While most people associate the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center with story tellers, traditional dances, and fine native artwork, the cordial venue was utilized by vendors of weddings and corporate events to show off their products June 24. The event was organized by Monica S. Newby, owner of A Grande Affaire Catering in Seattle and Tacoma, and Adam Tiegs of Adam's DJ Service in Seattle.

A free buffet dinner was served, including pit fired salmon, a hearty salad and embellished brie on thin bread slices, and wedding cake was sliced for the guests to sample, as the Emmanuel del Casal Jazz Orchestra and Ensemble performed background music.

There was one vendor who tied in his product with Native American culture. Steve Cox and his Creative Ice sculpture business in Kent, who displayed a large lighted ice canoe which served as a sort of centerpiece at the entrance.

"This is more what I would call an East Coast canoe, maybe a Florida canoe, said Cox. "The Northwest canoe is flatter. This has the curls on the ends and people recognize this more quickly as a traditional canoe. It's almost five feet long, made out of a 300 pound block of ice cut, put back together, sculpted, chain-sawed, and chiseled."

The canoe's cargo? Thai banana sole ceviche.

Vendors included: A Grand Affaire Catering, A Heavenly Ceremony, Adam's DJ Service, All About Weddings, Black Tie Expresso Catering, Coat Check Complete, Creative Ice, Edit I Media, Julia's Floral, Mode Weddings, Nash Fung, Pederson's Event Rentals, Photainment, Prop Gallery, Rareform Limousine, Smooth Groove Productions, Tallant House Bakery, and Trendy Productions.

Contact the Duwamish Longhouse if you have an event idea and would like to rent their space, or, better yet, if you are planning a wedding.

4705 W Marginal Way Southwest
Seattle, WA 98106
(206) 431-1582

www.duwamishtribe.org