Tag Archives: Downtown Seattle

Pirates of Penzance delivers an evening of love and laughter

Posted in Arts Events, Charities & Benefits, Giveaways & Special Offers by

For this review, Seattle Pockets welcomes Guest Blogger, Christopher Monsos.

The Pirates of Penzance have sailed far from the waters off Cornwall and are now plundering the coastline of Canada during the show’s run at The 5th Avenue Theatre through August 4th, 2013.

A twenty two year old pirate bound an overactive sense of duty is released from his indentured servitude and cast ashore. He quickly encounters beautiful maidens (not usually found on the high sea), romance, and tests that put this heightened sense of duty to the test.

With thirty minutes left on his piratical contract does he give this band of pirates tips on how to better plunder? Once released from piracy, can he fulfill his civic duty and turn his old crew in? What consequences arise when he is duty-bound to uphold follow through with his agreements… to the letter?

The 5th Avenue Theatre delivers a solid production of the comic opera, with an vocally powerful cast giving the Gilbert & Sullivan score and patter songs its full respect. Frederic (Hunter Ryan Herdlicka) delivers a performance as tight as his trousers, Mabel (Anne Eisendrath) hits incredibly high operatic notes with strength, and Ruth (Anne Allgood) delivers fantastic comedy – quickly becoming a favorite character. The Pirate King (Brandon O’Neill) found his swagger by the middle of Act 2. The cast is rounded out by a booming band of Pirates-slash-Canadian Mounties, a cunning Major-General (David Pichette), a shuffling Mountie sergeant (Jared Michael Brown), and the scene-stealing bevy of beautiful mavens that are Mabel’s sisters.

pirates

Opening night included some gags that could land harder if they were just slightly pulled back (hip thrusting, a decapitated Canadian goose as examples) and Act 2’s  set seemed oddly flat for what is possible with a static two-scene show.

The Pirates of Penzance delivers a solid and entertaining evening of love and laughter. Pay enough attention to the plot points being sung – but make sure you take moments to visually explore the scenes to catch some of the detail and comedic performances from the ensemble.

*****
GIVEAWAY! If we get 5+ comments on this blog post, we’ll give away a pair of tickets to the show!

Book of Mormon Lottery tickets for less than $30!

Posted in Arts Events, Giveaways & Special Offers by

Update – tickets are just $25. Yeah I thought that price looked strange the first time I saw it too. The BAA FB page updated the price in a post after I shared this info.

Book of Mormon is offering a select number of “lottery” tickets during the run of the show at the Paramount Theatre Jan 8 – 20, 2013! This is a hot ticket item, so take advantage of this deal!

mormon1

Pike Place Market contains hundreds of hidden “pockets”

Posted in Arts Events, Charities & Benefits, Food & Drink, Miscellaneous Awesome by

SeattleTravel.com asked me to write an article about Pike Place Market, to share some local insights with potential tourists.  Without an abundance of words to work with, it was hard to choose what businesses to highlight.  I dare say, I could write this post five times over and still have businesses to talk about. Did your favorite Pike Place Market business make the cut? Let me know!  If not, chime in on the comments or on Facebook or Twitter!

An excerpt:

…Staying at a location that has a kitchenette? There’s nothing more satisfying than a fresh meal right from the market. Sosio’s Produce has been handed down through generations and their friendly staff are always at the ready with a sample to try, news of what’s in season, and are a great resource for produce questions. Prefer to have others do the cooking? You can’t walk far without stumbling over many incredible restaurants.  If you’re craving a Parisian experience– Maximilien, Cafe Campagne, Marche and Le Pichet (oh, the pastries!) are local favorites.  The Crumpet Shop is a delight for the senses, with unique savory and sweet rotating menu options.  If you’re a sucker for freshly made pasta, you can’t go go wrong with Il Corvo, down the steps from the market on Western Avenue.  Want to show off to your friends by treating them an incredible meal at an  off-the-beaten path gem of a restaurant? Step up the stairs to the 3rd floor of the Corner Market Building to Matt’s in the Market, where you can dine on deliciously locally sourced dishes with a grand view of the market clock, Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Full article, here.

Sosio’s Produce. Photo by Mark Hinderliter

100 Things To Do in Seattle Before You Die

Posted in Arts Events, Charities & Benefits, Food & Drink, Free Events, Miscellaneous Awesome by

I live in an amazing city – rich with unique parks, fabulous entertainment options, memorable restaurants and so much more.  When 7×7 contacted me to write a list of  “100 things to do in Seattle before you die,” I jumped at the chance, tapping into my personal experiences and asking Seattleites around me their advice of what makes our city truly special. We started a bit north and worked our way south. Here’s #1 – 20:

1. Support young writers by shopping at the Space Travel Supply Company. (Greenwood)
2.    Fly a kite at Gasworks Park. (Wallingford)
3.    Giggle at the kitsch at Archie McPhee’s. (Wallingford)
4.    Have a laugh at quirky Bizzarro Italian Cafe. (Wallingford)
5.    Find your favorite sweet treat: try a Trophy Cupcake. (Wallingford)
6.    Then head to Cupcake Royale to cast your vote in the great cupcake debate. (Ballard)
7.    Toss on those bike shorts and hit the Burke-Gilman Trail. (Ballard)
8.    Sample from the 64 beers on tap at Brouwer’s. (Ballard)
9.    Savor Eastern Mediterranean flavors at Golden Beetle. (Ballard)
10.    Dance to a rockabilly or bluegrass band at Tractor Tavern. (Ballard)
11.    Knock back an adult beverage at Cafe Mox over a board game from Card Kingdom. (Ballard)
12.    Start a bonfire during sunset at Golden Gardens. (Ballard)
13.    Take a free guided tour at the Arboretum. (U District)
14.    Kayak past houseboats in Portage Bay or paddle out to see the Seattle Skyline at Agua Verde Paddle Club. (U District)
15.    Get a uniquely flavored brain freeze at Full Tilt Ice Cream. (U District)
16.    Catch a show at a movie theatre built in the ’20s. (U District)
17.    Critique contemporary works at Henry Art Museum. (U District)
18.    Climb on the Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge.  (Fremont)
19.    Hunt for treasures at the Sunday Fremont Market. (Fremont)
20.    Unearth  vintage threads at Deluxe Junk. (Fremont)

21. Cash in your golden ticket and take the Theo Chocolate factory tour. (Fremont)

22. Add to your vinyl collection at Jive Time Records. (Fremont)
23. Dress up for a swanky event at Fremont Studios. (Fremont)
24. Run in the International Fountain in the shadow of the Space Needle. (Seattle Center)
25. See a show at Seattle Repertory Theater and stay for a talk-back. (Seattle Center)
26. Enjoy an Erik Carlson menu and aerial performances at Teatro Zinzanni. (Seattle Center)
27. Rock out like Hendrix at EMP Museum. (Seattle Center)
28. Witness a book go from page to stage at Book-it. (Seattle Center)
29. Walk up the stairs from lower Queen Anne to snap a postcard worthy photo from the view at Kerry Park. (Queen Anne)
30. Make date night delicious with a visit to an Ethan Stowell restaurant. (Queen Anne)
31. Spoil your sweet tooth at Top Pot Doughnuts. (Queen Anne)
32. Nosh on rotating Americana themed food at  5 Spot. (Queen Anne)
33. Nurse your hangover at Peso’s. (Queen Anne)
34. Splash land in a seaplane. (South Lake Union)
35. Steam, soak and sauna at co-ed urban spa, Banya 5. (South Lake Union)
36. Climb the pinnacle at the flagship REI store. (South Lake Union)
37. Go back for seconds at Portage Bay’s Cafe‘s brunch toppings bar. (South Lake Union)
38. Snag a slice of gourmet pizza at Serious Pie. (South Lake Union)
39. Shock your taste buds with a crazy burger from Lunchbox Laboratory. (South Lake Union)
40. Dress retro and dance to soul music at The Lo-Fi. (South Lake Union)
41. Eat an enchilada in the Elvis Room at Seattle’s oldest Mexican restaurant, Mama‘s. (Belltown)
42. Have a cocktail & bucket of popcorn delivered mid-movie at The Big Picture. (Belltown)
43. Grab a beer and dog while you drop a couple quarters in the pinball machines atShorty’s. (Belltown)
44. Get your sushi happy hour on at Umi. (Belltown)
45. Delight in goat cheese stuffed bacon wrapped dates at Pintxo. (Belltown)
46. Find a speakeasy around the corner. (Belltown)
47. Eat after the bars close at The Lucky Diner. (Belltown)
48. Marvel at the mummies, shrunken heads and other curios at Ye Old Curiosity Shop. (Waterfront)
49. Wander through the art along the Puget Sound at Olympic Sculpture Park. (Waterfront)
50. Ride a ferry to Bainbridge Island. (Waterfront)
51. Hop on the Water Taxi and dine at Salty’s. (Waterfront/West Seattle)
52. Stand under an arch of jellyfish at Seattle Aquarium. (Waterfront)
53. Dodge seagulls while snacking on fish & chips at Ivar’s. (Waterfront)
54. Find your way to a well crafted cocktail at Zig Zag. (Waterfront)
55. Munch on a salmon sandwich at Three Girls Bakery. (Pike Place Market)
56. Add a piece to the Market Theater Gum Wall on your way to an improv show. (Pike Place Market)
57. Listen to buskers perform outside the original Starbucks. (Pike Place Market)
58. Enjoy tea and crumpets. (Pike Place Market)
59. Sip some absinthe at a cabaret show at The Can Can. (Pike Place Market)
60. Catch a fish from a fishmonger. (Pike Place Market)
61. Romance a lover over Italian food and live jazz at The Pink Door. (Pike Place Market)
62. Ride up neon green escalators inside the Seattle Public Library, designed by Rem Koolhaas & Joshua Prince-Ramus. (Downtown)
63. Parkour up walls and over waterfalls at Freeway Park. (Downtown).
64. See a show from a half-moon booth at The Triple Door. (Downtown)
65. Smile when a tourist expects a second stop on the Monorail. (Downtown/Seattle Center)
66. Shop the half-yearly sales at the flagship Nordstrom. (Downtown)
67. Order an international wine flight and sweet potato fries at Purple. (Downtown)
68. Explore local shops (Rain City Meats, Calf & Kid, Taylor Shellfish) at Melrose Market. (Capitol Hill)
69. Cozy up in a curtained booth at Bleu Grotto over clever cocktails and Wasabi Grilled Cheese. (Capitol Hill)
70. “Spin The Bottle” – see some good, bad and great late night theater at Annex. (Capitol Hill)
71. Indulge in a souffle-like Chocolate Pot at B&O Espresso. (Capitol Hill)
72. Attend a literary event at  Richard Hugo House. (Capitol Hill)
73. Show your sporty side at Cal Anderson Park. (Capitol Hill)
74. Hang out with hipsters at Unicorn. (Capitol Hill)
75. Spin a partner around the dance floor at Century Ballroom. (Capitol Hill)
76. Take an adult class at the original Babeland store. (Capitol Hill)
77. Meditate on a Sunday evening with Compline Choir at St. Mark’s Cathedral. (Capitol Hill)
78. Buy an ingredient you’ve never seen before at Uwajimaya. (International District)
79. Fill up on Dim Sum at Harbor City. (International District)
80. Share hot pot with friends at Seven Stars Pepper. (International District)
81. Give a shout out to the ’90s and karaoke a grunge song. (International District)
82. Flash back to the 80s and pick up some retro video games at Pink Gorilla. (International District)
83. Get inspired at the First Thursday art walk. (Pioneer Square)
84. Witness the view from The Chinese Room in Smith Tower, Seattle’s first skyscraper. (Pioneer Square)
85. Delight you inner child at Magic Mouse Toys. (Pioneer Square)
86. Enjoy chilled tastings at Saké Nomi. (Pioneer Square)
87. Get a taste of Seattle’s debaucherous past with the underground Underworld Tour. (Pioneer Square)
88. Watch the visiting team beat the Mariners at Safeco Field. (SODO)
89. Rock out to a favorite band at Showbox SODO. (SODO)
90. Show off your scarf and spirit at a Sounders game. (SODO)
91. Geek out on comics at Fantagraphics. (Georgetown)
92. Fly through the air with the greatest of ease at SANCA. (Georgetown)
93. Raise a glass of Washington wine at Laurelhurst Cellars. (Georgetown)
94. Take the pilot’s seat in a WWII flight simulator at Museum of Flight. (South Seattle)
95. Share a quiet picnic at Kubota Gardens. (South Seattle)
96. Spot an eagle at Seward Park. (South Seattle)
97. Sit on the patio at Cactus and watch the sunset over the water. (West Seattle)
98. Get healthy with some vegan fare at Chaco Canyon. (West Seattle)
99. See the “Statue of Liberty” and breathtaking views at Alki Beach. (West Seattle)
100. What should #100 be? Tell me in the comments below!

I’d love to hear your feedback! How many have you done? Anything I missed? Which of your favorite things made the list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

You can also check out my pal Rob Lightner’s list of 100 things to eat in Seattle before you die.