Arts & Entertainment

February Adventure Awaits

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February is a month that allows you to get out and experience a host of different avenues… whether it be to catch the Superbowl at a local establishment, go snowshoeing, or take in a wine and chocolate festival.  A number of options are:

  • Just missed the Enumclaw Wine & Chocolate Festival, Feb 1-2…I attended… but if you didn’t, maybe next year?
  • Seattle Wine and Food Experience, Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, Jan 24
  • See Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna at Marymoor Park
  • Start thinking about registering for your favorite marathon, walk or dash
  • 2013 Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, Feb 20-24
  • Have you checked out an Everett Silvertips game yet this Winter?
  • Visit a museum or art gallery – try the Bellevue Art Museum’s (BAM) Biennial 2012: High Fiber Diet which continues through Feb 24
  • Seattle RV & Outdoor Recreation Show, CenturyLink Field and Event Center, Feb 7-10
  • 2013 Seattle Home Show, CenturyLink Link Field and Event Center, Feb 16-24
  • Take in a restaurant this month or have someone in for a nice dinner.  Did you hear that Rover’s is set to close in April?
  • Check out a Wine & Chocolate Festival this month.  Decide where you want to go… Yakima, Lake Chelan, Olympic Peninsula and more… Feb 9-10 or 16-17
  • It’s a great month for a snowshoe hike or cross-country skiing – visit the Washington Trails Association site for ideas
  • In the mood for a movie?  Plenty to choose from this month – action or maybe a love story?
  • Enjoy!

Chihuly Garden and Glass

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Chihuly Garden and Glass is an all-around must see!  Out of the various outings this holiday season, this was indeed my favorite.  Located at the Seattle Center (near the base of the Space Needle), Chihuly Garden and Glass is a gem whether rain or shine, day or night.  It showcases the inspiration and work of artist Dale Chihuly.

It is made up of an Exhibition Hall, Glasshouse, Theater, and a Garden.  The galleries showcased in the Exhibition Hall are the Northwest Room, Sealife Room, Glass Forest, Persian Ceiling,  Mille Fiori, Ikebana and Float Boat, Chandeliers, Macchia Forest, and Drawing Walls. The Glasshouse is the centerpiece of Chihuly Garden and Glass.  There is also a theater that presents short videos and the Gardens, which offers a lush landscape of art that depicts nature.  Visit  http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/ to obtain more info on the various exhibits.

One thing I liked was that the museum provides plastic umbrella bags for use if you have just come in out of the rain.  Hint:  If you are a King County resident, have your ID ready and you’ll get $4 off the regular admission price.  They have a number of ticket package options available, including a ride to the Observation Deck of the Space Needle.  The Bookstore will tempt you with Chihuly coffee table books, glass ornaments, Pendleton blankets (especially designed for the Chihuly), and other fun gift items.  The Bookstore can be entered without admission to Chihuly Garden and Glass.

The Collections Cafe, located within the Exhibition Hall (come by anytime as the entrance is open to all that pass by), is complete with vibrant colors, vintage accordions hanging from the ceiling, vintage radios, a collection of bottle openers, and more (although I am not a fan of the carnival chalkware).  Each table has a glass enclosed center that showcases a different theme.  Each plate that passed our table looked especially delicious – they screamed fresh Northwest!  I will look forward to my next visit.

“I never met a color I didn’t like” – Dale Chihuly

“I love to find the beauty in everyday objects” – Dale Chihuly

 

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Holly Days of December

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It’s a holly jolly time of year!  Dash through the snow (maybe the rain?) and see about…

  • Christmas Lighting Festival, Leavenworth, Dec 1,8,9,15,16
  • Holiday Barrel Tasting, Walla Walla, Dec 7-9
  • Winterfest, Seattle Center, through Jan 6
  • Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis,various WA state locations/dates
  • Wildlights, Woodland Park Zoo, through Dec 23
  • Head to your favorite nursery – Wight’s, Molbaks, Squak Mt., Swansons, Emery’s and more…  The Dept. 56 display at Wight’s Garden & Home is nicely displayed this year (fabulous actually) – check out the props!
  • Winter Beer Festival, Hale’s/Seattle, Dec 7-8 http://www.washingtonbeer.com
  • Bellevue Magic Season, Bellevue, through Jan 13
  • Holiday Ale Festival, Portland OR, Nov 28 – Dec 2
  • Downtown Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, Yakima, Dec 31
  • Saint Nick’s Winter in Woodinville, Nov 30 – Dec 2
  • Green Lake Pathway of Lights, Green Lake Park, Dec 8
  • Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition, Seattle, Dec 7
  • End of the World Party, search it out, Dec 20
  • How about a holiday craft show?
  • Winter Solstice Lantern Festival, Vancouver BC, Dec 21
  • Seattle Men’s Chorus, “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, Puget Sound Area, through Dec 22
  • Argosy Christmas Ship Festival, Lake Union/Washington, through Dec 23
  • Garden d’Lights, Bellevue Botanical Garden, through Dec 31
  • Zoolights, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma, through Jan 1
  • Toy Train Christmas, Northern Pacific Railway Museum, Toppenish, Dec 1-2, 8-9, 15-16
  • Have you started your Christmas cards yet?
  • Choose a bit of culture… Black Nativity, The Nutcracker, The SantaLand Diaries, Fiddler on the Roof, etc…
  • and fa la la …more

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November Rain….of Events

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It’s November and the rain is back in the Pacific Northwest.  It’s a time for feasting on the earth’s bounty and gathering with friends and family.  The holiday season is getting into full swing… so enjoy!

  • The Taste of Tulalip, Tulalip Casino Resort, Nov 9-10
  • Oak Bay Artists’ Studio Tour, Oak Bay/Victoria, British Columbia, Nov 3-4
  • Christmas Lighting Festival starts on Nov 30th, Leavenworth
  • Christkindlmarkt, Leavenworth, Nov 23-25
  • Dine Around Seattle, Nov 4-29 (Sunday thru Thursday)
  • Arts Alive, La Conner, Nov 2-4
  • Bellevue Club Holiday Bazaar, Nov 3, Bellevue Club 9 am – 6pm
  • Northwest Artists’ Holiday Show, Edmonds, Nov 3-4  
  • Cornucopia – Whistler’s Celebration of Wine & Food, Whistler BC, Nov 7-11
  • Fall Release Weekend, Walla Walla, Nov 1-3
  • On the Road to Paradise Fall Wine Festival, Ashford, Nov 3
  • Woodland Park Zoo, Turkey Toss Nov 23; Wildlights – daily 11/23 – 12/23
  • Seattle International Auto Show, Seattle, Nov 14-18
  • Seattle Marathon, Nov 25 – run run run away!
  • Vancouver Rotary Festival of Trees, Pearson Air Museum, Vancouver, WA,  Nov 23-25
  • Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights, Portland, OR  Nov 23 – Dec 30
  • Check out a Seattle Seahawks game at home, Nov 4 & 11
  • and more…

October Fun!

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October… the leaves have started to fall and will soon be ready for raking, photography, and play.  Some suggestions for frolicking Fall fun this month:

  • Issaquah Salmon Days, Oct 6-7
  • Oysterfest, Shelton, Oct 6-7
  • 8th Annual Oktoberfest Northwest, Puyallup, Oct 5-7
  • 10th annual Fresh Hop Ale Festival, Downtown Yakima, Oct 6
  • Pumpkin Bash and Trick or Treating, Woodland Park Zoo, Sat/Sun Oct 13-14, 20-21, 27-28
  • Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, Port Angeles, Oct 12-14
  • Water Music Festival, Long Beach, Oct 12-14
  • Cedar River Salmon Journey, every weekend in October, five locations – http://www.cedarriver.org/programs/
  • Leavenworth Oktoberfest, Oct 5,6,12,13,19,20
  • Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour, Oct 6-7
  • Road trip to the Coast
  • Puyallup Art & Wine Walk, Oct 6
  • Oktoberfest, Langley, Oct 6
  • Head to your nearest nursery and check out their Fall offerings
  • Catch the Crush Wine Festival, Tri-Cities & Yakima Valley, Oct 13-14
  • Meerkerk’s Autumn Garden Festival, Greenbank, Oct 6-7
  • Electrical Extravaganza Show, Spark Musuem, Bellingham, Oct 13-14
  • Old Apple Tree Festival, Vancouver, WA Oct 6
  • Festival of Family Farms, Skagit Valley, Oct 6-7
  • Earshot Jazz Festival, Seattle, Oct 12 – Nov 4
  • Catch the Crush Wine Festival, Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley, Oct 13-14
  • Cranberrian Fair, Ilwaco, Oct 13-14
  • Take a hot air balloon ride over wine country (Yakima Valley/Walla Walla)
  • Navigate a corn maze

Do The Puyallup!

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The Puyallup Fair is here once again and runs through September 23rd.  Located in Puyallup, WA, the Puyallup Fair is also known as the Western Washington Fair to some.  Things to Do?  Whether it is the tried and true Krusty Pup, Pete’s BBQ or if you try something new… the Fair food is sure to please!  There are a number of beer/liquor/wine gardens that offer live (or TV) entertainment as well.  And speaking of live entertainment, the Puyallup Concert Series offers a good mix of artists to choose from.  Why not visit the wide variety of animals while you’re here… like the six-day old piglets (the day I was there anyway), the Beef Barn (cattle), chicks, rabbits or take in the rodeo (although you’ve missed the rodeo as it was Sept 7-9th).  Catch the largest pumpkin recorded in Puyallup Fair history or check out your favorite hobby, agriculture display, chainsaw carving, and more.  And of course, there are plenty of vendors trying to sell their goods and services.  Oh, and we can’t forget the rides now can we?  Maybe you’ll try The Giant Slide, Vertigo (swing), or Zero Gravity.  One of the new exhibits this year is the Rainforest Adventure –  you’ll find toucans, snapping turtles, roaches, and more – a welcomed addition!   And if you are looking for a bit of history… Brown & Haley is celebrating their 100th year  – you might like to purchase a commemorative tin of Almond Roca for a gift… the holidays will soon be at our doorstep.  They are also part of this year’s Fair Museum.   So much to see!

Check out my September 2010 posting for additional insight or  http://www.thefair.com/puyallup-fair/  Whether you are a seasoned fair goer or this is your first time …. you’ll want to come back for more!

Note:  Starting next year, they are changing the name of the Puyallup Fair to the Washington STATE FAIR.  Somewhat similar to the Evergreen State Fair… in Monroe.

 

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Bumbershoot 2012

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This year, I will describe Bumbershoot, which takes place every Labor Day weekend at the Seattle Center… in a word search (by just using the words). These words showcase the first day of Bumbershoot as a whole, as my experience (and maybe yours):

VIBE   SUN   BUMBERSHOOT   SEATTLE  CENTER   SPACE  NEEDLE   ANNIVERSARY   LAWN   PROGRAM   INTRODUCTION   SAMPLING   EXPOSURE   KIDS   WORDS   INTERNATIONAL   FOUNTAIN   SHORTS  FILM   MUSIC   DANCE   PERFORMING   VISUAL   ART   COMEDY   LINEUP   ACT   GALUMPHA   ELVISTRAVAGANZA   JC BROOKS & THE UPTOWN SOUND   THE HEAVY   LEAD  SINGER   BAND   AWOLNATION   RECORD   CD   BOOK   SIGNING   JOHN WATERS   AWESOME   THE JAYHAWKS   AND  MORE   BEER  GARDEN   WHITE   CORN DOG   VARIETY   ARMORY   FOOD   OPEN MIND   AMERICANA   SOUL   FUNK   ROCK   JELLO WALL   GLASS   SKYWARD   INDIE   TWEET   SEPTEMBER   SATURDAY   ONE REEL

Bumbershoot 2012 runs September 1-3 – now get ready to go!

September Events

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Football season has arrived and September is the official start of the Autumn season –  my favorite!   Will we jump into Fall or will we be blessed with an Indian Summer?  What to do this month you ask?  Well, check this out…

  • Wenatchee River Salmon Festival, Sept 20-23
  • Autumn Leaf Festival, Leavenworth, Sept 28-30
  • Bremerton Blackberry Festival,  Sept 1-3
  • Bumbershoot, Seattle Center, Sept 1-3
  • Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival, Sept 7-9
  • Puyallup Fair, Sept 7-23
  • Try out Bake’s Place in downtown Bellevue   http://bakesplacebellevue.com/
  • Wooden Boat Festival, Port Townsend, Sept 7-9
  • Deutschesfest, Odessa, Sept 14-16
  • Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl and Medieval Faire, Sept 15-16
  • See Memphis at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, Sept 18 – Oct. 7
  • Fremont Oktoberfest, Fremont area of Seattle, Sept 21-23
  • Take a drive and visit Portland’s Japanese Garden
  • Leavenworth Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival, Sept 15
  • Whidbey Island Farm Tour, Sept 15-16
  • Most Farmers Markets are still in full swing!
  • Fisherman’s Fall Festival, Seattle, Sept 22
  • Seattle Fringe Festival, Sept 19-23
  • Festa Italiana, Seattle Center, Sept 28-30 (It’s the Space Needle’s 50th Anniversary)
  • The Great Prosser Balloon Rally, Prosser, Sept 28-30
  • Aki Matsuri Japanese Fall Festival, Bellevue College, Sept 8-9
  • Take in a Seattle Seahawks game – two home games this month!

Vito’s Seattle

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Looking for some old school (classic) Italian cuisine in Seattle?  Vito’s is the place!  How many times have you driven by it?  Probably a lot considering it is located on First Hill on the corner of 9th and Madison. Vito’s has a 1950’s vibe, reminding me of a time when the men were taking their ladies out, while at the same time watching the door for an enemy to come through the door.  When you visit the “About Vito’s” section of the website, you will find a bit of history (it was established in 1953) and photos of what Vito’s looks like now.

Vito’s is a 21 and over establishment.  The restaurant and lounge are open from 4pm – 2 am daily, and open for a “Two Martini Lunch” on Fridays.  It is one open room with a horseshoe-shaped bar that separates the lounge and restaurant.  It is nice that it is open so all can enjoy the live music, provided five days a week.  Check out the Entertainment page on www.vitosseattle.com for a lineup of live entertainment.  On the night in which we visited, there was no live music but what was playing overhead had a “Shack” or “70’s” feel.  The conversation then transpired into the shows of the 70’s and those who hosted them, etc… An example?  Newlywed Game, Gong Show, Love Boat, and was Shack just a movie or a TV series?  Was it Chuck Berry or Chuck Barris that hosted the Gong Show?  We had our trusty smartphones, so we were able to confirm the answers right there and then.  The “Cougar Room” is available for meetings, private parties, and dining for groups up to 18.

Not only are parts of your meal house-made (like the Meatballs) but the selection and flavor are certainly there too.  What are the offerings?  Antipasti like Beef Carpaccio, Cozze, Calamari, and Bruschetta di Pomodoro & Tapendada. There is Dolci, Sides, Insalata E Zuppe, and Specialita Della Casa (Cioppino, Eggplant Parmesan, Scampi al Limone, Chicken Marsala, Pan Seared Sea Scallops).  There is also Pasta of course!  Our party chose the Spaghetti with Meatballs (or Sausage), Penne Bolognese, Vito’s Famous Cannelloni, and the Ravioli of the Day, which was a Pear Gorgonzola with Walnuts.  Yum!

I am looking forward to my next visit!  http://vitosseattle.com/ Twitter: @vitosseattle

Seattle Channel 21

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Seattle Channel 21 is a cable channel (Cable Channel 21) and website that showcases Seattle on a community level, whether it be a neighborhood store or weekend entertainment.  Community, news, arts, and shows that  “Connect to Life in the City”.  This is a needed mention for this Blog as it gives you much of what you might find here (minus the news, politics, and shopping).  You will find the Channel provides informative and interesting tidbits but will also find that you will probably feel proud that you live in an area with such history, innovation, and heart.

On the Seattle Channel this past weekend,  I saw a couple different pieces on the show/segment CityStream, where visits were made to Book Larder as well as to a hat shop, Byrnie Utz Hats, which has been around since the 1934.  Byrnie Utz Hats is located at 310 Union Street in downtown Seattle.  You’ll find something from every decade in this place!  There is no website to peruse, no computers to take your payment.  Visit and you will get old-fashioned quality service with a great selection.  Book Larder is located on Fremont Ave. N. in the Fremont district of Seattle.  It is a cookbook bookstore that also has readings and cooking demonstrations.  http://www.booklarder.com/

Visit http://www.seattlechannel.org/ or go to Cable Channel 21 to check it out and learn something new!