Arts & Entertainment
Plein air Dozens of notable Northwest artists will descend upon the fields, streets and waterways of LaConner Aug. 1 and 2, armed with easels, paints and pastels, to paint in the tradition of "plein air" for public viewing. Pictured above is Den Duffin's "LaConner Sunset." Artists are members of Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters. All artwork is for sale and can be viewed at Seaside Gallery in LaConner. For more info., visit laconnerseasidegallery. com. Art by the Bay
The 17th annual Art by the Bay festival features over 100 artisans, plants and garden art, food, live music, presented by the Stanwood- Camano Arts Guild. The event takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 11-12 at Utsalady Elementary School, 608 Arrowhead Rd., Camano Island. There is no admission charge. For more info., visit www.stanwoodarts.com.
Lavender festival
The Sequim Lavender Festival takes place July 17-19 in Sequim, WA, with a street fair that offers over 140 juried booths plus premier lavender products, crafts, food, wines and live music. Shuttle buses are available to take you to all the lavender farms for tours. For more info., www.lavenderfestival. com.
Highland games
The Celtic Arts Foundation invites the public to its annual Skagit Valley Highland Games & Scottish Faire July 11-12 at Edgewater Park in Mount Vernon. The games attract competitors from around the Pacific Northwest and lower mainland BC. The event showcases pipes, drums, dancers, athletes, sheepdogs, clans, whiskeys of the world and more. For info., visit www. celticarts.org or phone 360- 416-4934. Tickets are available at Snow Goose Bookstore in Stanwood.
Pilchuck Glass School
Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood invites the public to its annual open house Sun., July 12, noon to 5 p.m., to watch glass demonstrations, learn more about the educational programs, visit the rural, forested campus, view artworks in the gallery, enjoy hands-on art projects for kids and adults, plus enjoy music by the PhilBillys and refreshments by Slow Joes Hot Dogs. Advance reservations are required; tickets are $20 adults, children under 12, free. For reservations, visit www.philchuck. com, email reservations@ pilchuck.com or phone 206- 621-8422, ext. 34.
Eric Bibb
Eric Bibb performs his "stripped-down acoustic gospel-infused folk blues Fri., July 10, 8 p.m. at the Conway Muse. In addition, local traditional bluesman Daddy Treetops will perform a short solo opening set. Tickets are $28 in advance; (360) 445-300 or visit www. brownpapertickets.com. The Conway Muse is located in the restored barn at the west end of Main and Spruce streets in Conway.
Seafair
Every year, spectators line the beaches of Lake Washington to catch a spectacular show on the water and in the air at the Chevrolet Cup and Key Bank Air Show presented by Boeing. The event features deckto deck racing of unlimited and light hydroplanes plus live music, air show with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, and fireworks displays. The renowned Torchlight Parade precedes the event July 25, 7:30 p.m. The parade begins at Seattle Center, continues south on Fourth Avenue to Second Avenue and King Street. For more info., visit seafair.com.
'Show Boat'
Village Theatre presents one of the most majestic scores in musical theatre, "Show Boat," a tale of passion, pride, love and betrayal, July 10-Aug. 2 at Everett Performing Arts Center. Climb aboard for unforgettable classics like "Ol' Man River," "Bill," and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man." The Performing Arts Center is located at 2710 Wetmore Ave., in Everett. For tickets, phone the box office at 888- 257-3722.
Skagit Valley Casino
Entertainment at the Skagit Valley Casino includes Lonestar in the Pacific Showroom Sat., July 11, 7 and 9:30 p.m. In the Winners Lounge is Jonathan Harris with country dance July 3-4; The Goods with 40s dance and 60s-80s rock July 10-11; Shane Thomas with country/ classic rock July 17-18; Sonic Funk Orchestra with 70s, 80s funk and disco horn July 24; Freddy Pink with classic rock July 25; the Spazmatics 80s show band July 31. For more info., visit www.theskagit. com.
Tori Amos
Tori Amos brings her "Sinful Attraction Tour" to the WaMu Theater July 10. For nearly two decades, Tori Amos' stark lyrical flourishes and inspired musicianship have shaped the musical landscape. She is considered "one of the most emotionally powerful live artists in music today." Tickets are available at Ticketmaster locations, or phone 800-745-3000.
Miley Cyrus
Tickets are on sale now for a Sept. 16 appearance of Miley Cyrus, with special guest Metro Station, at the Tacoma Dome. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com.
New musical
The 5th Avenue Theatre opens its season with "Catch Me If You Can" July 23- Aug. 14. Based on the acclaimed Steven Spielberg film, the new musical follows the unlikely adventures of a young man who creates an astonishing array of identities — airline pilot, doctor, lawyer — none of which he has any qualifications for. Tickets are available at the ticket office at 1308 5th Avenue Seattle or phone 1-888- 584-4849.
Art festival
Anacortes Arts Festival takes place Aug. 7-9, when the streets of Anacortes fill with 250 outstanding juried booth artisans, culinary art with an international selection of foods, a full lineup of free music on three stages and creative youth activities. The event also features 10k and 5k art dashes and special concerts. For more info., visit www.anacortesartsfeatival. com.
Viking Days
Nordic Heritage Museum's annual Viking Days festival is July 11 and 12, offering Scandinavian entertainment, food, arts and crafts and "real live" Vikings. The Taste of Scandinavia will represent each of the five Nordic countries featuring delectable edibles such as Swedish meatballs, Norwegian lefse, Danish aebleskiver and a variety of Finnish and Icelandic goodies. For more info., visit www.nordicmuseum.org or phone 206-789-5707.
State fair
Evergreen State Fair in Monroe is scheduled for Aug. 27 through Sept. 7, offering events like NW Super Moto and fireworks, Extreme Monster Truck Show, Colgate Country Showdown, Williams and Ree, Disney Under the Stars, 94.1 FM KMPS Country Jam with Blake Shelton and special guest, Evergreen Idol winner and Queensryche hits and Diamond Rio, along with the usual fair fun and food. For more info., visit www.edvergreenfair.org.
Fireworks
The Chase Family 4th at Lake Union takes place at Gas Works Park Sat., July 4, from noon to 11 p.m., with free admission, playfield, food, lakeside beer garden and more. For more info., visit chasefamily4th.org.
Airplane rides
Challenge Air for Kids and Friends offers children and youth with special needs and serious illness from the Snohomish County area free airplane rides Sat., July 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., hosted by Castle & Cooke Aviation. The fun-filled day consists of an educational ground school, where children learn the basics of flight and how physically challenged pilots fly with specially equipped planes, a 20-minute flight in the co-pilot seat, tours, face painting, clowns, food, music and more. For more info., phone (818) 741-6906 or visit www.challengeair. org.
Free concerts
The Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound are a perfect backdrop to Port Gardner Landing's free waterfront concert series at Everett Marina. Thursdays through Aug. 27, 6-8 p.m., feature reggae, industrialized country, and folk rock. Saturdays, July 18-Aug. 8, 6-8 p.m., is live pop, salsa/ jazz or swing music. Sundays through Aug. 30, 2-4 p.m., chill out with mellower music with acoustic, folk or jazz. For info., visit www. snohomish.org/events.
Bluegrass festival
Darrington Bluegrass festival is July 17-19. Described as "going to heaven but not having to die," the festival attracts bluegrass and gospel fans from around the country. The concerts take place on Highway 530, three miles west of Darrington. Special prices for camping with RV or tent; purchase at www. darringtontickets.com or phone 360-436-1179.
Poochapalooza
Marysville's 4th annual Poochapalooza showcases pooches at ther best and brightest with vendor booths, regional flying disc championships, Flyball exhibitions, Emerald City K-9 freestyle dog dancing, canine agility course and best-in-show contests. The event takes place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 11 at Totem Middle School's Asbery Field, 1605 7th St. For more info., visit www. poochapalooza.org.
The Wiggles
The fab four from down under bring their highly interactive, fun and educational message to preschool audiences at Comcast Arena at Everett July 17, 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $16-$33, available at www.comcastarenaeverett. com or phone 866- 332-8499.
Bumbershoot
Seattle's music and arts festival, Bumbershoot, is set for Sept. 5-7 at Seattle Center with a musical lineup of Sheryl Crow, Modest Mouse, Katy Perry, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Eric Hutchinson and much more. The weekend festival features world-class entertainment, arts and culture. Three-day passes are available now at www.bumbershoot. org; single-day tickets are available July 21 at Ticketmaster outlets.
Puyallup Fair concerts
Advance ticket sales for September's Puyallup Fair are on sale now, including Crosby, Stills & Nash, Newsboys, James Taylor, Wynonna, Tommy James & The Shondells, Herman's Hermits, Felix Cavaliere's Rascals, Heart, Dave Koz and Brian Culbertson, LeAnn Rimes, Toby Mac and Disney's High School Musical. Tickets are available at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com.
Earth, Wind & Fire
Tickets are on sale now for a July 17 concert of Earth, Wind & Fire, with Chicago, at the WaMu Theater and an Aug. 1 performance of Kenny Chesney at Quest Field.
