Next 50 Closing Day Features Seattle Symphony, Dance, Food, Closing Ceremony & More, 10/21

Sunday, Oct. 21 marks the final day of The Next Fifty, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, and Seattle Center is planning a fitting finale to six months of anniversary activities. An added incentive for visitors to Seattle Center, the Space Needle is teaming up with Bartell Drugs to offer $1 rides to the Observation Deck, 9:30 a.m. – 11 p.m..

A Closing Ceremony and Seattle Symphony concert serve as centerpieces of the Closing Day Celebration. The free community event also features live music, a student break dancing showcase, Pat Graney dance presentation, performance artist Laurie Anderson in discussion with other women involved in the arts and social change, and mobile food vendors.

The Next Fifty closing date corresponds to that of the World's Fair 50 years ago. Over the past six months, our community has engaged in The Next Fifty and explored the pressing issues of our day. History exhibits, speaker series, conferences, visual and performing arts and special activities addressed six keys areas of regional leadership, influence and development including sustainable futures, science and technology, global health, learning, commerce and the innovation economy and civic action.

The Closing Day Celebration provides an opportunity for Next 50 to thank the hundreds of volunteers and supporters who have given so generously to bring the 50th Anniversary to fruition. We invite the community to join us for day of reflection, entertainment, and family-friendly festivities including:

· 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Final day of Celebrating Century 21 Exhibits, photography, quilts and historical memorabilia. International Fountain Pavilion, free.
· 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Final day of World Vision Experience – Step Into Africa exhibit, Next 50 Pavilion, free.
· 12 p.m. Women Acting Out: Laurie Anderson and local artists explore the role of art in social change. Intiman Playhouse, free.
· 12 p.m.–6 p.m. A selection of food trucks and carts. Seattle Center campus.
· 1:30 p.m.–2 p.m. Closing Ceremony. Fisher Pavilion, free.
· 2 p.m.–3 p.m. Seattle Symphony concert, Ludovic Morlot, conductor, with the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) of Seattle Symphony. Fisher Pavilion, free.
· 3:30 p.m. Land of Pines, courtesy of Fin Records. Fisher Pavilion, free.
· 4 p.m. Extraordinary Futures, student break dancing showcase. Fisher Pavilion, free.
· 4:15 p.m. SEACATS, courtesy of Fin Records. Fisher Pavilion, free.
· 4:30 p.m. Pat Graney – The Chair Spectacle, modern dance performance. International Fountain, free.

The closing of Next 50 marks the start of the next 50 years for our region, city and Seattle Center. We hope that the weighty topics raised, ideas introduced and discussions pursued over the past six months will resonate into the future in ways that inspire individual achievement and collective action among those in our region who are striving to positively impact the world.

Contact the Space Needle (Mary Bacarella, 206 905-2162 and Dan McConnell, 206 819-9211) for details on the $1 Observation Deck ride. For more information on this event and other outstanding programming offered at Seattle Center, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.

Since its beginning 50 years ago, Seattle Center has served as a cultural and civic gathering place in the core of our region. In 2012, The Next Fifty at Seattle Center celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World's Fair and the physical legacy it left. The 74-acre campus exists to delight and inspire the human spirit in each person and bring together our rich and varied community. The 12 million visits to Seattle Center each year generate $1.15 billion in business activity and $387 million in labor income.