1. art and entertainment
2. theatre

Seattle Gay News
Issue 47, Volume 42 November 21, 2014
by Eric Andrews-Katz
SGN A&E Writer
A CHRISTMAS STORY,
THE MUSICAL
5TH AVENUE THEATRE
November 25 - December 30
Mark Kitaoka
Brandon Ivie has worked on
the stage in both Seattle and New
York’s Broadway, but you’ll probably not recognize his face. He
is a director. He’s the person that
makes sure everything gets carefully put into place so that the audience can understand and follow
the production on stage. It’s not
necessarily an easy task. Back in
Seattle for the 5th Avenue’s production of A Christmas Story,
The Musical, the Seattle Gay
News caught up with Brandon
Ivie – director.
Mark Kitaoka
Mark Jeffrey James Weber from A Christmas Story, The Musical
(Clockwise from left) Jessica Skerritt, Dane Stokinger, Mark Jeffrey
James Weber, and Brandon Oke in A Christmas Story, The Musical
Eric Andrews-Katz: Who were
your earliest creative influences?
Brandon Ivie: The first person
that I can remember having an actual effect on me creatively was
Brian Yorkey (Next To Normal). I
met him when I was 15 out of Village Theatre. He actually cast me
in my first professional show that
he was directing, a debut musical.
That was my first introduction of
working on a new musical. I was
very excited about it and Brian
sort of took me under his wing and
taught me how to read scripts and
do work for him in the new musical
program out in Village Theatre.
Andrews-Katz: You’ve said that
your “theatrical heroes” include:
Harold Prince, Bob Fosse and
Graciela Daniele. What is it about
each of them that inspires you?
Ivie: They exclusively work on
new musicals, which is inspiring. Most of my favorite musicals have been directed/choreographed by them.
HAROLD PRINCE: No one in
history has a bigger impact on directing musical theatre. The sheer
number of big musicals he has
worked on is amazing. He has such
an impact on the form.
BOB FOSSE: I love [his work]
because he has such a unique
voice in his staging and choreography. I love the fact that when
you watch Bob Fosse you know
it’s his work you’re seeing.
GRACIELA DANIELE: She’s
created so many shows. She directs and choreographs and I think
she is one of the unsung directors
since she has never won a Tony
Award to this day. She’s been
nominated a lot, but never has
won. It’s flabbergasting. She has
connections working with [Stephen] Flaherty and [Lynn] Ahrens
and [Michael John] LaChiusa.
Andrews-Katz: How did your
first conceive the idea of becoming a director?
Ivie: I was always the kid that
did Summer Stock Theater in middle school. I was 12 or 13. I was the
kid that came to every rehearsal
even if I wasn’t called. I’d sit and
see Christmas page 9
2 Seattle Gay News
November 21, 2014
Celebrating 41 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
November 21, 2014
Seattle Gay News 3
Christian Heeb
Monolith Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach
by Jessica Price
SGN A&E Writer
ASTORIA AND SEASIDE
Astoria – known by many for quaint Victorian-era homes perched atop steep peaks
featured in films such as The Goonies, The
Black Stallion, and Free Willy – is an active seaport with a thriving art scene and a
crop of unique bars and restaurants popping
up throughout the Downtown Historic District. Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, and
manages to retain its historic feel with very
subtle modern improvements. A unique, oldfashioned small town that hasn’t yet been rebranded, kitsch-ified and repackaged within
an inch of its life the way so many other small
towns have. It’s a lovely place to stop in for
a visit, but hasn’t become a tourist trap the
way so many other historic small towns have.
Stop off for lunch at the Astoria Coffeehouse
& Bistro (243 11th Street, Astoria), which
features delicious pastries, Caffé Vita coffee, and lunch fare, while in the evening the
4 Seattle Gay News
STEPHANIE INN
the Oregon Coast, nestled at the edge of EcoBy night, Cannon Beach is best enjoyed
la State Park. The views from the cliffs here from the vantage point of an elegant, sublimeare spectacular, and during March and De- ly appointed room at The Stephanie Inn (2740
cember tourists may spot migrating whales. S. Pacific St.). Opened in 1993, the oceanfront
suites feature unparalleled views of the beach
CANNON BEACH
and Haystack Rock and the inn has been honFor an abbreviated road trip, Cannon ored in Conde Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” and
Beach is a perfect destination to spend a Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Hotels” list.
night or two while exploring more Oregon It’s no wonder, as The Stephanie Inn packs
adventures by day. The town is nestled along hefty amenities, guest perks, and undera rugged expanse of coastline dramatically stated service into their pricey room rates (at
punctuated by Haystack Rock. The haunt- this time of year, expect rates of $400+ for a
ingly beautiful landmark is a 235-foot “sea luxurious stay). Children under 12 are not
stack,” or column of rock formed over time permitted, and built into the price are adultsby wind and water eroding sedimentary or only amenities such as a daily complimentary
volcanic rock formations. It’s one of the most afternoon “wine gathering,” nightcaps and
commonly photographed sights of the area board games in the library, and an incred(even popping up unexpectedly this year in ible array of options at the completely freethe inner sleeve of Lana Del Rey’s Ultravio- of-charge, locally sourced “Chef’s Breakfast
lence album). Cannon Beach itself is a pictur- Buffet” each morning in the Stephanie’s elSumio Koizumi
Living in Seattle comes with numerous
perks, not the least of which is our proximity
to the great state of Oregon and 363 winding
miles of beautiful coastline just begging to
be explored. Setting out on the Pacific Coast
Scenic Byway (aka U.S. Highway 101) is the
only way to go when hitting the road for an
autumn coastal excursion. Majestic forests,
dramatically hued trees, and misty winding
roads make for a memorable escape from
the demands of city life.
Though it will take a bit longer than the average drive (depending on how far you want
to go…Astoria? Cannon Beach? All the way
to Coos Bay?), tantalizing glimpses of dramatic scenery running parallel to the coast
far outweigh the long, featureless stretch
of I-5 we’ve all traveled a hundred times or
more to get to Portland and points beyond.
If you’re short on time or just taking a long
weekend, traveling south as far as Oceanside
and Netarts makes for a comfortably paced
trip with plenty to see and do along the way.
focus turns to regional and international cuisine. Special events take place all week long,
like “Sushi & Martini Mondays” or “Taco
& Margarita Thursdays,” while microbrews
from Astoria’s Fort George Brewery are always on offer. It’s a local favorite and a funky
place to stay a while, admiring the offbeat
décor and chatting with the friendly staff.
While in Astoria, feel the burn by climbing
the 164–spiral step Astoria Column, and
you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of
the city and the Columbia River.
Seaside lies 16 miles south of Astoria,
and the beach’s 1.5 mile promenade is well
worth a stop to stretch your legs. The town
boasts many firsts: it was Oregon’s very first
oceanside resort and also is home to the oldest aquarium on the West Coast, Seaside
Aquarium. Continuing south, Tillamook
Lighthouse is the first of 11 beacons along
esque town with a uniformly decorated main
street lined with bustling shops and galleries.
The work of local artists and jewelry makers
are readily available, as well as no shortage
of antiques and handmade furniture. Foodies
will rejoice in Cannon Beach’s thriving culinary culture, including local standouts Newman’s at 988 (988 Hemlock St.) and Sweet
Basil’s Café (271 N. Hemlock St.). Like many
local restaurants, Newman’s at 988 specializes in seafood with a European flair, while
Sweet Basil’s open kitchen and cozy dining room serve up natural and organic cuisine with a variety of interesting options for
vegetarians (the vegetarian pot pie is a must
when available). Bruce’s Candy Kitchen is
just up the street (256 N. Hemlock St.), a treasure trove of every kind of sweet you could
possibly imagine. The options are staggering. Family-owned and operated since 1963,
they’re best known for chocolates, salt water
taffy, and hands down the best sour star gummy candies on earth. EVOO Cannon Beach
Cooking School is another foodie highlight
in the area, down at the other end of the street
(188 S. Hemlock St.), and Cannon Beach
Hardware and Public House (1235 S. Hemlock St.) (Screw & Brew is their clever tagline) is a quirky place to shop for (what else?)
tools and then enjoy a burger and local microbrew, or take in a game on the big screen.
Pacific Coast Scenic Byway
November 21, 2014
Celebrating 41 Years!
Oregon
continued from page 4
egant dining room. You won’t need to spend
much with all the inclusive treats showered
on guests. Fine foods and wines are savored
at the Stephanie, where you can also sign up
for cooking demonstrations, tastings, or make
a reservation at the award-winning Stephanie
Inn Dining Room.
Each room features its own fireplace and
Jacuzzi tub, and, if you’re feeling outdoorsy,
your own “fire butler” will assist with setting
up a bonfire, lounge chairs, and ingredients for
s’mores on the beach. On-site massage rooms
and special packages for holiday getaways ro-
tate year-round (check online for deals such
as four consecutive nights, including Thanksgiving Day dinner, plus other holiday perks
throughout December). The Stephanie Inn’s
ocean-facing rooms also include individual patios where you can relax and listen to the crashing waves. It’s a dreamy getaway from city life,
and it’s not at all uncommon to hear fellow
guests talk about how they’ve been returning to
The Stephanie Inn for years and years.
For recreation outside of Cannon Beach, a
quick drive south will take you through the
adorable beachside towns of Manzanita, Nehalem, Rockaway Beach, Garibaldi, and Bay
City. Just beyond Tillamook (home to not one,
but two, cheese factories: Tillamook as well as
Blue Heron), a stop at the second lighthouse
on the Oregon Coast – Cape Meares Lighthouse – offers a breathtaking view of crashing
waves, jagged coast, and annual whale watching. It’s a very short lighthouse – not much
climbing is involved – and admittance is free.
The scenic viewpoint also boasts that it is the
sight of Oregon’s largest Sitka Spruce and the
unique and sprawling “Octopus Tree.”
From phenomenal coastline to foodie
destinations, towering forests to oceanic adventures, the northernmost towns along the
Oregon Coast will serve only as a starting
point for many years of happy returns, no
matter the season.
Christian Heeb
Oregon Coast
Visit us online www.sgn.org
Stephanie Inn
November 21, 2014
Seattle Gay News 5
Visit
Centralia
This Holiday Season
6 Seattle Gay News
November 21, 2014
Celebrating 41 Years!
Historic fox theatre Restorations
Centralia Street
If you haven’t made the trip down I-5 to
Centralia lately, then you are in store for a
welcome surprise! Centralia is the perfect
weekend destination in the Northwest as
she is perfectly situated in the center of everything. Halfway between Seattle and Portland, and equidistant to the Pacific coast and
Visit us online www.sgn.org
Stop in at Boccata or Tiki Tap House to plan
your special dinner out tonight. The selection
of restaurants in Centralia is truly a foodies
dream. With everything from award-winning
homemade Mexican fare at La Tarasca to the
trusted menu of McMenamins’ Olympic Club,
you have enough options to fill a month of weekends. When you make it back to Tower and Locust you will see The Historic Fox Theatre with
its newly restored art deco marquee. The Fox is
your stop for entertainment with happenings
most every weekend. While the building is still
being restored, it is still a marvelous 1,000-seat
venue that is perfect for film, theatre, comedy,
live music and more. Check out centraliafoxtheatre.com for what is now showing!
While you are at the Fox, have an afternoon
treat at Holley’s Place Frozen Yogurt and check
out the neighbors on this bustling corner: Debbie’s Boutique, Brownstone Coffee, Yenney
Music, Primrose Primitives, and more. Actually
there are so many amazing restaurants, shops,
hotels and other services downtown that we
could not possibly list them all. Most importantly Centralia is a welcoming and friendly place
for all people and we just can’t wait to show you
around! You are always welcome in Centralia!
Historic fox theatre Restorations
by Scott White
The Historic Fox Theatre
Special to the SGN
the Cascade mountains, Centralia is truly the
Hub City! Arrive by car or on one of 10 Amtrak trains that make daily stops right in the
middle of Centralia’s Historic Downtown.
The new Centralia Square Hotel & Grand
Ballroom is a great place for your weekend
headquarters. With meticulously restored
rooms and luxurious in-room amenities,
you will feel rested and ready to explore!
Start off your day with a hearty breakfast
downstairs at Berryfields and a cup of locally roasted coffee at Santa Lucia Coffee
Roasters at Locust and Tower Avenues.
Santa Lucia is the place to get your bearings
and meet new friends. The friendly staff
and patrons will be only too happy to give
the best recommendations for your time in
Centralia, while also serving you one of the
best cups of coffee you have ever had.
Now that you are caffeinated and feel like
you have new friends for life, begin your
stroll north down the tree-lined blocks of
Tower Ave. Stop in at Embody Movement
Studio & Lifestyle Boutique and check out
their array of classes and hand-selected
products. Duck into any one of a number
of antiques shops as Centralia was recently
voted one of the ten best cities for antiques
in the country in USA Today! There are literally treasures behind every storefront as
you make your way along the Avenue.
Getting hungry? Stop into Dawn’s Delectables for delicious lunch items and incredible
baked goods. Just next door, taste some of our
locally crafted wines at Heymann Whinery
and cross the street for fabulous gifts and home
décor at Fruffels. With locations in Cannon
Beach and Centralia, Fruffels is your number
one stop for home décor, men’s and women’s
accessories and more! Also look for fantastic
bath items at The Bath Depot – just around the
corner on cobblestone paved Pine St.
Continue walking north where you will find
Centralia’s most unique shop! HUBBUB is best
described as a bright spot of color and whimsy
on Centralia’s north end. And if the handmade
wonders inside the shop aren’t enough, owner
Rebecca Staebler has transformed the adjacent
parking lot into a sculpture and art park for everyone to enjoy. Walk five minutes more and
warm up with some homegrown moonshine at
Blind Pig Spirits. You are now ready to make
the journey back down Tower Ave.
The Historic Fox Theatre
November 21, 2014
Seattle Gay News 7
8 Seattle Gay News
November 21, 2014
Celebrating 41 Years!
Pilgrim Pie: Roasted turkey breast with
Charlie’s: Full course turkey dinner
stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce; served all day, 9am-2:30am. for $15.25.
and Sweet Potato Surprise: Brown sug217 Broadway E., (206) 323-2535; broadar glazed sweet potatoes topped with waycharlies.com
marshmallows.
Big Mario’s NY Style Pizza: Open
1009 E. Pike, (206) 922-3875; bigmariosJulia’s – Serving breakfast from 9am
Thanksgiving 5pm-2pm. Specialty piz- newyorkpizza.com
until noon. Then their “All You Can Eat”
zas served Nov. 17-30 in-house only:
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast from noon
Can’t or don’t want to go home for
Thanksgiving? Or just don’t want to cook?
Here’s some tasty suggestions for Turkey
Day (and Night) on Capitol Hill:
until 9pm. – all for $18.95.
300 Broadway E., (206) 860-1818; juliasrestaurantseattle.com.
Le Zinc – Chef Witsoe has created a
very French-inspired Thanksgiving $60
4-course menu. A wine pairing will be
available. Only one EARLY seating at
5pm. (Reserve early as space is very
limited.)
1449 E. Pine St., (206) 257-4151; http://
www.le-zn.com
Lost Lake Café & Lounge: Thanksgiving dinner served from noon to midnight on Thanksgiving Day. Sage & Rosemary Roasted Turkey or Granny’s Orange
& Pineapple Glazed Ham for $14.99. Hot
Toddy & Cider drink specials.
1505 10th Ave., (206) 323-5678; lostlakeseattle.com
Purr: Open 7pm-2pm. Thanksgiving, regular menu (bar grub & Mexican), full bar.
1518 11th Ave, (206) 325-3112; purrseattle.com
Sam’s: 12pm-2am. Gourmet burgers and
full bar.
1024 E. Pike St, (206) 397-3344; samstavernseattle.com
St. John’s Bar & Eatery: Open for the
game at 5:30pm, special menu items.
719 E. Pike St., (206) 245-1390; saintjohnsseattle.com
Christmas
continued from cover
Visit us online www.sgn.org
you are helping the director. You put your
opinions aside and work towards their vision. Now I can do my version. So much of
that has to do with casting and what those
actors help you create. What I love is that
none of the principals [lead actors in this
production] have done the show before.
Some of the parts have changed since the
show’s premiere four years ago.
Andrews-Katz: After A Christmas Story what do you have on the horizon as far
as projects?
Ivie: I am going to be directing Lizard
Boy at Seattle Repertory Theatre’s world
premier production. I’m super excited
about it. I’ve known the three actors and
design team for a long team so it will be a
really fun project to do. Beyond that I have
a bunch of things that I can ‘t talk about
yet. Lots of things on the horizon. I can say
this: I did just become a Resident Artist at
54 Below in NYC.
Andrews-Katz: If you could take part in
any production – regardless of any limitations – what production and what part
would you take in it?
Ivie: I would want to be a director of a big
new Broadway musical. That’s what I would
love to do. As far as preexisting stuff – which
is sort of more fun in a way – I would love
to direct a huge production of Follies. I’ve
always had a dream to do Follies as a OneNight Only event in a theater that is set for
demolition. I’d love to be able to do the EndScene with the actual theater’s demolition.
Brandon Ivie has been a part of two of the
5th Avenue Theatre’s original debut productions: A First Date and A Christmas Story.
He continued to be a part of the direction to
both musicals as they went on to being produced in New York.
Mark Kitaoka
watch and thought about what I’d do differently and what was working or not. There
was never an instance that snapped and
made me think I have to be a director now.
My high school did a One-Act Festival that
was always directed by students. The drama
department voted me to direct one of the
shows. I kind of did it because it happened. I
was always wanting to be a performer.
Andrews-Katz: What are the duties of a director for a stage production?
Ivie: They are kind of the captain of the
ship in a sort of way. They aren’t responsible for doing the jobs, but they are responsible for overseeing it. They make sure the
costumes are doing well, and are going to
match the lights, which is appropriate for
the staging…. The director oversees and facilitates the collaboration. It’s all about collaborating with a bunch of different people.
That’s something that I really enjoy.
Andrews-Katz: Do you find it easier or
more difficult (and why) directing musicals as opposed to straight plays?
Ivie: I find directing musicals more challenging simply because there are so many
moving parts to it. It’s also why I love directing musicals. I am a very collaborative person
and I like to find people who are better than
me in certain things. In a musical you have
the same amount of time [for production], but
you also have to learn music and choreography, dealing with the set moving, costume
changes…. there are so many more people in
the room with you. In a straight play there are
a smaller group. A musical is infinitely more
complicated and just more to deal with. I find
that to be both the challenge and the joy of it.
Andrews-Katz: When a show moves
from screen to stage, does the show have to
stay the same or can the director take liberties in the staging?
Ivie: As far as if you are creating the show
from scratch based on a movie, I think it depends on the movie and what you are trying to do with it on stage. With A Christmas
Story, I think they have been smart about
keeping the iconic moments and have taken
liberties with switching the order and picking and choosing what is going to be used
on stage. They have picked great moments
to musicalize, but the heart of the show is
still there. It’s just as much an oddball and
as quirky as the movie. Obviously with 1215 songs in the show there’s differences
also. While there is a lot of similar dialogue
there is also stuff that has been created specifically for the show. You can’t take the
screenplay and put it on the stage.
Andrews-Katz: Currently you are director
to the 5th Avenue’s A Christmas Story. How
does a director put his own stamp on a previously produced production?
Ivie: It’s actually sort of fun to remember
now when I was 12 years old, sitting on the
sidelines [of the theater productions] and
watching. When you are assisting on a show
Allen Fitzpatrick (l) and Ulyber Mangune from A Christmas Story, The Musical
November 21, 2014
Seattle Gay News 9
Compiled by Rick McKinnon
SGN Staff Writer
ARTS/CRAFTS/GIFTS
Pratt Fine Arts Center Holiday Art
Sale. Nov. 21-30, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily (except
Thanksgiving Day). Pratt Fine Arts Center,
1902 S. Main St. Enjoy a great selection of
art and unique gifts, including handmade
glass, sculpture, jewelry, paintings, prints,
ornaments, and other functional objects –
all made by local artists. FREE and open to
the public. A portion of proceeds will benefit Pratt Fine Arts Center, the most dynamic
year-round, multi-disciplinary arts center in
the Pacific Northwest. www.pratt.org.
25th Anniversary Seattle Area Support
Groups & Community Center Holiday
Tree (& Greenery) Sale. Nov. 28-Dec. 23,
9 a.m.-9 p.m. SASGCC, 303 17th Ave. E.
www.sasgcc.org; 206-322-2437.
Arboretum Foundation’s “Gifts Galore”
Holiday Sale. Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Washington Park Arboretum Graham Visitors Center, 2300 Arboretum Dr. E. Due to a scheduling conflict at the Graham Visitors Center, the
Arboretum Foundation won’t be able to host
their regular “Gifts & Greens Galore” holiday
sale this December. In its place, they will be
offering a single-day, pared-down, but still
awesome, version of the sale. The sale will
feature: An expanded selection of natureinspired gifts, including seasonal specialty
items such as exclusive Arboretum honey;
nature-themed tree ornaments from local artisans; a limited selection of centerpieces and
wreaths; hand-crafted by Foundation volunteers; pre-bundled, pre-priced loose greens;
complimentary refreshments. All sales benefit
the Washington Park Arboretum. www.arboretumfoundation.org; 206-325-4510.
PLEASE DONATE YOUR GREENS:
If you or anyone you know has specialty
greens, the Arboretum Foundation would
love it if you would share some with them
for the sale (especially if you have something
with color). Collections will be on the patio at
the Graham Visitors Center on Sunday, November 30 and Monday, December 1, from
10 a.m.-5 p.m. They will have a self-service
drop-off center with easy-to-follow instructions posted on a sandwich board located on
the Arboretum Drive side of the patio.
Seattle Sampling Artists Studio Tour.
Dec. 5-7. Don’t miss the Seattle Sampling Artists Studio Tour – celebrating its 26th year.
Thirty-six of Seattle’s award-winning and
professional crafts people will be showing at
nine locations throughout the greater Seattle
area. This free, self-guided tour offers holiday
shoppers a relaxed and intimate opportunity
to meet the artists in their own environments.
An opening night reception at each location
will be held Friday, Dec. 5, 4-9 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7, each venue is open
10 a.m.-5 p.m. A map and a complete listing of
all the artists and their locations are available
for download at www.seattlesampling.com.
Shop local this holiday season and support Seattle’s vibrant artist community.
Seward Park Clay Studio Winter Holiday Show & Sale. Dec. 5-24. Opening night,
6:30-9:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; SatSun, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Seward Park Clay Studio,
5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S. With the closing of the Northwest Craft Center in the re-do
of the Seattle Center, there is now no single
location for Puget Sound residents to see a
representative sample of the variety of ceramics being produced in this area. That is, except
during the Thanksgiving-Christmas window
at the annual Winter Holiday Sale at Seward
Park Clay Studio. This working studio, usually the creative home for a score of resident
artists, plus 120+ students, transforms into a
retail clay paradise for the holidays.
What is on view, and available for purchase, is not just the product of those professional and hobbyist potters currently
associated with Seward Park Clay Studio,
but also art from an additional invited twodozen local clay artists. Also impressive is the range of work: sculpture, majolica, functional stoneware, delicate
porcelains, raku, wood-fire, wall hangings.
Even if you aren’t in the market for purchasing (and prices are remarkably affordable!),
just surveying the range of expression in clay
is worth a trip to this event.
A fundraising opening night party, with
a suggested donation of $10 at the door,
will be held on Friday, Dec. 6, 6:30-9:30
p.m. Attendance gets you first crack at the
full shelves, plus a wide selection of finger
foods and wine/beer.
Join us in celebrating the diversity of Puget
Sound ceramics. www.sewardparkart.org.
South Park Arts 9th Annual Art Under
$100 Holiday Sale. Dec. 6, 2-9 p.m. Seattle
Design Center, 5701 6th Ave. S. Artists from
South Park and beyond will knock your stockings off with original work not seen at a typical holiday sale. This year, over 50 artists will
showcase a diverse array of art, including
painting, sculpture, neon, jewelry, clothing,
photography, glass, letterpress, and more. See
website for details. And everything’s affordable with nothing priced over $100.
Beloved elements of past sales return:
Groove to DJ dpauly and DJ Stack as they spin
records from their booth high above us in the
scissor lift. Create your very own masterpiece
with the Makery, a mobile art lab that runs
on recycled materials and creativity. Enjoy
beer, wine, and appetizers, and support local
art. Every 20 minutes, a raffle ticket will be
drawn and lucky winners get their pick of art
donated by participating artists. There will be
food trucks and beer and wine. FREE covered
parking. All proceeds go to South Park Arts.
www.southparkarts.org.
HOLIDAY EVENT
Argosy Cruise Christmas Ship. Nov.
28-Dec. 23. www.argosycruises.com.
LGBT COMMUNITY
CELEBRATIONS
“Light the Night:” A GLBTQ Hanukkah
Celebration. Dec. 16, 6:45-8:45 p.m. Calamus Auditorium at Gay City, 517 E. Pike St.
Join Kolenu for their sixth annual GLBTQ
Hanukkah celebration. Enjoy tasty latkes,
colorful dreidels, music, and a beautiful candle lighting symbolizing both the miracle of
Hanukkah and the idea that great leadership
and community action will prevail against oppression. FREE and open to the community.
Allies, friends, and family welcome! RSVP to
[email protected]. This is an all-ages event.
“Snowball!” Dec. 6, 7 p.m. Bertha Knight
Landes Room, City Hall, 5th Ave. @ Cherry
St. Each year Ingersoll Gender Center holds
a holiday celebration called “Snowball!”
There will be music, food, drink and friends!
It’s a Celebration! Tapas-style catering proLGBT CABARET & MUSIC
vided by local Salvadorean Bakery and
Stuffed Cakes! Tickets: $25 advance; more
“The Dina Martina Christmas Show 2014
at the door. www.brownpapertickets.com/ – ALL NEW!” Nov. 28-Dec. 31. Re-bar, 1114
event/907473. This is an all-ages event.
Howell St. “The Second Lady of Entertainment,” the most surreal and hilarious chanteuse
Auntie Mame. Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. AMC you’ll ever find - DINA MARTINA! - returns
Pacific Place Cinema, 600 Pine St. Celebrate to Seattle’s Re-bar with an ALL-NEW holiday
the season with Three Dollar Bill Cinema show. Accompanied on the ivories by Stranger
and Auntie Mame, the beloved 1958 film Genius Award winner MR. CHRIS JEFFRIES
starring the incomparable Rosalind Russell and armed with truly legendary songs, stories,
returns for one night only of festive revelry, costumes and audience gifts, Dina Martina will
a “Homo for the holidays” tradition! Always give you one of the most festive, invigorating
armed with a colorful dress and an acerbic and ingeniously funny evenings you’ve ever
quip, the flamboyant, vibrant Mame Den- had! See why she’s a favorite of John Waters,
nis (Russell) is an unconventional socialite Matt Stone, Margaret Cho, Jennifer Coolidge,
from the Roaring Twenties. When her young Graham Norton and many, many more! Get
orphan nephew comes to live in her madcap your tickets NOW, BECAUSE PRETTY
party pad, Mame takes him under her wing SOON THEY’LL BE GOIN’ LIKE HOTfor an adventure in living life to its fullest. CAKES! Performance dates: 11/28-11/29, 12/5Tickets: $12.50; $10 for Three Dollar Bill 12/7, 12/11-12/15, 12/17-12/24, 12/26-12/31 – all
Cinema members. This is an all-ages event. evening performances at 8 p.m.; 12/13-12/14,
www.threedollarbillcinema.org.
12/20-12/21, 12/27-12/28 – all matinees at 2
p.m. Tickets: $22 advance; $25 at the door.
Pictures With Santa. Dec. 12-13, 9 p.m.- www.brownpapertickets/com/event/451053.
midnight. The Cuff Complex, 1533 13th Ave. www.dinamartina.com
www.seattlemeninleather.org. Seattle Men
in Leather hosts their annual event to cel“Ham for the Holidays: Fear the Bacon.”
ebrate the holidays and raise money for their Dec. 4-21. Falls Theatre, ACT Theatre, 700
designated charity, which this year is Chick- Union St. Comedians Lisa Koch and Peggy
en Soup Brigade. Get your picture taken with Platt (aka Dos Fallopia) return to ACT with
one of SML’s hunky Santas and enjoy the their absurd, gender-bending holiday sketch
evening’s festivities. $5 suggested donation. romp. Directed by David Hunter Koch, the
long-running cult series (think Carol Burnett
on crack) has found a hammy holiday home
at ACT’s Falls Theatre, in collaboration with
the Central Heating lab. Platt and Koch create an evening chock full of wickedly funny
social satire, musical parody, and redonkulous characters. Enter The Waiting Womb, a
women’s health clinic with pizzazz; a class
reunion of aging superheroes gets snarky;
game show “What the Heck’s a Puget?” spotlights Northwest trivia; the tiny Sequim Gay
Men’s Chorus sings with glee; country duo
see Calendar page 15
10 Seattle Gay News
November 21, 2014
Celebrating 41 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
November 21, 2014
Seattle Gay News 11
12 Seattle Gay News
November 21, 2014
Celebrating 41 Years!
emilyonasunday / flickr
mance of “One Moment in Time” from the
1989 Grammy telecast, her soulful rendition
of “The Star-Spangled Banner” from Super
Everyone likes music, making it a conve- Bowl XXV, and one of her last televised shownient, affordable and non-expirable holiday ings, when she belted “I Didn’t Know My
gift. Here are 10 new releases to consider Own Strength” on “Oprah” in 2009. It’s the
buying for your loved ones.
perfect gift for the pop music lover, and you
might want to include a box of tissues with it.
BETTE MIDLER
IT’S THE GIRLS!
TAYLOR SWIFT
The Divine Miss M takes a stab at a collec1989
tion of handpicked classics, songs originally
It’s close to impossible to not like Taylor
performed by all-female acts. Her renditions Swift; after all, she writes and performs some of
of The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” and The Chif- the catchiest tunes on the airwaves these days.
fons’ “One Fine Day” aren’t quite explosive, as Bucking her country music roots and going fullyou’d expect them to be from someone as sassy on pop, the PA-born superstar grabs our immeas Midler, but she fares better on an endearing diate attention with the leadoff single “Shake It
delivery of TLC’s “Waterfalls” and a swingy Off” and continues to delight with several ‘80s
redo of The Supremes’ “You Can’t Hurry synth-induced entries, from “Style” to “All You
Love.” The tropical-laced “Mr. Sandman” (The Had to Do Was Stay,” and a pair of well-written
Chordettes) with steel guitar, perhaps a wink to ballads, “This Love” and “Clean.” The hather Hawaiian upbringing, and a stripped-down ers will say this is bubblegum, but the truth is
cover of The Shirelles’ “Will You Still Love Me Swift has sharpened her songwriting skills and
Tomorrow” are also standouts. Put this on your matured into a versatile artist. If you’re buying
holiday party rotation, for sure.
a copy for someone else this holiday season, be
sure to download one for yourself!
Wheel,” “All-American Girl,” “Last Name,” on “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is ear candy.
and “Wasted” are a few of the entries on this When you get around to wrapping the presbarnburner of an album that might be a fun lis- ents, have this playing in the background.
ten while baking those pecan pies.
VARIOUS ARTISTS –
JOHNNY DEPP, MERYL STREEP,
CHRIS PINE
INTO THE WOODS SOUNDTRACK
One of the eagerly awaited films this winter is Rob Marshall’s adaptation of the awardwinning musical Into the Woods. Stephen
Sondheim’s spooky numbers get the A-list
treatment with Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep,
Chris Pine, Anna Kendrick, Christine Baranski, and Emily Blunt, to name a few, behind
them. An Oscar contender, the movie opens in
theaters Christmas Day, but the CD and digital download are available on December 15.
by Albert Rodriguez
SGN A&E Writer
WHITNEY HOUSTON
WHITNEY HOUSTON LIVE:
HER GREATEST PERFORMANCES
Nearly three years ago, the world lost a remarkable voice. The late great Whitney Houston was an impeccable and elegant singer, and
a dynamic performer who commanded the
stage when she appeared in front of live TV
audiences. A video and audio compilation of
these special appearances is now available,
including the entertainer’s stunning perfor-
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
GREATEST HITS: DECADE #1
Country powerhouse Carrie Underwood
unloads her first greatest hits package, a gathering of the biggest singles from her nine-year
recording career. From winning “American
Idol” to nabbing multiple Grammy Awards,
the Oklahoma-bred artist has been one of the
most successful female entertainers of the past
decade. “Before He Cheats,” “Jesus, Take the
Visit us online www.sgn.org
MARY LAMBERT
HEART ON MY SLEEVE
Seattle native Mary Lambert, currently residing in Massachusetts, released her anticipated
full-length recording on the heels of the global
hit “Same Love,” co-penned with Macklemore
and Ryan Lewis. The album reflects a rollercoaster year for the Cornish College grad,
who’s been open about her sexuality from the
start and has transitioned from a musical third
wheel to a blossoming singer-songwriter. “Secrets” feels personal and freeing, while “When
You Sleep” is deep and personal, and lovely.
The best cut is a tie between “Chasing the
Moon” and “Ribcage,” both upbeat tracks on
this somewhat slow tempo CD. Heart on My
Sleeve is a must for cold nights by the fire.
ARETHA FRANKLIN
ARETHA FRANKLIN SINGS
THE GREAT DIVA CLASSICS
The Queen of Soul resurfaces with an album
of covers, from modern hits to timeless gems.
While her selection of songs is solid, from
Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U”
to Gladys Knight and the Pips’ “Midnight Train
to Georgia” to Barbra Streisand’s “People,” the
execution is often bland and forgettable. Even
the diva of all divas can’t do much with Adele’s
“Rolling in the Deep.” Still, for a guilty pleasure or true Franklin fan, you probably can’t go
wrong putting this under the tree.
AZEALIA BANKS
BROKE WITH EXPENSIVE TASTE
Bisexual rapper Azealia Banks finally
pushed out her first album, two years after its
initial release date of 2012 amidst a record label
dispute. In the meantime, she gradually picked
up buzz and fans on the strength of the tracks
“212” and “Young Rupunxel,” both producing
videos on YouTube that have attracted millions
of viewers, and she’s performed a limited number of random live dates to promote it. Time
will tell if she delivers on the hype, but at least
Banks’ debut is at long last available. Broke
with Expensive Taste will likely satisfy the hip
hop and R&B fans on your gift list.
IDINA MENZEL
HOLIDAY WISHES
Broadway star-turned-movie theme
songstress Idina Menzel gets into the spirit
with a 12-track recording of beloved seasonal material. The Tony Award winner
and “Glee” guest star shines on the usual
holiday suspects, including “Do You Hear
What I Hear,” “Silent Night,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “White
Christmas.” Her duet with Michael Buble
THE SMASHING PUMPKINS
MONUMENTS TO AN ELEGY
If you stuck with The Smashing Pumpkins all these years, you’ll know it’s had
many alterations. Billy Corgan remains
the lone original member of the Grammywinning band, and as recently as this year
drummer Mike Byrne left the group. But
what really matters is the music, and driven
by Corgan’s poetic lyrics and melodramatic
backgrounds, the Pumpkin’s latest effort
should put them back in the saddle. If you’re
road tripping for the holidays, this could be
a great travel companion.
November 21, 2014
Seattle Gay News 13
14 Seattle Gay News
November 21, 2014
Celebrating 41 Years!
and 30 - both concerts at 2 p.m.
For 35 seasons SMC has presented their
unique blend of song, dance and campy
comedy to the Northwest and carved a niche
as Seattle’s OTHER holiday tradition.
This year audiences can look forward to
skits and songs that pay homage to high
holiday fashion as well as classic tunes like
“Ding Dong Merrily on High,” “It Came
Upon a Midnight Clear,” and “Silver Bells.”
For the third consecutive year, SMC is
proud to partner with Lifelong AIDS Alliance for a Holiday Food Drive during the
Seattle concerts at Benaroya Hall. All nonperishable goods will be accepted and will
be used in Lifelong AIDS Alliance’s food
program, Chicken Soup Brigade.
Two Sunday performances, November 30
at 2 p.m. and December 14 at 7:30 p.m. will
include ASL interpreters: Billy Seago and
Cameron Larson. Patrons requesting tickets
to the ASL interpreted section should call
the box office to ensure best seating.
The Seattle Men’s Chorus “…Our Gay Apparel” concerts will be held 11/29* @ 2 p.m., 11/30*
@ 2 p.m. w/sign language interpretation, 12/12
@ 8 p.m., 12/14 @ 2 p.m., 12/14 @ 7:30 p.m.
w/sign language interpretation, 12/21 @ 7:30
p.m., and 12/22 @ 7:30 p.m. at Benaroya Hall,
3rd Ave. & Union St., Seattle. Tickets: $28-$78.
www.SeattleMensChorus.org; 206-388-1400.
*w/special opening weekend guest Linda Eder.
The SMC’s Tacoma concert will be held
12/4 @ 8 p.m. at Pantages Theatre, 901
Broadway, Tacoma. Tickets: $19-$69. www.
BroadwayCenter.org; 253-591-5894.
The SMC’s Everett concert will be held
12/20 @ 8 p.m. at Civic Auditorium, 2415
Colby Ave., Everett. Tickets: $28-$48. www.
SeattleMensChorus.org; 206-388-1400.
MUSIC
Seattle Men’s Chorus presents “…Our
Gay Apparel.” Nov. 29-Dec. 22. (See details above under LGBT Cabaret & Music.)
Calendar
continued from page 10
Roosevelt High School Jazz Band – Duke
Ellington’s and Billy Strayhorn’s “Jazz Nutcracker.” Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. & Dec. 7, 2 p.m. Roosevelt High School Performing Arts Theatre, 1410
NE 66th St. Tickets: $15-adults, $12-students and
seniors. www.rooseveltjazz.org.
Seattle Baroque Orchestra – “European
Christmas Potpourri.” Dec. 6, 8 p.m. (Preconcert lecture at 7 p.m.) Town Hall Seattle,
1119 8th Ave. @ Seneca St. Seattle Baroque Orchestra is joined by Eric Milnes and Canadian
soprano solist Hélène Brunet for a holiday celebration including Handel’s famous “Gloria,”
“Noels” by Delelande, Corelli’s “Christmas
Concerto,” Marin Marais’ “Chaconne,” and
sacred cantatas and arias by Scarlatti, Salazar,
and Bach. Tickets: $45 general reserved, $40
senior, $20 under 25, $27 discount side section.
www.earlymusicguild.org; 206-325-7066.
Seattle Pro Musica – “Noël – French
Christmas.” Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. (Pre-concert
lecture at 6:30 p.m.) Seattle First Baptist
Church, 1111 Harvard Ave. Seattle Pro Musica
brings a Gallic flair to the holidays with Christmas motets by 20th-century French masters
Francis Poulenc and Pierre Villette. Our program also showcases medieval and Renaissance Christmas music from France along with
traditional French carols. Tickets: $35 prime,
$25 general, $18 senior, $12 student. www.
brownpapertickets.com/event/685638 www.
seattlepromusica.org; 206-781-2766.
(Also Dec. 13, 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. (preconcert lectures at 2 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.) at
Chapel at Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita
Drive NE, Kenmore.)
Candlelight Concerts – “CPE Bach Festival.” Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. University Christian
Church, 4731 15th Ave. NE. Celebrate the
300th anniversary of the birth of Carl Philipp
see Calendar page 16
natra, The One The Only Inga, Faggedy Randy,
ilvs strauss, The Luminous Pariah, Scott Shoemaker, and Josh Hartvigson. Performance
dates: 12/11 @ 8 p.m., 12/12-12/13 @ 7 p.m. &
10 p.m., 12/14 @ 8 p.m., 12/17-12/18 @ 8 p.m.,
12/19-12/24 @ 7 p.m. & 10 p.m., 12/26-12/27 @
8 p.m. Tickets: $25-$30 advance; $30-$35 at the
door; plus front row VIP tables $175 (seats up to
4). www.strangertickets.com.
The Spudds debuts Mama’s Nativity prequel, “Saturday Night Jesus!” Performance
dates: 12/4 (preview) @ 7:30 p.m., 12/5 (opening night) @ 7:30 p.m., 12/6 @ 8 p.m., 12/7
@ 2 p.m., 12/10-12/11 @ 7:30 p.m., 12/12
@ 8 p.m., 12/13 @ 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., 12/14
@ 2 p.m., 12/17-12/18 @ 7:30 p.m., 12/19 @
8 p.m., 12/20 @ 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., 12/21 @ 2 “KPC’s Holiday Late Night” – Arnaldo!
p.m. Tickets: $15-$40. Available to ACTPass Drag Chanteuse with Captain Smartholders. www.acttheatre.org; 206-292-7676. pants and Sensible Shoes, Dec. 19, 8 p.m.
& 10:30 p.m. Kirkland Performance Center,
Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) pres- 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland. Fierce. Fabuents “Holiday Cheer – Vol. 2 CD Release lous Festival! A night of drag and holiday
Party & Benefit Concert.” Dec. 5, 7 p.m. traditions turned on their heads. Captain
doors; 8-10 p.m. show. Neighbours Night- Smartypants, Sensible Shoes and Arnaldo!
club, 1509 Broadway – entrance in alley off will bring hilarious campy fun with satirical
E. Pike St. A benefit for “From the Heart,” versions of your favorite holiday songs. HostSOSea’s LGBTQ Homeless Teen Outreach ed by David Hunter Koch. 18+ show. Tickets:
Program featuring performances by Jack $25. www.kpcenter.org; 425-893-9900.
Mozie, Latin Rose, Karin Parks, Yee-Shin
Huang, Eric Blu, Michael Cagle, Ryan Craw- Rainbow City Band presents “Holiday
ford, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, Ricky Caudle, Queer!” Dec. 20, 7 p.m. Broadway PerforJon Noble, and more! Entry: $10 CD/Show. mance Hall, 1625 Broadway. Rainbow City
Band is spreading holiday cheer in a concert
“Homo for the Holidays.” Dec. 11-27. West featuring music composed by or for memHall, Odd Fellows Building, 2nd Floor, 915 E. bers of the LGBTQ community. Tickets:
Pine St. A seasonal spectacle guaranteed to $12-$15. www.rainbowcityband.com.
make even the most stubborn yuletides Gay! An
unforgettable all-star cast of burlesque, cabaret, Seattle Men’s Chorus presents “…Our
dance, drag, and musical local luminaries come Gay Apparel.” Nov. 29-Dec. 22. (See complete
together in a display of glittering grandeur. A schedule and location information below.) SMC
hearty holiday fruitcake packed with rollick- pulls out every tux, gown and tacky holiday
some reindeer, enticing elves, ghostly guests, sweater from the back of their closets for their
sexy snowstorms, agile angels, musical Mac- 2015 holiday concert “…Our Gay Apparel.”
cabees, and new ways to define coming home. With seven concerts in Seattle’s Benaroya Hall
It’s not Christmas in July, it’s Pride in Decem- plus additional Tacoma and Everett concerts,
ber! Light your menorah, stuff your stockings, SMC will bring all the glitz, glamour, camp,
and join our chosen family in celebrating our and holiday flair in their repertoire to the stage.
favorite wintry holiday of all. Featuring an all- Sensation Linda Eder, well-known for her
star cast of burlesque, cabaret, dance, drag, and portrayal of Lucy in Broadway’s Jekyll &
musical local luminaries: BenDeLaCreme, Kit- Hyde, will lend her superior vocal talent to
ten LaRue, Lou Henry Hoover, Cherdonna Shi- the first two SMC concerts on November 29
Visit us online www.sgn.org
November 21, 2014
Seattle Gay News 15
Calendar
continued from page 15
Emmanuel Bach in 1714 with concerti for
cello and flute, trio sonatas for flute, violin and
continuo and the Duet for flute and violin by
Johann Sebastian Bach’s most well known
son, with the Sans Souci Ensemble including
flutist Jeffrey Cohan, violinists Leonid Keylin and Stephen Provine, violist Roxanna Patterson, cellist Douglas Davis, harpsichordist
Kyobi Hinami and bassist Matthew McGrath.
A reception follows the concert. Suggested
donation: $25, $20 or $15, with series passes
available for $50. www.candlelightseattle.
org; 206-522-0169. (Additional concerts
12/14 & 12/28.)
Northwest Chamber Chorus – “A
Child’s Christmas in Wales” narrated by
David Pichette. Dec. 7, 3 p.m., & Dec. 13,
7:30 p.m. Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church,
7500 Greenwood Ave. N. Dylan Thomas’
unforgettable ode to his childhood Christmases provides a perfect setting for music
of the season – including the beloved carols of Alfred Burt, originally composed as
annual Christmas cards for his friends and
family. Also featured: Francis Poulenc’s
magical “Quatre motets pour le temps de
Noël” and music by Melinda Bargreen, Eleanor Daley, Jake Runestad, and more, plus
the chorus’s traditional Christmas carol
sing-along. Albert Burt was a jazz musician
who continued his father’s tradition of writing an original Christmas song to include in
the Christmas cards sent to his friends and
family. Both Thomas and Burt have a particular facility for speaking directly from
their own early experiences, and connecting those to a broad audience. Tickets: $22
general, $17 senior 62+, student & singer
$12, children ages 6-12 free. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/846437 (12/7) and
846491 (12/13). www.northwestchamberchorus.org; 206-523-1196.
ChoralSounds Northwest – “Shining
Night.” Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. & Dec. 14, 2
p.m. Highline Performing Arts Center, 401
S. 152nd St., Burien. ChoralSounds Northwest looks back at its first 30 years of musicmaking in Burien, with a Christmas show
that includes singer and audience favorites
from past years. Biebl’s “Ave Maria,” “White
Christmas,” “African Noël”, and the hysterical “Grandma’s Killer Fruitcake” are among
the numbers that will make this show an unforgettable holiday treat. The show ends with
ChoralSounds Northwest’s unique take on
the “Hallelujah Chorus” from the Messiah.
Tickets: $25 reserved; $20 festival seating;
17 & under FREE with adult ticket holder.
www.nwassociatedarts.org; 206-246-6040.
Candlelight Concerts – “Dreamscapes
for Guitar, Flute & Viola.” Dec. 14, 7:30
p.m. University Christian Church, 4731 15th
Ave. NE. Guitarist Michael Nicolella, flutist
Jeffrey Cohan and violist Roxanna Patterson
perform 19th and 21st century chamber music for guitar with flute and viola, a combination of instruments that was very popular
during Beethoven and Schubert’s time but
has been little heard since. The program
skips to the here and now for the world premiere of Seattle-area composer Huntley
Beyer’s “In Dreams” for flute and viola, and
a work by Michael Nicolella. A reception follows the concert. Suggested donation: $25,
$20 or $15, with series passes available for
$50. www.candlelightseattle.org; 206-5220169. (Additional concerts 12/7 & 12/28.)
The Irish Tenors Holiday Concert.
Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m., S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, Benaroya Hall, 3rd Ave. &
University St. Enjoy holiday and traditional
Irish music sung by the world-renowned
Irish Tenors Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Ronan Tynan with full orchestra.
Proceeds for the concert benefit Ballard NW and Central Area Senior Center, Shoreline/
Senior Center, lead presenter of the concert, Lake Forest Senior Center, Sno-Valley Senior Center, Southeast Seattle Senior Center
and Senior Center of West Seattle. Tickets:
$47-$87. VIP reserved seats $152, includes
a post-concert beverage and dessert reception with The Irish Tenors. www.BenaroyaHall.org; 206-215-4747; 1-866-833-4747;
or at Benaroya Hall Box Office, 3rd Ave. &
Union St. The Irish Tenors Holiday Concert
is sponsored by KIXI-AM.
KPC’s Holiday Late Night – Arnaldo!
Drag Chanteuse with Captain Smartpants and Sensible Shoes. Dec. 19, 8 p.m.
& 10:30 p.m. Kirkland Performance Center,
350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland. Fierce. Fabulous Festival! A night of drag and holiday
traditions turned on their heads. Captain
Smartypants, Sensible Shoes and Arnaldo!
will bring hilarious campy fun with satirical
versions of your favorite holiday songs. Hosted by David Hunter Koch. 18+ show. Tickets:
$25. www.kpcenter.org; 425-893-9900.
Pacific MusicWorks – J.S. Bach’s
“Christmas Oratorio” – Cantatas 1, 3
and 6. Dec. 19, 8 p.m. St. James Cathedral,
804 9th Ave. The joyous festivity of Bach’s
“Christmas Oratorio” is too rarely heard in
America. Celebrate the holiday season with
a collection of North America’s best period
instrumentalists and vocal soloists in this
festive performance of three of Bach’s six
Christmas Oratorio Cantatas. An exciting
new regional collaboration featuring multiple presenters in the Pacific Northwest and
co-produced by Early Music Vancouver.
Featuring Tess Wakim, Soprano; Krisztina
Szabó, Mezzo Soprano; Zachary Finkelstein,
Tenor; Sumner Thompson, Baritone. Tickets:
$40 reserved seating; $35 senior reserved;
$35 suggested donation at the door; $10 under 25; children 7-12 free with accompanying adult tickets. www.brownpapertickets.
com/event/698161; 1-800-838-3006. http://
pacificmusicworks.nationbuilder.com (Also,
Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m., at Emmanuel Episcopal
Church, 4400 86th Ave., Mercer Island.)
16 Seattle Gay News
November 21, 2014
Rainbow City Band presents “Holiday
Queer!” Dec. 20, 7 p.m. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway. Rainbow City
Band is spreading holiday cheer in a concert
featuring music composed by or for members of the LGBTQ community. Tickets:
$12-$15. www.rainbowcityband.com.
Earshot Jazz 26th Annual “Concert of Sacred Music” by Duke Ellington. Dec. 20, 7:30
p.m. Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave. @
Seneca St. Ellington’s wonderful “Sacred Music” is both serious and swinging. It is a reverent
and hip body of jazz composition, written late
in his career, for jazz big band, vocal and instrumental soloists, gospel choir, and tap dancers.
For the past 25 years Earshot Jazz has presented
an annual concert of Ellington’s “Sacred Music.” The concert features the Seattle Repertory
Jazz Orchestra, co-directed by Michael Brockman and Clarence Acox, guest vocalists Stephen Newby, Nichol Veneé Eskridge, and the
Northwest Chamber Chorus, and special guest
tap-dancer Alex Dugdale. Tickets: $38-$19
preferred; $28-$14 general. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/821833; 1-800-838-3006.
HISTORY OF ELLINGTON’S
SACRED MUSIC
“Every man prays in his own language.”
–Duke Ellington
It is this quote that captures the spirit of
the three Sacred Music concerts that Ellington premiered in 1965, 1968 and 1973, and
that were the culmination of the last, liturgical phase of his life’s work in music.
Ellington’s inspiration for the Sacred Music
concerts began during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. In his program notes for
the first concert he wrote, “How can anyone
expect to be understood unless he presents his
thoughts with complete honesty? This situation
is unfair because it asks too much of the world.
In effect, we say, ‘I don’t dare show you what I
am because I don’t trust you for a minute, but
please love me anyway because I so need you
to. And, of course, if you don’t love me anyway,
you’re a dirty dog, just as I suspected, so I was
right in the first place.’ Yet, every time God’s
Celebrating 41 Years!
children have thrown away fear in pursuit of
honesty, trying to communicate themselves,
understood or not, miracles have happened.”
The first sacred concert took place in Grace
Cathedral in San Francisco in 1965. The Cathedral commissioned the work as part of its yearlong consecration celebration, and Ellington’s
star-studded orchestra, featuring such legends
as Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, and Pail
Gonsalves, performed with a massed choir.
The Second Sacred Concert took place in 1968
at the Cathedral of St. John in New York and St.
Mark’s Cathedral in New Canaan, CT.
Ellington spent most of his last full year of
life composing a notably more pastoral Third
Sacred Concert. The compositions were built
around the voice of Alice Babs, the soulful
baritone saxophone of Harry Carney, and Ellington himself on the piano. The third and final concert was premiered on October 24, 1973
at London’s Westminster Abbey. Exactly seven
months later Duke Ellington passed away, leaving an insurmountable legacy that included
these sacred music concerts, performed hundreds of times during this last decade of his life.
Ellington’s compositions for these concerts
drew heavily on earlier pieces, which were
then augmented to convey an intense emotion
and reverence. The pieces belied Ellington’s
spirituality that was derived from his roots in
the Baptist Church, but was able to transcend
denomination with a poignant universalism.
The Sacred Concerts, wedding music and
spirituality brought the great jazz tradition
into the church.
In his lifetime, Ellington stated this was the
most important music he’d ever written, but
because of the scale of the music and the sheer
number of artists needed to execute each work,
Ellington’s sacred concerts have rarely been performed in the 30 years since his death in 1974.
Northwest Boy Choir – A Festival of Lessons & Carols. Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 21, 6
p.m.; Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m. @ St. Mark’s Cathedral (1245 10th Ave. E.) & Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m.
@ Benaroya Hall, 3rd Ave. & University St.
www.nwboychoir.org; 206-524-3243. (Also
Dec. 12, Phinney Ridge; Dec. 13, Lynnwood;
Dec. 14, Ballard; Dec. 19, West Seattle.)
Orchestra Seattle / Seattle Chamber Singers – Handel’s “Messiah” HWV56. Dec. 21,
3 p.m. First Free Methodist Church, 3200 3rd
Ave. W. No other piece of music has become
more closely associated with OSSCS than
Georg Frideric Handel’s most celebrated oratorio, “Messiah.” For over four decades, audiences have delighted in OSSCS’s complete and
uncut performances. A pivotal point in history,
the life of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah or
“anointed one,” is the subject of Handel’s 1742
oratorio. A long-standing OSSCS performing
tradition, the oratorio raised enough money at
its Dublin premiere to procure the release of
142 indebted prisoners, who were thus given
the opportunity to experience new life, a gift
that countless Christians have experienced
through their faith in Jesus over the past two
millennia. Tickets: $25 general, $20 senior, $10
full-time student, FREE youth 7-17. www.osscs.org/concerts; 1-800-838-3006.
$25, $20 or $15, with series passes available
for $50. www.candlelightseattle.org; 206-5220169. (Additional concerts 12/7 & 12/14.)
Cappella Romana – “Echoes of the Renaissance.” Jan. 9, 8 p.m. St. Joseph Church,
732 18th Ave. E. Dr. Tikey Zes (b. 1927) is
the most prolific composer of Greek Orthodox liturgical music in America. “Cappella
Romana sings this music as if already in the
heavenly realms, and can transport the listener there, as well.” –Fanfare. Long a proponent of Zes’s music, Cappella Romana will
perform excerpts of a setting of his “Divine
Liturgy” that Cappella Romana released on
CD last season. Preceding the music of Zes
are excerpts from the “Missa MiMi” by Johannes Ockeghem, who with other masters
of the Renaissance inspired Zes’s approach
to modal harmony and counterpoint. Zes
recorded the Ockeghem “Missa MiMi” on
LP with his Berkeley Chamber Singers in
the 1960s, at the dawn of the modern Early
Music movement. Tickets: $44-$22 with student/senior discount. www.cappellaromana.
org; 503-236-8202.
the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the
curmudgeonly businessman who requires
the intervention of a few spectral guides to
understand the true meaning of Christmas
and life. Well over a century after its writing,
Dickens’ classic tale of hope and redemption
continues to remind us what’s really worth
celebrating – at the holidays, or any time!
Tickets: www.acttheatre.org; 206-292-7676.
November 21, 2014
Seattle Gay News 17
A Christmas Story, The Musical. Nov. 25Dec. 30. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 5th Avenue.
This December, experience Seattle’s favorite
holiday tradition at The 5th Avenue Theatre
and let the season unfold around you with music, festivities, and fun. This year, The 5th takes
you to 1939 Indiana, where a bespectacled boy
named Ralphie has a big imagination and one
wish for Christmas – a Red Ryder BB Gun. A
kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a cranky department store Santa and a
triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are
just a few of the obstacles that stand between
Ralphie and his Christmas dream. “A Christmas Story, The Musical” is holiday entertainment that captures a simpler time in America
Seattle Baroque Orchestra – “A Twelfth with delicious wit and a heart of gold. Tickets:
Night Celebration.” Jan. 10, 8 p.m. (Pre- www.5thavenue.org; 206-625-1900.
concert lecture at 7 p.m.) Town Hall Seattle,
1119 8th Ave. @ Seneca St. Guest Director
A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol. Nov.
Julie Andrijeski leads Seattle Baroque Or- 28-Dec. 22. Unexpected Productions, 1428
chestra in music inspired by Shakespeare’s Post Alley (down the cobblestone alley or
Twelfth Night, including selections from down the stairs next to Rachel the Pig at the
Henry Purcell’s “The Fairy Queen,” Mat- Pike Place Market). We all know the story
thew Locke’s “The Tempest,” and works by of Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas
Avison, Handel, and Van Wassenaer. Tickets: Carol.” Or do we? Unexpected Produc$45 general reserved, $40 senior reserved, tions brings back its holiday favorite, “A(n
$20 under 25, $27 discount side section. Improvised) Christmas Carol”. Based on
www.earlymusicguild.org; 206-325-7066.
audience suggestions, our improvisers bend
and twist Charles Dickens’ tale of Ebenezer
THEATRE & DANCE
Scrooge in all sorts of hilarious directions
– and each show is different. Where does
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Scrooge work? What ails Tiny Tim? Does
adapted by Gregory A. Falls. Nov. 28-Dec. Scrooge even get reformed? It’s all up to you
28. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St. Join us for
a Seattle tradition: a ripping good telling of
see Calendar page 21
Byron Schenkman & Friends – “Bach
Harpsichord Concertos.” Dec. 28, 7 p.m.
Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya
Hall, 3rd Ave. & Union St. “I am delighted to
present Ignacio Prego’s Seattle debut in this
concert of Bach concertos for one and two
harpsichords. I will be playing the E Major concerto, Ignacio will play the G Minor concerto,
and together we will play the C Major double.
Ignacio is one of the best harpsichordists I have
every heard. His playing exudes great joy!”
With Ingrid Matthews and Laurel Wells, violins; Jason Fisher, viola; Nathan Whittaker, cello. Tickets: $42 general, $38 senior, $10 student.
www.byronschenkman.com; 206-215-4747.
Candlelight Concerts – “Jazzin’ with
the Classics by Candlelight for Christmas.” Dec. 28, 7:30 p.m. University Christian
Church, 4731 15th Ave. NE. In this program
by candlelight, classical and jazz artists and
friends from classical and jazz realms meld
their musical perspectives and personalities
for the third year in an unusual collaboration
and festive celebration of the Yuletide season
that is guaranteed to generate an abundance
of Christmas cheer. Soprano Linda Tsatsanis,
flutist Jeffrey Cohan and jazz pianist, clarinetist and flutist Martin Lund team up to bridge
contemporary improvisational jazz and art
music of Baroque and Renaissance times.
Instrumental musicians have “jazzed up”
melodies familiar to them in the style of their
day for centuries, and this team’s virtuoso improvisations on Yuletide favorites, and their
renditions of classical standards will bring
together the best of jazz and classical worlds.
A completely new program for 2014. A reception follows the concert. Suggested donation:
Visit us online www.sgn.org
The fifth annual CANDLELIGHT CONCERTS presents three December chamber
music programs by candlelight at University
Christian Church on Sundays at 7:30 p.m.
A “CPE BACH FESTIVAL” on December 7 celebrates CPE Bach’s 300th birthday with festive concerti and trio sonatas;
“DREAMSCAPES for GUITAR, FLUTE &
VIOLA” on December 14 presents the world
premiere of Huntley Beyer’s “In Dreams”
along with other contemporary Seattle as
well as Beethoven-era Austrian and German chamber music for guitar, flute and viola; and “JAZZIN’ with the CLASSICS for
CHRISTMAS” on December 28 will bridge
jazz and classical worlds as it does each year
in this unique and joyous celebration of music for the holidays by candlelight.
All three Sunday concerts will be held at
7:30 p.m. at University Christian Church
at 4731 15th Ave. NE in Seattle’s University District. The suggested donation will
be $25, $20 or $15, with series passes
available for $50. For tickets and further
information please see www.candlelightseattle.org or http://candlelight.brownpapertickets.com, or call University Christian
Church at (206) 522-0169.
A reception will follow each performance.
I. CPE BACH FESTIVAL
Sunday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m.
at University Christian Church
Celebrate the 300th anniversary of the
birth of Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach in
1714 with concerti for cello and flute, trio
sonatas for flute, violin and continuo and the
Duet for flute and violin by Johann Sebastian Bach’s most well known son, with the
Sans Souci Ensemble including flutist Jef-
18 Seattle Gay News
frey Cohan, violinists Leonid Keylin and
Stephen Provine, violist Roxanna Patterson,
cellist Douglas Davis, harpsichordist Kyobi
Hinami and bassist Matthew McGrath.
II. DREAMSCAPES for
GUITAR, FLUTE & VIOLA
Sunday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m.
at University Christian Church
Guitarist Michael Nicolella, flutist Jeffrey
Cohan and violist Roxanna Patterson perform 19th and 21st century chamber music
for guitar with flute and viola, a combination of instruments that was very popular
during Beethoven and Schubert’s time but
has been little heard since. The program
skips to the here and now for the world premiere of Seattle-area composer Huntley
Beyer’s “In Dreams” for flute and viola, and
a work by Michael Nicolella.
III. JAZZIN’ with the CLASSICS
by CANDLELIGHT for CHRISTMAS
Sunday, December 28 at 7:30 p.m.
at University Christian Church
In this program by candlelight, classical
and jazz artists and friends from classical
and jazz realms meld their musical perspectives and personalities for the third year in an
unusual collaboration and festive celebration
of the Yuletide season that is guaranteed to
generate an abundance of Christmas cheer.
Soprano Linda Tsatsanis, flutist Jeffrey
Cohan and jazz pianist, clarinetist and flutist Martin Lund team up to bridge contemporary improvisational jazz and art music
of Baroque and Renaissance times. Instrumental musicians have “jazzed up” melodies
familiar to them in the style of their day for
centuries, and this team’s virtuoso improvi-
November 21, 2014
sations on Yuletide favorites, and their renditions of classical standards will bring toIn memory of George Shangrow, our fifth
gether the best of jazz and classical worlds. annual Candlelight Concerts continues a
A completely new program for 2014.
tradition which George and Jeffrey initiated in June of 2010, and in countless past
This program will also be performed on Candlelight Evenings of Baroque Music
December 27 at 3 p.m. at Emmanuel Epis- and festive holiday chamber music celebracopal Church in Eastsound, Orcas Island – tions in Seattle over four decades. Chamber
$10 suggested donation, 18 & under FREE music both familiar and brand new is per– 360-376-2352, www.candlelightseattle. formed by some of the Northwest’s finest
org. And on December 28 at 2 p.m. at Floyd musicians, many of them formerly close
Norgaard Cultural Center, 27130 102nd friends of Maestro Shangrow’s.
Ave. NW, Stanwood – $15 suggested donation, 18 & under FREE – 360-629-6110.
Courtesy of Candlelight Concerts
Celebrating 41 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
November 21, 2014
Seattle Gay News 19
wvutoday.wvu.edu
The Irish Tenors
THE IRISH TENORS
HOLIDAY CONCERT
BENAROYA HALL
December 16
Enjoy holiday and traditional Irish music
sung by the world-renowned Irish Tenors
Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Ronan
Tynan with full orchestra at Benaroya Hall
in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, Tuesday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Proceeds for the concert benefit Ballard
NW Senior Center, lead presenter of the concert, and Central Area Senior Center, Shoreline/Lake Forest Senior Center, Sno-Valley
Senior Center, Southeast Seattle Senior Center and Senior Center of West Seattle.
Ranked as Ireland’s premier ambassadors
of song, The Irish Tenors entertain audiences worldwide with a quality of performance which is unrivalled, incomparable
and, most importantly in their eyes, worthy
of the rich cultural heritage of the country
of Ireland, and the exquisite musical treasury created by Irish people everywhere,
20 Seattle Gay News
throughout history.
Tickets: $47-$87. VIP reserved seats
$152, includes a post-concert beverage and
dessert reception with The Irish Tenors.
206-215-4747; 1-866-833-4747; www.BenaroyaHall.org and in person at The Benaroya Hall box office, 3rd Ave. & Union St.,
Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat, 1-6 p.m.
The Irish Tenors Holiday Concert is
sponsored by KIXI-AM.
About The Irish Tenors
Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and
Ronan Tynan have been touring together
as The Irish Tenors since 1998, with soldout shows at Radio City Music Hall, Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, The
Hollywood Bowl, and major concert halls
throughout the world. Their faces and voices are familiar to PBS audiences through
several specials, including “Ellis Island”
that sold a million CDs and DVDs.
Since they first joined voices in 1998, The
Irish Tenors have made countless traditional
treasures breathe with new life. Moreover,
November 21, 2014
they’ve proven themselves gifted interpreters
of a wide range of material, with such songs
as “My Heart Will Go On” (from Titanic),
“Fairytale of New York” (previously recorded by Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues) and
even Jimmy Kennedy’s “South of the Border
(Down Mexico Way).” These songs live comfortably in their repertoire alongside “Danny
Boy,” “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Fields of
Athenry.” Among their bestselling albums,
Heritage ranks as one of the finest with classic recordings of many of the most beautiful
Irish songs. We Three Kings is their bestselling Christmas Album and includes all of the
superb Christmas gems that are featured year
after year in their legendary Christmas Tour,
which has become a firm tradition for so many
families who love their music and the special
sparkle that marks their holiday program.
The Irish Tenors powerful vocal lineup of Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns and
Ronan Tynan are unquestionably the leading brand of this genre. All classically
trained singers, each having performed in
leading concert halls across the world, together they combine to produce a sound and
concert experience which touches hearts
and stirs the emotions. Happy songs of celebration and humor mixed with touching
melodies and songs that warm the heart.
They are surely versatile, but for many,
Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Ronan
Tynan are synonymous with Irish music.
There is an aching bittersweet quality to
much of Ireland’s musical heritage, a melodic loveliness and emotional intensity that
brings a tingle to the spine and a tear to the
eye. The dazzling technique and depth of
feeling that defines this musical genre, amplified to the third power, is the hallmark of
The Irish Tenors.
The magic they’ve captured on previous
releases has resulted in millions of albums
sold and the upper reaches of Billboard’s
music charts. The Irish Tenors have appeared on several incredibly successful and
highly rated PBS specials including “Ellis
Island” and “Live from Belfast” as well as
“The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” “Regis and Kelly,” “Martha Stewart,”
A&E “Breakfast with the Arts,” and are one
of the best-selling acts to appear on QVC.
The Irish Tenors continue to tour constantly, thrilling old fans and winning new
ones all around the globe. In the United
States, they are one of the most successful
Irish touring acts ever, second only to U2.
Whether as the powerful vocal trio in full
flight, or in their cameo solo spots, a concert
performance by The Irish Tenors is an experience that never fails to excite and bear
witness to the power of great music when
performed by true artists. Most concerts
end with two, three, and sometimes four
standing ovations, with Irish and American
songs bringing audiences to their feet.
Despite the ultimate compliment of there
being several copy versions of The Irish Tenors, this original trio are regarded as the acknowledged godfathers of Irish repertoire.
Ballard Northwest Senior Center’s mission is to promote the emotional, social
and physical well-being of older adults.
We offer health and wellness, educational,
nutrition, fitness and social opportunities
as all of us walk the path of aging together.
The center is a place “Where Friends Meet
Friends.” 206-297-0403; www.ballardseniorcenter.org.
Senior Services is the most comprehensive non-profit agency serving older adults
and their loved ones in Washington State.
Established in 1967, we promote positive
aging for nearly 70,000 seniors and those
who care for them in King County through
our integrated system of quality programs
and senior centers. More than 3,300 volunteers, together with 250 employees, make
our work possible and efficient.
Courtesy of Senior Services
Celebrating 41 Years!
Calendar
continued from page 17
in this wild, hilarious, holiday ride. A holiday tradition for countless locals since 1985,
it’s the perfect way to celebrate the holidays
with friends or family. Tickets: www.unexpectedproductions.org; 206-587-2414.
ognized and familiar stories in the English
language, but how can you keep it relevant?
Evan & Bobbi updates the social issues and
the setting of the classic tale while still following the path of Past, Present and Future,
revealing how Evan and Bobbi got this way,
where they are, and where things may yet
go. Most importantly for Scrooge, how far
do you have to fall before redemption is no
longer an option? Last year Evan & Bobbi
won STAGEright’s Xmas Carol Xperiment,
and now you can see the complete vision
of this subversive, modern re-telling of the
Christmas classic. Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event908242; 800-838-3006.
Appalachian Christmas Homecoming
by Phillip DePoy. Nov. 21-Dec. 27. Taproot
Theatre, 204 N. 85th St. Life used to be simple, but love never was. Childhood crushes
go awry, rebellious youth break hearts, and
old-age dreams go unfulfilled. But not this
Christmas in Mossy Rock! Listen to the story
of three generations told through music and
The Hours of Life: a new musical. Dec.
memories during a family-friendly evening 5-14. Cornish Playhouse Studio (formerly Intiat Taproot Theatre. Tickets: www.taprootthe- man Theatre), 201 Mercer the hands of Fate
atre.org; 206-781-9707.
conspire against their happiness (with some
help form an Austrian inventor). The Hours of
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Dec. Life is an epic journey through the Industrial
13-24. Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W. Revolution featuring the unlikely combinaGreenlake Dr. N. The delightfully horrible tion of mechanical Turks, Bavarian dwarfs,
Herdman clan descends on the Bathhouse and forbidden romance. Featuring a cast of
for their 14th consecutive year, turning a pe- Seattle’s finest performers and musicians,
destrian pageant into sidesplitting chaos and The Hours of Life is the exciting conclusion to
bringing new life to an old tradition. Featur- Theatre22’s dynamic inaugural season. Ticking a cast of young actors alongside adult ets: $5-$22. www.brownpapertickets.com/
professionals, The Best Christmas Pageant event/858076; theatre22.org; 206-257-2203.
Ever is the not-to-be-missed holiday favorite
for kids of all ages. Tickets: $5-$32. www.seJudy’s Scary Little Christmas. Dec. 4-Dec.
attlepublictheater.org; 206-524-1300.
28. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. SW. Making spirits bright this holiday season is none
Christmastown: A Holiday Noire. other than Judy Garland, reveling in all things
Dec. 4-24. Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W. old Hollywood glam! “My goodness, I’m back
Greenlake Dr. N.The name is Nick. Nick home again. I’ve missed you all so much!”
Holiday. I’m no saint – but if you can pay With spiked grog in hand, Judy welcomes her
me half up front, I may be able to find what baggage-ridden celebrity stars – Bing Crosby,
you’re looking for. Unless, of course, what Liberace, Ethel Merman, Joan Crawford, Lilyou are looking for is happiness. Then lian Hellman, VP Richard Nixon, Punch, and
you’re on your own. Because me? I work in a special dark guest – to her 1959 TV ChristChristmastown. And this story starts just mas Special. Stylized zany camp is the wraplike they all do… with an elf. Tickets: www. ping on this gift of clever satire, endearing fun
seattlepublictheater.org; 206-524-1300.
and wicked toe-tapping music! Tickets: $17$36.50. www.artswest.org; 206-938-0339.
Dick Whittington and His Cat. Nov. 13Dec. 21. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 ThomMary Poppins. Nov. 13-Jan. 4. Village Theas St. A new musical version of the beloved atre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah. Based on the
English story. With all the traditional charm timeless books of P.L. Travers and complete
of old London at the holidays, Dick Whitting- with all the beloved songs from the Academy
ton’s adventurous story begins with Dick’s Award-winning Disney film, this magical stage
poor beginnings as an orphan who comes to musical tells the inspirational tale of the amazthe big city in hope of finding the streets paved ing flying nanny, who’s practically perfect in
with gold. From there he finds his way in the every way. With Mary and Bert leading the way,
world, buoyed by the kindness of others and an rejoice in beloved songs like “Spoonful of Sugalliance with a most remarkable cat. Together, ar,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” and “Jolly Holiday,”
they overcome many a rat, making their way as we sweep you away in this exhilarating live
through foreign lands, past pirates and back theatre experience for the whole family. Tickets:
home to good fortune and a better life. Tickets: www.villagetheatre.org; 425-392-2202. (Run
www.sct.org; 206-441-3322.
continues Jan. 9-Feb. 28 at Everett Performing
Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. www.
Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christ- villagetheatre.org; 425-257-8600.)
mas! The Musical. Dec. 2-7. Paramount
Theatre, 911 Pine St. Discover the magic of
Nutcracker. Nov. 28-Dec. 28. Pacific
Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to Northwest Ballet, McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer
life on stage. Featuring the hit songs “You’re St. Year after year, family and friends share
A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome the wonder and beauty of the holidays with
Christmas,” The Grinch discovers there’s PNB’s world-famous Nutcracker. Created
more to Christmas than he bargained for in by Founding Artistic Director Kent Stowell
this heart-warming holiday classic. Max the and favorite children’s author and illustraDog narrates, as the mean and scheming tor Maurice Sendak, PNB’s one-of-a-kind
Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” Nutcracker has been dazzling Northwest
decides to steal Christmas away from the audiences for 31 years. Join us for the final
Whos, an endlessly cheerful bunch bursting season of PNB’s beloved Nutcracker before
with holiday spirit. Celebrate the holidays it goes into the PNB vault. Featuring the
with this heartwarming holiday classic. Tick- mighty PNB Orchestra, celebrating its 25th
ets: www.tickets.com; 877-STG-4TIX; and Anniversary season. Tickets: www.pnb.org;
in person at the Paramount Box Office.
206-441-2424.
Evan & Bobbie: A Twisted Christmas
Carol. Dec. 4-13. STAGEright Theatre,
Theatre Off Jackson, 409 7th Ave. S. Bobbi
Cratchitt works for Evan Scrooge. She also
sleeps with him. Once, that made her happy. But now she is an emotional and sexual
hostage to Scrooge, holding on to her job
to keep health benefits for her son Timmy
and sleeping with the boss to preserve her
job. Evan and Bobbi’s relationship has deteriorated into something very toxic and
she has stopped hoping for anything better.
A Christmas Carol is one of the most rec-
Pride and Prejudice. Nov. 25-Dec. 28.
Book-It Repertory, The Center Theatre,
Seattle Center Armory, 305 Harrison St.
Miss Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is
replete with the author’s charm, wit, and
keen observations. This comedy of manners
and courtship boasts a cast of beloved and
unforgettable characters led by the extraordinary Elizabeth Bennet and the dashing
Mister Darcy. Book-It is delighted to once
again stage a treasured favorite for new and
returning audiences this holiday season.
Tickets: www.book-it.org; 206-216-0833.
Visit us online www.sgn.org
November 21, 2014
Seattle Gay News 21
RKO Radio Pictures
Bad Santa (2003)
Director Terry Zwigoff’s delectably nasty,
bleak, and very R-rate, black comedy featuring a spellbinding turn from star Billy Bob
Thornton as the titular department store Santa Claus is a potent spellbinder that’s proven
over this last decade to be one of the great satirical achievements of this still young new
millennium. Filled with humor and insight,
each elbowing the other in the ribs as they
battle for supremacy, the movie a constant,
shock-and-awe hoot that builds to a suitably
nasty conclusion that’s as heartwarming as a
slap to the face (a good thing).
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Stanley Kubrick’s disturbing final film
closes out the 20th century with an uncomforting bang, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman involved in the chilliest bit of marital
dysfunction arguably to have ever graced the
screen. Chock-full of moments that burn into
memory as if they’d been there since birth,
the movie a deeply profound treatise on sex
and sexuality that digs deeper into the psyche
than is remotely comfortable. The last great
epic effort from one of the true cinematic titans of the second half of the 20th century.
RKO Radio Pictures
Gremlins (1984)
Brazil (1985)
Gleefully nasty bit of comedic horror deTerri Gilliam’s ingenious, uncompromising construction, director Joe Dante, writer Chrisdystopian science fiction marvel begins with a topher Columbus and producer Steven Spielwrongful arrest made over the Christmas holi- berg joining forces to craft one of the most
day, that action starting a series of unfortunate dastardly and delectable cinematic Christmasevents that will lead pencil-pushing bureaucrat themed deconstructions in modern memory.
Jonathan Pryce down an Orwellian rabbit hole Three decades old and only getting better with
looking to devour him whole. A stark, beauti- each year that passes, this iconic mini-monster
Ginger Rogers and David Niven in Bachelor Mother
fully depressive assault on the senses and intel- mash is a potently energetic exercise in genre
lect, the movie continues to look more prescient madness – and celebration – that’s as terrific
3 Godfathers (1948)
by Sara Michelle Fetters
John Ford’s impressionistic and incred- and profound with each and every passing year. now as it has ever been, making it the perfect
SGN A&E Writer
antidote to the typical yuletide schmaltz most
ibly moving Western variation on the bibA Christmas Tale (2008)
films revel in this time of year. Just remember,
Thanksgiving is around the corner, and in lical story of the magi revolves around
French filmmaker Arnaud Desplechin’s A don’t feed them after midnight or get them
addition to all the turkey, cranberry sauce three bank robbers (John Wayne, Pedro
and familial camaraderie comes the annual Armendáriz and Harry Carey, Jr.) who Christmas Tale is arguably the darkest, most wet. You’ve been warned.
watching of a cavalcade of holiday – most stumble upon a baby in the bleak expanse
notably Christmas-themed motion pictures. of the desert and take it upon themselves to
It’s also the time when critics like me trot return it to civilization alive and unharmed.
out our respective “Best Christmas Mov- Inspired by a story by Peter B. Kyne, with
ies” top ten lists, our ranking of everything a rich, simple, yet still emotionally complex
from A Christmas Story, to Miracle on 34th screenplay by Laurence Stallings and Frank
Street (the 1947 original, not the misbegot- S. Nugent, the movie is an inspired take on
ten TV version or that bland 1994 remake), an ancient tale that gets right to the heart of
to the all-time king of cinematic yule tide the matter with startling ease and incisive
cheer It’s a Wonderful Life.
maturity. Not just an underrated or under
But what about the films revolving around appreciate holiday film, one of the great
the holiday season that don’t get talked underrated Westerns legendary auteur Ford
about? What about the ones that are, in many made in his entire iconic career.
ways, just as wonderful, just as iconic, but
don’t get the same sort of play? Why doesn’t
Bachelor Mother (1939)
someone do a short list of some of those?
Ginger Rogers is a department store clerk
Well, have no fear, Sara is here, and it’s my who is mistakenly thought to be the mother
responsibility to talk about some of those fea- of a foundling left on her doorstep. David
tures revolving around, or having something Niven is her boss – and the son of the store’s
substantial going on, during the Christmas owner – who is so detested by what he sees
holiday; and for those looking to watch some- as his employee’s “unmotherly ways” he bething a little different or outside the box in my comes determined to keep the pair together
opinion, this short list is a great place to start. and transform her into a loving parent. RoThese films span all genres, all categories, mance, of course, ensues. This is a charming,
each of them offering up something I think light on its feet, romantic comedy that, while
(l to r) Donna Reed, James Stewart, and Karolyn Grimes in It’s a Wonderful Life
viewers will hopefully respond to (if not al- a little thematically dated, bubbles with ecThe Hebrew Hammer (2003)
ways with yuletide merriment and glee). And centricity and whimsical charm. An absolute cynical film on my list, this scintillating allstar French drama-comedy hybrid a brutal
Adam Goldberg’s hysterical Jewish-ploitawith that, let’s get to unwrapping the list!
joy from beginning to end.
look inside familial dysfunction that’s far tion action-comedy concerns a Hebrew Hero
more profound and thought-provoking than out to save Hanukkah from being destroyed
a quick glance might initially lead one to be- by Santa Claus’ evil son. Not exactly deep,
lieve. The uncivilized behavior of all involved and certainly not filled with enough plot to
ends up speaking volumes as far as communi- warrant even this film’s scant 85-minute runcation between members of the same family ning time, the film is still an enjoyable notare concerned, the movie perceiving interper- even-B-grade hoot filled with inventive sight
sonal dynamics between brothers and sisters, gags and ribald verbal craziness that’s almost
parents and their children, far more intimately impossible to dislike.
and with more astute understanding than is remotely comfortable.
Holiday Affair (1949)
Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh soar in
Die Hard (1988) / Lethal Weapon (1987) this rousing melodrama about a widow and
A pair of 1980s action classics that just get an unemployed sales clerk who find their lives
better and better with each passing year. Die circling one around the other, especially when
Hard has slowly, and not-so-quietly, grown in the latter’s young son takes a liking to the man
stature to the point it’s considered one of the and sees him as a more fitting father figure
great films, not just action films, of the past then the guy mom has currently been dating.
fifty or so years, while Lethal Weapon is an Sincere and heartfelt, the movie doesn’t exacticonic buddy adventure that cemented Mel ly surprise or do anything much new, so much
Gibson as bona fide star. Make no mistake, as tell its story with an authentic simplicity althese aren’t your grandma’s Christmas mov- lowing its emotional nuances to bubble forth
ies, these bullet-riddled classics bloody old with power and conviction in the process.
school shoot‘em ups that gleefully pull the Putting it even more bluntly, it makes me cry,
trigger leaving the questions unanswered as a lot, and in a good way, and for that reason
Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum in A Holiday Affair
the body counts jubilantly rise.
alone I love it more than I arguably should.
RKO
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Dimension Films
Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa
Holiday Inn (1942)
While 1954’s mediocre White Christmas
gets all the airplay, this Oscar-winning 1942
musical with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire is
where the magic can really be found. A saga
of a fed-up troubadour who comes up with the
grand idea to stage musical extravaganzas in
an inn that’s only open on the holidays, the
movie is a sparkling, effervescent sensation
that’s one of the great, underappreciated cinematic treasures of the 20th century. Without a doubt a product of its time (a black face
number smack-dab in the middle is certainly
unnerving – to say the least – when looked at
with modern eyes), somehow this musical remains one of the genres true delights, Crosby
and Astaire each delivering iconic moments
of mirth, imagination, merriment and inspiration that are as glorious and as iconic as any
that have ever graced the silver screen.
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Disney’s animated classic begins and ends
during the Christmas holiday, and thus in
my opinion makes it a perfect film to be included on this list. This timeless story of an
upper crust Cocker Spaniel and streetwise
Mutt is as brilliant now as it ever was back
in 1955, the stunning hand-drawn visuals
coupled with the exemplary screenwriting
and enchanting musical cues without a doubt
cementing this as one of the all-time greats.
One Magic Christmas (1985)
Originally dismissed as nothing more than
an It’s a Wonderful Life clone, Disney’s One
Magic Christmas has over the years quietly
and slowly aged to become one of the studio’s
most underappreciated gems, the great Mary
Steenburgen sensational as a weary mother
of two who has lost the Christmas spirit and
must go through unimaginable trauma in
order to get it back. Filled with a plethora of
warmhearted, tenderly enchanting moments,
the film is a glorious melodrama that earns its
tears honestly, building to a glorious conclusion that gets my heart to leap into the stratosphere no matter how many times I see it.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
Spectacular import set in the Finnish mountains where a young boy and his widowed
father stumble upon a secret involving the
origins of Santa Claus and his elves that’s as
creepy as it is inspired. The film is a subversive gothic fantasy that makes St. Nick a lethal
demon that’s been frozen in the depths of the
Arctic tundra for a century, director Jalmari
Helander letting his vivid imagination run wild
as blood splatters across the snow. Not exactly
family-friendly, but a delight nonetheless, this
amazing fantasy-adventure builds to a rollicking satirical conclusion that’s as terrific a commentary on modern capitalistic exploitation as
any I’ve seen in quite some time.
Toys (1992)
Considered one of the great disasters of
the 1990s, Barry Levinson’s Toys, in my
opinion, has aged incredibly well these past
20-plus years. Filled to the brim with visual
wonders, featuring a complex, delicately balanced performance from the late, great Robin
Williams, the movie touches on many heartfelt themes central to the holiday season, and
while not all the pieces fit as well together as
I’d have liked them to that doesn’t make the
film itself any less enjoyable. Joan Cusack and
LL Cool J shine in pivotal central roles, while
Trevor Horn and Hans Zimmer’s enchanting
score augments the action beautifully. An underrated gem worthy of rediscovery.
Honorable Mentions
101 Reykjavík (2000), 2046 (2004), Arthur
Christmas (2011), Babes in Toyland (1961),
Batman Returns (1992), Black Christmas
(1974), Christmas in Connecticut (1945),
Crash (2004), Frozen River (2008), It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947), Kiss Kiss Bang
Bang (2005), The Lemon Drop Kid (1951),
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), The Nightmare
Before Christmas (1993), Prancer (1989),
The Ref (1994), Scrooge (1970), Scrooged
(1988), Trading Places (1983), We’re No Angels (1955), While You Were Sleeping (1995)
My Personal Top 10 Christmas Movies
1. It’s a Wonderful Life 2. Holiday Inn 3.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947), 4. Lady and
the Tramp 5. Meet Me in St. Louis 6. Die
Hard 7. The Shop Around the Corner 8. A
Christmas Story 9. One Magic Christmas
10. A Christmas Carol (1984)
“So, have yourself a merry little Christmas, now.”
Warner Bros.
Gizmo in Gremlins
Visit us online www.sgn.org
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November 21, 2014
Seattle Gay News 25
www.leavenworth.org
holiday gift. Hail a horse drawn carriage
and enjoy the smell of roasting chestnuts
while brass bands and hand bells ring out
the sounds of the season.
rounded by a cast of Christmas characters!
Food booths and traditional Glühwein are on
hand. At 4:30 p.m. the Lighting Ceremony
begins, with countdown to illumination!
•Get Tickets and Passes: Fabulous arts
and culture abound at holiday productions
including “It’s a Wonderful Life” and harpist Bronn Journey. The surrounding mountains beckon with downhill skiing and snowboarding at Mission Ridge and Stevens Pass:
amazing Ski and Stay packages are available.
There’s a tubing park, sleigh rides, and Nordic trails/snowshoeing minutes from town.
New this year: Join in the “Arrival of Santa” parade each Saturday and Sunday at noon
by participating in each weekend’s theme!
Join in a Christmas Lighting tradition and
make your own crazy Christmas hat – this
year the theme is “Christmas Trees.” December 13-14: Break out your ugliest Christmas
sweater and strut your stuff! December 2021: Dress as one of Santa’s elves! Visit www.
leavenworth.org for more info.
•Get Your Shopping Done and Relax:
The town’s unique shops make Christmas
shopping a breeze, and cozy restaurants
warm guests from the inside out. Don’t forget
numerous opportunities to taste local and regional wines in downtown tasting rooms.
The Details:
Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival
DECEMBER 5-7, 12-14, 19-21
LEAVENWORTH, WA
Over half a million lights and tons of
holiday cheer sparkle in Washington’s
Bavarian Village the first three weekends of December. With all there is to
see, do, taste and experience, it’s no wonder Leavenworth is described as “America’s Ultimate Holiday Town” drawing
26 Seattle Gay News
But wait…. Yes, there is more – so much
we can’t include it all here. Guided winter
wonderland nature walks, dog sleds, a Giving Tree, American author Jan Brett, the
National Guard Band, and a Living Nativity
to name a few! You will just have to visit!
Or, you can contact us for all the glorious
details. If festival crowds leave you weak in
the knees, come over midweek or weekends
thru February. We are the village of lights
all days of the week, and we’re the ultimate
destination for Christmas Lighting!
Each Friday the first 3 weekends of December:
The Bavarian village is illuminatover 25,000 visitors each Christmas
ed.
Catch
live music in the Front Street GaLighting Festival weekend!
zebo from 4-9 p.m., with the exciting arrival
•Get In the Mood: The voices of car- of Saint Nikolas at 4:30 p.m.
olers mingle with the laughter of children
For more information about the festival or
sledding as Christmas characters like SanEach Saturday and Sunday the first 3 the Leavenworth area call 509-548-5807 or
ta, Mrs. Claus and Father Christmas greet weekends of December: Live music begins visit www.leavenworth.org.
festival-goers. Little ones can follow the at 11:00 a.m. and plays all day. Santa, Mrs.
“cookie crawl” while grown-ups enjoy a Claus and Father Christmas arrive at the GaCourtesy of the Leavenworth Chamber of
glass of Glühwein after finding the perfect zebo at noon in a horse-drawn carriage sur- Commerce
November 21, 2014
Celebrating 41 Years!
JANUARY 9-10, 2015
LEAVENWORTH, WA
Timbrrr! Winter Music Festival is the
winter counterpart to summer’s wildly successful Timber! Outdoor Music Festival in
Carnation, WA. Back for its second year,
Timbrrr! Winter Music Festival returns
for a weekend of music, festivities and outdoor activities in the winter wonderland of
Leavenworth, WA.
During the day, attendees can take in
a number of winter activities, including
discounted ski and snowboard packages
at Stevens Pass, a snowshoeing trip with
REI as well as live music at a handful of
local venues throughout downtown Leavenworth. At night, 21+ guests will rock
out to festival’s headlining musical acts
and enjoy local Icicle Brewing and Tim-
brrr’s Hot Toddy Garden at the Leavenworth Festhalle.
Final artist lineup: Red Fang, Sol, Deep
Sea Diver, Hobosexual, AAN, Prom Queen,
Bellamaine, Dude York, Legs, Courtney
Marie Andrews, Sisters, The Banner Days,
Planes on Paper, ADD ODE.
Tickets: $55 general admission – http://
bit.ly/timbrrr2015
For more information, visit www.timbermusicfest.com
Presented by Artist Home. Known as organizers of Doe Bay Festival, Timber! Outdoor Music Festival, the Artist Home Summer Bonfire Series, and more, they’ve been
heralded as “innovators in art” by City Arts
magazine. Artist Home has always worked
to integrate unique musical experiences and
natural settings, in both senses showcasing
the best of the Northwest.
•Christmas Lighting Festival: The first
three full weekends, the village gets famous.
Dubbed “America’s Ultimate Holiday Town,”
tens of thousands of visitors flock to Leavenworth to enjoy the lighting ceremony, entertainment, sleigh rides, holiday food and drink,
shopping, singing, and Santa. America has
•Christkindlemarkt/Shopping: Start- spoken!
ing mid-November, Leavenworth transforms into a holiday vision of lights, shop•Skiing/Outdoor Rec: Once the snow flies,
ping and attractions. On Thanksgiving Leavenworth is “the basecamp” for skiing.
weekend, Christkindlmarkt, a German Within ten miles, visitors encounter 26 km of
traditional outdoor market, unfolds with a groomed Nordic track. Within 40 miles, east
lantern parade, food tents, craft booths and or west, two downhill resorts offer peak Alcharacters in costume.
pine experiences. Our winter wonderland has
When the dark, chill days of winter hit,
travelers should head over the mountains to
sunshine bluebird skies, crystal white snow,
and tons of winter fun! Washington’s Bavarian Village of Leavenworth is loaded with
adventure!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
sleigh rides, snowmobiling, ice climbing, tub•Just Chilling: Packed with people and
ing, sledding, and snowshoeing, too.
adventure, or a quiet time to gather around
a blazing hearth, winter in Leavenworth has
•Bavarian Icefest: An annual frolic in many options. The village, with shopping,
the heart of winter keeps the village cel- dining, and Bavarian amenities is welcomebrating mid-January. Bavarian Icefest fea- ing all winter. Travelers should be aware
tures ice sculptures, rail jams, snowmobile of shoulder season deals on lodging. More
rides, games for all ages, dog sled pulls, fire- great deals are offered our ski and stay
works and more under a magical canopy of packages with Steven’s Pass.
over half a million twinkling lights.
For more information, call (509) 548•Wine and Chocolate: Valentines week- 5807 or visit www.leavenworth.org
end has got wine and chocolate in spades in
a romantic walking tour centered around
Courtesy of Leavenworth Chamber of
our village of lights.
Commerce
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