Neil Diamond to perform at Key Arena!

He's coming to America Seattle!  That's right, Neil Diamond will perform at the Key Arena on July 23rd.
Did you think the Key could get such a big name?!!  (For those of you under 25 and who believe , Neil Diamond is an acclaimed singer/songwriter (see his website).)
Tickets are on sale now and I recommend you get them soon.

Photo Credit: Jesse Diamond
On his "2012 North American Tour," Diamond will perform many of his classic hits from his five-decade career in music.  The concert will take place Monday, July 23rd at 8pm at the Key.  You can buy tickets here.


Shhh... Trader Joe's kicks off Silent Movie Mondays at Paramount

Trader Joe's Silent Movie Mondays: First Academy Awards@Paramount Theater
Romance during the final days of the Russian Tsarist aristocracy, enjoyed from the comfort of the Paramount Theater: who could ask for more?  Monday marks the return of Trader Joe's Silent Movie Mondays with the classic 1928 film The Tempest, starring John Barrymore.  Barrymore plays a soldier who struggles to defy the class system of the Tsarist regime, and falls into the trap of love along the way.
The show begins Monday Jan. 23rd at 7pm; tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

Hugo House “Cheap Wine and Poetry” kicks off 2012

If you've never attended one of these Hugo House events, it is worth a shot.  There are no surprises; the title of the event is relatively self-explanatory.  There is an optional donation at the door, but other than that, the evening is exactly what is expected: cheap wine (usually something like the Trader Joe's $3 Buck Chuck) is served while budding poets recite their work.  As for the quality of the poetry, you be the judge; it ranges from would-be Rudyard Kiplings to those that make you want to puncture your eardrums and drown yourself in the $3 Buck Chuck. 
The evening begins at 7pm on Thursday, Jan. 26th, but get there early if you want a seat.  And dress in layers; as I remember, it gets pretty steamy in Hugo House;-)
Event website: http://www.facebook.com/events/207508192677257/
Featured performers:
Greg Bem
Amber Flame
Peter Pereira
Martha Silano

Last Chance for All Wheeldon


Rachel Foster and James Moore in After the Rain pas de deux. Photo © Angela Sterling
You still have one more chance to see Pacific Northwest Ballet's All Wheeldon, a program in four parts with choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.  The bill includes Carousel (A Dance),After the Rain pas de deux, Polyphonia, and Variations Sérieuses.  From lively to dramatic to whimsical, All Wheeldon is truly a pleasure for ballet lovers and first-time attendees! 
The final performance is at 1:00pm tomorrow, and tickets are still available on PNB.org.

This month, SAM is Luminous!

Art lovers and even art neophytes like myself should be sure to check out the Seattle Art Museum's Luminous: The Art of Asia exhibit, opening October 13th. The exhibit features a unique video art installation by renowned contemporary artist Do Ho Suh, along with 160 additional pieces complied from SAM's vast collection.
Don't miss the opening night lecture with SAM's Interim Assistant Curator of Asian Art Catherine Roche, where you can learn more about the pieces and the thoughts behind the selection process.
You can visit PBS.org to read a biography about Do Ho Su and see some examples of his work.

Interlaken Park

Interlaken Park is one of the most understated recreational areas in Seattle. Often overshadowed by the better known Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill, and the expansive Washington Park in the Broadmoor neighborhood, Interlaken Park sits just between these two off of East Galer Street and Interlaken Drive in the northern most part of Capitol Hill.
This park spans more than 50 acres and includes miles of hiking trails and bicycle paths which might challenge even experienced hikers. The trails are steep and wind quite a bit, offering Interlaken's visitors a rigorous workout.
Miniature canyons grace the trails, and towering trees provide shelter from the sun on warm summer days. One of the most remarkable things about Interlaken Park is that save for the faint chirping of small birds, the park is completely and utterly devoid of sound. Visitors can experience the beautiful and absolute quiet of the wilderness at Interlaken, which sits just three miles from busy downtown Seattle.
Interlaken Park is accessible via car or bus routes 12 or 43.

Explore Seattle Center

Seattle Center is home to a variety of attractions, festivals, and other events which take place year-round. The summer is Seattle Center's busiest season, as tourists and residents converge upon the campus to partake of its many enticements.One of the most appealing draws at the center is the International Fountain, located in the heart of the Seattle Center Campus. Children, adults, and even pets can enjoy the refreshing spray of the exuberant jets. The fountain is a delight not only for the eyes, but the ears as well, as music from around the world can be heard in accompaniment to the fountain's mist.

The Space Needle is one of Seattle's most well-known attractions. Built in 1961 for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle was designed with a "Century 21/ Space Age" theme, from the detail of the structure to the colors chosen for the exterior.
Atop the Space Needle sits a revolving restaurant along with a 360 degree observation deck. Visitors who purchase tickets to the Needle can take a ride up to the top in the elevator, which travels at a speed of ten miles per hour. Tickets begin at $16.00 for adults, with discounts available for children, seniors, and military personnel. The Space Needle has become a beloved symbol of Seattle, and can be seen from most points within the city. It stands at 605 feet and is located near the east entry to the Seattle Center campus.

While Seattle Center is the home of the city's famous Space Needle, this towering symbol of the city is but one of many activities and attractions that the Seattle Center campus has to offer. Near the east entry to the Seattle Center campus, just steps from the Space Needle, lies the Peace Garden, filled with many types of flowers and plant life which change with the seasons.
The Peace Garden was created by Seattle Center staff in 1996 with the theme of peace and reflection in mind. It includes a peace pole as well as a conflict resolution table, which highlight the garden's theme.
Seattle Center lies in the heart of the city, and is bordered by the Belltown and Queen Anne neighborhoods. The campus is accessible via car or public transportation, specifically, the 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, or 16 bus.

Seafair Parade strides into Seattle!

The annual Seafair Torchlight Parade is held annually in July, much to the delight of Seattlelites and visitors alike. The traditional start time of the parade is around 7:00pm, but onlookers typically begin reserving their seats along the event's 4th Avenue route as early as twelve hours prior to the start of the festivities!


Organizations, businesses, and even animals take part in the event. A tradition in Seattle since 1950, the Torchlight Parade marks the culmination of a three-week long festival organized by the Seafair Foundation, a non-profit group which fortifies the local community with programs such as scholarships and mentorships.

West Seattle's Treasure... Alki Beach

On the shore of West Seattle sits Alki Beach, a two and a half mile stretch of sand and pebble bordering the Puget Sound.
The cool beach, gentle waves, and crisp air attract families from all over the Seattle area, and are quite popular with seagulls and in the summer months, even seal pups! Alki is a perfect spot for swimming, playing in the surf, or sunning on the beach.Alki Beach offers breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountain Range, as well as sparkling visions of the city and the Space Needle. Along Alki Avenue, beachgoers can find cafes and restaurants in which to take refuge from the day.
Alki Beach is the area of Seattle where the first European-American settlers landed in 1851. Chief Sealth of the Duwamish and Suquamish Tribes served as a mediator between the European settlers and the Native-American inhabitants.
Often a place of recreation where Seattleites choose to cool off in the summer, Alki Beach is open and can be enjoyed year-round. If you are seeking solace, you may want to visit Alki in autumn. Though considerably colder, the area is more peaceful and virtually devoid of crowds.
Alki Beach is accessible via car or public transportation, specifically the 56 and 37 bus.