The Scene - December 2013

scenethe

Arts and entertainment for the eastside

December 2013

Inside scoop: lifestyle | dine | wine | arts | home | fashion

The other Christmas tradition The Seattle Men’s Chorus and other holiday events you won’t want to miss.

ALSO INSIDeDelicious, chewy macadamia nut cookies

how to pick the perfect gift

An interview with Paul Reiser

2 THE scene DECEMBER 2013 INSIDE STORY

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PublisherWilliam Shaw

Managing EditorCraig Groshart

Contributing WritersLinda Ball, Rose Dennis, Brandon Macz,Kelly Montgomery, Daniel Nash, Heija Nunn, Josh Suman

Design and Layout Tek Chai, Daniel Nash

AdvertisingAdvertising 425.453.4270

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Follow us on Twitter@bellevuescene

A publication of

DINEYour guide

to baking delicious chewy macadamia nut

cookies04

LIFESTYLEPick the perferct gift even when the recipient’s tastes are hard to pin down 06

FEATUREThe Seattle

Men’s Chorus is the city’s ‘other

holiday tradition’07

COLUMNSHeija Nunn shares her top gifts, and Rose Dennis gets the skinny on Bellevue’s social happenings 08

LAUGHSPaul Reiser quit

stand-up when he began ‘Mad About You.”’ Twenty years

later, he’s back09OUT & ABOUTYour calendar of holiday events around the Eastside 10

The Scene is a publication of Sound Publishing, Inc.

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425.453.4270

“People come from all over to see it,” said Jessica Robinson, director of Leaven-worth’s Chamber of Commerce. It’s been televised on the Today Show, Good Morn-ing America and Travel Channel, among

others. It has also been featured in TIME magazine and � e New York Times. And for good reason, as Leavenworth perfectly portrays a Bavarian-style village � lled with holiday cheer.

“You’ll see a lot of hustle and bustle. It smells like Christmas,” Robinson said.

Robinson said the festival has taken place since 1966, and has continued to be successful because of the amazing volunteer base.

“Local organizations become really involved and help. They’re amazing,” Robinson said.

Robinson said youth groups dress as characters and dance through town, bands and choirs perform throughout the day and churches set up food booths.

But not everything is traditional. Last year, a Hawaiian musical group was brought in to sing Hawaiian Christmas songs. This year there will be a dixieland jazz bad, Robinson said.

The festival has everything, from holiday treats to snow activities, so Robinson said that families like to make a whole weekend out of the trip.

“I think a lot of families make it a tradition,” Robinson said. “We see a lot of the same people year after year, but there’s always new faces.”

For those wanting to take advantage of the outdoors, Robinson said that there’s a sleigh ride, a sledding hill, and of course skiing at the nearby Steven’s Pass. From there you can head inside the

“Glühwein” tent, which is a traditional spiced wine from Germany, and warm up before starting your holiday shopping at all the festive stores. And convenient-ly, everything is within walking distance.

The actual lighting takes place on Sat-urday and Sunday night, Robinson said. Close to dusk, carriers start at the end of town and come through the center, meeting at the gazebo in the center of the strip. They sing a popular holiday song, start the countdown and watch as the city comes alive with lights, a quar-ter of a million to be exact.

And this year they have converted all of their park lights to LEDs, stating that they continue to brighten hearts and light up the holidays while saving energy and honoring the Bavarian Christmas tradition.

“It is very, very festive,” Robinson said. Visitors stay at a number of locations,

ranging from downtown Leavenworth to as far as Ellensburg. This year the event will take place on Dec. 6-8, Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22. Festivities start at approximately 3:30 p.m. Friday and last through 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Kelly Montgomery is a reporter for the Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter.

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DECEMBER 20131 ~ Christkindlmarkt6-8, 13-15, 20-22 ~ Christmas Lighting Festival7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, & 22 ~ “It’s a Wonderful Life”2, 3, 4, 9, 10 ~ Bronn and Katherine Journey Concerts5, 6, 13, 15 ~ Christmas in the Mountains2, 3, 9, 10 ~ Marlin Handbell Ringers

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24 ~ Nissebakken Telemark RaceSleigh Rides Sledding Snowshoeing Skiing


DECEMBER 20131 ~ Christkindlmarkt

6-8, 13-15, 20-22 ~ Christmas Lighting Festival

7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, & 22 ~ “It’s a Wonderful Life”

2, 3, 4, 9, 10 ~ Bronn and Katherine Journey Concerts

5, 6, 13, 15 ~ Christmas in the Mountains

2, 3, 9, 10 ~ Marlin Handbell Ringers

JANUARY 2014

18-19 ~ Icefest












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During the � rst three weekends in December, the streets of Leavenworth will welcome thousands

of people to enjoy an annual holiday tradition. � ere will be carolers, roasted chestnuts and of course, Santa Claus. It’s the Christmas Lighting Festival, Leaven-worth’s biggest event of the year. And best of all, it’s free.

BY KELLY MONTGOMERY

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Whether your end-of-year festivities involve mistletoe

and ho-ho-ho, a menorah and dreidel, or a kinara and seven colorful candles, holidays of all cultures seem to have one thing in common: baking. Food is an integral part of many celebra-tions, and whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or a family get-together, chances are there’s a baked good in attendance. Whatever dish you make this holiday season, these baking basics help ensure success:

Stock the basics A variety of delectable ingredients is one of the many things to love about holiday baking, but some staples show up in many recipes. Plain white � our is the foundation of many holiday baked goods, so be sure to keep plenty on hand. Baking soda and baking powder are also frequent necessities, as are eggs and sugar (white, powdered and brown).

While peppermint may be apropos for Christmas cookies and candies, and cinnamon and cloves impart ethnic � air to Kwanzaa recipes, vanilla is one � avor that appears in nearly every baking tradition. Keep these staples on hand in your pantry, and you’ll be ready to tackle any holiday recipe, whether tried-and-true or new and daring.

Prep for performancePre-cooking preparation will

help ensure top kitchen per-formance. Before you dive into a new recipe, sit down at the kitchen table and read it – begin-ning to end – twice. Make two lists of ingredients; one for items you already have in your well-stocked pantry, and a second for items you’ll need to buy. Once you have all the ingredi-ents and utensils you need, line them up and get started. Prep

pans per the recipe directions, such as greasing cake pans or covering cookie sheets with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to the required temperature. Since this can take 10 minutes or more, depending on the age of your oven, it’s a good idea to start the oven before you begin mixing ingredients. Never attempt to bake in an oven that hasn’t been preheated. Measure dry ingredients � rst and set them aside, then measure any “wet” ingredients such as oil, shortening, eggs or vanilla extract. Si� ing dry ingredients improves the overall texture of baked goods and gets rid of any lumps.

Cool for conclusion

One of the most common – and worst – baking mistakes is impatience. Most baked goods require a cooling period before they can be safely removed from the baking pan, tray or sheet. Rushing removal can result in breaking, crumbling, split-ting and sticking – the kind of

disasters no amount of icing can cover. A� er removing your holiday goodies from the oven, set them on a rack to cool and go do something else. You’ll be happy you were patient when that fully cooled item slides easily out of the pan.

Chewy Macadamia Nut Cook-iesIngredients:

• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, so� ened • 2 cups fi rmly packed dark brown sugar• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • 2 eggs • 3 cups unbleached all-purpose

� our • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda• 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • 1 cup chopped macadamia nutsDirections: • Cream the butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer on a medium speed until � u� y. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing af-ter each addition. Add the � our, baking soda, salt, cream of tartar and cinnamon and mix well. Stir in the macadamia nuts. Chill for two hours. • Preheat the oven to 350 de-grees. Coat an insulated cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. • Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

----Makes three dozen

– Brandpoint

Baking basics: A recipe for holiday success

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6 THE scene DECEMBER 2013 LIFESTYLE

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BY JOSH SUMAN

Holiday shopping can be a drag. Between horrendous tra� c, swarmed

parking lots, and even more crowded schedules, � nding the right gi� for a family member, friend or co-worker is anything but easy.

� at’s where Heather Parker comes in.Parker has been the personal shopper at

the Bellevue Square Macy’s for nearly two years and an employee with the company for � ve. She o� ered Scene some tips for giving thoughtful, enjoyable gi� s.

Know your recipient

Finding the right gi� is made much easier with a few simple questions. Does the recipient travel? What type of attire is appropriate for their workplace? Have they mentioned something they need?

Knowing or learning a few new things about the person you’re gi� ing makes the shopping experience easier and ensures the gi� is something they will cherish.

Don’t fear the size question

Maybe that special lady has hinted she wants a new coat, but you haven’t had the chance to sneak in the closet and check her tags for measurements.

Asking detailed questions about size and � t preferences can save her from a trip to the return line.

“You have to know size, and that can be hard,” Parker said. “But size is just the starting point. How it lays on the body can be really di� cult.”

The strong, silent type

Everyone has one: “I Don’t Want a Gi� Guy,” the person who always defers when asked what they want for the holiday.

But even if he doesn’t let on, reading between the lines can be the key to � nding the perfect gi� for that impossible-to-buy-for person.

Co� ee drinkers have made single-cup brewers an in-home staple and for a busy individual, brewing a single cup on the run can be the di� erence in the work day.

Winter brings items like gloves, scarves and even knit caps into play, and they don’t require nearly as much personal-style insight as outerwear or shoes.

Half-homemade

What was better than the look from mom or dad when they opened those homemade gi� s we all made at school as kids? � e macaroni art, popsicle construc-tion projects and holiday-themed painted mugs were always met with equal parts shock and love, and being grown-up doesn’t mean the hand-cra� ed fun has to end.

While buying a box of penne pasta and a stick of glue probably isn’t going to � y, taking some time to create a thoughtful, homemade accessory is a sure-� re way to score sentimental points.

Try grabbing some old family photos and creating a scrapbook of memories or making a homemade 3D card to dress up that gi� card and give it a personal touch. You can’t go wrong putting in time and giving from the heart.

Scarves, gloves and other winter-wear gifts are always a safe bet | Brandpoint

‘It’s great. Really.’How to pick gi� s that won’t disappoint; without giving yourself an anxiety attack

rus.org or over the phone at 206-388-1400. � e Seattle area box o� ce is open from noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tacoma concert tickets are $44-$59 and available at BroadwayCenter.org.

FEATURE STORY DECEMBER 2013 THE scene 7

The author at last year’s Christmas concert with Mrs. Santa Claus, top, Christina Nguyen, left and Mira Kochel at right. | Courtesy Photo

Every year this chorus of 300 or so very talented gen-tlemen bring a joyous mix of sacred and secular music to Seattle’s Benaroya Hall. � e sheer size of the chorus is impressive, and when they begin to sing, it stirs the soul. Usually about 200 to 250 members of the choir perform in the Christmas show.

� e chorus has a unique way of blending song, dance, campy comedy plus numerous costume changes which make for a very entertaining evening.

Artistic director Dennis Coleman said, “We try to bring three things to every holiday concert: A goose-bump, a laugh and a tear.” Goose-bumps abound in act one with several richly harmonic a cappella selections — both traditional and non-traditional pieces. Act two brings the laughs with the special “Santa set” and there will be a good dose of emotion as SMC celebrates the “gi� of marriage equality in 2013.”

Expect holiday favorites like “O Little Town of Bethle-hem,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Joy to the World,” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” and no SMC concert would be complete without its signature holiday piece, “Silent Night.”

A� er “Silent Night,” the chorus uses their hands to create beautiful choreography using American Sign Lan-guage to interpret the song. All you see is the movement of their hands in the dark. All is quiet. It takes my breath away each year.

Other numbers involve “jazz hands,” swaying back and forth or outright dancing.

For this year’s theme, Santa, not Sam, is at the piano and the out-of-the-way nightclub is much farther north — at the North Pole. I can only imagine the hijinks they will come up with for this one. Last year’s theme, “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” was great fun, but 2011’s “� e Big Band � eory,” where they had select chorus members acting out the roles of the nerdy scientists from the hit television show “� e Big Bang � eory,” was hilarious.

Each year a special guest performs with the chorus at the opening shows.

� is year, the 34th season, for the � rst two Seattle con-certs, SMC welcomes Tony award-winning pianist and vocalist Levi Kreis (Nov. 30 to Dec. 1) as the guest artist. In 2005 Kreis released his debut album and has since released � ve studio albums and performance recordings. In 2010 he received the Tony Award for “Best Featured

� e Seattle Men’s Chorus borrows From Casablanca with ‘Play it Again, Santa’

For the past three years I have not missed the Seattle Men’s

Chorus’ holiday performance. They refer to it as “the other holiday tra-dition,” and I’ve certainly made it mine. I mean, how many times can you see the Nutcracker? These guys mix it up every year with a differ-ent theme, songs and jokes.

with ‘Play it Again, Santa’BY LINDA BALL

� e Seattle Men’s Chorus � e Seattle Men’s Chorus � e Seattle Men’s Chorus FFor the past three years I have or the past three years I have

Seattle’s ‘other holiday tradition’

Actor in a Musical” for his role as Jerry Lee Lewis in Broadway’s “Million Dollar Quartet.” Kreis also appeared in the pre-Broadway production at Issaquah’s Village � eatre in 2007.

Kreis’ powerful vocals and ability to tear through a gospel song, along with SMC’s fabulous musical style, might make it hard to stay seated at this season’s concert.

“Play it Again, Santa,” runs Nov. 30 to Dec. 22 (mostly) at beautiful Benaroya Hall, but there will be a perfor-mance in Everett at the Civic Auditorium Saturday, Dec. 14, and in Tacoma at the Pantages � eater, � ursday Dec. 12.

For the second consecutive year, the chorus will 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.

Tickets to Seattle performances are $28-$78. Tickets to the Everett performance are $23-$43. Both Seattle and Everett concert tickets are available at SeattleMensCho-

New York Rag&Bone contemporary designers Marcus Wainright and David Nevill visited the Bellevue Nordstrom Store on Oct. 2 for an evening “meet & greet” of fashion, music, and assorted fun British candies. Both designers met each other while at boarding school when they were teenagers, and later came to America to ful� ll a dream. The Rag&Bone label is a blend of New York street, classic English tailoring and American sportswear. 4 Designers Marcus Wainright and David NevilleVivian Hsu for Team Photogenic © 2013

Masin’s Fine Furnishings and Interior Designs welcomed guests to their Bellevue Store on Oct. 10 for DIFFA Glam, a bene� t event for DIFFA Seattle. The evening showcased beautiful tablescape displays for holiday inspiration, along with a silent auction of exclusive dining experiences donated by top NW chefs and restaurants. DIFFA is the Design Industries Founda-tion Fighting AIDS.3 Masin’s Fine Furnishings and Interior Designs owners Anne, Dave, Cindy and Bob Masin. Youa Kong for Team Photogenic © 2013

8 THE scene DECEMBER 2013 LIFESTYLES

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905127

More than $120,000 was raised at this year’s Wine at its Best fundraising event for Bellevue Lifespring on Oct. 5. This non-pro� t organization has been helping children and their families in our community for over 100 years. 1 Duell Fisher, CEO of Team Photogenic and Allan Aquila2 Mark Babcock, Owner Lexus of BellevueScott and Jennifer Matsuda, Red Fish Blue Fish Photography

companyIn good

BY ROSE DENNIS

21

3

4

The superhero’sguide to gift-givingIt’s a bird! No, not the one you may or

may not have consumed yesterday. It’s a plane! Oops, that’s a helicopter

headed to the Hyatt. Look again! � ere is something or someone else in the air; it’s SuperGi� ed and HyperLocal, your here-tofore unknown shopping superheroes at your holiday service with gi� ideas from Eastside merchants. COLOSSAL believes you should give BIG or give a gi� certi� cate.

■ Veuve Clicquot Tray and stand ($425/$700, Hedge & Vine, Old Main, Bellevue)■ 3.0k Natural Yellow Dia-mond Ring ($35,000, Nord-strom, Bellevue Square)

GREATER GOOD likes gi� s that make a positive impact.■ Second Chance Bangkok Child Size Aprons, Hair Clips and Dolls (From $4, StudioDen, Gil-man Village, Issaquah)

■ Therapy Animal Vest Dona-tion ($35, Pet Partners (pet-partners.org, Bellevue)

THE FOOTBALL WIDOW is always game for fun even if she isn’t watching the � eld.■ Roll for It. Dice and Card Game ($14.99, Uncle’s Games, Crossroads Mall, Redmond)■ In Russ We Trust Hoodie by Casual Indus-tries ($60, Urbanity, Bellevue Square)

GREEN EYE shops with the environment in mind.

■ Kitten Mittens ($38-$40, Hip Zephyr, Mercer Island)■ Green Toys Ferry Boat ($19.99, Bartell Drugs, Mul-tiple Locations)

■ Rewined Soy Wax Candles ($28 cleanS-capes, Gilman Village, Issaquah)

CAPTAIN OBVIOUS follows the market closely.■ Grab any rubber band Loom You can � nd. (From $5.99) Fun Loom ($9.99, Bartell Drugs, Multiple Locations)■ The Marshall Mathers Lp2 by Eminem ($15.99, Silver Platters, Crossroads Mall, Red-

mond)

SUPER-FOOD has gourmet taste and a zest for en-tertaining.■ Traditional French Maca-roons or Yuletide Log ($4.50-$38, The French Bakery, Crossroads Mall Bellevue)

■ The Art of Simple Food II signed by Alice Waters-Limited Number Available ($35, Island Books, Mercer Island)

UNDER THUNDER loves potty humor and proving

there is a gi� for every interest.Not Your Momma’s Coasters by Breathless paper Co. ($14.99, Metropolitan Market Kirk-land)The Ugglys Pug Electronic Pet (From $24.99, amazon.com)

LITTLE GENIUS invests in high quality toys and books.■ OGO Build ($29.99-49.99, KidsQuest Chil-dren’s Museum, Factoria Mall, Bellevue)■ Solmates Socks, Pairs with Spares for Baby and Kid ($17-$19, cleanScapes, Gilman Vil-lage, Issaquah)

TEEN VENOM ideas protect parents from baleful looks and stony silences.

■ ION Block Rocker Portable Blue Tooth Speaker ($149.99, Costco Kirkland) ■ TopShop Boutique Items (From $4, Nordstrom Bel-levue Square)■ Rich Kids Brand (not what you

think) Tees and Sweatshirts ($30-$65, Urban-ity, Bellevue

Follow Heija on Twitter (@Heija), friend her on Facebook or silently judge her life at her blog � e Worst Mother in the World (www.Heija.com)

loud

& a

bout

HEIJA NUNN

hough Paul Reiser began his career as a stand-up, he set the mic aside in 1992 after creating “Mad About You,” starring alongside Helen Hunt for eight seasons.

After the cancellation of “The Paul Reiser Show” in 2011, he resolved to develop a new act and return to the stage. His latest tour will come to Bellevue’s Parlor Live on Dec. 6 and 7. Tickets and times available at parlorlive.com.

Reiser discussed his return to stand-up with The Scene:

SCENE: Your current tour is billed as your return to stand-up. How long had you been away?

PAUL REISER: I did the math and I realized I hadn’t been out on stage in about 20 years. I mean, “Mad About You” started in 1992 and it was on for eight years and it didn’t really leave a lot of time for other projects.

SCENE: And I imagine you were busy with family after the show ended.

REISER: Yeah, I had my two boys and a lot of other stuff going on. But the thing with stand-up is, it was my � rst love. So if I was going back into it, I didn’t want to do it half-assed. I didn’t want to just do my old act. I’m in a different place in my life than I was 20 years ago, and I wanted to write material that was new and true and funny to me.

SCENE: Before your career began, you studied music in college and you were involved in local theater. So how did you start in stand-up the � rst time around?

REISER: I always loved stand-up, but it hadn’t occurred to me that it was something I had wanted to do. I just enjoyed seeing it. Other kids were going out to see Led Zeppelin, and I was going to see George Carlin.

So I was drawn to it, but I hadn’t even thought about actually doing it. Then around that time, comedy clubs and other places comedians could perform were just becoming ubiquitous. I’d hear about somebody making it big and I’d think, they were performing at (comedy club) Catch A Rising Star last year. Maybe I should try it.

SCENE: You debuted on � lm in “Diner” in 1982 and it seemed, very quickly, you were appearing in several popular movies. Just � ve years later, you were the villain in a James Cameron blockbuster. Was that ever overwhelming?

REISER: No, it wasn’t overwhelming. They… each movie, each experience was just great on its own. “Diner” was great because it was just us, � ve knuckleheads just goo� ng around. Then “Aliens” was very exciting. I knew James Cameron from “Terminator” – not personally, but I knew his work – so it was exciting to work with him.

None of these things happened overnight. They happened very gradually. That led to work on a few television pilots that didn’t make it, until I got to the one that did.

SCENE: Your work seems very focused on relationships, between “Mad About You” and your books “Couplehood,” “Babyhood” and “Familyhood.” And each of those books had long periods of time between their publication. What is it that inspires you to sit down and write about where you are in your family life?

REISER: (chuckles) Well, I tell my wife she can never leave me or I won’t have any material left.

(With the most recent book) what happened was I was working on a show (“The Paul Reiser Show” in 2011). It didn’t get very far. We made, I think, six episodes and the network pulled it after two weeks. But… at the time I was writing what I was living. That show was about where I was.

Writing that show really generated a lot of ideas and topics (about fatherhood), that eventually became “Familyhood.”

I’m immensely proud of that last book. I’m proud of the others, too, but the � rst one I was just coming into my relationship with my wife, the second was more in-depth. But the third was deeper, I was further down the road with my family, so it had a different feel to it.

SCENE: How has that worked into your new act now that you’re back into stand-up?

REISER: Being married for 25 years is different from being eight months in. The relationship isn’t as exciting and new, but you understand it better. And when you talk about that stuff on stage, the audience is connecting to it in a deeper way. When they laugh, it’s not just a regular laugh, but a laugh where they say “Ha, I know exactly what he’s talking about!” That connection now is stronger than it was.

I’ll do meet-and-greets with the audience before or after a show, and I’ll have people come up and tell me, “My wife and I have been doing this joke from ‘Mad About You’ through our whole marriage.” Another woman brought me her copy of “Couplehood,” I opened it up and there was already an inscription in there. So I ask what it is, and it turned out it was from her husband. The guy proposed using “Couplehood.” It’s really a great feeling.Daniel Nash is a reporter for the Bellevue Reporter.

LAUGHS DECEMBER 2013 THE scene 9

Mad About The StageINTERVIEW BY DANIEL NASH

T

10 THE scene DECEMBER 2013 OUT AND ABOUT

EventsNov. 29

Bellevue Place Tree Lighting: 7:30 p.m., following Santa’s arrival at Snow-�ake Lane in downtown Bellevue (see below). Bellevue Place Wintergarden, Northeast Eighth Street and Bellevue Way.

Nov. 29-Dec. 1It’s A Wonderful Life: Bellevue

Youth �eatre presents timeless tale with favorite characters, from George Bailey to Mr. Potter. $5-$12. Meyden-bauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue. http://www.bellevuewa.gov/BYT-productions.htm.

Nov. 29-Dec. 24Snow�ake Lane: 7 p.m. A nightly

display along the sidewalks of Bellevue Way and Northeast Eighth Street of daz-zling lights, music, dramatic drumming from live toy soldiers and magical snow. Free.

Nov. 30-Jan. 4Garden d’Lights: 5-10 p.m. (last

entry at 9:30 pm). �ousands of lights form animals and plants. Hot beverages available at the Shorts Visitor Center. $5, but some nights free. Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., Bel-levue

Dec. 1Wells & Woodhead – FOOLZ: 2 p.m.

Internationally renowned vaudevillians present an amalgam of music, circus arts and comedy. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. kpcenter.org

Dec. 1-23Issaquah Reindeer Festival: 10

a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meet Santa, see and feed his reindeer team, sit in the Grand Traveling Sleigh, hear a story from an elf, shop for gi�s, enjoy hot drinks and snacks. $10-$14 donation; children under are 2 are free. Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 S.E. 54th St., Issaquah

Dec. 2A Charlie Brown Christmas with

David Benoit: 7:30 p.m. Jazz pianist and composer David Benoit and his quartet play Vince Guaraldi’s holiday

music made famous on the original Charlie Brown Christmas special. Kirk-land Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. kpcenter.org

Dec. 6Sammamish Symphony Orchestra

presents Holiday Pops: 7:30 p.m. Annual favorites and classical master-pieces. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue. sammamish-symphony.org.

An Evening with the Lulo Rein-hardt Latin Swing Project: 8 p.m. $25. Lulo Reinhardt is one of the foremost authentic and distinctive musical voices in Gypsy music today. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. kpcenter.org

Dec. 7Bellevue Girlchoir presents Good

Cheer: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Holiday carols sung by young singers, accompanied by a string quartet. $13-$18 advance; $15-$20 at door. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue. bellevue-girlchoir.com.

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting & Music Festival: 5-8 p.m. Downtown Kirkland on Lake Street. A festive eve-ning �lled with performances, bon�res, kids’ activities including Radio Disney, pictures with Santa, shopping and sea-sonal surprises! Tree lighting at 7 p.m.

Redmond Lights: Event starts at City Hall Plaza with fun activities and a festive campus lighting. Enjoy musical entertainment, refreshments and kids activities then join in the RCC Lumi-nary Walk between City Hall Plaza and Redmond Town Center. redmondlights.com.

Annual Snoqualmie Holiday Tree Lighting: 6:30 p.m. Visit with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, cookies and cocoa. Railroad Park Gazebo across from the Snoqualmie Depot.

Dec. 8Bellevue Youth Symphony Or-

chestra: 7:30 p.m. Works by Belling-ham composer Austin Huang as well as Humperdinck and Berlioz to celebrate the theme of Folk Music Around the World. $12-$15. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue. byso.org.

Seasons of Light – Christmas and Chanukah: 2 p.m. Bright holiday

carols that sing of light, plus a delight-ful collection of new Chanukah songs. Presented by Master Chorus Eastside. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirk-land Ave. kpcenter.org

Dec. 13Tudor Choir – My Dancing Day

– Advent Carols and Motets: 7:30 p.m. $10-$20. Doug Fullington directs the 8-voice Tudor Choir in a program of unaccompanied carols and motets for the season of Advent. Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church Chapel, 315 �ird Ave. S., Kirkland. earlymusic-guild.org

Dec. 13-14Geo�rey Castle’s Celtic Christmas

Celebration: 8 p.m. Special guests, dancers, a visit from Santa Claus and the artistry of violinist Geo�rey Castle. $20-$25. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. kpcenter.org

Dec. 13-22A Christmas Carol: �is original ad-

aptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christ-mas Carol is rich with traditional carols, alive with color and movement, and is created to tell this enduring tale in a fashion that will appeal to people of all ages. $22-$27. 425-881-6777. Second-Story Repertory, 16587 N.E. 74th St., Redmond (in Redmond Town Center)

Dec. 15-15; 19-23 International Ballet Theatre

presents The Nutcracker: A cast of 80 talented young people, experienced professional dancers and visual perfor-mance artists. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue. interna-tionalballettheatre.com

Dec. 15Once Upon A Holiday: 2 p.m. Pa-

ci�c Sound Chorus’ 6th Annual Holiday Show with several new holiday tunes plus old favorites. $15-$18. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. kpcenter.org

Dec. 16Magical Strings - A Celtic Yuletide:

�e internationally recognized Bould-ing family performs musical celebration of the holiday season, including Celtic

music, Irish dancing, story-telling, a processional and an audience sing-a-long. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue. brownpapertickets.com/event/478345

Dec. 19Caroling at the Depot: 6-7 p.m. Join

in caroling at the historic Train Depot in Issaquah. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served.

Dec. 21Portland Cello Project: 8 p.m.

Celebrate the holidays with a group of rotating cellists who take on everything from Britney’s “Toxic” to the Dandy Warhols and postmodern Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Kirkland Per-formance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. kpcenter.org

Dec. 22Portland Cello Project: 7:30 p.m.

With special guests, holiday sweaters, and yes, plenty of cello, celebrate the holidays with a group of rotating cellists who take on everything from Britney’s “Toxic” to the Dandy Warhols and postmodern Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. kpcenter.org

Dec. 26-Dec. 31Celebration Lane: 7 p.m. Ring in

the New Year with nightly performances of Celebration Lane featuring live toy soldiers with new festive routines and music worth celebrating. Dazzling lights, music and dramatic drumming with a New Year’s twist. Northeast Eighth Street and Bellevue Way.

Dec. 28-29Owl & Pussycat: 2 p.m. Ri�ng on

the Edward Lear poem, the escapades of Owl and Pussycat in a pea-green boat illuminate a love of adventure and the adventures of love. Fur, feathers, and puns will �y. (Pigs will not.) Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. kpcenter.org

Dec. 31LeRoy Bell & his Only Friends –

New Year’s Eve Rock & Soul Eve: 9 p.m. Send out 2013 with an evening of rock and soul. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. kpcenter.org

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The Scene - December 2013

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