ANNUAL JAZZ@TMP EVENT FEATURES PEARL DJANGO AND GAIL PETTIS (two videos included in this post)

If you already bought a gift Fathers Day gift for someone, I hate to say it, but you could have done better. That is, unless you were smart enough to purchase tickets for the annual Jazz@TMP show coming up in Tacoma this Sunday, June 15. Every year, the acclaimed trumpeter Lance Buller co-produces this show with the Tacoma Musical Playhouse. This year, it falls on Fathers Day and features some very popular Northwest talent—the gypsy jazz band Pearl Django with special guest, Seattle jazz vocalist Gail Pettis. 

There is nothing a parent appreciates more than the gift of time with their family. Why not let that time include an unforgettable afternoon of entertainment? 

The show starts at 3 p.m. and all seats are reserved. At a mere $25 per ticket, they're going quickly, so you are advised to purchase in advance. You can order yours online, right now, right here. Tacoma Musical Playhouse is located on the western end of Sixth Avenue, near the Narrows Bridge. The address is 7116 6th Ave. in Tacoma.

Here's a taste of what's to come on Sunday, and it sure beats a new necktie.

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"JAZZ AT THE CASTLE" Features "THE ROADSTARS" Plus Stadium High School Students





Castles and magic go together and never more so than this Thursday night, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m., when the acclaimed jazz trumpeter Lance Buller and Tacoma's Stadium High School offer some musical magic with “Jazz at the Castle.” This swinging holiday show will be held in the performing arts center at Stadium High School, the city's historic landmark that looks like a castle.

 

Buller handpicked outstanding musicians Ted Dortch (sax), Chris Spencer (guitar), Chuck Kistler (bass), and Ken French (drums)—with professional credits like his, including movie and TV soundtracks, theater shows, multiple recordings, and live concerts around the world—to join him as the “Roadstars” for this spectacular evening.

 

“They have spent their careers making other people sound great,” Buller said. “Now it's their turn. In other words, run for cover!”

In addition to the Roadstars, two jazz bands made up of Stadium High School students will also perform. Buller shaped his own professional life through perseverance, focus, and dedication, the same qualities he teaches teenage musicians, with amazing results. 

 

"It makes getting up at 5 a.m. all worth it when you hear them play, and see the joy in their eyes,” he said. "Having been a professional musician for 40 years allows me to know the little things that can make ‘good’ turn into ‘great.’”

Support these hardworking young musicians by attending this event and treat yourself to a memorable evening with the Roadstars at the same time. It will be a swingin' good time, folks, so don’t miss it! You can also hear the Lance Buller Trio at Maxwell's in Tacoma every Friday night.

 

Stadium High School is located at 111 North E. St. in Tacoma, WA 98403. Tickets are only $10 at the door.

 

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Black Swan Classic Jazz Band Brings "SWEET AND HOT" Music to Tacoma

Here in the Northwest, June means sunshine (we hope), roses, baseball, local strawberries, and … jazz. Yes, jazz, America’s music. It’s time once again for the long awaited Jazz@TMP show presented each June by the Tacoma Musical Playhouse and producer Lance Buller, the well-known trumpet player who draws crowds to Maxwell’s every Friday night with his trio. Each year, his show at TMP features a different band, and 2013 will be remembered for "Sweet and Hot," a ONE NIGHT ONLY special event featuring the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band from Portland, Oregon and their vocalist, Marilyn Keller. This is jazz a la New Orleans. The fun begins at 8 p.m. 
 

“Black Swan will serve up blues, stomps, marches, ragtime and gospel,” said the band’s leader, Kit Johnson. “Songs will be selected from the 1890s through Tin Pan Alley through the Golden Age of song to selections recently composed by our band members.” (Listen to "Joe Avery's Piece.")

Traveling back in time to these earlier musical eras is as easy as driving to Tacoma where the Tacoma Musical Playhouse is located at 7116 Sixth Ave., just blocks from the Narrows Bridge. When the band begins to play, you might find yourself transported to the French Quarter of New Orleans in the 1920s or F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. But instead of a movie score, you can hear the authentic sound of America’s classic jazz and more, performed live.

This well-known ensemble has been popular at festivals and many other public and private events since it began in 1989. Marilyn Keller performs songs as sassy as a night at a speakeasy, or deeply moving gospel tunes and ballads, with equal ease. You can listen here, and here. For several years, she has performed in Denmark as a guest with New Orleans Delight jazz band.

Buller describes this year’s production as “… an incredibly entertaining show, with a pinch of music education, and a whole lot of fun for all ages!” His partnership with the Tacoma Musical Playhouse goes back several years, with Jazz@TMP now eagerly anticipated in the community. The venue is ideal.

Johnson looks forward to bringing Black Swan to TMP. “Hot jazz demands intimacy between the musicians and audience,” he said. “The theater setting allows us to get cozy with the listener, to feed off their energy, and to infuse that enthusiasm and closeness into the music.”

Come get cozy for a delightful evening of "Sweet and Hot" music at this year’s Jazz@TMP. But don’t wait too long to buy your tickets because seats are reserved and demand will be high. You can purchase yours now through the online box office or by calling (253) 565-6867. Tickets for all seats are $25. 

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CHEF HUDSON SLATER LOVES MAXWELL'S SPEAKEASY AND THE NEW MENU

 

Bourbon Glazed Pork Ribs at Maxwell's     Photo by Hudson Slater

 

There are restaurants, and then there are legendary restaurants. Maxwell’s Speakeasy in downtown Tacoma is destined to be the latter, and Chef Hudson Slater plans to be part of that legacy. Last week, I interviewed him to ask about the new spring menu and why he loves this place so much.

I have my own reasons for loving Maxwell's. I always find exceptionally delicious and interesting food served in the perfect setting—a warm, inviting space with a touch of Roaring Twenties elegance to match its location in the historic Walker Building. The Lance Buller Trio plays jazz on Friday nights. The private dining room above the main restaurant actually was a secret “speakeasy” during the Prohibition Era and still has a hidden door. Read on to learn about an event taking place there this Thursday, April 11. Then make your reservations, if you can still get in.

Good Life Northwest speaks with Chef Hudson Slater:

GLN: What do you like best about being the chef at Maxwell’s?

Slater: I just love this place. I’ve just always liked being here. I love the windows, the neighborhood, and the bar. It’s a great spot. It’s romantic, but it’s also where romance is more generalized, not just for couples. It has a real whimsical, take-you-back-in-time feel. When you walk in here, it’s like you’re not in Tacoma any more. You’re just kind of wherever you want to be. Call it New York or whatever.

And then there’s our food. I hate to brag, but I think it’s the best in Tacoma. We really try for consistency and quality and freshness. We make all our desserts in house, from scratch.  You should come in here and be taken care of. You should feel like it’s a treat, like “Wow. That was incredible.” But it’s reasonably priced.

And since Steve Anderson’s been the owner, there’s more of a foundation to it. He's here, and he's teaching.





Seared scallops with beet purée, southern greens and bacon, balsamic and creme friache photo by Hudson Slater

GLN: What is it like to work with Steve?

 

Slater: I like working with Steve. He has a lot of knowledge. It’s really nice because, you make a lot of food every day, and sometimes you have a good idea, but you may not execute it. He is there to try it. He’ll always try anything. Then he might say, “This isn’t going to work” or “I really like this.” It’s just fun. It’s like having a food friend who’s your boss. It’s like when you go out with your friends who like food, and you get surprised by something and say “Oh I love this!” He does that.

Or he has ideas. He’s like “Hey, I want you to do this.” Maybe he has something he wants to do—like he tried it at home, or he just wants to see it—so it’s fun to take his idea and put a twist on it or just do it. But he’s always got good ideas. And I bounce my ideas off him. So it’s been a good team.

GLN: Even though he’s an amazing chef himself, it sounds like he respects your talents and gives you plenty of freedom.

Slater: Very much so. I think with this menu, especially, he’s let me do most of it.

Fresh fruit tart                           phto by Hudson Slater                    



GLN: How long does it take to come up with a new menu and why a new one?

Slater: We’ve been working on it for about a month now. I always think about new dishes. For example, we have the fresh catch, which is fun. That’s always changing. We did a nice crab claw pasta.

It’s fun to try new things and try new sides and vegetables and plating with them. That’s part of it. And then we go into seasonal vegetables and what sold and what didn’t. Sometimes you lose your favorite, unfortunately, and sometimes things go that you’re kind of tired of making, like braised beef. That was fun when it was cold out, but then it gets tiresome.

GLN: Please tell me about some of your favorite items on the new spring menu.

SLATER: Well, I really like the grilled New York steak salad with the poached egg.  It’s on a warm spinach salad. I like the steak and eggs combo. So I really like that one and it will be fun to see where that one goes. (with warm buttered spinach, poached egg, sherry vinegar, parmesan toast $18) 

The seared half chicken panzanella is kind of a classic panzanella, but the way we’re doing it is really good. That was kind of an Anna and Steve idea that I ran with, made a little twist on it. (artichoke heart, blistered tomato, zucchini, grilled crouton, arugula dijon vinaigrette  $21)

The apple smoked pork chop is something we just kind of hung on to. It’s just so good. We have a smoker in house, which is pretty rare, especially for a place like this. So we try to smoke a little bit just to give the menu a little depth. That pork, smoked, is just wonderful. And the pork chop is plated differently now.  The maple mustard glaze on it is really good. So we grill it and then put it on baby kale, mustard greens, chard, a little sherry vinegar and bacon. (with maple and mustard glaze, mascarpone whipped potato, southern greens and bacon $26)

There's the halibut. (with spring pea and bell pepper risotto, snap pea and pepper slaw, roasted tomato beurre blanc  $30) We wrapped it in prosciutto last fall, with a mushroom squash risotto. It was a big hit so we just updated it with spring vegetables. We’ll probably change it eventually, but people really liked it so we want to have things that people remember.



Grilled steelhead with chickpea olive hash, tomato ragout, and cucumber apple relish                  photo by Hudson Slater

 GLN: What about the grilled steelhead?

SLATER: I’m excited about that one, with the chickpea hash. We’re trying to do more vegan/gluten free options. Obviously, the steelhead is not, but the chickpea hash that we serve with it has roasted tomatoes and olives, a little cumin, and we sell it as a vegan dish as well. (roasted chickpea and tomato hash with tomato ragout, castelventrano olive, grilled zucchini $16) It’s packed with a lot of protein. We have two options for vegan/gluten free with the quinoa too. (grilled fennel and leek quinoa with haricot vert, warm shaved rainbow carrot, balsamic reduction, toasted almond  $16) 

GLN: And of course the Walker Burger is an institution. (grilled certified angus beef, white cheddar, bacon, arugula, tomato, grilled onion aioli, brioche bun AND choice of: house fries, potato chips or fuji and fennel slaw  $14)

SLATER: It’s our number one.

GLN: What about this chicken sandwich called “Das Huhn?” (grilled chicken breast, golden raisin mostarda, white cheddar, bacon, apple fennel slaw, pretzel bun - choice of: house fries, potato chips or fuji and fennel slaw  $14)

SLATER: That’s my baby there. That’s the chicken sandwich with the pretzel bun. It’s kind of German. It’s just a pretzel bun with our golden raisin mostarda, mustard incorporated with golden raisins. And there’s the bacon and the slaw. It’s really tasty. So that’s a fun sandwich.

Ahi crudo with cucumber apple relish, crostini and wasabi avocado purée   Photo by Hudson Slater

 

GLN: Anything new and exciting in the starters?

SLATER: We went from an ahi tartare to a crudo (with wasabi avocado puree, crostini, cucumber apple relish   $12) That’s really tasty. It’s really thin-sliced ahi with the wasabi avocado puree and then we spread it on a crostini. It’s separate, so you build your cracker, your bite, the way you want it, how much wasabi or how much tuna you want.

The pickled prawn cocktail I like a lot. So it’s poached prawns marinated in kind of a pickle vinaigrette. And then we have the horseradish cocktail sauce and then the wasabi avocado, so it’s kind of like two different horseradish profiles. We serve it in a little mason jar so it’s kind of fun.

GLN: I can picture how, while other people dream about certain things, you’re dreaming about food all the time.

SLATER: That’s right. All good cooks just think about food, dream about it, and are interested in it. I could just Google images of things like scallops, and just keep looking at them. That’s fun for me.

“TASTE TACOMA” EVENT ON THURSDAY APRIL 11

Make your reservation for this fun event in Maxwell’s Speakeasy, at 7 p.m., celebrating the tasty offerings of Tacoma with a special menu.

Slater says: "We’re going to be showcasing primarily the wine and beer (four wines from 21 Cellars plus three craft beers from Wingman Brewers) and pairing the food to that. We have four cheeses from Backcountry Creamery coming in and then four wines and three beers. I’m going to pick up some greens and eggs from Terry’s Berries. We’re doing poached eggs of course.

I brought in Cheryl the Pig Lady. We’re going to use her chorizo with the paella. Of course we’re doing steak, but if I can find something local for that steak I’ll just swap it out. We're going to pair an IPA with dessert. You don’t see that too often. It’s going to be a ginger spiced cake, similar to a carrot cake."

For more information, including menu, call (253) 682-4115

Ask about the Mother's Day Brunch too.

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PROCTOR ARTS FEST COMMITTEE INVITES PIERCE COUNTY ARTISTS TO ENTER POSTER CONTEST

The Proctor Business District, in the north end of Tacoma, is known for its atmosphere of vitality and community spirit and its delightful summer Arts Fest, which will occur on Saturday, August 3 this year. Through an annual contest, some lucky Pierce County artist's poster design will be chosen to promote this event. The artist will win cash and plenty of publicity.

 

The winning poster for the Proctor Arts Fest 2012, painted by Andrea Greenfield

“The ProctorArts Fest Poster contest is a great way to show off your art,” said BonnieCargol, a member of the festival committee and an artist herself. “If your art is selected, you will not only win $300.00, but you will see it on the Arts Fest posters all over town, in the paper, and on a billboard in the ProctorBusiness District! How great is that?”

 

Here’s how great it is.

·         The winner will receive a $300 purchase award, the acceptance of which grants the Proctor Arts Fest Committee the right to reproduce the artwork ONLY for the purpose of promoting the event. The original art will remain the property of the artist.

·         The winning artist can display his or her artwork in the Proctor Art Gallery on the day of the festival and all through the week preceding it.

·         With the exceptions of photography and art generated by computer, any artistic medium will be accepted.

·         The winner’s artwork will be an important and highly visible part of a popular event that keeps gaining attendees and attention.

Trumpeter Lance Buller and his Combo dazzled crowds at the 2012 Arts Fest

 

The ProctorArts Fest, purposely planned for what is statistically the summer weekend least likely to have rain, has everything going for it—plenty to see, do, and enjoy.  Many of the region’s best artists and artisans of all kinds prioritize this event and reserve their spaces early. Live entertainment and tasty foods make for a day packed full of family fun. But even if you’ve never been to this event, you can use your imagination to create a piece of artwork following the theme of the spirit of a summer art festival.

“Just imagine what a fun Art Fest and street fair mean to you,” Cargol said.  Paint, draw, sculpt, etc., a picture of it, put it on a CD, and mail it to us. Please no photography or computer generated art.”

Although limited to artists living in Pierce County, students at the local colleges are welcome to enter, as are artists of all ages. A committee made up of artists and Proctor business people will judge the entries.

 Additional information:

Do not include lettering on your art, unless it is integral to the design. The printed information will be added to the poster by our graphic designer/printer. Please do not feature any Proctor Business. Submit your entry on a CD. CDs will not be returned.

Entries must be postmarked by April 15, or dropped off at the Proctor Art Gallery, 3811 N. 26th Street, by this date.

Send entries to:

Proctor District Association

Proctor Arts Fest Poster Contest
P.O. Box 7291
Tacoma WA 98417

Include name, telephone number, email, media and brief resume.

For questions, contact Bonnie Cargol at bonniecargol@gmail.com

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PROCTOR ARTS FEST in TACOMA AUG. 4 Offers More FREE Music Than Ever

The Proctor Arts Fest, in the Proctor business district in Tacoma, just keeps getting bigger and better each year. This year's event, on Saturday Aug. 4, tops them all with the addition of the new CHALET BOWL STAGE and many more arts and crafts vendors.

As you wander through the many attractions, be sure to head east on 26th to Washington Street, near the Wheelock Branch of the Tacoma Public Library where the new extension of the festival will be set up for your enjoyment. 

The entertainers booked for the CHALET BOWL STAGE  will make it the place to be, the hot spot of the day. And speaking of HOT, the weather forecast sounds pretty toasty, making the COVERED SEATING even more appealing.

Here are the acts for this new stage:

11:00 - 12:00

LOS FLACOS is a quartet performing traditional acoustic music from Mexico and Latin America on a variety of instruments. Among them are harp, violin, guitar, flute, and hand percussion. They will also sing. This is something truly special and different that you don't get to hear every day. Add to this delightful mix, the talents of a lovely dancer for an experience you won't forget. Violinist Tim Wetmiller is also well known for his band Hot Club Sandwich.

12:15 - 1:15

TOBY HANSON, Leader of the popular and extremely busy Smilin' Scandinavians band, master of the accordion and vocals, and an all around great entertainer, treats us to a special solo performance here. He skillfully presents traditional Scandinavian and European music, including polkas, as well as some great American Western Swing! Fun, funny, and super talented, he'll turn you into an accordion fan for sure.

1:30 - 2:30

LANCE BULLER TRIO  Lance began playing the trumpet at age 13 in Los Angeles and just kept getting better! He excelled at music all through high school and college and was playing with the best rock and jazz bands in L.A.before making a splash in Las Vegas. He played, toured, and recorded with the Beach Boys for years and formed his own band, the Monarchs. Buller has done about 25 albums and continues to grow in popularity as a jazz master all up and down the West Coast and in Canada. But the best part is, he's a proud citizen of Tacoma and lives in the Proctor District. Catch his act at Maxwell's in downtown Tacoma every Friday night!

photo by Dave Prill

2:45 - 3:45

KIMBALL AND THE FUGITIVES  This trio seems to do it all and do it extremely well, offering the truely American music you love and bringing back all those good memories of summers past. With classic rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, swing, rockabilly, country and more, Kimball Conant and the crew keep the good times rolling. Come hear why this band has been so popular throughout the Northwest for years. Don't miss them!

4:00 - 5:00

MORGAN AND GRAVES This amazing duo from Seattle is known far and wide for their performances of a variety of tunes played on guitar and fiddle, plus great vocals. Ranging from traditional mountain music to modern folk tunes, rock, jazz and captivating originals, their sound is one you will fall in love with. Be sure you take advantage of this chance to hear Morgan and Graves so you can learn why they are so much in demand.

See you at the Proctor Arts Fest, Saturday Aug. 4, in Tacoma.



The Power of Passion

You might not even know me, but I'm wishing you a Valentine's Day full of passion. In fact, I wish you passion in every day. It doesn't matter how old you are, what you look like, whether you're married or single, surrounded by friends or a loner. You can have it. But do you really know what "passion" means? The most familiar definition brings to mind a hot date, but look it up in the dictionary. You might be surprised by the others.

In some dictionaries the first definition listed refers to the Passion of Christ, or suffering. It can also mean anger, the feeling of being acted upon by outside forces, or intense, violent, overmastering emotion, or emotion distinguished from reason. You won't find wishes for any of those things expressed in a Hallmark card.

What I'm wishing for you, (in addition to the hot date, especially if it's your spouse) is passion described as love of the most intense kind, ardent affection, fervor, unbridled devotion, an overwhelming desire for, or interest in, an object, activity or idea. I mean the kind of passion that drives a person to practice a musical instrument, develop a recipe, work in a lab to find a cure for a disease, rescue animals, grow the perfect rose, volunteer at a clinic, stand in a cold river casting a hand-tied fly, race sailboats or canoes, teach children to read, stitch a quilt, or write. I have many passions and can't even imagine my life without them. They make me who I am.

I know so many people in Tacoma living their lives with passion, and they share it gladly. Hear and feel the passion in Lance Buller's music when he blows those jazz notes through his horn. Taste it in the organic produce Valerie Foster and her daughter Holly grow at Zestful Gardens. See it in the glint of curved glass that comes out of Mike Malovich's workshop at Oak Brothers Antiques. When he isn't playing music, guitarist Neil Andersson creates oil paintings that transport your mind and soul to a more peaceful place. Chef Bill Trudnowski brings passion to preparing exquisite meals at his restaurant, the Adriatic Grill. Meet Stella Jones, Ph.D., whose passion to help others means people who would otherwise be homeless can find safe housing, through Shared Housing Services. There are so many others I could list.

My friend Andy Anderson, a local historian, is meticulously piecing together an historic map of the South Sound region from about 25 other maps, just for his own use and enjoyment. That takes passion. Another friend of mine, an immigrant, is finishing up her education to become a teacher, after a long, hard struggle. It's passion that got her this far and when she talks about how much she loves working with children I see and hear it in her face and voice. I also have a friend who donates her time and skills as a medical professional, because she believes in giving. People like these bring us new technologies, the world of the arts, books to read, public gardens, education, better approaches to medicine, and more. They inspire us and improve our quality of life.

What's your passion? Mountain climbing? Designing bridges? Microbiology? Growing a garden? Saving a patient or a person in a burning building? Whatever it is I hope this Valentine's Day reminds you to celebrate your good fortune in having something you love to do, something that drives you to be your best. Without it, we fail to reach our full potential as human beings. It is the spark of the divine in each of us. So if you have it, enjoy it. If you don't, find something, anything, you truly love to do, something that makes you eager to get out of bed every morning. Don't just sit there. Live your life with passion.

Jazz, Scandinavians, Art, and Aliens - the Northwest Has it All

Anyone who dares to whine, "I'm b-o-r-e-d," doesn't belong around here, where we like to have FUN. So "get a life" and get out and about. This post on Good Life Northwest offers a few ideas of things to do this week and weekend.

First of all is the jazz. For those who read this on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, get on down to Seattle's Pike Place Market area TONIGHT and take in a great jazz trio at the Pink Door restaurant. Wednesdays always mean a fine time there with the best Italian food and Casey MacGill's Blue 4 Trio. This week though, band members Mike and Matt aren't available so Casey has invited two other great local musicians: Ray Skjelbred on piano and Dave Brown on bass, performing with him from 8-11 p.m. If you read this too late, too bad. But you might still be able to catch the First Thursday Band (guess when) on this first Thursday, Nov. 5, at the New Orleans Creole Restaurant in Seattle's Pioneer Square. Hear Ray Skjelbred and Dave Brown again, playing in this swinging quartet while you dine on flavorful New Orleans and Creole food in one of the city's oldest buildings. Check out all the portraits of jazz greats that cover the walls.

Even if you miss these two performances there's still the Lance Buller Trio at Maxwell's, 454 St. Helens Ave. in Tacoma on Sat. Nov. 7, 8-11 p.m. He plays a hot horn, sings, and makes you laugh. A proud citizen of Tacoma, Lance is known far and wide.

Treat yourself to an exhibit at the Tacoma Art Museum called "A Concise History of Northwest Art," featuring works from the museum's collection covering the decades from about 1880 to the present. It just opened and runs through May 23, 2010. I plan to go, so watch for my review here soon.

Don't forget the exhibit called "In Search of Amelia Earhart," at Seattle's Museum of Flight. Whether or not you saw or enjoyed the movie "Amelia," you'll love the exhibit. I wrote about it here last week, and it is as exciting as promised. You don't want to miss this opportunity to see over 100 artifacts including an actual part of the missing plane. Click on the link, if you don't believe me. And there's more going on...

This Saturday at 2 p.m. the Museum of Flight offers a lecture that's "out of this world." Dr. Woody Sullivan, a University of Washington astronomer will speak in the William M. Allen Theater on several topics related to the possibility of life on other planets, including the search for Earth-like planets, the likelihood of life on other planets within our solar system, and SETI, an institute focused on the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. He's been involved with SETI for three decades and is the man behind the SETI@home project. Although the interest in extraterrestrial life is nothing new, now scientists can carry out experiments and research. Check the Museum of Flight website for details. The lecture is free with admission and part of the museum's celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009.

Need some fresh Pacific Ocean air? Head out west to Ocean Shores for the "Jazz at the Beach" Dixieland Jazz Festival, with nine bands featuring the music of America's great "Jazz Age." While you're in Ocean Shores, enjoy the coast. No matter what the weather, it's always good for the body and soul to be there, hear waves and seagulls, and breathe all that oxygen.

Speaking of waves and seagulls, that makes me think of our proud local Scandinavians whose ancestors helped shape Pacific Northwest culture. My own Danish great-grandfather was a pioneer on Vashon Island. All the Scandinavian countries will be represented at fun events this weekend and next. Experience the Northwest's Nordic heritage at the Scandinavian Festival in Bellingham. Presented by the Nellie Gerdrum Lodge #41, of the Daughters of Norway, this festival draws an eager crowd every year for Scandinavian vendors, live music, a cafe with traditional foods, a bakery full of delicious pastries, and hourly door prizes. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Fox Hall at the Hampton Inn hotel, 3895 Bennett Drive. Admission in ONE DOLLAR.

Next week you can attend another fabulous festival, the Nordic Fest in Langley, on Whidbey Island. Find Scandinavian sweaters, jewelry, traditional foods, live entertainment and more. This event is presented by the Ester Moe Lodge # 39, D.O.N. Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm, at the South Whidbey High School Commons, 5675 Maxwelton Road.

See why I call it GOOD LIFE NORTHWEST? Now go enjoy yourself.