DANCE THEATRE NORTHWEST PERFORMANCE WILL "ILLUMINATE" EXHIBITS AT MUSEUM OF GLASS

Patra Vessel No. 74 by Linda Lowe

The Tacoma waterfront will be the scene of "Illuminations" this weekend. 

My dictionary defines the word "illuminate" as "to enlighten spiritually or intellectually," and Dance Theatre Northwest's world premier performances of new works, experienced at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, on Saturday, March 14, will do just that. Titled "Illuminations," this entirely new presentation of dance numbers ranging from ballet to jazz and tap was inspired by three of the museum's current exhibits and is FREE with admission during Family Day. Performance times are 1p.m. and 3 p.m. 

Artistic Director Melanie Kirk-Stauffer had this to say about Dance Theatre Northwest's upcoming event and the all-new choreography: "Like all creative projects, I had a lot of fun with this show. The individual pieces are unique but they are also all related. The essential part for me is to create something that enhances what is already great art and or gives people a different perspective about what they are seeing or feeling."

Kirk-Stauffers new creations will express her interpretations of exhibits Patra Passage, The Chihuly Drawings, and Kids Design Glass Too. 

Image from "Illuminations" poster - courtesy of Dance Theatre Northwest

“There’s a lot that I like about this show," dancer Amelia Arial said. "I feel that the pieces are a lot different (the choreography) than the pieces we have done previously—unique, new, different and exciting. The dancing is challenging but a lot of fun for me.”  

Patra Passage, an exhibition of 108 ceramic vessels made and painted by artist Lind Lowe, inspired dance numbers 1-7 of the 11 that will be presented:

1. Baroque one – Grace – Antonio Vivaldi

2. Baroque two  - Power – Henry Purcell

3. Baroque three - The Light – Antonio Vivaldi 

4. Cora Son -  The Heart – solo with Allison Zakharov – Spanish Composer unknown

5. The Journey – solo with Oceana Thunder – Contemporary/New Age – N. Gunn

6. Peace of Mind – Excursion - large group lyrical jazz piece – features Philandra Eargle – Contemporary Dance

7. Flower Duet – Call Us Together—solo with Madeline Ewer –Delibes from Opera Lakme 

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8. Planets – features Lauren Trodahl – Phillip Glass – Orchestral 

The Chihuly Towers inspired Planets. The towers rise to a height of 40 feet above the deck of the "Chihuly Bridge of Glass" pedestrian overpass that crosses the freeway between the Museum of Glass and  the Washington State History Museum on Pacific Avenue. 

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9. Pas de Deux - Harmonic Inspiration – Vivaldi Concerto in G Major – Gregory Peloquin and Solana Sartain

10. Precious – Contemporary/Jazz solo with Olivia Stephen-Jordan

The Harmonic Inspiration Pas De Deux and Precious pieces relate to a children’s exhibit called Kids Design Glass Too.

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11. On Your Toes – Musical theatre TAP group Ziegfeld– Rodgers and Hart

On Your Toes relates to The Chihuly Drawings

"My mind was like a maze at first, trying to put this all together," Kirk-Staffer said, "and then the works really started to take shape."

Why not bring the whole family to this delightful and uniquely Northwest event? The museum is located at 1801 Dock Street, Tacoma, Washington. For more information, call DTNW at (253) 778-6534 or the Museum of Glass at (866) 468-7386. Here are detailed directions: http://museumofglass.org/directions


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November Photo Tour of Point Defiance Park

Here in Tacoma on what some call "Black Friday," the clouds shared the sky with November sunshine, giving us a nice break from the rain. If you've had enough of shopping, traffic, and rushing to catch some elusive bargain, remember that in the background of our lives nature moves at its own perfect pace, whether or not you notice. But shouldn't you?

Come along for a breath of fresh air and some serenity through today's photo tour of our beloved local treasure: Point Defiance. Even though many readers know this place, those who don't live around here might enjoy the journey. We'll start out at the ferry landing and take a walk along the waterfront,  then back up through the woods. (Video included.)

Let's wander over to the boat house, just past Anthony's restaurant. It's a great place to enjoy all the action, especially during salmon season, when proud fishermen return with their catch. You can also watch the ferry on its way to Vashon Island and observe seagulls and other birds up close.

This video is best watched on YouTube. Just click on the YouTube logo.

No James Bond action in this video, but it offers what we too rarely take the time to do, and that is to pause long enough in our busy lives to quietly and patiently observe nature, in this case the behavior of seagulls. If you are reading this far from your Northwest home, here's a chance to watch them again and hear their haunting cries.

A long paved walkway tucked under the hill on the point's northern tip makes a lovely place to wander. Shady in the summer and sometimes downright cold in winter, it can be busy or bare. On this day, I enjoyed the solitude.

Bare tree trunks clustered here offer their own beauty.

This must be some kind of lichen.

We are approaching Owen Beach.

During the summer, Owen beach swarms with people, dogs, and cars. I like it best in the off season.

These old steps lead uphill from the beach to the road above.

Watch out for cars in the summer, but by November you might have the place to yourself.

The canopy of trees changes with the season. Few leaves remain.

              Ferns grow on tree trunks in the moist, shady environment of a Northwest forest.

Even the deer feel safe from traffic.

                 I followed them through the playground and then they disappeard over the fence.

The flower gardens have been put to bed for the winter and signs tells us that new plantings of bulbs hide deep under the mulch and soil, awaiting spring. However, even these plants now gone to seed offer their own beauty and remind us of the way nature's cycles go on without regard for mankind's folly.

As we officially enter the holiday season, I wish you happiness and peace.

Photos and text copyright 2011 Candace Brown

Celebrate Independence Day aboard historic tug Comanche

Oh, if only Comanche could talk, I thought to myself. On June 6, 2009 I climbed aboard the old tug where she was docked outside Tacoma's Working Waterfront Museum, for a tour and the opportunity to sense the spirit of this historically important vessel. Her sides show rust and evidence all around that the restoration of this WWII oceangoing tug is "a work in progress." My hands felt the gripping texture of decorative and carefully braided fine rope that covered the handrails on the ship's ladders and also enclosed posts. Sailors from long ago, now old men if they still live, conquered boredom and tried to beautify their shipboard home with this ancient maritime handiwork, now covered with paint.

Comanche started life in Port Arthur, Texas as a Sotoyomo class auxiliary ocean tug, ATA-202, launched in October 1944 and commissioned in December that same year. She served our country well in the Pacific in WWII and saved many lives, towing damaged vessels out of the chaos of battle to safety and repair at U.S. facilities. She was awarded a battle star. Comanche's long life story includes being given different names over the years and service in many different places, under both the Navy and Coast Guard and as a privately owned commercial tug. Now she belongs to the non-profit Comanche 202 Foundation run by President Joe Peterson, M.A. She's old and not so pretty any more, but everyone involved with saving this historic vessel loves her like Joe does. Comanche needs more people to care. If people don't come forward to save this floating museum she'll end up being one more tragic loss of our maritime history, like the schooner Wawona, gone forever. There are still WWII veterans alive who would not be, except for her and the old tug reminds us to never forget those who fought for the nation and freedoms we now enjoy.

Comanche needs our help. She needs funds for repairs, and even for fuel. Most of all she needs a permanent home. "That's our biggest concern right now," Joe told me. The Olympian newspaper story by reporter John Dodge, June 9, 2009, says it all. (click here for link) This morning Joe sent out an email about how people can help the cause and have fun doing so:

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR Comanche crew, supporters and visitors:
We have had a great time in Tacoma at the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum. Comanche has been invited to be the point boat for the 4th of July Air Show and Fireworks Show. It will be the best seat in the house! We are now signing up volunteer crew and guests. Non-crew guest can come for a $100 or more donation for the Air Show or the Fireworks show. ($100 donation or more for either.) Comanche will be at anchor during the shows until Sunday morning. Crew and guests will be shuttled to and from the Comanche in our vintage historic shore boat the Mimesis (see photo below.) Air show is 1:30 to 3:30. We will head for anchor about 9:30 am but if you are coming and would rather get picked up at the Museum dock at noon we can do that, too. Fire works is at 10:00 pm and we'll start picking people up for that around 8:30 pm. Dress accordingly for whatever the weather might be.

We will have a 4th of July BBQ on the Comanche, bring your own food/meat to BBQ and something for a salad. BYOB drinks. Comanche has steel folding chairs only so you may want to bring a nice comfortable folding lawn chair. There are a limited number of USCG approved life jackets so if you have those bring them along. If not please let me know you need one. Comanche has a working restroom, lights and plenty of deck space to enjoy the shows. And you'll get a special tour of the ship, too! Bring your camera! These will be the choice seats for both shows! We will limit on board crew and visitors to 25.
Comanche will remain at anchor Saturday night but all guests and any crew who need to leave will be brought back to the dock at the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum after the air show and after the fire works. If you want to spend the night aboard at anchor let me know.
Email me for details. Limited number of people can come along so let me know soon! (253) 227-9678.

VOLUNTEERS Work party this Thursday, Friday and Saturday June 18-20 11 am to late afternoon on board Comanche at the south end of the Museum dock (can't see the ship from the road but park on the street north of the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum, 705 Dock St., Tacoma and take the bay side walk and you'll see Comanche at the dock.) Come for one all days this weekend for how ever long you can. Mostly cleaning and painting. Bring a lunch and drink.

Work party June 26 & 27th as well. Same place same time same work, same party!. Please r.s.v.p. if you think you can make any of those work days. If you want to spend the night(s) on board you may do so but let me know that is your intention.

And we need to sign up crew for the 4th of July weekend.

Please consider Joe Peterson's offer of a great way to celebrate Independence Day. Nothing could be more patriotic.