Seattle Center Announces Winterfest Events, 11/26-12-31

By: Oct. 18, 2010
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Connect to the sights, sounds and spirit of the season at Seattle Center Winterfest presented by KOMO 4 TV, five weeks of free (except for Winterfest Ice Rink), spectacular and fun-filled activities and entertainment, Nov. 26 - Dec. 31.
 
Center House displays its winter finest, and festive outdoor lighting illuminates the center of the Center. The Ice Rink returns, along with music and comedy, jazz and dance, cultural celebrations, ice sculpting, fireside singing, student showcases and more.

Following is a complete list of Seattle Center Winterfest events and activities:

Winter Train & Village
Nov. 26 - Dec. 31, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. ? Center House
A Winterfest crowd favorite, an exhibit representing a turn-of-the-century village and train. Members of the public can take a turn driving the train between 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. daily.  Suggested donation $2. Read the posted Centerville News to catch up on what's happening in town this season.
 
Sharing Gift Box
Nov. 26 - Dec. 19, Varied ? Center House
Seattle Center Foundation bring you Sharing Gift Box, a way to share the magic of the holidays with local low-income children, teens and senior citizens. Select a wish, buy a gift and create big smiles


Winter Worldfest
Nov. 26 - 28, Fri. 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 12 noon - 5 p.m. ? Center House
Winterfest"s cultural festival features some of the region"s best ethnic entertainment. Watch as the world comes to life in music and dance with performances from Ireland, India, Africa, Russia, Japan and more. Take in the culture of other lands, or search for unique holiday gifts without having to leave the Center House.


Winterfest Student Showcases (over 100 performances)
Nov. 26 - Dec. 24, Varied ? Center House
Seattle Center Student Showcases provide entertainment as part of seasonal events. They also give public and private schools and youth performance groups the opportunity to share their artistic accomplishments with family, friends and the public.

Elements (exhibit)
Nov. 26 - Dec. 31, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. ? Harrison St. Gallery
Nationally acclaimed artist Christine Awad brings her large-scale canvases to Seattle Center. Based on the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, the paintings are bold studies in color, emotion, and abstraction


Winterfest Ice Rink
Nov. 26 - Jan. 2, 2011, Sun. - Thurs., 11 a.m. -  8 p.m., Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. ? Fisher Pavilion
Glide into the season with the greatest of ease. For novice or Olympiad, the Winterfest Ice Rink offers fun for all. Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, $2 children ages 5 and under, includes skate rental. Cash only. Dec 24 closes 4 p.m., Dec 25 closed, Dec 31 closes at 11:30p.m.

Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra
Nov. 26, 11 a.m. ? Center House
Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, one of the nation"s largest and most noteworthy youth orchestras, performs the traditional opening of Seattle Center Winterfest and the Student Showcase Series with a selection of seasonal works sure to engage and inspire!

Big Band Dance w/Arthur Murray & The MoodSwings
Nov. 27, 6:30 p.m. Lessons; 8 p.m. Dance ? Center House
Put on your dancing shoes for a lively evening with Arthur Murray Dance. Start with 30-minute classes and demonstrations, designed for beginning, intermediate, and advanced dancers. Then practice your moves as you swing the night away to the brassy tunes of The MoodSwings Band, an all-female jazz band specializing in vintage big band and jazz music from the 1930s to the 1950s.

Ice Sculpting
Saturdays, Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11 and 18, 2 -2 p.m. ? Fisher Apron
Artistry and ice unite in a glorious and temporal expression of the season. Watch internationally acclaimed, award-winning artists at work as they create seasonal sculptures - or stop by later to see the glistening result. Each Saturday an ice master will carve a different design.

Fireside Singing
Saturdays, Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11 and 18, 5 - 7 p.m. ? Poetry Garden
Take a mid-weekend break from the frenzy of the season and share in warmth and music around the crackling flames of a bonfire. Folksingers will lead passers-by in a mix of original, traditional and contemporary holiday songs as embers illuminate the night.

College Performance Weekend
Dec. 3 - 5, Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 12 - 4 p.m., Sun. 12 - 2 p.m. ? Center House
Winterfest proudly presents the best of Washington"s collegiate dance and music-makers. Behold the vibrant, polished sounds of talented college students performing jazz, guitar, chorale music, and dance - all in the joyful spirit of the season. Featuring University of Washington, Western Washington University, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle Pacific University and Evergreen State College.

The Comedy of David Crowe & Unexpected Productions
Dec. 4, 7 p.m. ? Center House
David Crowe is a stand-up comedian, raised in Seattle. Known for his highly physical antics and facial contortions, David has garnered national attention, with appearances on Showtime Comedy Specials, NBC, CBS, and Comedy Central. Unexpected Productions has been performing comedy improv since 1983, making their spirited Theatresports show is the longest running improv performance in Seattle.

Seattle's Best Jazz
Dec. 10 - Dec. 11, Fri 7:30 p.m., Sat 11 a.m. ? Center House
A Winterfest sensation that lives up to its name with the national award-winning Garfield H.S. Jazz Band, led by the great Clarence Acox, with special guests Owuor Arungs, Carol Nielsson, and Daniel Quintero. Saturday"s show features the Jazz Band performing seasonal and popular tunes.

Mud Bay Jugglers
Dec. 11, 7:00 p.m. ? Center House
These bearded, unabashed and exuberant risk takers will entertain and amaze audiences. Taking their name from Olympia"s magical Mud Bay, the Jugglers" unique performance style combines impossible looking juggling with precise choreography, physical comedy, and theatrical flourishes. Like fine wine, (and facial hair), their show has grown rich and full over the years.

Klez Katz
Dec. 12, 12:30 p.m. ? Center House
Performing the rich music of the Yiddish diaspora, Klez Katz brings to life a world of vibrant folk songs, theater music and Yiddish tunes - with a bit of Klezmer-influenced jazz tossed musically into the mix.

Microsoft Orchestra
Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. ? Center House
More than just a software giant, Microsoft® is also home to many accomplished musicians, including a 60 member classical orchestra. Come hear them in some sonerous seasonal symphonic selections.

Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra
Dec. 18, 7 p.m. ? Center House
An adjunct ensemble of the Woodinville Community Band, the Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra plays an exciting mix of funk, Latin, jazz-rock fusion, and contemporary jazz, all expressed with the unique power of a big band. Led by saxophonist extraordinaire and music instructor Neil Proff, expect to hear music from great arrangers like Gordon Goodwin, Thad Jones, and Jeff Jarvis.

Seattle Flute Society
Dec. 19, 12:30 p.m. ? Center House
Seattle Flute Society will treat you to a seasonal feast of classical, jazz, baroque, ethnic and contemporary flute music. This Choir of 20 Seattle flutists promotes an appreciation of the instrument by featuring the entire flute family - from the piccolo at the high end down to the rare contrabass flute at the low end.

The Magic of Budd & Durgin
Dec. 20, 2:30 p.m. ? Center House
Award-winning magicians Budd & Durgin feature grand illusion, stunning levitation, doves, manipulation, acrobatics, disappearances and much more in a show packed with excitement, comedy, and fast paced action. This is pure magic action that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Noise Guy
Dec. 21, 11:30 a.m. ? Center House
Charles Preston Williams writes, illustrates and performs funny stories for kids. His live performance mixes a human generated soundscape with classic tales, creating a unique brand of storytelling that will delight young and old alike.

SANCA Acrobatics & Circus Arts
Dec. 21, 2:30 p.m. ? Center House
Founded in 2006, the SANCA Youth Performance Company utilizes a variety of disciplines, including trapeze, juggling, tightwire, unicycle and acrobatics to fascinate young and old alike.

Mad Science
Dec. 22, 1 p.m. ? Center House
Mad Science® is the world"s leading science enrichment provider, introducing children to a world of discovery while sparking imagination. Watch and participate in hands-on science experiences that are as entertaining as they are educational.

Zambini Brothers Puppeteers
Dec. 22, 2:30 p.m. ? Center House
Based on Vashon Island WA, Zambini Brothers is a troupe of puppeteer-artists who perform their splendiferously wonderful Giant Puppets, Roving Comedy Characters, puppet and comedy shows at fairs, festivals, schools, libraries and events throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Featured at Winterfest, The Tasty Tale of Brave Sir Bump.

Hot Dogs USA - Exhibition Jump Rope
Dec. 23, 1 p.m. ? Center House
The Hot Dog USA Jump Rope Team is dedicated to inspiring and educating people of all ages, while fostering local, national and international jump rope competitions, workshops and performances. The team, consisting of about 50 boys and girls ranging in age from six years old to adults, has been performing, competing, and teaching jump rope workshops around the country and the world since 1980.

Klez Kidz
Dec. 24, 1 p.m. ? Center House
This intergenerational group of musicians, singers and dancers presents interactive concerts of World Jewish music and mirth. You"ll hear the wail of clarinets and the rousing sounds of Israeli dance music and witness bottles balanced on the heads of dancers.

New Year's Eve Celebration with The Machine
Dec. 31, 8 p.m. ? Center House
Ring in 2011 with the rocking sounds of The Machine. Known throughout the Pacific Northwest for its highly deanceable covers of 1980"s and 1990"s hits, The Machine offers the best party music in town - setting the stage for a magnificent display of New Year"s fireworks in the skies above Seattle Center!

About Seattle Center Winterfest

Connect to the sights, sounds and spirit of the season at Seattle Center Winterfest presented by KOMO 4 TV, five weeks of FREE and affordable, fun-filled activities and entertainment, Nov. 26 - Dec. 31. Visit Center House - displaying its winter finest - or explore the enchanting Winter Train and Village. The Ice Rink returns, along with music and comedy, jazz and dance, cultural celebrations, ice sculpting, fireside singing, student showcases and more. Seattle Center Winterfest is part of Holidays in the City, and is sponsored by the City of Seattle, Seattle Center Foundation, Seattle Weekly and KOMO 4 TV. Learn more at www.seattlecenter.com.



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