Them: “You’ve NEVER read Harry Potter?” Me: “No....” Them: “But you’ve seen the movies, right?” Me: “None of those either” Them: (Something to the tune of) “Wow, how are you even alive?” Me: "I'm not sure!"   When I was putting together my summer reading list (everybody makes one, right?) I decided that I was … Continue reading Better Late Than Never: Harry Potter

Last weekend I attended the final performance of La Compagnie Hervé Koubi at Meany Hall. I was mentally prepared to unwind and enjoy the show, but this company had other ideas. I found myself on the edge of my seat, following each unexpected twist, turn and acrobatic trick. Choreographer Hervé Koubi opened the performance by … Continue reading La Compagnie Hervé Koubi

It was unusually warm, dry and sunny on this wonderful Easter Sunday. Families and friends gathered together to enjoy Easter eggs hunts and sweet treats. Many would reminisce about times gone by, sharing stories from their travels, warm hugs and hearty laughter. For many people, the gathering of family and friends around the dinner table … Continue reading Why Easter?

As their 2016-2017 season starts winding down, Pacific Northwest Ballet recently presented Director’s Choice, a program consisting of three modern ballets. For me, these works were the embodiment of choreographic diversity. Each brought its own flavor to the program while simultaneously complementing the other works. Empire Noir by David Dawson With dark costumes, stark lighting … Continue reading Director’s Choice at PNB

So I think I'll share a bit about what I've been reading lately. This is a mix of assigned readings and my own selections. Enjoy! Bone by Fae Myenne Ng This novel follows the experiences of Leila, a second-generation Chinese American girl seeking to reconcile her past, present and future. A work of raw emotion … Continue reading Books, Books, Books

I generally have low expectations for movie remakes, but “Beauty and the Beast” turned out to be an enchanting, live-action revision of the 1991 animated classic. With a staggering budget of $160 million, the film appeals to young adults who grew up with the film as well as the next generation of young Disney fans. … Continue reading Feast Your Eyes at “Beauty and the Beast”

A work of fairytale romance told with exaggerated humor, the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of Cendrillon presents dance that turns the timeless tale on its head. On Thursday evening, I attended a lecture and dress rehearsal of the production before seeing the finished product over the weekend. PNB artistic director Peter Boal joined guest artist … Continue reading PNB Cendrillon: A Modern Fairytale

Disney’s newest film, Moana, is another example of stunning 3D animation. This film hits a sweet spot between realism and caricature, placing cartoon characters in a geographically believable landscape. Continued advances in computer animation have made this effect easier to achieve. While Pixar made waves in animation being the first to animate a feature length … Continue reading Moana: A Retold Pocahontas?

On Sunday I went to the Pacific Northwest Ballet performance of the Nutcracker. I danced ballet for 14 years, but I only attended the Nutcracker a few times throughout my life. I was genuinely excited for the performance, but was mentally prepared for some changes. In 2014, PNB retired their Kent Stowell and Maurice Sendak … Continue reading PNB Nutcracker Review

Thanksgiving and Christmas are my two favorite holidays. It sounds strange, but sometimes I feel sorry for Thanksgiving. Constantly overshadowed by Christmas, Thanksgiving is implicitly labeled as the fly-over holiday, as a pit stop on the road to a tinsel-covered, holly-jolly destination. In my opinion, Thanksgiving has just as much (if not more) to offer … Continue reading Making the Case for Thanksgiving