Symphony of Gardens Tour to Benefit Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra

Symphony of Gardens to Feature Five Eastside Gardens and Benefit Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra's Symphony of Gardens fundraiser features five exciting private gardens in Beaux Arts, Bellevue, Kirkland and Mercer Island

The Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra is planning its 2nd Annual Symphony of Gardens Tour. This event, which benefits the East Side's premier orchestra, will be Sunday, June 28th, from 11am to 4pm. The tour will offer garden enthusiasts a rare glimpse of gorgeous private gardens in Beaux Arts, Bellevue, Kirkland and Mercer Island. LWSO musicians will play chamber music in the gardens from 1 to 2pm, weather permitting.

The Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra's Symphony of Gardens Tour is Sunday, June 28th, from 11am-4pm. Tickets are $25. Tickets are available at Grape Choice, Bellevue Nursery, Sky Nursery and Wells Medina Nursery or through Brown Paper Tickets, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1586858. For information about the LWSO, see http://lwso.org. 

  

Jonesing for Fresh POW? Winter Still Going Strong at Whistler Blackcomb with Lots of Fresh Snow

[caption id="attachment_10106" align="alignright" width="240"] Photographer: Paul Morrison, Location: Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Date: April 13, 2015.[/caption]

Spring Skiing And Riding On Whistler Mountain Until May 18

WHISTLER, BC April 14, 2015 – April showers bring May flowers in the valley, and at Whistler Blackcomb they also bring powder days to the alpine for skiers and snowboarders. With a snow base of 206cm and 35cm of new snow in the last four days, winter is far from over at Whistler Blackcomb*. March delivered a total of 123cm of fresh snow, and two weeks into April, Ullr shows no signs of slowing down. With flurries in the forecast later this week, April is shaping up to be a snow-filled month at Whistler Blackcomb. Blackcomb Mountain’s last day of winter operations is April 19 but Whistler Mountain will remain open for spring skiing and riding until May 18, 2015.

“Whistler Blackcomb is known for offering the longest terrain park season in Canada,” says Brian Finestone, Terrain Parks Manager at Whistler Blackcomb. “Despite a below average snow season, the snow in the high alpine has been consistent and on point all season long. Because the Nintendo Terrain Park on Blackcomb is west facing and sees a lot of sun, we have decided to move the Spring Nintendo Terrain Park over to a more protected zone on Whistler where we will be taking over the T-Bars for a full park offering until late spring.”

The new Whistler Spring Nintendo Terrain Park boasts a higher elevation and a north-facing slope, creating the best possible conditions for spring skiing and riding. The new location offers enough snow for a set of Small, Medium and Large jumps, a banked slalom, and some creative jib lines.

With less than one week left of skiing and riding on Blackcomb Mountain, this is the last week for the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. The last day of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola’s Winter Operations is April 19. The PEAK 2 PEAK will re-open for Summer Sightseeing on May 23, 2015.

*Snow base and snowfall measured at Pig Alley Weather Station, 1650m on Whistler Mountain

For the latest updates on the Nintendo Terrain Parks, guests can visit whistlerblackcomb.com/the-mountain/terrain-parks

Guests looking to plan a trip to the consistently rated No. 1 Mountain Resort in North America can visit whistlerblackcomb.com/deals_packages  or call 1-888-403-4727.

The 20^th annual World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) is happening in Whistler, BC April 10-19, 2015. Visit www.wssf.com for more information.

About Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb, the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is situated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. North America’s premier four season mountain resort, Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receives on average over 1,164 centimetres (458 inches) of snow annually, and one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.

For more information, visit http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/media

Proud to be a venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Marshawn Lynch Featured on New Ludacris Music Video 'Beast Mode'

Seattle Seahawk's All-Pro running back, Marshawn Lynch has been featured in a music video for a song appropriately named "Beast Mode".  While Beastmode himself is in the video, it is not appropriate for all ages or audiences.  Watch it at your own risk.

Bellevue's Outerwall and Redbox Now Offering "PetBox"

Bellevue-based Outerwall and their subsidiary Redbox is now offering "Petbox" where customer's pets can pick and rent their own movies and games.  Petbox are smaller kiosks that are located next to select Redbox outlets.  Petbox features movies and games that are favorites of pets everywhere.  Take your pet to Petbox today!

KURIOS – CABINET OF CURIOSITIES becomes the most successful Cirque du Soleil show in Redmond to date!

Cirque du Soleil’s latest Big Top production, KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities, has less than two weeks left under the Big Top at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Wash. with its final performance onSunday, March 22. A limited number of tickets are still available for the final performances in Seattle by calling 1-877-924-7783 or visiting www.cirquedusoleil.com/kurios.

KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities made its premiere in Marymoor Park on January 29, 2015. Due to overwhelming demand, the show was extended multiple times.  Critics have hailed KURIOS as “one of the funniest clowning bits I’ve seen from Cirque du Soleil in years” (The Seattle Times) and “makes its world and characters almost entirely human – and in doing so, reawakens our sense of sheer wonder” (The News Tribune).

Directed by Michel Laprise, KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities is a tale in which time comes to a complete stop, transporting the audience inside a fantasy world where everything is possible. In this realm set in the latter half of the nineteenth century, reality is quite relative indeed as our perception of it is utterly transformed. The name of the show refers to the humble and strange characters that inhabit the Seeker’s Cabinet of Curiosities.

Social Media

Find Cirque du Soleil on Facebook or Twitter: @Cirque #Kurios

Cirque du Soleil

Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities is Cirque du Soleil’s 35th production since 1984. The company, who celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2014, has brought wonder and delight to close to 150 million spectators in more than 300 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.

National Film Festival for Talented Youth to Return for 9th Year

The National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY), the world’s largest and most influential film festival for emerging directors, showcasing work by filmmakers 24 and younger from around the globe, will return for its ninth consecutive year this April (23-26) in Seattle, WA.

In an effort to address the issue of gender inequality in film, the 2014 festival included the launch of the “Best Emerging Female Filmmaker” award, which was presented on Closing Night. This year’s event will continue to create opportunities where emerging female filmmakers can feel supported to pursue their passions as part of its overall mission to encourage and promote the world’s best new filmmakers. “Femme Finale” will close out the festival on April 26, highlighting the best from NFFTY 2015 Female Filmmakers.

Said NFFTY Managing Director Stefanie Malone, “In an industry where only 9% of directors and 25% of producers are women, NFFTY wants to provide opportunities where emerging female filmmakers can feel supported to pursue their passions.” The 2014 festival boasted 40% of films coming from female directors, something Malone would love to meet or exceed in 2015.

Founded by three then-teenagers Jesse Harris, Jocelyn R.C., and Kyle Seago in 2007, NFFTY (pronounced “nifty”) has since expanded its reach to an ever-growing number of young artists and audiences (of all ages).

Harris wrote and directed the feature film “Living Life” when he was 17, obtaining distribution for the film shortly after his graduation from high school. His success resulted in young filmmakers around the globe seeking his advice, including R.C., who expressed interest in helping to form a socially responsible youth arts organization.  Harris and R.C. teamed up with Seago, establishing the non-profit and holding a one-night “Kick Off” festival April 26, 2007.

Last year, the 2014 festival received a record-breaking 800 submissions all over the world. 214 films that represented 30 U.S. states and 15 countries were showcased at the festival, which was attended by more than 12,000 filmgoers.Festival programmers anticipate an all-time high for the 2015 number of submissions as NFFTY continues to represent the voice of this generation, with films covering all topics and genres, from compelling and provocative, to hilarious and uplifting.

The full lineup of 2015 festival films, galas, and panels will be announced in late March 2015.

More About NFFTY

NFFTY is the largest and most influential film festival in the world for emerging directors. NFFTY occurs each spring in Seattle and includes over 200 film screenings, panels, contests, parties and networking opportunities for young filmmakers. Young filmmakers from around the world submit feature-length and short films in narrative, documentary, animation, music video, experimental and action sport categories. Since its launch in 2007, NFFTY has screened films from 1,244 filmmakers from 38 countries, ranging in age from 7 – 22 years.  For updates and news on NFFTY 2015, visit www.NFFTY.org orwww.facebook.com/nffty.

Bellevue College to Perform 'Carnival'

Bellevue College Theatre Arts, with support from the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts in Seattle, will thrill audiences with their production of Carnival, the 1962 Tony Award winner for Best Musical about a girl named Lilly who finds herself working in a traveling circus.  Lilly is excited by Marco, the Magician, charmed by the Puppets she works with and is fearful of Paul, the puppeteer she begins to love.

Carnival is based on the book by Michael Stewart, with music and lyrics by Bob Merrill. The BC Theatre Department purchased circus equipment for this thrilling production with assistance from a BC Foundation Mini-Grant.

WHAT: Carnival, performed by BC students, produced by BC’s Department of Theatre Arts and directed by Tammis Doyle.

 

WHO: Appropriate for adults and children 7 and older

WHEN: March 11 – 14, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: BC students will perform magic and circus skills under the big top in the Carlson Theater (Building E 200) on the Bellevue College campus, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE

 

COST: Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 students and BC Faculty and can be purchased through brownpapertickets.com. A limited number of leftover tickets may be available for sale beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the day of each show.

Sue Lundquist and Her AwesomeSOXX to Represent Eastside at Oscars

Congratulations goes to Eastsider Sue Lundquist, whose AwesomeSOXX have been chosen to be part of swag bags at the Oscars after parties this year!!

According to a post on her blog, Lundquist plans to wear a pair of her inspirational socks on the red carpet while donning an evening gown for the night's events.  If all goes right, by the end of the night, she will have some A List celebs sporting AwesomeSOXX too!

Congratulations Sue!

Cirque du Soleil Returns to Seattle with the latest Big Top Creation

After the remarkable success of AMALUNA in 2013, Cirque du Soleil returns to the Pacific Northwest with its newest touring show, Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities, premiering under the iconic blue-and-yellow Big Top beginning Thursday, January 29, 2015.  

Written and directed by Michel Laprise, Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities is a tale in which time comes to a complete stop, transporting the audience inside a fantasy world where everything is possible. In this realm set in the latter half of the nineteenth century, reality is quite relative indeed as our perception of it is utterly transformed. The name of the show refers to the humble and strange characters that inhabit the Seeker’s Cabinet of Curiosities.

In an alternate yet familiar past, in a place where wonders abound for those who trust their imagination, a Seeker discovers that in order to glimpse the marvels that lie just below the surface, we must first learn to close our eyes. In his larger-than-life curio cabinet, the Seeker is convinced that there exists a hidden, invisible world – a place where the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams lay waiting. A collection of otherworldly characters suddenly steps into his makeshift mechanical world. When the outlandish, benevolent characters turn his world upside down with a touch of poetry and humor in an attempt to ignite the Seeker’s imagination, his curios jump to life one by one before his very eyes.

What if by engaging our imagination and opening our minds we could unlock the door to a world of wonders?

Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities premiered to the world in Montréal in April 2014 and is Cirque du Soleil’s 35^th production. Since its debut, the reviews and the critics have been raving:

“Kurios is Cirque du Soleil's strongest act in years…one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen on a stage,”
–Richard Ouzounian, Toronto Star

"Kurios is a classic. It runs like clockwork and could tick on forever."

– Pat Donnelly, The Gazette

Michel Laprise

Michel Laprise worked in theatre for nine years as an actor, director and artistic director before joining Cirque du Soleil in 2000. At Cirque du Soleil, Michel spent five years as a talent scout before taking on, in 2006, the role of Special Events Designer. In that capacity, he directed the act with Quebec diva Diane Dufresne during the Opening Ceremonies of the Montreal 2006 Outgames; the large-scale performance event created for the launch of the Fiat Bravo in Italy (2007); the Cirque du Soleil performance event celebrating Quebec City’s 400^th anniversary (2008); the launch of Microsoft’s Kinect console at the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo, broadcast on MTV; the opening show at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Russia in 2009; and the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 FIBA International Basketball Federation World Championships in Istanbul. In 2012, Michel collaborated with pop star Madonna, providing artistic direction for her performance at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show; he later went on to direct herMDNA tour. In 2013, he directed the musical Robin des Bois – Ne renoncez jamais, currently on tour in Europe.

 

Creative team

The creative team of KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities consists of 17 creators under the artistic guidance of Guy Laliberté (Guide) and Jean-François Bouchard (Creative Guide):

Michel Laprise                   Writer and Director

Chantal Tremblay             Director of Creation

Stéphane Roy                    Set and Props Designer

Philippe Guillotel              Costume Designer

Raphaël Beau                    Composer and Musical Director

Bob & Bill                             Composers and Musical Directors

Yaman Okur                       Choreographer

Ben Potvin                          Choreographer

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui         Choreographer

Susan Gaudreau               Choreographer

Andrea Ziegler                  Choreographer

Jacques Boucher              Sound Designer

Jean-Michel Caron          Sound Designer

Martin Labrecque            Lighting Designer

Rob Bollinger                     Acrobatic Performance Designer

Germain Guillemot         Acrobatic Performance Designer

Boris Verkhovsky             Acrobatic Performance Designer

Danny Zen                          Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer

Eleni Uranis                        Makeup Designer

 

Tickets will be available for purchase to the general public beginning Friday, September 26, 2014 by visiting cirquedusoleil.com/kurios or calling 1-800-450-1480. Tickets range from $35 to $156.