Did you notice that warm, sunny days of Spring arrived on the first day of Spring? Coincidence? I think not! But the weatherMan (you know, The Man, the one who's always putting us down) predicts rain for the weekend, so hopefully you got your garden dug and there are seeds just waiting for water. And what should you do while your seeds are drinking? It would be a fine time to watch a movie, and we've got a few going on…
No sooner had we closed the books on this week's edition of Wallingford Weekend, than two more events came across our desk, both, oddly enough, concerning opera: Zhixian Ren will be holding a reception on Sunday from 2 - 5 pm at Wallingford Center featuring original paintings of ancient Chinese opera characters (at right). Also this Sunday, Perche'No Pasta & Vino (1319 N. 49th St) has Opera Night from 6 - 8 pm, featuring live opera music and piano. Enjoy it with a…
Alright, here's something you won't get to catch every day: a theremin concert. A whatsit? A theremin: an electronic instrument where the musician moves his hands near antennae to change the frequency and amplitude of the sound created. What does it sound like? Well, imagine the sound of the lady singing at the beginning of Star Trek. It's kind of like that. Or better yet, search for "theremin" on YouTube for a taste of it. Or hey, here's an even better idea: go…
This Thursday, January 27, Hamilton International Middle School (1610 N. 41st St.) will host a school tour for all 2011/12 incoming families. Meet in the Commons by 6pm for a 20 minute overview followed by a 20 minute Q&A session. There will be a self-guided tour of the building from 6:40-7:00 pm. If you stay a little longer, you'll have an opportunity to catch Hamilton's jazz bands and choral jazz ensemble perform a concert in the Commons at 7:30pm. The concert…
Did you catch that article in the New York Times back in August about Seattle's growing homegrown jazz scene (Seattle’s Alt-Rock Hub, Purring With Jazz)? Well, if you want to check out some of the finest sounds around, you don't need to get in your car or catch a bus. Just step out door and poke your head in at the Chapel Performance Space at the Good Shepherd Center (4639 Sunnyside Ave N), which is hosting the third annual Is That…
If you travel on 45th just above Stone Way, you might've seen the Off The Wall School of Music "Free Piano Lesson" sandwich board on the sidewalk and the giant banner on the side of a blue house on the corner of 45th and Midvale. I'll admit, when I looked up the music school, I balked at the website's claim, "You can learn a song in 15-20 minutes!" See, I've been taking piano lessons for the last four years and the…
Used to be, when I thought of wassailing, I'd picture Christmas carolers in full Victorian-era costume, going door-to-door to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. But in reality, as I've come to learn, wassailing is a centuries-old English tradition, with one form that's deeply-rooted in apple trees. Apple Wassailing dates back to the 16th century, though some may believe the tradition began as a Pagan ritual. This type of wassailing is to pay homage to apple trees…