Tacoma Ethnic Fest

What? You’ve never heard of Bulgogi? Or have heard of it but thought it was a swanky jewelry store or a new word game? Yeah, me too. But we can all check it out July 24 and 25, 12pm-7pm, at Wright Park at Tacoma’s Ethnic Fest.

Doing what Tacoma does best every summer (ever noticed how our little city puts on some great festivals?), anticipate flavors and sounds from every continent. Grab a gelato then dance it off to reggae. Scoop up some pulled pork and let the lovely hula ladies entertain you while you eat. If we’re really lucky there’ll be Jerk chicken and a steel drum band. Cruise the park for crafts, more music, more food. You can definitely expect two days of fantastic entertainment and great fare. And Bulgogi. Yeah, you’ll have to come to the fest to find out.

See ya soon,

Dale

There’s just about nothing I like better than spending a Saturday at one of Tacoma’s great summer outdoor festivals. And, among those, Taste of Tacoma might be my favorite.

On the last weekend in June, Point Defiance Park will be filled to the brim with all kinds of great stuff to eat, see, do. Restaurants from all over the city will be out, wanting you to try to what they’re selling. I am always very happy to oblige.

Turns out it’s also the 25th anniversary of the Emerald Queen Casino, and they’ll he hosting a big birthday bash. I’m looking forward to The Ultimate Family Picnic, and the grandkids will be on the hunt for The Reptile Man and The Bubble Man. Great food, free cake, wine-tasting packages, lots of entertainment—what a way to kick off the summer.

See you soon,

Dale

OK, you can file this under something I never thought I’d do. Hadn’t even heard about it until a few years ago. But, I’m seriously considering climbing into a big, fancy canoe; row, row, rowing the boat; and risking falling into the frigid Puget Sound.

A buddy of mine recently told me about the TDBA (Tacoma Dragon Boat Association) Open Paddle, every Sunday afternoon. All you do is show up at Johnny’s Dock Restaurant and Marina, ready to get wet. They provide the paddles, life jackets and instructions (all essential for someone like me), all free. The only requirement is that you’re 18-80, and I fall neatly in there somewhere. Great exercise and a brand-new experience to add to the list. I’m just hoping that Johhny’s has an Irish Coffee waiting for me at the end of the day.

Enjoy,

Dale

There are just a couple more chances to make it to one of Tacoma’s best events, the International Film Festival. All films harken from Tacoma’s sister cities from around the globe. On April 1 you can catch Aalesund, Norway’s, award-winning film, Troubled Water. The character development is so adept that even the flawed—and the very flawed—characters were moving and persuasive. Directed by acclaimed director Erik Poppe, this is a must-see.

On April 8, the final night, the festival will show Love Will Lead Us Home from Davao City in the Philippines. Unlike Troubled Water, an intense drama, this film is much more lighthearted, with a bit of humor thrown in, as well. Both films explore the complex, sometimes conflicting, emotions that are part and parcel of families and their highs and lows. Make the time to get to the festival; then write to me to tell me how glad you are that you did.

See you soon,

Dale

March is one of my all-time favorite months. Why, you ask? Well, it’s Oscar season of course! For all you movie buffs out there (and those who watch to see the fashion show on the red carpet), it’s time to gear up for the television event that decides the cream of the film crop of 2009. The Grand Cinema is hosting a glamorous bash to celebrate this momentous event, filled with food, raffles, an auction and fellow movie-lovers like yourself.

The cinema is also holding a contest for who can guess the most correct number of Oscar winners. Whoever gets the most right receives a year of free movie tickets to the Grand. Not interested in the Academy Awards? No worries. The Grand Cinema has a regular schedule of art-house films, showcasing lesser-known, yet attention-deserving, movies. Also, check out the free family flick they show every third Saturday of the month.

See you soon,

Dale

Among my friends, we joke that just about every story we tell starts with, “I heard something interesting the other day on NPR…” I sometimes sit in my car to listen to the end of a show, and This American Life is one of my favorites. At the end of January, Tacoma is lucky to have the show’s host, Ira Glass, at the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts Pantages Theater. For one night only, Glass will present a behind-the-scenes look into the making of This American Life, and explain what makes it tick. He’ll play clips from the program, and give away a few secrets about sound and editing. For me, part of the thrill is just watching such a familiar voice come to life.

The show is part of the Pantages’ Laugh Out Loud series, which will feature the Smothers Brothers and Defending the Caveman in following months.

Enjoy,

Danielle

My 3-year-old grandson, Hayden, recently visited me here at the hotel (he loves it when I ride him around on a bellcart). He was wearing big sunglasses he got on a recent family trip to Hawaii. When I asked him why, he said, “’Cause, Grandpa, there’s so much shiny glass in here!” Sometimes I need to be reminded that I work at one of the most beautiful hotels in the country (just ask Conde Nast). It got me thinking—why not spend New Year’s Eve at the Hotel Murano?

Start the night in the Lobby Bar with a good, old-fashioned drink, like a gin martini, to remember the past. Next, a great dinner at Bite, maybe fresh grilled salmon, to celebrate the present. Take a walk around the neighborhood, stopping in here to warm up. Back to the Lobby Bar in time for a midnight champagne toast, in hopes of a great 2010. Head up to your room, leaving the rest of the party to keep going. Sounds perfect.

Happy New Year!
Dale

Maybe it’s not a huge club, but folks who are into model trains are really into model trains. So, I’m probably preaching to the choir, telling the groupies about Tacoma’s 14th Annual Model Train Festival. But for those of you who have never been to one of these before, they’re definitely worth a visit.

On December 26 through January 2, the History Museum will be filled to the brim with all things train. Come check out the miniature villages and the play area just for little engineers. Since it’s the holidays, the place will be especially done up. There will be no less than 10 full layouts by the major model train outfits, including The Pierce County Lionel Club and the Sound Model Railroad Engineers. So, get on board! (Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)

Dale

On the rare weekend when I don’t have something else going on, sometimes a friend and I will just hop in the car and hit the road. We don’t care where we end up, it’s always an adventure. If we’re really lucky, we land in a small town with a local theater production going on.

If you live in Tacoma, or your road trip brings you here, you’re in for a treat. The Dance Theatre Northwest will be performing the seasonal favorite, The Nutcracker, at the Mount Tahoma High School Auditorium the first weekend in December. Sure, every city in the country (the world?) will have The Nutcracker showing somewhere, but here’s your opportunity to see it in a more relaxed, a more small town, kind of atmosphere. I, for one, am really looking forward to Clara, the Prince, the Mouse King, and easy parking.

Ta ta,
Danielle

Remember when people used to go caroling? When I was a little girl, I used to love it when the doorbell would ring and suddenly, like a gift, the house was filled with song. Carolers don’t come around much any more, people don’t like to open their doors to strangers. Lucky for us, for one night only, we can all still get into the holiday spirit with the Seattle Men’s Chorus.

SMC’s specialty, for over 30 years, has been putting a modern twist on the traditional. This year’s show, Santa Baby, will give us their take on TV Christmas specials. Not quite sure what to expect: I’m hoping for the classic Charlie Brown Christmas Time Is Here. Oh, and a rendition of Snow Miser/Heat Miser would make my night. No matter what they choose to sing, it’s always super fun, just as good as when I was a kid.

Tickets are $39 and $52, and you can purchase tickets online here.

Happy holidays,
Danielle