Northwest Adventures Short Pacific Northwest Vacations
And Theatrical Reviews
Northwest Adventures | Latest Adventures | Latest Theatrical Reviews | List of All Adventures | Washington State Vacation Rentals
Safe Travel Tips | Travel Links | Travel Videos | Vacation Adventures
 Welcome to Northwest Adventures. Peg and Don Doman are your hosts. We travel around the Pacific Northwest and tell everyone about our journeys. We talk to chefs and sample fine dining, stay at great hotels along with an occasional Bed & Breakfast and interested vacation rentals. Sometimes we write about our trips for the print media and sometimes we write about them for the internet. Every day is an adventure in the Pacific Northwest. There are so many great Pacific Northwest vacations, you'll have to try one or two . . . and come back for more.
Check out our latest newsletter: Vini, Video, Vici. The newsletter contains information on our travels, our work in the community and the latest information about marketing on the internet as well as innovations in video.
We enjoy meeting people and we expect to have a wonderful time when we travel. Our expectations are almost always met. If you have a favorite restaurant or a favorite hotel, where they offer exceptional service, please, share your favorites with us. Or if you have a B&B, hotel, or restaurant that you would like us to try and then include in our stories tell about what you have. No matter what, please share your thoughts.
Our Next Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
We just returned from two weeks in Hawaii and recuperating from the holidays. We'll soon be going to Ocean Shores . . . maybe, but we do have a lovely weekend planned for the Mariott Courtyard in downtown Tacoma, with dinner at Pacific Grill and a wonderful night at the Broadway Center.
Latest Pacific Northwest Adventures and Vacations
Marriott Courtyard and Pacific Grill Restaurant Adventure in Tacoma - A wonderful adventure in downtown Tacoma staying at the Marriott Courtyard, dining at the Pacific Grill and attending a fun evening at the Broadway Center.
The Holidays in a University Place Paradise - Mix teenagers out of school for the winter holidays, great movies at the theaters, and some great food . . . along with a comfortale suite at our favorite bed & breakfast in University Place, and you have quite an adventure.
Pinocchio - CenterStage - Federal Way - Great music, great production and a belly full of laughter. Take your kids or take yourself to see Pinocchio in Federal Way. We took grandkids and had a wonderful evening.
Trip to Hawaii:
Not Leaving on a Jet Plane - We suffer a 24-hour delay getting to Hawaii, but have a local adventure in Sea-Tac, anyway.
Arrival and Welcome - Aloha! - We arrive in Paradise just in time for breakfast and tour: reindeer hotdogs, ambulance, lava tree statues, and rain.
Loco Moco and the Hilo Market - Loco Moco means breakfast to a Hawaiian. We tried it out and visited the Hilo Market, a fish store, saw famous banyan trees, and cooked our own fresh ono and ahi.
Sunday Market and the Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse & World's Freshest Air - I discover pasteles at the Maku'u Farmer's Market and we visit a lighthouse, a concrete house, lava fields and a painted church.
Keaau Village Market, Fancy Gates & Surf Camping - Peg and I get away on our own and visit the Keaau Village Market, and drive around enjoying the views along the shoreline.
Black Sand Beach and Green Turtles - We eat at the southern most restaurant in the USA. See giant Honu Turtles, see a a two headed cow, wild turkeys, visit the City of Refuge, and have cocktails with Don the Beachcomber on the Kona Coast.
Our Anniversary Day - I take a trip to the dump. Peg and I drive with our friends to the most visited tourist site in Hawaii: Kilauea crater and then go to dinner at Kilauea Lodge to celebrate our anniversary.
Hawaiian Thanksgiving - We see a mongoose and have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner . . . kind of.
Lava Walls and Landscaping in Hawaii - I loved the lava fences and walls . . . and how lava formations are incorporated into magical landscape.
Hawi and Kahola - We take a Sunday drive to the northern most village on Hawaii and have the most outstanding moment of my trip to Hawaii.
Puna Pool and Pahoa Lunch - A warm seawater pool refreshes our group, we visit a black lava beach, and have lunch in Pahoa at Kaleo's for fabulous food.
Last Day in Hawaii Looking for Whales - Shopping and packing take up most of our time during the last couple of days before leaving Hawaii, but we find time for a fantastic dinner and we search for whales until we have to leave. Did we get lucky? I was born lucky.
Other adventures:
Paradise in University Place - We find a new bed & breakfast is the view studded city of University Place . . . just seconds from Chambers Bay Golf Course.
Late Night Salty's on a Sunday Afternoon - This adventure involved a large group of friends attending a late night catechism class at CenterStage in Federal Way followed by dinner at Salty's in Redondo.
Patty's Burgers, South Tacoma, Amy Stewart and Wicked Plants - Combine the travel elements of South Tacoma and a horticulture lecture and you do not end up with what would appear to be an exciting adventure. However, as with many adventures, you don't really know what fun they will be until they are done. This Saturday morning adventure was fantastic.
Rolling Thunder Tacoma Chautauqua 2011 - Sponsored by Go Local Tacoma, the City of Tacoma's Office of Sustainability and Pull Together Now, the Tacoma Chautauqua featured workshops by Environmental Business alliance, Tacoma 360, Palmer Scholars, Cascade Land Conservancy, Puget Sound Partnership and others.
Saving Aimee and Corned Beef - Kathy Lee Gifford brings her new musical to Seattle's Fifth Avenue Theatre, while we visit Goldberg's Deli and the Amazon Grill. Great food and a great time . . . but where were the waffles?
The 2011 Fundraising Golf Tournament with Soroptomists - A silent auction and a boistrous steak dinner with apple pie for dessert. Great prizes and auction items. We walked home with many.
Quilt Show and Commencement Bay - A short trip to a quilt exhibit involves centuries, a connection to my grandfather, and an oil painting reminder of why we love the Pacific Northwest.
University of Puget Sound Art Department Exhibit - The University of Puget Sound has a picture perfect campus. The artwork of the faculty is interesting, fun, and makes you think. Art should always be an adventure.
JBLM Small Business EXPO Tacoma - I stop in to check out the state of small business. I talk with some old friends and meet new ones. Small business is healthy!
My Girl Charter Boat Saturn Barter Social On Puget Sound - The chartered boat, My Girl was docked for the first two hours of the party and then embarked for a two hour cruise around Commencement Bay and Puget Sound. About a hundred people enjoyed the food, served by Porters BBQ, the wine served by Saturn Barter, and the networking served up by everyone.
Latest Seattle/Northwest Theatrical Reviews & Interviews
Artist Nola V. Tresslar: always experimenting, always learning, always expressing - Interview by Peg Doman - Pierce County artist Nola Tresslar was born in Little Italy in the Hilltop neighborhood in Tacoma. Nola was always a performer and an artist, from the first crayon she picked up and her first dramatic emotion. Her aspirations were reflected by her Art Education degree from the University of Puget Sound, where oils were her favorite medium.
Stage Noir: Lust, Betrayal, & Murder - Double Indemnity - Back to the original story for this classic film noir now on stage, Double Indemnity.
Saving Aimee - Musical at the 5th Avenue - Kathie Lee Gifford has a keen eye for Aimee Semple McPherson’s life and turns it into musical gold. She wrote the book, the music and the lyrics. Gifford takes a sly look at the passionate preacher and slyly takes a poke at her piety and pompousness and sometimes, her grasping for power and privilege. David Armstrong, the 5th Avenue’s Executive Producer and Artistic Producer, directs this lively, wildly musical and humorous production.
Mary Stuart, a study in politics and conspiracy - play at ACT in Seattle - Review - Excellent acting enhance original drama written by the great Frederick Schiller - a clash of queens.
In the Next Room, or the vibrator play at ACT in Seattle - Since Edison’s discovery of a practical way of producing electricity and wiring a community to get it, Dr. Givings (Jeff Cummings) invented an electrical machine to assuage this hysteria in women. He has invented a vibrator. The play was a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and nominated for three Tony Awards.
High School Revisited - Review of CenterStage's Production of I'm Into Something Good in Federal Way - The Rock and Roll British Invasion Revue. Great performances that were well worth the money.
Runyon, Loesser and Burrows run wild in "Guys and Dolls" - Wowza, yowza! You gotta go see this show! Familiar characters, both in hue, personality and occupation, as well as sparkling performances by gifted performers – what else could you want? Singing and dancing their hearts out, this cast is superb. Damon Runyon would be proud of this production.
Recession engenders fear, anxiety and frustration, all exhibited in “The Prisoner of Second Avenue" - ACT’s production of Neil Simon’s “Prisoner of Second Avenue” is an excellent production with wonderful acting by all the performers. Two of the actors have been co-stars on hit TV shows. See if you recognize them and can tell which shows they were on.
9 to 5: The Musical from Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre - We saw the beautiful, energetic singing, dancing and acting in the musical “9 to 5” at the 5th Avenue Theatre. I really enjoyed it because of the familiar story, developed from the 1980 movie starring Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin.
 Here are some of our Adventures Around the Northwest:
The 2011 Fundraising Golf Tournament with Soroptomists - A silent auction and a boistrous steak dinner with apple pie for dessert. Great prizes and auction items. We walked home with many.
7th Annual Urban Art Festival in Tacoma, Washington - Music, creative arts, new flavored Popsicle, and lunch at Mama Stortini's in Puyallup, Washington.
Ain't Misbehavin and Dash Point Lobster Shop - We take some friends and eat at the Dash Point Lobster Shop and visit the Federal Way Centerstage for a wonderful production of Ain't Misbehavin.
Artie Stops by and Plays the Piano - Recording artist Art Mineo stops by our home and plays for us.
Artist Joseph Kinnebrew and The Quarry - One of the premier event spaces of Skagit Valley is a showcase for internationally known artist Joseph Kinnebrew.
Bellevue Vanities and Drowsy Chaperone - Mesiah Lutheran Church, Aladdin, Jr., Bellevue Eastgage Silver Cloud Hotel, Vanities at ACT Theatre in Seattle, Bilbao Spanish Restaurant & Tapas Bar in the U District, Seattle Musical Theatre's production of The Drowsy Chaperone, and Operation Baby Shower filled out a warm Valentine Weekend.
Bimbo's and the Broadway Center in Tacoma - An auction item pays off with a fun evening featuring original Bimbo's sauce, great food, and pleasant conversations.
Bonnie Hashbrownes & Mo - A concert with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Keb Mo.
Buddy Guy and Little Bill at the Broadway Center in Tacoma - We started with breakfast as the Old Milwaukee, a visit to Stadium Video, dinner at Cafe Divino, and a concert at the Broadway Center featuring two blues legends: Little Bill & the Blue Notes and Buddy Guy.
Breakfast Redux - Review of Alfred's Cafe in Tacoma - In response to readers comments about improved service at Alfred's Cafe, we take a friend to breakfast at an old favorite restaurant.
Candide and Amtrak - Peg and I avoid traffic by taking the Amtrak from Tacoma to Seattle. We walk and cab our way to the Fifth Avenue for a fantastic production of the rarely seen Candide.
CenterStage, 5th Avenue, and ManeStage - 3 Plays in 3 Days - Suddenly Last Sumner - We saw I'm Into Something Good, Guys and Dolls, and The Importance of Being Easnest. We made our home base a rented cottage in Sumner, Washington and dined at The Buttered Biscuit, K.C. Bakery and Cafe, Berryland Cafe, and Farrelli's.
Coffee, Tea or Cookies? - There's nothing more refined than afternoon tea.
Dancin' On The Lemon Grass - Rotary Trip to Olympia and the Harlequin Theatre.
Dancin' On The Lemon Grass - Part Two Another Rotary Trip to Olympia for the Same Harlequin Theatre Production.
David Gardner Growls in Tacoma - Blues artist David Gardner performs in the beer garden at The Harmon Tap Room in Tacoma.
Des Moines and Salty's at Redondo Restaurant Review - We stayed in downtown Des Moines with a great view of Vanshon Island and treated ourselves to dinner at Salty's in nearby Redondo.
Dream Cave Paintings and Breakfast - This adventure starts with the documentary, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, includes a visit to the Tacoma Art Museum for an exhibit featuring the paintings of Normal Rockwell and Navajo inspired glass art by Dale Chihuly, and ends D.O.A. (Dead on Arrival . . . kinda) with breakfast at Dead Oscar's Annex on 6th Avenue in Tacoma.
Drowsy Chaperone, Crab Feed and Pie - A fun night out with friends, with crabs, with actors at Tacoma Musical Playhouse, and with pie for everyone.
Fine Design Wine - A laugh filled wine tasting event for Tacoma Executives at an art frming studio.
Funky Iguana Restaurant Review Tacoma - A new location, but to they serve the best Mexican food in Tacoma? The Funky Iguana scores some points.
Greek Feast for Two - A beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest made perfect by dining on the deck and enjoying the food someone else prepared.
Halcyon Suite - A Seattle Adventure with Nanci Griffith and Mary Gauthier.
A Home Run Adventure on Easter Weekend - Have you ever started to plan something and then all at once everything fell into place? Holiday Inn Express on Puyallup's South Hill was a great place to start.
The Fab Four at the Snoqualmie Casino - A small celebration with friends took us to the Snoqualmie Casino for a wonderful seafood buffet and concert by The Beatles tribute band, The Fab Four. It was fun.
Falling in Love with Puyallup - The background music was too loud, but how can you be offended by friendly people and polite young adults. What a nice way to spend a Friday afternoon. I've always liked Puyallup, but on that Friday afternoon I fell in love.
Hoquiam and then some - A Hoquiam Adventure that took us to Olympia, Tumwater, Satsop, Aberdeen, and Ocean Shores.
Hotel Monaco and 9 to 5 - We stayed at the Hotel Monaco, ate French pastries, dined at Sazarac, and had a wonderful time in downtown Seattle.
Huey Lewis Turns Back the Clock - An adventure to Little Creek Casino in Shelton to hear Huey Lewis and the News.
JBLM Small Business EXPO Tacoma - I stop in to check out the state of small business. I talk with some old friends and meet new ones. Small business is healthy!
Just One of Peg's Birthday Celebrations - A one day rest at La Quinta in Tacoma, Porters Barbeque, and Second City at the Broadway Center for Performing Arts.
John Mayall Jazz Alley and Lola - We meet and watch in awe at legendary rock and roller John Mayall playing the blues at Jazz Alley.
Karrin Allyson at Jazz Alley - We stay at Villa St. Stefan, eath dinner at Jazz Alley and enjoy the beautiful Karrin Allyson and an excellent evening of entertainment.
La Conner and the Queen of the Valley - A two day stay at one fantastic Bed & Breakfast in one of the finest little towns in Washington.
Late Night Salty's on a Sunday Afternoon - This adventure involved a large group of friends attending a late night catechism class at CenterStage in Federal Way followed by dinner at Salty's in Redondo.
A Return Trip to The Queen of the Valley Bed and Breakfast in La Conner - We returned from our return trip with great memories and a car load of bread, cookies, and goat cheese. Is that perfect, or what?
Lunch and a Show at the Seattle Center - What a great little afternoon. We dined at the Food Court at the Seattle Center and saw Book-It Repertory Theatre's Red Ranger Came Calling. The play is a must-see for anyone who loves musicals.
Marcia Ball and The Last Schwartz - This adventure took us to a Marcia Ball and Voice of the Wetland All-Stars concert at the Washington Center for Performing Arts in Olympia, Washington. While there we saw The Last Schwartz at Harlequin Productions, ate at Acqua Via Restaurant, saw My Name is Asher Lev at Theater on the Square at the Broadway Center for Performing Arts in downtown Tacoma and visited with friends at La Fondita in the Proctor District.
Mose Allison and Jazz Alley and Seattle Rep for Equivocation - We stayed at the Warwick Hotel, visited the Palace Kitchen, the University of Washington Bookstore, and T. S. McHugh's Irish Pub & Restaurant.
The Most Romantic Cottage in the World - You can't rent it, you can only read about it.
Mother's Day Weekend - Peg has a wonderful family Mother's Day weekend, which included a Neil Simon comedy at Seattle's ACT Theatre, dinner in Federal Way, and brunch at Johnny's Dock in Tacoma.
Mukilteo - Relax watching the ferries on Puget Sound.
My Girl Charter Boat Saturn Barter Social On Puget Sound - The chartered boat, My Girl was docked for the first two hours of the party and then embarked for a two hour cruise around Commencement Bay and Puget Sound. About a hundred people enjoyed the food, served by Porters BBQ, the wine served by Saturn Barter, and the networking served up by everyone.
Nanci Griffith, Italian Potluck and Wendy's Vietnamese - A fun Italian Potluck at The Villas B&B followed by a Habitat for Humanity home dedication, a musical lecture and a Nanci Griffith concert at the Broadway Center in downtown Tacoma.
Ocean Shores . . . Back and Fourth - What a wonderful place to visit.
Ocean Shores in December - A couple of condos, friends, sage biscuits, Scotch on the balcony in the freezing wind, and a fun night at the Galway Bay.
Ocean Shores in December Redux Redux - What a great time we had. Huge storm off the coast, flooding and great food. Who wouldn't find this an adventure to remember?
“Oh, my god, oh, my god, you guys” – Spam, Poached Egg and Blood Orange Sorbet - We went to the Palace Kitchen in Seattle to enjoy chicken wings and ravioli, which we had seen on our last trip to Seattle in November, but that’s not what we ended up with. Afterwards we saw Legally Blonde the Musical at the 5th Avenue.
Olympia Weekend Kicks - A live rock band and five extraordinary singers presented a visceral mix of beach, brit, blues, folk, psychedelic and metal songs. Sixties Kicks was a fun musical revue at Harlequin Productions in Olympia. We stayed at The Phoenix Inn, dined at Aqua Via, Ramblin Jack's, McMenamin's The Spar and heard some great music and picked up produce at the Olympia Farmer's Market.
On the Town with Tom Douglas - We eat at three Tom Douglas restaurants, and see On the Town at the Fifth Avenue and An Iliad at Seattle Rep.
Paradise in University Place - We find a new bed & breakfast is the view studded city of University Place . . . just seconds from Chambers Bay Golf Course.
Pardi Gras! and Tacoma Executives Association - This was a fun fundraiser for the Tacoma Executives Association involving a casino night and New Orleans themed festivities. It was a great time and made money for the networking group as well.
Patty's Burgers, South Tacoma, Amy Stewart and Wicked Plants - Combine the travel elements of South Tacoma and a horticulture lecture and you do not end up with what would appear to be an exciting adventure. However, as with many adventures, you don't really know what fun they will be until they are done. This Saturday morning adventure was fantastic.
Plum Duff and Cafe Divino in Tacoma - We stay at a great little Bed and Breakfast in Tacoma and sample wine and good times including dinner and a show at the Broadway Center.
Poaching Eggs in Tacoma - A kitchen adventure involving The Dollar Tree, Martha Stewart, Gordon Ramsay, and a simple way to poach six delicious eggs at a time.
Portland on Amtrak - We ride the train visit Powell's Book Store and read a book. A simple adventure, but lots of fun.
Port Orchard - We had a gorgeous view from a cabin built over Puget Sound on the beach in Port Orchard. We ate some great food (Brix 25 in Gig Harbor and The Lighthouse in Port Orchard). We met some fun people, relaxed and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Pacific Northwest. What a great little town.
President Obama, Bye Bye Birdie and Rain - Two U.S. Presidents join forces to give us a great weekend that included a rock and roll tragedy, classic jazz, and graduation ceremonies at the University of Puget Sound.
Proctor Art Fest - Proctor Business District Tacoma - We visit the Proctor Business District in Tacoma and enjoy a hot dog and art.
Proctor District Farmers Market - A truly beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest and ideal for visiting the Proctor District Farmers Market and laughing with old friends and new ones, too.
Puyallup and Sumner Washington - A three day adventure in Puyallup and Sumner for the Puyallup Farmers Market, ManeStage production of Peter Pan, time with a zookeeper and lots of good things to eat.
Puyallup Fair Foundation Golf Tournament - High Cedars - Orting - What a great day for golfing, laughing, having fun and eating a great steak. The golf course in Orting is located on the Puyallup River and is such a beautiful setting.
Puyallup Rotary Crab Feed and Seattle Musical Theatre - We chowdown at the Puyallup Rotary Crab Feed Fundraiser (all-you-can-eat) at the Puyallup Fairgrounds and then head north to the Silver Cloud in Bellevue with three granddaughters in tow for a simply fantastic weekend of good food, a scary art exhibit at the Frye, books and a musical.
An Adventure into the Puyallup Valley at the Tayberry Victorian Cottage Bed and Breakfast - We visit a fish hatchery, order beer at a power station/restaurant, attend a Rotary meeting, and eat world-class food at HG Bistro.
Quilt Show and Commencement Bay - A short trip to a quilt exhibit involves centuries, a connection to my grandfather, and an oil painting reminder of why we love the Pacific Northwest.
The Radisson Hotel near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport - What a great time reading, watching football playoffs, eating great food, and sleeping on a great bed.
Rolling Thunder Tacoma Chautauqua 2011 - Sponsored by Go Local Tacoma, the City of Tacoma's Office of Sustainability and Pull Together Now, the Tacoma Chautauqua featured workshops by Environmental Business alliance, Tacoma 360, Palmer Scholars, Cascade Land Conservancy, Puget Sound Partnership and others.
Roman Meal Bread and University of Oregon - KidSpirit: Chefs in Motion called us to Corvallis for a fun time on the campus and OSU and beer at McMenamins Pub.
Rotary District 5020 Conference, Burning Cupcakes, and Casserole - A great weekend spent at the Bicentennial Pavilion at The Murano Hotel talking with old friends, meeting new ones, learning about community projects, sampling some great cupcakes AND developing a new casserole with leeks and cauliflower.
Saving Aimee and Corned Beef - Kathy Lee Gifford brings her new musical to Seattle's Fifth Avenue Theatre, while we visit Goldberg's Deli and the Amazon Grill. Great food and a great time . . . but where were the waffles?
Seattle - Museums, and dinner at Tulio with Chef Walter Pisano.
Seattle & Keb Mo - Delta Blues on Harbor Island?
Seattle Pacific University Graduation and Mama Stortini's - Graduation at Safeco Field for Seattle Pacific University followed by dinner at Mama Stortini's in Sumner, Washington.
Shenanigans Brunch and Walt's Family Car Show at Dacca Park in Fife - An excellent Sunday brunch followed by a featured film and then a car show of hot rods and custom cars in Fife.
Sixties Chicks at the Harlequin - Olympia - Four beautiful singers, great songs from the sixties, food, family and friends.
Spaghetti with a Twist - Blinded by the Pasta - Who knew that it would be so much fun eating a dinner of spaghetti, salad, and bread sticks complete with bib and blindfold?
Summer in the Sixties - Olympia - Great music and great food . . . even from a taco wagon. We visit Olympia for a stage production and fine dining and the Farmer's Market, of course.
Summer Parties in the Pacific Northwest - We visit three parties and throw our own with cool jazz featuring the Ed Taylor Group, Travis Hartnett, Northwest Quintessence, and much more.
St. Patrick's Day Party - A couple of days late, but good things come to those who wait . . . at the end of a rainbow.
Tacoma - A hometown adventure with art, a play, and dinner at Altezzo with Chef Charlie McManus.
Tacoma Pierce County Dog-a-Thon - The Dog-A-Thon is one of the largest dog walks in the state, and the Humane Society's largest fundraiser! The pledges help thousands of shelter pets find loving homes, and it's a whole lot of fun! We have a gallery of photographs from the 21st Annual Dog-a-Thon.
Tacoma Rotary Auction BBQ Dinner - Raising money for community programs, listening to great music from The Blondes, drinking margaritas, eating excellent catered food, and enjoying life at a backyard summertime BBQ.
Tacoma Executives Association Afternoon Social at Dirty Oscar's Annex - It was an afterwork gathering of members of the Tacoma Executives Association at Dirty Oscar's Annex (D.O.A.) for run and relaxation.
Tacoma Executives Association Golf Tournament - McCormick Woods - Port Orchard, Washington - A gorgeous setting, a load of fun people, competitions, gag gifts, and lots of laughter.
Tacoma Pierce County Out in the Park 2011 - Tacoma Pierce County Out in the Park 2011 is the annual gay pride summer event in downtown Tacoma. The event has booths and musical acts for entertainment.
Tall Ships and Wine in Tacoma - A hometown adventure welcoming the Tall Ships to town with a little wine, food, and conversations between friends.
A Two-Day Stay in Tuscany - Actually, we stayed in Tacoma, but the Tuscan styled B & B mansion brought back old memories of Tuscany of our dream vacation.
Tangled Deli and Panto - We took grandchildren to a film, Leila's Deli by the Tacoma Dome and the Sleeping Beauty Panto. The Panto is a musical and laugh riot for the whole family. Specially commissioned from one of the masters of the genre, Paul Hendy, Sleeping Beauty tells the familiar story in unique panto style. Panto is an English Music Hall combination of slapstick and story telling . . . well, actually mostly slapstick. What a great weekend adventure.
University of Puget Sound Art Department Exhibit - The University of Puget Sound has a picture perfect campus. The artwork of the faculty is interesting, fun, and makes you think. Art should always be an adventure.
A Valentine Adventure in Seattle - Mame, Capitol Hill and 100 Heartbreaks.
Trip to Bountiful at A Contemporary Theatre ACT in Seattle. The play is wonderful and the set is fantastic.
Victoria - Poetry, coffee, and a bra in the wind
The Wedding Singer - The Musical - It's new and better than the original!
Wicked Tango Tapas and 39 Steps in Seattle - We see the musical Wicked, the play The 39 Steps and have a great time.
Wine, Clams, The Washington Huskies, and Geoduck - One short day in the Pacific Northwest provides tasty Walter Dacon Wine, excellent steamed clams, nice relaxing live music, a losing football effort, and some wonderful seafood including geoduck in an afternoon adventure to Shelton, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula.
Will the Real Annie Oakley and Frank Butler Please Stand Up? - An interview with a couple of characters (actors).
Wine, Laughter and Chocolate - A Rotary Trip to Portland.
A Wonderful Summer Evening in Tacoma - A wandering deer, horrible spareribs, local raspberries, and entertainment.
Zoobilee 2004 - This little shindig raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars for the zoo!
ZooZoo and The Spar Tavern - A family Christmas Gift of tickets for a performance of ZooZoo at the Broadway Centers pays off.
Theatrical Reviews and Interviews
9 to 5: The Musical from Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre - We saw the beautiful, energetic singing, dancing and acting in the musical “9 to 5” at the 5th Avenue Theatre. I really enjoyed it because of the familiar story, developed from the 1980 movie starring Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin.
Annie at Tacoma Little Theatre Gallery - Annie as a December fundraiser for TACID was excellent.
Artist Nola V. Tresslar: always experimenting, always learning, always expressing - Interview by Peg Doman - Pierce County artist Nola Tresslar was born in Little Italy in the Hilltop neighborhood in Tacoma. Nola was always a performer and an artist, from the first crayon she picked up and her first dramatic emotion. Her aspirations were reflected by her Art Education degree from the University of Puget Sound, where oils were her favorite medium.
Candide Review from Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre - This was the best of all possible worlds. Great production of a rarely seen musical.
Carrie Fisher Wishful Drinking at Seattle Rep - Wishful Drinking is more than wishful thinking funny.
A Christmas Story”, no, not the Bethlehem one - A Christmas Story - the Musical at the 5th Avenue as funny as the original film plus singing and dancing. Great Show.
The Drowsy Chaperone awakens with a roar - Seattle Musical Theatre Review - Almost no plot, spit-takes and characters that are themselves over-acting produce a play of whimsy and charm . . . and laughter.
Runyon, Loesser and Burrows run wild in "Guys and Dolls" - Wowza, yowza! You gotta go see this show! Familiar characters, both in hue, personality and occupation, as well as sparkling performances by gifted performers – what else could you want? Singing and dancing their hearts out, this cast is superb. Damon Runyon would be proud of this production.
High School Revisited - Review of CenterStage's Production of I'm Into Something Good in Federal Way - The Rock and Roll British Invasion Revue. Great performances that were well worth the money.
An Iliad is the retelling of the Trojan War and the fall of Troy. The one-man performance stars Seattle actor Hans Altwies at the Seattle Rep. Intense and thought provoking, this is one powerful production. A must see!
In the Next Room, or the vibrator play at ACT in Seattle - Since Edison’s discovery of a practical way of producing electricity and wiring a community to get it, Dr. Givings (Jeff Cummings) invented an electrical machine to assuage this hysteria in women. He has invented a vibrator. The play was a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and nominated for three Tony Awards.
On the Town at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle. The 1950 feature film won best musical of 1950 and the play was a smash hit in 1944. The music is still wonderful as is the acting and the dancing.
August Wilson's Fences at Seattle Repertory Theatre - A wonderful play about prejudice, dashed expectations and hope.
Enchanted April at Centerstage Theatre in Federal Way - The play is warm, fun, and makes us wish we were in Tuscany, again. Well done, and what a beautiful facility.
Equivocation at Seattle Rep - Truth is universal . . . but what is the truth? Great play from Ashland.
Jaime Moyer - Second City Hollywood - Interview - Jaime is an alumnus of The Second City-Detroit Mainstage as well as the Detroit Second City Touring Company. She has been teaching improv since 2003, and has also facilitated numerous workshops, with clients ranging from The United States Army to Reuters. She received her degree in Theater from University of Detroit-Mercy, and is a proud member of A.E.A. and S.A.G. Jaime is an award winning actress, who has performed in many a show. She's also directed a few. This all happened in Detroit, so just trust her or ask her, she is happy to discuss in further detail all of her credits. She is a member of the improv troupes SmokeHouse and Code Oscar at Second City-Hollywood. Recently Jaime fulfilled two lifelong dreams when she appeared in a Lifetime Movie and a Wesley Snipes action film. Jaime is the daughter of Don's cousin Lavinia Whitworth (a darn good actress in her own right and tenured theater director at Wayne State. Talent runs in the family. Don's mother and Lavinia's mother were twin sisters.
Jon Douglas Rake Interview from Tacoma Musical Playhouse and The Drowsy Chaperone - Director Jon Douglas Rake of Tacoma Musical Playhouse sits down and talks about the latest production at TMP in which he also stars. The Tony Award winning musical is The Drowsy Chaperone, which ran for two years on Broadway. It is hilarious and Jon gives us some insights into the production.
Kevin Kling and Simone Perrin Breakin' Hearts & Takin' Names at Seattle Rep - Breakin' Hearts & Takin' Names: Storytelling and singing bring hope and joy
The King's Proposal from Seattle Musical Theatre Review - Cross dressing, confused sexual identities and imperial greed.
Mary Stuart, a study in politics and conspiracy - play at ACT in Seattle - Review - Excellent acting enhance original drama written by the great Frederick Schiller - a clash of queens.
The 39 Steps - Very funny and inventive production of the original Alfred Hitchcock classic film.
Myra Platt: Actress and Director from Book-It Repertory Theatre. Myra talks about her Red Ranger adaptation musical project.
Red Ranger Came Calling, Again - This Book-It Repertory Theatre's musical adaptation of Berkeley Breathed's illustrated book Red Ranger Came Calling is a wonderful production that can be seen time and time again.
Sister's Christmas Catechism at ACT, A Contempary Theatre in Seattle - A whole evening of laughter and each evening is different.
Saving Aimee - Musical at the 5th Avenue - Kathie Lee Gifford has a keen eye for Aimee Semple McPherson’s life and turns it into musical gold. She wrote the book, the music and the lyrics. Gifford takes a sly look at the passionate preacher and slyly takes a poke at her piety and pompousness and sometimes, her grasping for power and privilege. David Armstrong, the 5th Avenue’s Executive Producer and Artistic Producer, directs this lively, wildly musical and humorous production.
Scott C. Brown - From Frankenstein's Monster to Jewish Husband - An interview with actor Scott C. Brown appearing in The Last Schwartz at Harlequin Productions in Olympia, Washington.
Sleeping Beauty Panto at CenterStage Knutzen Family Theatre in Federal Way - Sleeping Beauty slept through a laugh riot. Don't miss this play if you can help it.
Trip to Bountiful at A Contemporary Theatre ACT in Seattle. The play was wonderful and the set was fantastic.
Vanities: A New Musical - This new musical is a collaboration between the 5th Avenue and ACT theatres. It is being staged at ACT and directed by the 5th Avenue's David Armstrong. The three wonderful actresses bring successes from both theaters.
Yankee Tavern at ACT in Seattle. Conspiracy theories in a dark little bar with a dash of great writing and wonderful actors.
 Here are some separate NW Adventures restaurant reviews:
Anthony's At Point Defiance - 2004 (Tacoma)
Europa Bistro - 2004 (Tacoma)
The Melting Pot - 2004 (Tacoma)
Multicare - 2004 (Tacoma)
Salty's At Redondo Beach - 2005 (Redondo)
Warthog Barbeque Pit - 2004 (Fife)
FormalBibs Protect Your Clothing While You Eat & Drink
|
