Bellevue Youth Theatre Foundation gala and auction
BYT presents its annual fundraiser, “Singin’ in the Rain.” The evening will include entertainment, food, Emmy Award-winning Pat Cashman as master of ceremonies and special performances by Mayor Conrad Lee and former Mayor Don Davidson. Proceeds will support BYT programs and new theater. The event is 6-9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Westin Hotel, 601 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue. Tickets are $100. For more information, go to www.bytf.org or call or call 425-440-3777.
Artist panel discussion with artEast
Join the discussion with artEAST artists and others from the current exhibition of “Unfinished Business” at University House Issaquah. The topic will inlaced a discussion about the creative process in making new work in response to another artist’s unfinished piece. The event is at 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19 at 22975 SE Black Nuggett Rd., Issaquah. For more information, call 206-713-7819 or email curator@junesekiguchi.com.
StoryBook Theater in Kirkland turns 20
StoryBook Theater celebrates its 20th year of bring theater arts education to thousands of children on the Eastside with a presentation of “The Frog Prince,” a musical country-western version of the famous tale.The show runs from Jan. 28 to March 11. and will include performances in Renton, Kirkland, Seattle and Everett. For more information, go to www.studio-east.org or call 425-820-1800.
Free events gear up for Chop Shop dance festival
What is modern dance? How are dances made? Community programs, “Reading Dance” and “Introduction to Modern Dance” serve as the companion events to the Chop Shop: Bodies of Work festival in February at the Theatre at Meydenbauer. “Reading Dance” is an engaging lecture demonstration that reveals the creative process of how contemporary dance is made. These are followed by beginning modern dance classes that are open to ages 8 to adult (please come in comfortable clothing.) Classes are free but require registration. For more information, go to chopshopdance.org or call 425-452-6800.
Seattle Opera announces 2012-2013 season
The company will feature six operas that explore the infinite variety of love: obsession, true love, false love, love at first sight, marital love, and love born of hatred. The season opens with “Turandot” in August, followed by “Fidelio” in the fall, “La Cenerentola” and “La Bohème” in the winter, and a double bill of “La Voix Humaine” and “Suor Angelica” in May 2013. For more information, go to www.seattleopera.org.
Gauguin exhibit coming to SAM
Seattle Art Museum presents the only United States stop for “Gauguin & Polynesia: An Elusive Paradise,” a show highlighting the complex relationship between Paul Gauguin’s work and the art and culture of Polynesia. The exhibition, on view at SAM Downtown Feb. 9 through April 29, includes about 50 of brilliantly hued paintings, sculptures and works on paper. For more information, go to http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/gauguin/.
Newport student musician to perform
Josh Baez, a junior at Newport High School, will be performing at 7 p.m., Jan. 13 at the Bellevue Ground Zero Teen Center, at 257 100th Ave. NE, Bellevue. His musical style includes the acoustic guitar, folk, alternative and indie rock. To download his music, go to http://joshbaezmusic.bandcamp.com/. The show is $6. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Entertainment, dance in honor of MLK Day
As part of the MLK Day celebration at Crossroads mall Jan. 16, Nu Black Arts West Theatre will be performing at 12:30 p.m., Filipinas Performing Arts of Washington State will perform at 1:15 p.m. and Show Brazil will go on at 2 p.m.Crossroads is located at 15600 NE 8th St., Bellevue. For more information, go to http://www.bellevuewa.gov/.
Gabrielle Nomura can be reached at 425-453-4270.
