Arts & Entertainment

Les Miserables Seattle

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Les Miserables in Seattle, opening week – highly recommend it!  “Les Miz” is at the 5th Avenue Theatre, showing August 9th through the 27th….so you still have time to see it!  I was really impressed with the score and enjoyed the new updates…the “moving” backdrop for example.  It is the 25th Anniversary of Boublil & Schonberg’s legendary musical.  I saw Les Miserables in New York City on Broadway almost 25 years ago and it was a pleasure to see it once again, now in Seattle.  The musical is approximately three hours in length including intermission.  So, you certainly get your money’s worth.  I especially liked “I dreamed a dream” performed by Betsy Morgan (excellent voice) and the song “On My Own”.  The star of the show was indeed J. Mark McVey who played Jean Valjean.  The entire cast was really good, and the conductor, Robert Billig, and the Orchestra, really fabulous.   http://www.5thavenue.org/show/lesmiserables1112/

Prior to the show, we had a bite at the Daily Grill.  Sean, the manager was friendly and hospitable.  I had the Grill Chop Salad, Mac & Cheese, and a glass of Fall Line Cab Franc.  Yes, I know…not the most low-fat meal.   The Daily Grill has locations across the U.S.A.  http://dailygrill.com/locations/daily-grill-seattle-washington

Summertime in the city is always a wonderful time…go out and experience it while it lasts!

Bellevue Arts Fair

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The Bellevue Arts Fair celebrates its 65th year!  It takes place during the last weekend of July typically and this weekend is it!  July 29-31, 2011.  So, there are two days left!  It is ranked among the top 100 fairs in the United States and currently known as the Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) Arts Fair.  This event brings artists from all over the country, offering a variety of high quality goods.  The BAM offers free admission during this three-day event.  The fair is made of three separate sections – the BAM Arts Fair section at Bellevue Square, Bellevue’s 6th Street Fair, and Bellevue’s Festival of the Arts.  There is live entertainment, a demonstration stage and check out the Chalk Mural and/or show off your own artistic side by “chalking” it on NE 6th Street.  Concessions are here too…support your local rotary or kiwanis or try the renowned burger from Skillet…it won’t disappoint! (although mine was a bit undercooked for my liking).

Some of my favorites this year are:

Note to those wanting to bring pets…I love them but crowds of this magnitude make it unsafe for our pooches.  We are concentrating at looking at the art and not what is directly beneath us.  I happened to hear a poor little guy yelping away as his paw was most likely broken.

http://www.bellevuefest.org/; http://www.bellevuearts.org

 http://www.bellevuedowntown.org/events/sixth_street/index.htm

Enjoy the art, enjoy the sun, enjoy your friends or family!  A great event for a get-together!

Pick A Festival, Any Festival 2011

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This is a follow-up to the July 2010 post Pick A Festival, Any Festival.  It is true again that this weekend every year is packed with things to do.  Again this year, Kirkland Uncorked did not disappoint.  I liked Kirkland Uncorked’s Facebook posting…”Rain or shine we are still tasting wine!”  Kirkland Uncorked brings the arts (presented by Kirkland Arts Center), a boat showcase, grilling demonstrations, restaurant sampling, and of course…wine.  One thing I noticed that was new (or bigger than before) were the paddle boarders showing off their stuff.  And there is the City Dog Magazine Dog Modeling Contest.  Pyramid beer and Mojitos are for purchase while listening to the various entertainment throughout the day.  Some of my favorite wine tastings this year were from Maryhill Winery (Viognier),  Five Star Cellars (Kenzie, Merlot and Cab), Convergence Zone Cellars (Dewpoint), Tempus Cellars (Evergreen Vineyard Riesling),  Tsillan Cellars (Syrah Grenache), and Northwest Cellars Winery (Adagio and Sangiovese).  Mind you, I didn’t try every varietal that was being poured and everyone does have their individual palate.  This festival seems to be a good friend and group event too…bachelorette party, and more.  Have fun!  http://www.kirklanduncorked.com/

Snoqualmie Casino and more

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Snoqualmie Casino on a Saturday…hopping with activity!  Snoqualmie, WA is a great location for this getaway as it is east I-90 towards the hills of the lower Cascades.  http://snocasino.com/   It offers a number of dining options (Kindai sushi and noodle bar, cafe/deli, Falls Buffet, and fine dining in Terra Vista) but here, I would say entertainment is what it is all about.  Those who come here to gamble and those who come for the music, sports or comedy that entertain us.  Snoqualmie Casino has a lounge (which has a dress code), the Snoqualmie Ballroom, and Mountain View Plaza (outdoor) for your entertainment viewing pleasure.  A sampling of the summer lineup is: Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Ranchers, Ronnie Dunn, The Beach Boys, Blake Shelton, and the MMA Rumble on the Ridge 19 – check out their website for more!  We celebrated the beginning of summer here in the Northwest by joining in the KJAQ-Vodka Rocks concert series featuring Candlebox, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Verve Pipe.  Vodka Rocks celebrated different vodkas from around the world.  I have to give a shout out to Peabody Jones Vodka, a local here from Woodinville, WA.  http://www.woodinvillewhiskeyco.com/products/peabody-jones-vodka/  They had the best drink hands down!  And as far as the bands go –  Candlebox rocked!  http://candleboxrocks.com/  I will expand on Candlebox here, as this year, 2011 is their 20-year anniversary of rockin’ stages in Seattle and across the country.  I am an original follower and fan, as I was an occasional visitor in the old days to the Off Ramp, RCKCNDY, Crocodile Cafe, and others.  I still have that special tape of their first album.  Toad the Wet Sprocket was great too…especially in this intimate outdoor setting.  I especially appreciated the rapport that the lead singer Glen Phillips had with the crowd.  I have an album or two, and these make for anytime listening fun!  http://www.toadthewetsprocket.com/

We happened to miss Verve Pipe as we stopped in for wine tasting at both Cadence Winery and O-S Winery, part of the South Seattle Artisan Wineries (SSAW).   O-S Winery always does a nice job on their Riesling.  http://www.oswinery.com/  Cadence Winery produces quality wine that is blended using a Bourdeaux style…Rose, Coda, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard selection, Tapteil Vineyard selection, Camerata and Bel Canto.  Cadence uses exclusively Red Mountain fruit emphasizing Cab Franc, Cab, and Merlot with a bit of Petit Verdot mixed in.  http://cadencewinery.com/

Rock Out!

Seattle Symphony

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The Seattle Symphony offers year-round performances at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle.  Just this last month, the renowned Gerard Schwarz stepped down as its conductor after 26 seasons.  He is treasured by the Puget Sound area and is a champion of music.  Two recent performances have been enjoyed this year thus far – Carmina Burana and Casablanca.  Casablanca made for a lovely night out.  It was really nice to see this film on the big screen accompanied by conductor Adam Stern and the Seattle Symphony, performing the live soundtrack.  Really enjoyed it!  Check out the 2011-2012 season and what’s coming up next… Brahms, Beethoven, and a Symphonic Tribute to the Music of Paul McCartney, among others.  Opening night will be celebrated on September 17th to welcome the Symphony’s new conductor, Ludovic Morlot!    http://www.seattlesymphony.org/symphony/