Keith Urban, a kiwi country star? I’ll bet you thought he was an Aussie. I did. Actually, he is, sort of. He was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia. But you might’ve thought he was born right here in the U.S.

He started strumming a guitar at the tender age of six and has since become one of the country music scene’s biggest names, winning a Grammy, a CMA award, and an Aria award.

And now he’s coming to the Dome on September 12. Even if country isn’t your bale of hay, this is probably a show worth seeing. Plus, at the concert you can even record your own song, with Keith, thanks to magic green-screen technology.

Yeehaw,
Dale

This is like rock royalty really. It doesn’t matter whether you grew up in the 80s, 90s or more recently, AC/DC probably is in your CD collection somewhere. I mean, these guys have been at it for more than 30 years! That to me is just amazing. One of five top-selling bands in music history.

I don’t remember the last time they were in Tacoma, but it’s been awhile. If you’ve never seen them, here’s your chance, and maybe your last chance, when they come playing at the Dome on August 30-31. Two rocking shows.

Even if you’re not a big fan, or don’t own one of their CDs, you definitely know their music. Popular ones you’ve heard like Back in Black, T.N.T., Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, (You Shook Me) All Night Long, and Night Prowler. And if you’re a rock person, you really owe it to yourself. For those about to rock, I salute you!

Rock on,
Danielle

I bring you yet another of Tacoma’s very cool no-cost summer outings. On Saturdays, through August 29, Metro Parks will transform a park into a concert venue, a movie theater, or both.

For example, on this past Saturday (August at Portland Avenue Park, you could see both music and film. The band, Miho and Diego, started things off at 7 p.m. A blend of Latino, Japanese, African and American traditions, it was just the thing to get everyone up and dancing.

The music was then followed by a very family-friendly flick, Surf’s Up (saw it, loved it). If you wanted to get there early with the kids, there was even a back-to-school carnival from 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

Each of the events is all lawn seating, so you’ll need to bring your own blanket or lawn chairs. As usual, they had me at “admission is free.” Hope to see you there over the next couple of weeks.

Have fun,
Dale

I bet you thought nothing very exciting could happen amidst parked SUVs and mini-vans. Well, in Tacoma some clever folks are prepared to prove you wrong: They actually stage Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night right in a parking lot.

At Tacoma’s Curran Apple Orchard at University Place, Art on the Ave, Sanford & Son, and Kings Books, you can enjoy a free performance (donations are most welcome, however) of one the bard’s most well-loved, and dare I say “accessible” plays. A romp involving twins, mistaken identity, cross-dressing, it’s sort of an Elizabethan cross between Freaky Friday and Monty Python.

The troupe invites and encourages audience participation, just as they did and still do at
Shakespeare’s original theater in London, The Globe (coincidentally, also open-air). The play is performed at various times and days throughout July (with more venues to be added), so check their site for all the details.

Have fun,
Dale

Anyone who has ever visited us at Hotel Murano knows that we love art. Aside from our incredible collection of glass art, which you can see on every floor of the hotel, there are also all kinds of other creations to feast your eyes on.

But on the off chance you’re still hungry, we happen to be only a couple of blocks from the Tacoma Art Museum. And if you’re here on June 6 (6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.), head over to meet this year’s Neddy Artist Fellowship nominees and see their work.

You’ll see great paintings from a variety of people, including some excellent glass work as well. Highlights include the work of Eric Elliot, this year’s painting fellowship winner, and April Surgent, who was awarded this year’s glass art fellowship.

And the event’s free and includes hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar!

Have fun!
Danielle

One of my favorite things about living in the Pacific Northwest is that we have four distinctive seasons (OK, yes, they all include rain). And one of my favorite ways to celebrate spring is my first annual trip to the Proctor Farmers Market.

Though some events have already started in the market space, the really good stuff ― all the fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants ― don’t start showing up until later in May. There are also vendors selling fresh fish, meats, and incredible cheeses. You can find some cool homemade crafts, and even stuff for dogs and for Jaxson (my cat).

If you linger as long as I do, you’ll end up tasting a little bit of a lot of things. When you’re ready to sit and rest, stop at the food booths; maybe a caprese empanada followed by some homemade ice cream. Not a bad way to spend a sunny Saturday…

Have fun!
Danielle

I was leafing through the Sunday paper (I’m making a point these days of reading newspapers while they still exist), and was a little surprised to see who’s coming to the Dome on May 16th. Think of a band with turbulent romances, warring egos, many breakups and many reunions. Right, that doesn’t narrow the field much. In any case, I didn’t know all of the members of this particular one ― Fleetwood Mac ― were even still alive.

What makes this particular concert ― on their “Unleashed” tour ― even more intriguing is an added offering I’ve never seen before: For an extra 60 bucks (or so), you can arrive early, be guaranteed a parking space, and tuck into a dinner buffet with a private bar (drinks are extra, of course). Wow, I don’t know about you, but this is not the concert of my salad days…

Enjoy,
Dale

I’m not sure if we have a clever male or female to thank for this brainstorm, but it takes a keen mind to combine spa treatments and baseball. That’s right; it’s Ladies’ Day at the Ballpark.

Here’s the deal: Tell your man that you’ve made arrangements for the whole family to go see the Rainiers play the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at Cheney Stadium on May 10. You want to get there early, so you can park and so he can study the line-up, pregame. As soon as everyone’s in their seats, you quietly slip away to the private party deck for spa treatments, a buffet, beverages, and autographs from the ball players. And, don’t worry, while you’re being pampered the rest of the family can enjoy batting practice.

The whole shebang is sponsored by Savvy Girls of Summer, so I guess we do have a woman to thank.

Have fun,
Danielle

(photo courtesy of Alki Chick)

Here in Tacoma we’re rather proud of our glass art tradition, and rightfully so. It’s a world-class act. Visitors explore our hallways and frequently exclaim that they never realized that glass art could be anything more than blown-glass baubles and church windows. Another great opportunity to see yet another use of glass as an art medium is happening right now at the Museum of Glass. The show, “White Light: Glass Compositions by Daniel Clayman” takes what could be the most ordinary of treatments—white glass—and uses it to stretch our perceptions of light and space. But you’d better get there soon, the show ends June 14.

–Dale

Another reminder folks: Tacoma’s Wintergrass Festival starts tonight.  I hope to see the whole city of Tacoma out for this one.  I guarantee it will be a blast!

If music festivals aren’t really your thing, hopefully sports are, becuase there’s a couple crazy sporting events happening this weekend.  First off, it’s the Dockyard Dairy Dames women’s roller derby league kickoff!  2 games and 2 filled hours of sweat, blood, and tears (well, maybe not tears, but we promise plenty of fishnet!).  It’s all going down at the Tacoma Soccer Center this Saturday.

Second on the agenda is the indoor motorcycle & quad flat track racing event.  This is also on Saturday so you’ll have to choose between racing and roller derby.  Hmm… tough choice.  If you choose this one, however, it’s happening at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.  I’ll see you there!

- Dale