2010.2.26. Joseph Stiglitz

Stiglitz talks at Town Hall. Short of my expectation. Not the best speaker. I even dozed off. I was not the only one. A full house (I bought the 2nd to last ticket). As soon as he finishes, half of the audience left. He talked about his new book Freefall for about an hour, followed by Q&A, which is more interesting. He criticized congress' failure to oversee the bailout money, US government's inability to reform the financial industry, Greenspan's illusion of free market. He argues for more regulation, more stimulus money, more deficit, hoping that they would eventually bring revenue and tax. Nothing much new.

2010.2.25. Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde at The 5th Ave Theatre. Very pink, silly, stereotype, energetic. 2 little dogs. Cater to teenagers. There was indeed more young audience than usual. The song "Gay or European" is pretty funny.

2010.2.23. Max Raabe

A Night in Berlin: Max Raabe & Palast Orchester brings German dance hall music of the 20's and 30's to Seattle. I went to the concert, under the illusion that they were like Comedian Harmonists (according to wikipedia). It's more of a vocal solo + jazz band. Ugly men in black + 1 Italian woman in red. Raabe is pretty funny, exaggerating German accent and seriousness. Thus, I had a little trouble with his articulation. It was a lot of fun. I especially liked their closing number, Dort tanzt Lu-Lu, a waltz, where each musician rang a bell with a specific pitch.

2010.2.20. Snowshoe at Mt Baker ski area

Beautiful all around. Open and gentle slopes. Sunny and warm. 6 hr drive R/T. Hiked for only a little over 3 hours. Should have camped here, so to continue the next day. Many people are here taking advantage of the rare good weather. Saw about a dozen tents (all with dull colors). Quite a few hike up carrying the gears, and ski/snowboard down. Looks fun.

2010.2.18. Tacoma's Art Walk

3rd Thursday Art Walk in Tacoma.
My first stop is Tacoma Art Museum for its temporary exhibition of Movement of Impressionism. The museum is very small. It has 3-4 Renoir's, 1 Corot, 1 drawing by Mary Cassatt. Its small exhibition of History of Northwest Art is not bad. My favorite is a night ballet scene by Everett Shinn. My first visit here, despite the fact it's so close to Seattle (easy bus ride on highway: 590, 592, 594), and how often I visit art museums.
My 2nd stop is Washington State History Museum. Lots of things to see, and activities. There's a guided tour at 6:30 and 7pm, with demonstrations.
My last stop is Museum of Glass. The outdoor installation Fluent Step by Martin Blanks is glowing over water. Absolutely beautiful. See images (copied from his website). Another installation Mirrored Murrelets is cute. The exhibition Kids' Design Glass is sure to bring smiles.

2010.2.17. Russian National Orchestra

Russian National Orchestra under the direction of Mikhail Pletnev, performs at Benaroya Hall.

Tchaikovsky: Elegy for String Orchestra.
Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104. Cello: Segey Antonov.
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 9 in E-flat major, Op. 70.

The most enjoyable is the two encores. First a jazz piece, then a dancing and bouncy work. Fun and joyful. Pletnev is succinct and efficient, wearing something looking awfully like the Mao suit, just less pockets. At least two of the Seattle Symphony violinists joined the orchestra on stage tonight.

2010.2.13-14. Winter Olympic's O-Zone

Visit the O-Zone in Richmond on 2/13. Drizzle and chilly. Not many people. Not much to see.
New Year's eve dinner with relatives (total 11 at the table).

Sunny and warm on Sunday. Joined crowds for more Olympic setups in Vancouver. LiveCity Downtown: a large screen showing live competition, a couple of wii-like, but really bad computer sports games, some computer info screens, some old skis used in Olympics. Took a picture holding the Olympic torch. Long lines and small venues.) Outside, 3 guys were tumbling on trampoline. One wears snowboard, one skis, one just socks. They were awesome. Vancouver Art Gallery is open for free. There's a temporary exhibit of Da Vinci's anatomy drawing and manuscript, borrowed from Queen Elizabeth's collection. That's well worth the visit. Top (4th) floor of the gallery is devoted to B.C. for the Olympic crowds. Its computer animation touch screens are quite interesting. Outside the Gallery, BC premier Gordon Campbell was taking pictures with visitors. So I also joined in and took a photo with him. In the evening, strolled by the waterfront to check out the Olympic flames, and the 5 loops. Again, lots of people.

2010.2.11. Brahms' Piano Quartet No. 1

Seattle Symphony with Stephan Jackiw.

Barber: Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance, Op. 23a
Barber: Violin Concerto, Op. 14. Stefan Jackiw, violin
Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 (arr. by Schönberg)

The first movement of Barber's violin concerto is absolutely beautiful. Our young star loves to show off and makes too much unnecessary facial and body movement. He played a solo Bach as encore. Pretty nicely done. The other discord Barber's piece requires a huge orchestra including a piano and harp. 4 guys on percussion. The stage is filled to the rim. Schönberg's Brahms is louder and more colorful. No piano. The first 3 movements all start with power and end with tenderness. The last movement is short and joyful. The house is only half full. A pity.

2010.2.10. River Why

Book It Repetory Theatre presents James Duncan's novel River Why. A coming of age story of a fishing maniac in Poland area. Quite poetic. Almost no stage. Good acting. Certainly brought the story to life.

2010.2.7. Seattle Symphony musically speaking concert.

Busoni: Suite from Turandot, Op. 41.
Schumann: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 97, “Rhenish”

My first time to this series. Gerard Schwarz spent 15 minutes on each piece, pointing out the musical phrases and imagery it's trying to convey, as well as some historical background of the composer. Educational to non musically trained people like me. 2nd movement of Schumann's No. 3 is very fitting for its title: pretty and flowing.

2010.2.5. The Sleeping Beauty by PNB

Music:        Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Op. 66, 1889)
Choreography:      Ronald Hynd (after Marius Petipa)
Staging:           Ronald Hynd, Annette Page, and Amanda Eyles
Scenic and Costume Design: Peter Docherty
Lighting Design:   Randall G. Chiarelli
Duration:          3 hours
Original Premiere: 1/15/1890; Imperial Ballet, St. Petersburg, choreography by Marius Petipa
Hynd Production Premiere: 1993; English National Ballet
Aurora:            Mara Vinson
Prince Lucien:     Seth Orza 
Lilac Fairy:       Carrie Imler 
Carabosse:         Jonathan Porretta

Sumptuous costumes and stage set. A big production: close to 100 dancers. Our Aurora is not pretty, but her pose is very stable. Our Lilac fairy can loose 10lb if not more. The cat dance is fun. The kids are cute. 3 intermissions: too long.