Seattle Official Visitors Guide 2008-2009 - (Page 21) The Artists’ Guide to Seattle, says, “It seems like more spaces than ever are showing art. I’ve had countless shows in cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. Shows like that create a social opportunity in which to see art.” And Seattle’s love for the alternative isn’t limited to visual art. After all, this was the home of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, trailblazers of the grunge rock era whose influences spread to nearly every music genre. Even the 105-year-old Seattle Symphony Orchestra stays hip. In addition to performing the classics, it purposefully creates programs featuring popular groups such as vintagechic Pink Martini, whose multilingual vocals and retro jazz have led to conga lines in even the most sophisticated concert halls. For those who think ballet is “old school,” consider the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Long acclaimed for its outstanding Balanchine repertoire, PNB is equally noted for its contemporary work and is not afraid to dive into the fun, recently completing a dance festival themed “Laugh Out Loud!” Fringe theater — a term used to describe smallscale, experimental shows — has become an integral part of Seattle’s arts scene. Local theater service group Theatre Puget Sound counts more than 140 producing theater companies in its membership. Overall, Seattle’s arts scene mirrors its inhabitants. For every traditionalist, there’s a non-traditionalist; for every serious piece of art, there’s something to make you chuckle. Some say it’s the coffee culture. Others say it’s the weather. It could just be that Seattle is the cultural center of the Northwest, and its citizens are happy to celebrate. Whatever it is, there’s no doubt that things are fun and a little quirky, too. Clockwise from left: Olympic Sculpture Park; Seattle Symphony Orchestra; glass art at Pike Place Market; Pacific Northwest Ballet. Credits: ©Denise Chambers/Weaver, ©Yuen Lui Studio, ©Anna Zoromski/Weaver, ©Angela Sterling WWW.VISITSEATTLE.ORG 21 http://WWW.VISITSEATTLE.ORG
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.