalk at Marymoor Dog Park. Meet at the main dog-park entrance near Parking Lot D. It's a casual gathering for Leonberger families and people who are interested in the breed. You don't need to be a member to watch a bunch of these enormous dogs hang out together. Just remember this is at the off-leash area, so your own dog needs to be ready for that environment.🎨 Queer Figure DrawingSunday, October 4, there's a free figure-drawing session at Together Center, 16305 NE 87th St, from 2 to 4 PM. Queer Figure Drawing is a laid-back, clothed figure-drawing meetup for 2SLGBTQIA+ artists of all levels. There isn't formal drawing instruction, so bring your own paper and supplies and expect to draw alongside other people. Modeling is voluntary, and people can choose how long they pose. One practical detail: the building's weekend entrances are locked, so use the back entrance on the south side. It's free, casual and very much a bring-your-own-sketchbook kind of afternoon.🕰️ Redmond History MinuteOkay, it's time for the Redmond History Minute, where we share an interesting piece of history, trivia, or tidbit about life in and around Redmond.Where was Redmond's first movie theater?A) Inside a train stationB) In Redmond HallC) Above the Redmond State BankD) Inside a general storeAnswer revealed at the bottom of this newsletter.🗳️ Your Picks: Best pet store in RedmondAlright, that's it for this week.Head on over to facebook.com/BestOfRedmond, find the post called "Your Picks," and drop your vote in the comments. We want to know who you think is the best pet store in Redmond.📻 Don't Miss the PodcastIf you enjoyed this newsletter, you're gonna love the companion podcast. Find it at bestofredmond.com.We'll see you in the next one... or maybe before then, walking around Redmond.🎯 History Minute AnswerThe answer is B – In Redmond HallIn 1919, Lou C. Brown leased Redmond Hall and opened the Dream Theater. The first moving picture shown there was "The Girl From Outside." So before Redmond had movie theaters with stadium seating, giant screens and $18 popcorn, the town was watching movies in Redmond Hall.