Winterfest Premier Events feature spirited performances, magical moments, thrilling spectacles and an outstanding selection of artists from across the region. You'll discover all the entertainment you desire to make the season bright - from orchestral performances to inspirational choral music; big band dancing and smooth jazz; physical feats, magic, sing-along bonfires, ice sculpting, multicultural celebrations and international arts await one and all.
Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra
Winterfest Opening Ceremony Friday, Nov. 27, 1pm
Center House, FREE
Seattle Center Winterfest officially opens with the noble drone of the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band. Join Mayor Greg Nickels and Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams to herald in five weeks of spirited seasonal festivities.
©Jal Schrof |
Winter Worldfest
Friday, Nov. 27, 1pm - 6pm;
Saturday, Nov. 28, 10am - 5pm;
Sunday, Nov. 29, 11am - 5pm
Center House, FREE
Website: ethnicheritagecouncil.org
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, Brazil, Japan and more. Take in the culture of other lands, or search for unique holiday gifts without having to leave the Center House. The Holiday World Market offers goods from Russia and Istanbul.
Click here for complete schedule
©Alan Krell |
Winterfest Ice Sculpting
Saturdays, Nov. 28; Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26, 12 noon - 2pm
Outside Fisher Pavilion, FREE
Artistry and ice unite in a glorious and temporal expression of the season as internationally acclaimed, award-winning artists create seasonal sculptures. Watch while they work or stop by later to see the glistening result. Each Saturday an ice master will carve a different design.
Fireside Singing
Saturdays, Nov. 28; Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26, 5pm - 7pm
©Alan Krell |
South Fountain Lawn, FREE
Website: hankcramer.com
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 folk holiday songs as embers illuminate the night. Nov. 28, Dec. 12, Dec. 19 - Hank Cramer. Dec. 5, Dec. 26 - Bruce Baker
Big Band Dance with Arthur Murray and Pacific Cascade Big Band
©Alan Krell |
Saturday, Nov. 28: 6:30pm, Classes & Demos;
8pm, Dance
Center House, FREE
Website: youcouldbedancing.org, woodinvilleband.org/BigBand.htm
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 Pacific Cascade Big Band, specializing in vintage big band, jazz music from the 1930s to the 1950s.
College Performance Series
Nov. 30 - Dec. 3
Center House, FREE
Winterfest proudly presents the best of Washington’s collegiate dance and music-makers. Behold the vibrant, polished sounds of talented college students performing jazz, Latin, chorale music and dance - all in the joyful spirit of the season.
Nov. 30, 5pm: Cornish College of the Arts Chamber Ensemble
Dec. 1, 5pm: Seattle Pacific University Clarinet Choir
Dec 1, 6:15pm: Cornish College of the Arts Latin Jazz Ensemble
Dec. 2, 6pm: Evergreen State College Orissi Dance Ensemble
Dec. 3, 4:30pm: University of Washington Choirs
©Mark Siano |
Mark Siano and the Freedom Dancers: “Soft Rock” Music, Comedy and Dance
Friday, Dec. 4, 8pm
Center House, FREE
Website: marxiano.com
Direct from his sell-out performances at The Triple Door, Seattle-based performer and producer Mark Siano teams with The Freedom Dancers to bring their unique version of “soft rock” music to life. With an exciting blend of high energy dance, seductive style and vicious comic timing, this hilarious tribute to the ‘80s will have you toe tapping and belly laughing.
©Chuck Tuck |
Seattle Girls’ Choir
Saturday, Dec. 5, 1pm
Center House, FREE
Website: seattlegirlschoir.org
The melodious voices of Seattle Girls’ Choir, who have performed nationally and internationally at the Salzburg Music Festival, will grace the Center House Stage with their youthful talents, sweet, soaring voices and amazing musical maturity.
©Chuck Tuck |
Northwest Boychoir
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2pm
Center House, FREE
Website: nwchoirs.org
With more than 150 members ages 6 to 13, Northwest Boychoir is regarded as among the absolute best nationwide. The Choir has performed around the world - on movie soundtracks, in video games, with the Seattle Symphony, and now at Winterfest.
Comedy Saturday! David Crowe & Unexpected Productions - Comedy Improv
Saturday, Dec. 5, 7pm
Center House, FREE
Website: davidcrowe.com, unexpectedproductions.org
Ring in the season with laughter. This double header features the genius of stand-up comedian David Crowe. 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. Then get ready for comedy improv by Unexpected Productions. Direct from the Market Theatre at Pike Place Market, UP has been offering its unique brand of comedy since 1983.
Seattle World Percussion Society
Sunday, Dec. 6, 12 noon
Center House, FREE
Website: swps.org
Experience the infectious rhythms of Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and Native American with a live performance by Seattle World Percussion Society. World music, drumming and dance come together to create a pulse of creativity shared between cultures and audience members.
Unexpected Productions – Comedy Improv
Sunday, Dec. 6, 2pm
Center House, FREE
Website: unexpectedproductions.org
Direct from the Market Theatre at Pike Place Market, Unexpected Productions has been offering its unique brand of comedy since 1983, making it the longest running improv show in Seattle. A team of five performers guarantee laughter and creativity with their original sketch comedy, based on audience input. Warm your heart and your hands with this amazing troupe!
©Angela Burdine |
Senior Holiday Ball with Seattle Swing BandMonday, Dec. 7, 1pm - 3pm
Center House, FREE
Dance to a big band beat at this swinging senior ball with the illustrious Seattle Swing Band.
Seattle’s Best Jazz
©Gene Martin |
Friday, Dec. 11, 8pm; Saturday, Dec. 12, 11am
Center House, FREE
Website: garfieldjazz.org, earshotjazz.org
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. On Friday night, they’re joined by artists Houston Person and James Cadell. The talented and eclectic Person is known as a master of popular songs played in a relaxed, highly accessible style. Saturday’s show features the Jazz Band performing seasonal and popular tunes.
Jump Rope Exhibition by Hot Dog USA
Saturday, Dec. 12, 1:30pm and Wednesday, Dec. 23, 3:30pm
Center House, FREE
Website: hotdogusa.org
The Hot Dog USA Jump Rope Team has been performing, competing and teaching jump rope around the country and around the world since 1980. This isn’t your standard school-yard jump rope! Based in Kirkland, the team consists of about 50 boys and girls ranging in age from 6 years to adults. Their tricks, feats and physical ability will astound you.
©Budd & Durgin |
The Magic of Budd & Durgin
Saturday, Dec. 12, 3pm
Monday, Dec. 21, 1:30pm
Center House, FREE
Website: buddanddurgin.com
Award-winning magicians Budd & Durgin feature grand illusion, stunning levitation, manipulation, doves, 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!
A Christmas Story (Rated PG)
Saturday, Dec. 12, 7pm
Center House, FREE
The only thing Ralphie Parker wants for Christmas is an official Red Ryder BB gun. But will he survive run-ins with the school bully, his younger brother and his reluctant parents before getting the best present he could ever receive? This classic holiday film by Bob Clark will delight audiences as they re-live the anticipation and the heart-ache of youth at Christmas time.
Seattle Flute Society
Sunday, Dec. 13, 12 noon
Center House, FREE
Website: seattleflutesociety.org
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.
©Staci Johnson |
Lelavision “Physical Music”
Sunday, Dec. 13, 2pm
Center House, FREE
Website: lelavision.com
Music and movement meld as performers play ingenious musical sculptures and use choreographed movement to create an original score. Lelavision offers physical agility and musical prowess buoyed with humor centered around themes of invention, discovery and play. “Physical Music” is performance art unlike anything you’ve seen before.
©Klez Katz |
Klez Katz
Sunday, Dec. 13, 4pm
Center House, FREE
Website: klezkatz.com
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
Friday, Dec. 18, 8pm
Center House, FREE
Website: msorchestra.org
More than just a software giant, Microsoft is also home to many accomplished musicians - programmers and promoters by day and impassioned artists by night - who form a 60-member orchestra that tours around the region. The Orchestra’s 90-minute concert is sure to inspire the spirit of the season.
©International
Special Attractions |
Global Heat - Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop and Break Dance
Saturday, Dec. 19, 1pm
Center House, FREE
Website: global-heat.com
Formed in 2004 as a collaboration of international musicians, Global Heat has thrilled audiences with its live, high-energy mix of hip hop, world jazz and R&B, bringing positive messages about life, world events, and just plain old gettin' down. Add some of Seattle’s best break-dancers and you have a visually stunning show. Global Heat’s emcees and break-dancers have performed in over 25 countries.
Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra
Saturday, Dec. 19, 7pm
Center House, FREE
Website: woodinvilleband.org/Jazz.htm
The Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra (EMJO) is devoted to exploring many of the genres that help define jazz, from New Orleans Dixieland, big band-style swing, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian jazz to jazz-rock fusion, funk from the 1970s and acid jazz. When you attend an EMJO concert you can expect to hear a wide diversity of jazz music by some artists with serious improv chops.
©Chris Bennion |
Peace on Earth with Black Nativity Choir, Hejira and Klez Kids
Sunday, Dec. 20, 12:30pm - 3pm
Center House, FREE
Take time for reflection this season with music and celebration. People of all cultures will come together to share in Jewish, Arab and Christian traditions with an inspiring and spirited lineup, including the renowned choir from Intiman Theatre’s Black Nativity Choir, Seattle’s original world fusion band Hejira, and the intergenerational singers, dancers and musicians of Klez Kidz. 12:30pm, Pat Wright & The Black Nativity Choir; 1:30pm, Hejira; 2:30pm, Klez Kidz.
©Andre Andreev |
Christian Swenson - Human Jazz
Sunday, Dec. 20, 3:30pm
Monday, Dec. 21, 12 noon
Center House, FREE
Website: humanjazz.com
A skilled dancer, mime, singer and speaker, Christian Swenson freely becomes other people and creatures showing audiences a place in all of us where humor and beauty are one. From Asian throat-singing to jazz cartoons, Sufi poetry to lumbering dinosaurs, straight-talk about brain chemistry to "word" improvisations, it all comes pouring forth from this singular human being.
Drumming Workshop with Seattle World Percussion Society
Tuesday, Dec. 22, 12 noon
Center House, FREE
Website: swps.org
Engage and feel the beat in this world music, drumming and dance workshop. Artists from Seattle World Percussion Society will guide you through learning new percussion instruments, creating rhythms, and moving to music in this dynamic hands-on activity.
©Mad Science |
Mad Science®
Tuesday, Dec. 22, 1pm
Center House, FREE
Website: madscience.org
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.
©The Noise Guy |
The Noise Guy
Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1pm
Center House, FREE
Website: noiseguy.com
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.
©String Station |
String Station - Futuristic Stylings of a 40-string Instrument
Saturday, Dec. 26, 6pm
Center House, FREE
Website: stringstation.com
This one-of-a-kind performance by Audion recording artist Jim Bartz presents futuristic music performed on the artist’s own patented 40-string surround instrument, accompanied by video projection. You will be invited into the Universe with a unique symphonic sound and then safely brought back to ponder the beautiful experience. One never forgets the first time they experience the String Station.
WALL·E (Rated G)
Saturday, Dec. 26, 7pm
Center House, FREE
Pixar’s popular 2008 film follows a plucky robot designed to clean up a waste-covered Earth far into the future. When he meets and falls in love with another robot named EVE, the two embark on an outer space adventure that changes the destiny of both robot and humankind. Watch this critically acclaimed movie, the number one requested film in Seattle Center’s 2009 public poll, on the big screen in Center House.
Pacific Sound Chorus
Sunday, Dec. 27, 2pm
Center House, FREE
Website: pacificsound.org
Pacific Sound Chorus is ranked among the top tier of female a cappella choruses in the world. Known for their amazing range of vocal styles packed within a tight a cappella harmony, the chorus will present a concert of seasonal hits mixed with their popular repertoire.
©Charlie Schuck |
“Awesome” -- Part Band, Part Art Collective
Monday, Dec, 28, 7pm - Winter Waterland
Tuesday Dec. 29, 7pm - Logjam!
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 7pm - Flight to Mars
Center House, FREE
Website: awesometheband.com
Part band, part art collective, "Awesome" combines lush, dense vocal harmonies with a unique mix of electric acoustic instruments including: guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, accordion, mandolin, banjo, Theremin, typewriter, kitchen utensils and anything else lying around that makes an interesting sound. The band has been casting its surrealistic magic in clubs, theaters and art galleries since 2004, and was declared “Ones to Watch” as part of The Stranger’s Genius Awards. Come see a new show each night!
New Year’s Eve with The Machine
Thursday, Dec. 31, 8pm - 11:45pm
Center House, FREE
Website: themachineband.com
Ring in the New Year with the infectious sounds of The Machine, a fixture on the Seattle music scene since the '70s. They play everything from rock to disco, including Prince, The Beatles, KC and the Sunshine Band and AC/DC. When you come and see The Machine, you hear danceable, fun, party rock and roll, and can't help but have a great time!
Free Wi-Fi available at Seattle Center
The spirit of the season comes alive at Seattle Center Winterfest 2009 with five spectacular weeks of world-class entertainment, cutting-edge performers and enticing activities for one and all. Seattle Center Winterfest is presented with generous support from Seattle Center Foundation, Seattle's Child, Seattle Weekly and the City of Seattle.
Seattle Center thanks our Winterfest 2009 Sponsors:
Winterfest 2009 events and hours are subject to change.
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