Liberty christens new theater with ‘The Wizard of Oz’
April 23, 2013
Seattle’s lush greenery may lend itself to its Emerald City nickname, but fans of Dorothy, and her little dog too, know that the true Emerald City is a magnificent metropolis inhabited by a powerful wizard, situated at the end of a yellow brick road.
Audiences young and old are invited to take that long, winding journey from Kansas to Oz with the Liberty High School Patriot Players, as they break in the school’s new theater with a musical performance of “The Wizard of Oz.”
By Katherine Simmons
Taylor Schadt, as the Cowardly Lion, Maddy Daly, as Dorothy, and Sedrik Spradling-Reim, as the Scarecrow, play with Toto.
“I think everyone is super, super excited for this,” said Liberty junior Maddy Daly, who plays Dorothy. “‘The Wizard of Oz’ is an iconic show and we’re going to debut our new performing arts center. It can’t get any better than that.”
Popular artEAST auction returns bigger than ever
April 16, 2013
The seventh annual 150 Feet of Art Auction fundraiser is April 19-27. The annual fundraiser is a public auction of juried works from artEAST members and supportive friends.
“Patrons and artists come together for this event, knowing that art has the power to transform individuals and communities,” a press release from the artEAST states. “We firmly believe that optimism, opportunity and relationships abound where the arts are celebrated.”
Photos contributed/Illustration by David Hayes
Original pieces of art featured in artEAST’s 150 Feet of Art Auction include (from left) Janis Smith’s ‘I’m Watching You!,’ an untitled piece by Maureen Mitchell and Beth Anderson’s ‘River’s Edge.’
Mostly Americana celebrates music, veterans
April 16, 2013
The community is invited to celebrate America and its veterans at the eighth annual Mostly Americana Dessert Concert at 7 p.m. April 20.
The concert features hundreds of the top choir singers from Issaquah High School, as well as Pacific Cascade and Issaquah middle schools. Pacific Northwest adult choir Breath of Aire will also lend its vocal talents to the evening dedicated to all-things Americana.
In addition to entertainment featuring the choral music of America, attendees can munch on classic desserts, including cookies, baked by parent volunteers.
Awash in wonders
April 9, 2013
Denizens of the depths surface at Seattle Aquarium
Somehow, I made it my entire life so far without visiting an aquarium.
By Peter Clark
One of the most interesting features in the aquarium is the underwater dome, around which many different species, such as the fellow pictured above, swim around spectators.
I suppose some blame can rest on growing up in the Midwest, but more than anything, the opportunity just never presented itself. I consider that a real shame because I am fascinated by all things aquatic. “Moby Dick” is one of my favorite books, I have watched more nature shows on the deep sea than any other kind of nature show and I should have visited an aquarium sooner.
So, a guy walks into a bar with an open mic…
April 9, 2013
So, you are pretty funny, and your friends say you should be a comedian. Here is the break you need. Comedy open mic is coming to Issaquah on April 18, so get your act together.
Issaquah comedian and promoter Erez Ben-Ari will emcee an open-mic comedy event April 18 at Amante restaurant. Performances will start at 8 p.m.
Ben-Ari, who writes and performs comedy regularly in open-mic venues around the Puget Sound area, said he hopes the event will become a regular one. He honed his skills at the University of Washington in a class taught by Ron Reid and sponsored by Classesandworkshops.com.
Contributed
Erez Ben-Ari, of Issaquah, performs one of his open-mic night comedy routine recently at a Puget Sound-area venue.
Family tradition
April 2, 2013
Writer follows in her mom’s footsteps to publish her first novel, ‘Blood Money’
Once upon a time, Erika Mitchell’s husband promised her that if she ever got a novel published, he would take her to Seattle’s nicest restaurant: Canlis.
When her book “Blood Money” hit the shelves last month he kept his word. She ordered the lobster.
Erika Mitchell
“Ever since I was a little girl,” Mitchell said, “I would go to Barnes & Noble or Borders, or other book stores, and find the bookshelf where my book would be if I wrote one.”
Big House BBQ delivers big portions, flavor
April 2, 2013
Restaurant reviews are a regular feature of The Issaquah Press. Reviewers visit restaurants unannounced and pay in full for their meals.
Nutritionists often extoll the virtues of making lunch the largest meal of the day, leaving a person the rest of the afternoon to digest and burn calories.
Big House BBQ isn’t the place for calorie counters, but for those looking to spend their afternoon with a belly full of Memphis-style slow-cooked beef, pork and chicken, a stop by the big red trailer across the street from Home Depot is in order.
As essentially Issaquah’s only recurring mobile food truck, Big House is not much for aesthetics — nor should it be. Three picnic tables, a canvas tent and a modest trailer with the smell of smoked meat wafting out are all that greet the diner.
For the love of all things Irish
March 26, 2013
I’m deeply enamored with Ireland. It feels a poetic and romantic place. Melodic Celtic music seems to transcend time, lush green landscapes, drifting fog and rugged shores. All create visions of charm and daydreams.
I’m just as enamored with Irish cuisine. Deep, rich flavors warm a belly and comfort the soul. It’s hearty fare my grandmother used to call “stick to your ribs” cuisine. Perfect for the cool evenings still to come.
By Karista Bennett
Irish cuisine is delicious anytime, not just on St. Patrick’s Day.
There’s no celebrating the arrival of spring at my house without some festive and hearty Irish fare. One of my favorite dishes to prepare is Colcannon. Traditionally a mashed potato, cabbage and green onion side dish, I decided to recreate this lush recipe into a one-pot meal.
Providence Marianwood hosts ‘Spring Approaches’ show
March 26, 2013
Three Issaquah institutions — Providence Marianwood skilled nursing home, the artEAST artists’ group and UP Front Gallery — are joining forces to bring artwork to the community.
The current show in the Marianwood gallery, entitled “Spring Approaches,” features work by artists from the UP Front Gallery in Issaquah. It is co-sponsored by Providence Marianwood and artEAST.
Issaquah artist Heidi Rose is showing several portraits of buildings from the local area. With watercolor, pen and ink, and pencil, Rose captures the remarkable and extraordinary beauty of seemingly common and everyday sights from the surrounding community — a red barn, a historic building and a chapel are among her subjects.
Contributed
The dog portrait above is by Janis Smith. At top right is the Hailstone Feed Store by Heidi Rose. At bottom right is art by Erika Carter.
Enter your art now for ‘Being Human’
March 19, 2013
ArtEAST is accepting submissions for “Being Human,” an exhibition that focuses on the complex emotions that make us human.
The exhibit will focus on humans in their everyday habitat, relating to each other or in portraits and landscapes. Submissions in 2-D format using watercolor, oil, acrylic or colored pencil will be accepted.
