Belles of the Sound

Well, I got married last weekend, and am taking off for my honeymoon this coming weekend, so admittedly, I’m a bit behind on my exciting local events for the coming weeks. However, I did have a little gem in my inbox that I thought I would share this week.

On Thursday, February 9 at 6:00pm, Seattle Greendrinks, a local community networking group designed to connect environmental professionals, is holding a fun event called Vodka Wars. Hosted at Local 360, Vodka Wars will showcase and pit two local Washington distilleries against two Oregon distilleries. Attendees will be able to taste four wonderful local vodkas and enjoy food pairings by Local 360.

Tickets are $30, and tickets are not sold at the door, so you must purchase in advance. You can pick up tickets at strangertickets.com.

The two Washington vodkas featured will be Peabody Jones from Woodinville Whiskey Co. and Mischief Vodka from Fremont Mischief. The two Oregon vodkas featured will be Indio Silver from Cottage Grove and Dog Watch from St. Helens’ Ye Ol’ Grog Distillery. And, if that’s not enough to get you interested, distinguished mixologist, Paul Ritums, will be on hand to create, shake and stir a fine assortment of Vodka drinks plus introduce a bonus spirit: broVo.

Read on for the latest in our Belles’ Man on the Street series extoling the adventures of Henry Fitzgerald as he moves from Florida to the Emerald City. 

Five months ago I moved from the Sunshine State all the way across the country to Seattle to start a new job. I had recently graduated from UCF and was looking to get out into the real world and make it on my own.  I didn’t know much about Seattle aside from the fact that it rains a lot and the SuperSonics moved from there. Still, I hired some movers, packed up my few possessions and set off to meet my future.

Once I arrived in Seattle and settled into my apartment, I figured it was time for me to get out and explore. Of course I didn’t exactly know where I should go since I had only been there briefly for an interview and I didn’t have much time to find anything.

This next part might take away from the excitement of the story, but it definitely came in handy for me. Instead of going out and just wandering around town, I decided to get on social media and see what I could find out about Seattle. I figured I could find some nice spots to eat at and different spots to check out on the weekends. I was right.

Seattle Restaurants @searestaurants

I found a Twitter account dedicated only to posting information about different places to eat in Seattle. It was love at first Tweet. I love to eat and to tryout different cuisines from various cultures. I was able to find a spot to eat that first night at a diner that was mention in a post and the food was great.

After that I decided to try this out again and see if I could learn more about the Seattle nightlife.

Seattle Places @seattle_places

The Seattle Places Twitter account posts about spots around the city that have events or parties going on. Another great thing about it is many of the posts list discounts for various places. It has something for everybody too. I saw a post with 87 percent off of a massage and another one for 55 percent off of guitar lessons. They post about various bars and clubs too. I’ve been to a couple of spots the account recommended to get some wings and watch the college football bowl games and some NBA action.

Daily to do list

I also came across a page on Facebook called 365 Things to Do in Seattle. This turned out to be another great resource for me to find different activities that are taking place here. If I have a question, I can ask right through the site and get an answer right back from other locals. I have come across some really helpful and friendly people through the Facebook page who keep me posted on different events that they hear about, which makes the service even better.

Social media has made my transition to a new state and city much easier. Not only was I able to find places to go that I enjoyed, but I also save money in the process and met some cool people. I’m not sure I could have adjusted as well to a cross-country move before the Internet and sites like Twitter and Facebook.

I’m a musical theatre nerd. I remember seeing my very first roadshow of Cats in Portland when I was just a wee little kitten. I fell in love with Les Miserables before I was old enough to understand all the historical situations and adult plot lines. When I was in college, I participated in an open call audition for a Broadway show in New York. I was vastly underprepared, but I certainly had heart and a never-ending love for musical theatre.

In Seattle, I’ve had the opportunity to see several shows at the 5^th Avenue Theatre. I’ve been impressed with every show I’ve seen there. I’ve wanted to do season tickets for years, but my wallet doesn’t always agree. If you are like me and love musicals, but don’t have a thick pocketbook, I have the deal for you!

5^th Avenue Theatre is doing a 3 for $99 promotion for the rest of January. For only $99 you get a ticket to three upcoming musicals; Oklahoma!, Damn Yankees and Rent. And these aren’t the cheap seats in the back. All the tickets are the best available orchestra seats! My sister and I decided to do this deal and I got our tickets in the mail yesterday. Our seats range from the third to eight row. That’s pretty awesome considering we got all three tickets for not much more than the cost of one single ticket would cost!

Below are the full details from the website. If you’re a musical theatre fan, this is a don’t miss! So call today!

A Smash Putt obstacle. Photo via SmashPutt.com

Do you enjoy putt-putt, but are maybe looking for a little change of pace? If so, Smash Putt may be for you! Smash Putt is a seasonal mini golf experience unlike anything you’ve seen before. This year’s theme is “2012: The Final Apocalypse,” which sounds like an absolute blast to me. It features unbelieveable obstacles such as the golfball cannon or a new one featuring scratch and sniff technology according to the website.

Once you are done putting, feel free to stick around for cocktails. Smash Putt has an on-site lounge, as well as a viewing room so you can watch others tackle the putting elements. The also have group rooms for rent if you want to through a private Smash Putt event.

You MUST get tickets in advance. Every night sells out. The catch is that they only sell tickets for the upcoming weekend, so you have to be on top of your game. Go to this website to select your tee time and purchase tickets. Note that some times are strictly 21+. Tickets cost $12 or $15 depending on your tee time.

Smash Putt is located at 2764 6th Ave. S in SoDo. It’s open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting this weekend through the end of February!

Don’t miss out on this wacky putting adventure.

Can you believe its almost 2012!! Oh my, the time does fly.

If you are still lacking NYE Party plans, I’ve got an off-the-beaten-path suggestion for you, literally. The popular Underground Tours by Bill Speidel (located in Pioneer Square, for those of you less familiar) is hosting a special version of it’s popular 21 and over tour, the Underworld Tour. According to its website, the Underworld Tour is ”an historic guided tour of sin and flimflam in Seattle’s infamous old red-light district.”

This tour of Seattle’s dark underbelly kicks off at 10:00 p.m. and includes a cocktail served at the end of the tour in Doc Maynard’s old house. ADDITIONALLY, you get a glass of champagne at midnight on the house. It is recommended that you reserve your tickets in advance, which are $25 each. Please note this tour is strictly 21+, and don’t forget that you can continue the fun at any of the fun bars and clubs within walking distance of the tour!

The Belles and I wish you all a happy and safe new year, and look forward to the exciting things to come on this blog in 2012!

Here’s a Nutcracker you don’t want to miss!

In it’s sixth annual year, the Verlaine+McCann production, Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker is selling out shows all season. The production has been hailed as the “perfect mix of singing, acrobatics, glamour and smutty jokes” (ProstAmerika), that features an all-star cast from Seattle’s Burlesque A-list.

This isn’t you’re average Nutcracker, so maybe leave the kiddos at home but if you’re game for a little mash-up of classical dance and vintage bump, this ones for you. It’s not too late to get in on the action. Two additional shows were just added to the schedule, Tuesday, December 27 at 7pm and 10 pm and one of the Christmas Eve performances still has tickets for sale (standing room only for sold out shows may still be available. Call: 206.838.4333. All performances are all the Triple Door.

All photos courtesy of Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker

Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker

Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker

The Seattle Christmas Ship Festival starts today! For those unfamiliar with the musical, brightly lit flotilla of holiday spirit, the Seattle Christmas Ship Festival is a 62-year old Northwest holiday tradition involving boats, lights and carols. Great, right? Each night through December 23rd, Argosy ships adorned in Christmas lights sail to various waterfront locations where choirs on-board sing 20 minute caroling performances that are broadcast via a speaker system for all to hear.

I experienced my first Christmas Ship Festival last year and really enjoyed it. Not to be cheesy… but I’m going to be… the lights, music and sense of community really brought out the holiday spirit warm fuzzies for me. This is time of year is for family, friends and celebration, and the Christmas Ship Festival brings all those things together. And it’s on the water, which makes it even better because anything involving water or boats automatically gets extra brownie points in my book. There are a few ways you can experience the Christmas Ship holiday spirit warm fuzzies, and as the good blogger I try to be, I will share them all with you.

On shore: Thousands of people gather on shore at the waterfront destinations around large bonfires to see the ships and listen to the carolers. For a list of waterfront destinations by date, visit the festival website.

On a boat: If you’re the lucky owner of a boat or the lucky friend/family member of someone who does, you can join the Christmas Ship conga line. Decorate the boat with lights and join the many others who follow the Argosy ships to their destination and watch the show from the water.

On board an Argosy Christmas Ship: Climb aboard one of the Argosy Christmas Ships and be right in the middle of the action. Visit the festival website for tickets — note the cruise includes dinner. Yum, yum.

The best part about Christmas Ships? A portion of all ticket sales benefit The Seattle Times Fund for the Needy, an annual program that raises money for charitable organizations in the Puget Sound area. So c’mon! Get your holiday spirit on and check out the Seattle Christmas Ships. You might even catch yourself dramatically singing a carol like someone I know did last year….

So much holiday spirit. Some might even say too much... [Christmas Ships 2011

I’m checking out A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol tonight and have heard nothing but great things about it. If you like to laugh, I encourage you to do the same.

Here are the details:

First performed in 1985, A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol brings Charles Dickens’s Christmas classic to the stage with a twist!

What if Scrooge owned a pet store? What if the Ghost of Christmas Past was a Film Noir detective? What if Tiny Tim wasn’t so tiny?

The audience gives suggestions up front, and UP’s improvisers use these suggestions to tell an all new tale of how Christmas can (or can’t!) change Ebeneezer Scrooge’s life!

This is a great show for families, shoppers, tourists, and audience members of all ages!

There are plenty of dates on the calendar:

Thursday, Dec 8, 2011, 8:30pm

Friday, Dec 9 2011, 8:30pm

Saturday, Dec 10, 2011, 8:30pm

Thursday, Dec 15, 2011, 8:30pm

Friday, Dec 16, 2011, 8:30pm

Saturday, Dec 17, 2011, 8:30pm

Thursday, Dec 22, 2011, 8:30pm

Friday, Dec 23, 2011, 8:30pm

The show is at the INTIMAN PLAYHOUSE (201 Mercer Street Seattle, WA 98109) and you can contact info@unexpectedproductions.org for more information.

Looking for some good, family-friendly Christmas fun this weekend? One of our dear bloggers, Karianne, is participating in the annual street corner caroling competition that takes place downtown Seattle called Figgy Pudding! All proceeds from event donations go to the Pike Market Senior Center & Downtown Foodbank. Figgy Pudding consists of more than 40 caroling groups all over downtown.

The Salmon Bay Eagles club is off the main drag of Ballard. Sandwiched between an auto shop and a wedding dress store, I walked by it for years. In theory, that is the way it is supposed to work, since you have to be a member to enjoy it’s amenities. Amenities = a great, cheap bar and food most nights for members. Maybe food all nights, I can’t remember.

But, for those of us still looking for members to sponsor us, they have special events anyone can attend. Currently showing is The Moritfur Hotel. Described by a cast member as a “one of a kind musical murder mystery dinner show,” the doors open at 5pm and your $40 ticket price includes a 6-course dinner served at 5:30. The actual show starts at 7:00 pm and drinks are (of course) available.

The Mortifur Hotel

More information can be obtained by emailing themortifurhotel@yahoo.com and tickets can also be purchased by calling 206-783-7791.