Interactive
New Year’s Hats and Samba at the Burke Museum, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 29-30.
Looking for something fun to do with the family in town for the holidays? Bring them to the Burke and learn the steps and rhythms of Brazilian Carnival, plus, make your own screen-printed hat from 10-10:45 a.m., and 1-1:45 p.m. Free with museum admission. NE 45th St., Seattle. 206-543-5590, http://www.burkemuseum.org/.
Fine Art
– Eastside Association of Fine Arts’ holiday sale and reception from 4:30-8:30 p.m., Dec. 15, at Seattle Design Center.
Bargain hunter alert: Art for 40 percent off.5701 Sixth Ave. S, Seattle. info@eafa.org, http://www.eafa.org/.
Family
Kirkland Performance Center’s Old-Time Holiday Show
This holiday tradition is the Ed Sullivan show meets “Prairie Home Companion” – with some Cirque de Soleil sprinkled on top. 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland. 425-828-0422, http://www.kpcenter.org/.
– Northwest Boy Choir presents “A Festival of Lessons & Carols” Dec. 9-21 at various locations in Greater Seattle
These angelic crooners will be singing in Wedgwood, Laurelhurst, West Seattle, Lynwood, Ballard, Capitol Hill and, probably closest to you – Medina at St. Thomas Episcopal Church this Saturday. 8398 NE 12th St., Medina. 206-524-3234, www.nwchoirs.org.
Classical Music
Seattle Choral Company presents “Carmina Burana” from 7-8:15 p.m., and 9:30-10:34 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31 at the Theatre at Meydenbauer
At its largest, the legendary “Carmina Burana” score employs a chorus of 200 or more voices and an orchestra of 100. Nothing like a little drama to get you pumped about classical music. 11100 NE Sixth St., Bellevue. 800-838-3006, http://www.seattlechoralcompany.org/.
Candlelight Concerts presents “Holiday Events” Dec. 15 on Mercer Island and Dec. 17 in Bellevue
I’m told this newly-formed organization attempts to fill the void left by the dearly departed Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra. See for yourself at these two shows, and don’t forget to bring cash or your check book. Mercer Island show: Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave. SE. Bellevue show: St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 4228 Factoria Blvd. SE. 425-373-5999, shaw.baton@gmail.com.
Adventurous adults only
‘Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker,’ times vary, Dec. 14-24 at the Triple Door
It may be cold outside. But it will be sizzling inside the Triple Door with leading lady, Lily Verlaine, a classically-trained ballerina and burlesque artist. Lily takes her costume cues from old MGM dance movies: silks, bling and a whole lotta va-va-voom. 216 Union St., Seattle. 206-838-4333, http://www.landofthesweets.com/.
Where about town I’ve been:
– I took in the tent raising for Cirque du Soliell’s newest show: “Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse” Dec. 8. at Marymoor Park.
I already thought that the cirque’s human acrobats, dancers and contortionists were pretty fantastic; I look forward to seeing what their animal performers
– A Seattle-born winner of the MacArthur Genius Award, Mark Morris is worshipped by dancers and dance enthusiasts alike.
As always, I was impressed by Morris’ commitment to live music when I attended the opening night of his show Dec. 1 at the Moore Theatre. I found myself rocking out to the jazz music by group, The Bad Plus, that accompanied the dancers. Even when I performed Morris’ repertory as a dance major in college (my other degree aside from journalism), we had the privilege of dancing to live opera, courtesy of a few WWU music profs. with impressive pipes.
Gabrielle Nomura can be reached at 425-453-4270.
