VOILA REPETTO: BACK ONLINE AND ON SALE!

Oh la-la, c'est vrai! Our entire stock of French dance shoes from Repetto is on sale and finally available on BlackbirdBallard.com! Scroll down for a list of stock on hand or click here to see for yourself!

Zizi Agneau Perfore (perforated lambskin) in black and grey
Zizi Chevre Crispee (distressed goatskin) in black and desert
Zizi Chevre Velours (suede goatskin) in black
Zizi Chevre (smooth goatskin) in black and white
Johny Chevre Crispee (distressed goatskin) in black, white/gray, and white/desert

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BLACKBIRD RECOMMENDS: DRINK & DRAW!

DRINK & DRAW
Presented by the UW Industrial Design Program and King's Hardware in Ballard.

King's Hardware
5225 Ballard Ave

April 6th, 8-11p.m.
May 4th, 8-11p.m.

The University of Washington Industrial Design Program and King's Hardware in Ballard are happy to continue the popular Drink & Draw events in April and May. With a small $5 contribution for supplies, you can draw to your heart's content. Even if you're not a drawer, it's a great way to have fun and get in on some drink specials. All drawings can be considered for merit prizes or just some free drinks for trying and having fun.

Prize categories include:
Dirty Sanchez (dirtiest)
Gut Buster (funniest)
Best in Show
Gold Stars (Thanks for trying)
Second Worst (Because there is always someone who is worse)
The Norman Bates Award (most derranged)

Join us for laughs, cheap/free drinks and a good time. Even if you can't draw, you can drink and draw! It's free to get in the bar and $5 to participate in D&D. All proceeds benefit the UW's Industrial Design Junior Show at the end of May.

Scroll down to see recent Drink & Draw winners and honorable mentions:

Winner, Best in Show

Winner, Norman Bates Award

Winner, Special Olympics Silver Medal

FREE CLASS @ THE FIELD HOUSE, SUNDAY 4th @ 3pm: HOW TO BUILD A DRINK...OLD SCHOOL.

w/ Instructor: Chas Malody

Chas was the regional sales manager for a wine and spirits broker for 10 years, where his job was to promote brands with restaurant accounts - "We had all premium brands: Jack Daniels (I've been to the Holler), Bombay (when it first was introduced in americ) Martell, Hennessey, Bols liqueurs, etc. I have also managed restaurants in Seattle and for some years now have been designing bar programs for NW hotel/restaurants. I also have written articles for MSN online - but mostly I really like to drink well." Chas is currently working on his website, but until then he will possibly being doing a series of classes at The Field House, of which this will be the first.

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
This first class will be a general introduction to drinking, including how to mix a drink properly - and introducing the idea of building around a specific liquor, using the Classic Era as a modeling ground. Most classic drinks were modeled on Gin - given the Martini-ization of the past 10 years, it will be a familiar liquor to begin with. This class will show us how the original flavor profiles were much more complex and drier. Also, how basic pairings of flavors can be enhanced. This will provide a good opportunity to introduce a number of products that were core to Classic drinking but aren't used much today at all.

Space is limited, so RSVP now! 21yrs+ only. Here's to mixin' a good drink!!

SUMMERTIME IN THE CITY: THE ALDEN 29332F SUEDE SUMMER OXFORD

The sister shoe to Alden's famous unlined 1490's series, this semicasual oxford is fondly referred to as "Alden's summer sneaker.

Distributed exclusively between only a handful of Alden accounts and featuring each retailer's custom heel pod (ours features the Blackbird logo and the words "Made expressly for Blackbird" in gold lettering), these slim line summer oxfords are tailor made for wear with a summer weight suit, slacks, or your slouchy rolled chinos and worn in denim. Featuring an unlined leather upper for ultimate wearability with or without socks and Alden's Flex water resistant outsole (Unexpected spring rain? So?), they'll keep you crazy comfortable on your feet and looking sharp all season long.

Alden - 29332F Suede Oxford
in tan

STYLE: Plain Toe Oxford, LAST: Barrie, UPPER: premium unlined tan suede calfskin, OUTSOLE: Flex single waterlock water resistant outsole with dressy McAfee heel, INSOLE: Flex vegetable tanned leather insoles with the "Made expressly for Blackbird" heel pod, MID-SOLE: cork midsole with steel shank for long-lasting strength and support, LACING: round cotton lacing through five pairs of blind eyelets, WELT: high quality light antique finish Goodyear leather reverse welt construction, LINING: unlined for summer comfort.

SIZING: These shoes run large. We recommend sizing down half a size. If you don't see the size you're looking for, please contact us for assistance.

$410

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BLACKBIRD APOTHECARY: DON'T FORGET YOUR TEETH

Invented in Japan and now available in the United States, Breath Palette is a naturally derived line of flavored toothpastes and mouthwashes. Available in a variety of tastes from fruity to exotic, Breath Palette changes the way we view oral care – from a daily chore to a daily treat. With 32 sensational flavors you can be adventurous every day of the month or eventually commit to a favorite.

Regardless of your chosen flavor, Breath Palette leaves your mouth clean and fresh. The ‘flavor’ comes from essential fragrances that are infused in the natural base formula. Because our sense of smell is responsible for about 80% of what we taste, you experience the flavor for a few fleeting moments before a light, menthol finish.

Breath Palette was created in Japan by Margaret Josefin, a Japanese company that takes a holistic approach in developing products to address the health and well-being of their customers. After researching taste disorders, MJ originally created a natural plant derived, medicated toothpaste based on their findings that various additives in toothpaste contribute not only to taste disorders, but can also effect allergies as they are absorbed by the lining in the mouth. This formula, which forms the basis for Breath Palette, contains no surface-active agents and a refined combination of herbs to promote healthy taste buds. In addition, MJ discovered that people were also unhappy about the limited flavor and aftertaste of traditional toothpastes. Hence, Breath Palette was created with both improved function and flavor.

Blackbird-stocked Breath Palette flavors:

#2 Tropical Pineapple
#7 Monkey Banana
#8 Honey
#9 Kiwi Fruit
#12 Tsugaru Apple
#13 Vanilla
#15 Strawberry
#16 California Orange
#20 Lavender
#22 Cinnamon
#24 Lemon
#27 Caramel
#29 Grapefruit
#30 Pumpkin Pudding

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ROSES: BLACKBIRD PRESENTS THE BLOOMING SYMBOL OF SPRINGTIME

Comme des Garcons - SA3100R Reptile Patchwork Zip Wallet
$140

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Woolrich Woolen Mills - Rockaway Shirt
$225

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Diptyque - Baies Noir Candle
$68

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Comme des Garcons - Daphne Guinness Eau de Parfum
$140

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Robert Geller - Long Sleeve Contrast Shirt
$240

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Lipstick Queen - Rose Sinner Lipstick
$18

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Gitman Vintage - Cotton Bow Tie
$68

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Lulu Organics - Tuberose Hair Powder
$40

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KZO SPRING SHIRTING: MATCHES SPRING SKIES RAIN OR SHINE

KZO - Thrasher Shirt
in navy
DETAILS: 88% cotton, 12% linen lightweight short sleeve button up shirt with triple needle felled seams at the shoulder, yoke, and side (the latter of which is unfinished at the bottom) in blue and cream stripes.
ABOUT: This easy top's dual button closure chest pockets perfectly line up with the shirt's stripe pattern for a seamless effect that speaks to its well considered construction. Featuring a tonal, herringbone lined yoke, cuffed sleeves, subtle two-hole buttons, and that work shirt style triple needle stitching, this is the tricked out linen vacation shirt that'll completely discourage comparisons to any run-of-the-mill, snowbird friendly Tommy Bahama offerings.
$175

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KZO - Weld Shirt
in charcoal (also available in sky blue)
DETAILS: 100% cotton short sleeve button up shirt with blacked out copper buttons and triple needle felled seams at the shoulder, yoke, and side (the latter of which is unfinished at the bottom).
ABOUT: This slim fitting top's heavy workwear style stitching and substantial buttons strongly contrast its soft and lightweight fabric and small collar making this casual basic an easy one to reach for this spring. Try yours over a pair of slouchy beat up jeans or rolled and wrinkly linen trousers for easy warm weather style.
$170

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APRIL EVENT SCHEDULE for THE FIELD HOUSE

Coming up this next month, we have some amazing and wonderful events, new ideas, and even live in-store concerts down here @ The Field House. The following is a brief titled description of things to come, and when to expect them. For more detailed descriptions of each event, Check out the calendar here:

On deck!!

Sunday, April 4th, 3pm: How to Build a Drink...Old School w/ Instructor Chas Malody (first part of a series on classic cocktails and drinking well)

On the way...

Sunday 11th, 3pm: Matinee Movie @ The Field House "Alone in the Wilderness" a
documentary

Tuesday 13th, 6pm: LIVE and free, in Store performance for Norway's STORM WEATHER SHANTY CHOIR

Sunday 18th, 3pm: Get Your Spring/Summer Garden Going! w/ Instructor and Author, Amy Pennington

Sunday 25th, 3pm: Matinee Movie @ The Field House "You Can't Take it With You" a Frank Capra classic and Oscar winner

All events, Except for the Live in-store show, have limited attendance. Please sign up the day of the event, or RSVP at, thefieldhouse@blackbirdballard.com. Hope to see you all soon!!

STREAMING NETFLIX PICKS: JULES et JIM

For the price of seeing one movie at the theater, you can be a member of Netflix.  I'm sure you know this.  But did you know about all of the outstanding unlimited movies and t.v. shows you can stream direct to your computer.  Oh you do.  Did you know that they have added a tremendous amount of Criterion Collection film recently? 

The Blackbird team is going to pick one movie a week we have watched on Netflix.  If you would like to send us recommendations, please email info@blackbirdballard.com.  We might just post your favorite.

Jules and Jim (Jules et Jim)

1962  NR  105 minutes

Writers Jules (Oskar Werner) and Jim (Henri Serre) are close friends who fall in love with the same woman, the unpredictable Catherine (Jeanne Moreau), amid the turbulence of World War I Paris in one of director François Truffaut's best-loved films, adapted from the novel by Henri-Pierre Roché. What results is a decades-long love triangle that both tests and strengthens the bond between the two men.

Cast:  Oskar Werner, Henri Serre, Jeanne Moreau, Vanna Urbino, Bassiak, Anny Nelsen

Director:  François Truffaut

Genres:  Foreign, Foreign Classic Dramas, France, Foreign Classics, French Language, Foreign Languages, Foreign Regions

Language:  French

This movie is:  Romantic, Quirky, Dark, Cerebral

Format:  DVD and streaming

REMINDER: MEND AND MEASURE CLASS @ THE FIELD HOUSE, SUNDAY 3/28

Tommorow at 3pm, The Field House host Mend and Measure Day, a time dedicated to fixing up your old duds. For more details, click here. Only several spots remain, so RSVP now!

KIM CHANG WAN BAND IN SEATTLE

Tomorrow, one of Korea's most beloved rock bands will be making its way to Seattle. Kim Chang Wan Band is the current musical output of Korean musical legend and TV/film celebrity, Kim Chang Wan.

In the late 70s, Kim Chang Wan and his brothers, Kim Chang Hoon and Kim Chang Ik, formed the incredibly popular and influential band San Ul Lim. Before a break in the mid-80s, they released nearly a dozen albums of fuzzy psychedelic rock. The band had another stint of popularity in the mid-90s which resulted in the brothers getting back together and continuing as they had done previously. Sun Ul Lim, as a band, ceased to exist with the early 2008 death of the youngest brother, but Kim Chang Wan has since gotten together a new band for his songs. Of particular mention, the new band includes an excellent Japanese guitarist by the name of Yohei Hasegawa.

Kim Chang Wan Band is playing the Auburn Performing Arts Center on March 27th (today) at 7PM. Check it out!

DIET BUTCHER SLIM SKIN SPRING/SUMMER 2010 "THORN" PREVIEW

The first shipments from Diet Butcher Slim Skin's spring/summer 2010 collection should begin heading to us shortly, but for now please see below for a preview of some of the items we have on order. The collection title is "THORN" and, as is often the case, it is an intensely personal one to designer Hisashi Fukatami. Inspiration came while cleaning his work space after the completion of the previous season. As he was placing items on a shelf, he came across the design he had created for his mother's Christian grave; a simple cross.

(above photo is part of the DBSS SS2010 lookbook; more can be seen here)

Fukatami has incorporated this simple cross design into numerous clothing articles; in prints, perforations, subtle details, and the way clothes drape. As he was working with that idea, he met also a floral artist which lead him to choosing to use flowers in the collection's exhibition and of course designs. The title was chosen as "THORN" and the collection was born.

Check here for currently available DBSS stock. As always, please e-mail with any inquiries.

DEALS FOR REAL: RED WING SALE STARTS TOMORROW!

It's Blackbird's

RED WING BOOT SALE!


This Saturday through Tuesday at The Field House and online at BlackbirdBallard.com, get 20% off our entire selection of Red Wing boots! Click here to check out our online selection or head down to The Field House to grab yours while they last!

CALIFORNIA OR BUST: WOOLRICH WOOLEN MILLS SUMMER JACKETS

Daiki Suzuki's Spring/Summer 2010 collection for Woolrich Woolen Mills is chockablock with lightweight coats and jackets infused with sunkissed and innocent California beach spirit and pitch perfect for the incoming warm summer weather. Get 'em while they're hot:

Woolrich Woolen Mills - Windsor Poplin Carlsbad Jacket
in postal blue
DETAILS: 65% polyester, 35% cotton hooded jacket with 100% polyester insulation, dual double-layer front pockets, ribbed waist, and YKK zip front closure. Made in the U.S.A.
$450

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Woolrich Woolen Mills - Wedge Jacket
in beige (top photo, this series) and postal blue
DETAILS: 65% polyester, 35% cotton jacket with corduroy collar lining and contrasting interior lining, two front slant pockets and three snap pockets (one chest, one on the wearer's left bicep, and one on the right hip in the back), cinch waist with slimming side buckle, and two-way YKK zip front closure in beige or blue with broad navy stripe. Made in the U.S.A.
$425

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THE BILLYKIRK PANAMA: PRINCE OF STRAW HATS

Glorified during the 19th century, the Panama has since been considered the prince of straw hats, and our boys at Billykirk are trotting them out for Spring 2010. Check out the new must have summer accessories below:

Billykirk - Pork Pie Panama
in tan
DETAILS: Straw pork pie hat with navy and maroon striped grosgrain band and sterling silver hammer & maul Billykirk logo pin. Handmade in the U.S.A.
SIZING: S=6 7/8", M=7 1/8", L=7 3/8", XL=7 5/8"
$145

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Billykirk - Diamond Crown Panama
in brown
DETAILS: Panamanian style straw hat with black grosgrain hat band and sterling silver hammer & maul Billykirk logo hat pin. Handmade in the USA by Amish leather workers.
SIZING: S=6 7/8", M=7 1/8", L=7 3/8", XL=7 5/8"
$145

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Billykirk - Snap Brim Panama
in natural
DETAILS: Panamanian style straw hat with brownish green grosgrain hat band and sterling silver hammer & maul Billykirk logo hat pin. Handmade in the USA by Amish leather workers.
SIZING: S=6 7/8", M=7 1/8", L=7 3/8", XL=7 5/8"
$145

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