The Best Parties and Activities Going on in Seattle During the 2015 SCAA Event
It’s finally here ”the 2015 Specialty Coffee Association of America’s annual conference and expo, and with it, the World Barista Championship, taking place in the United States for the first time since 2009! What better American city for all of this to go down than beautiful Seattle, Wash., a world-renowned specialty-coffee mecca boasting some of the best cafés in the world, a heavier industry history than any other metropolis in the country, and some of the best baristas (last year’s United States Barista Champion Laila Ghambari, anyone?) and cuppers (2014 U.S. Cup Tasters Champion Amanda Juris, you don’t say?) anywhere.
We’ve put together our picks for the most exciting things going on over the next few days, from special activities around the show floor, to all the best parties in the evening. What we’re not listing here is the booths at the show that we hope you’ll check out, simply because there are too many to list! We encourage you to give yourself a hefty chunk of time to wander the show for yourself to see all the awesomeness!
THURSDAY, APRIL 9
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: World Barista Championship, Round 1, Day 1. Located between the halls of the SCAA show floor. Be sure to puck up a copy of the Official World Barista Championship Event Program for profiles of all the competitors, interviews, important schedule information, and more! Must have show pass.
6 “7 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies Starring Marcus Boni. Located in the Ballroom on Level 6 of the Convention Center. Must have show pass.
8 “11 p.m.: Come party with Stumptown Coffee Roasters & Barista Magazine! Our party takes place at Stumptown’s roastery, 1115 12th Ave. Taste amazing coffee beers from Rogue, The Commons, and Sierra Nevada; listen to sick beats from local KEXP DJs, and create some memories with our photo booth! Everyone welcome!
Other fun stuff going on:
- SCAA Event Block Party & Latte Art Throwdown, 7 “10 p.m. at Melrose Market on Pike Street and Melrose Avenue (just follow the crowds leaving the Opening Ceremony! Thanks to the generosity of Pacific Foods, this block party will feature a latte art throwdown at Victrola Coffee Roasters, 310 E. Pike St. Get there early to sign up! Must have show pass.
- The World Aeropress Championship, Within Sodo, 2916 Utah Ave. S. Free ticketed event.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
7 a.m.: JavaJog for a Cause: Raise money for coffee women in Ethiopia! All the details here: http://javajog.org
8 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.: World Barista Championship, Round 1, Day 2. Located between the halls of the SCAA show floor. Be sure to puck up a copy of the Official World Barista Championship Event Program for profiles of all the competitors, interviews, important schedule information, and more! Must have show pass.
9 “11 a.m.: Cup of Excellence Reception. Location: Room 201, at the Convention Center. Must have show pass.
11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Latte Art Throwdown with Barista Series Almond at Pacific Foods’ booth, #141043. Baristas compete for $1,000! Competitors may drop by to compete. Must have show pass.
2 “3 p.m.: Coffee with Tim Wendelboe! Tasting open to all at Barista Magazine’s booth, #16007. Must have show pass.
3 “4 p.m.: Food4Farmers Ice Cream Social! Booth #2016. Must have show pass.
5 p.m.: Announcement of the World Barista Championship Semifinalists. Located between the halls of the SCAA show floor. Must have show pass.
6 p.m.: Partly Sunny Party with Café Imports and Barista Magazine! We’ll have appetizers and drinks at our party from 6 “10 p.m. Location: 1927 3rd Ave. Everyone welcome!
Other fun stuff going on:
- Reg Barber’s 20th and Beyond the Bean’s 18th Birthday Party! 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. @ Narwhal, 1118 E. Pike St. Everyone welcome!
- Cup Tasters Challenge, 7 p.m. @ Stumptown, 1115 12th Ave. $10 buy-in. Email davidy@tonyscoffee.com to register. Everyone welcome!
- Elevated Coffee Experience, 7 “9 p.m. @ Trichome Seattle. 618 S. Jackson St. Must have show pass.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: World Barista Championship Semifinal Round! Located between the halls of the SCAA show floor. Be sure to puck up a copy of the Official World Barista Championship Event Program for profiles of all the competitors, interviews, important schedule information, and more! Must have show pass.
11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Latte Art Throwdown with Barista Series Almond at Pacific Foods’ booth, #141043. Baristas compete for $1,000! Competitors may drop by to compete. Must have show pass.
2 “3 p.m.: Coffee with Tim Wendelboe! Tasting open to all at Barista Magazine’s booth, #16007. Must have show pass.
3:30 p.m.: Announcement of the World Barista Championship Finalists. Located between the halls of the SCAA show floor. Must have show pass.
6 p.m.: Gravitech: The Event. Hosted by Nuova Simonelli and Victoria Arduino. Palace Ballroom, 2100 5th Ave. Ticketed event ”register here: http://www.victoriaarduino.com/gravitech-event/
Other fun stuff going on:
- Elevated Coffee Experience, 7 “9 p.m. @ Trichome Seattle, 618 S. Jackson St. Must have show pass.
- Roasters Guild Party, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. @ World Sports Grille, 1511 7th Ave. Everyone welcome!
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.: World Barista Championship Final Round! Located between the halls of the SCAA show floor. Be sure to puck up a copy of the Official World Barista Championship Event Program for profiles of all the competitors, interviews, important schedule information, and more! Must have show pass.
3:30 “4:30 p.m.: World Barista Championship Awards Ceremony. Located between the halls of the SCAA show floor. Must have show pass.
9 p.m. to 2 a.m.: World Barista Championship Party @ Trinity Nightclub, 111 Yesler Ave. Ticketed event: $25 tickets available at the SCAA Store.
