Benaroya Hall

200 University St., Seattle, 206-215-4800

4-1: Count Basie Orchestra

4-20: Pink Martini with Seattle Symphony

More: www.seattlesymphony.org/benaroya

Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley

Sixth Avenue and Lenora Street, Seattle,
206-441-9729

4-10/11: Curtis Salgado Big Band

4-26/29: Kenny G

More: www.jazzalley.com

Key Arena

305 Harrison St., Seattle, 206-684-7200

4-9: Radiohead

4-25: Coldplay

More: www.keyarena.com

Kirkland Performance Center

350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-893-9900

4-1: South Pacific

4-22: North by Northwest – Music of Seattle’s Jazz Composers

More: www.kpcenter.org

Meydenbauer Center

11100 NE Sixth St., Bellevue,
425-637-1020

4-20/22: Bellevue Youth Theatre presents Grease

More: www.meydenbauer.com

Paramount Theatre

901 Broadway, Tacoma,
253-591-5890

4-17/22: CATS

More: www.stgpresents.org/paramount

Parlor Live

700 Bellevue Way NE, Ste 300, Bellevue

4-5/7: Nick Cannon

4-12: Erik Rivera

4-13/14: Jon Reep

4-26/28: Anthony Anderson

APR 26-28 More: www.parlorlive.com

ShoWare Center

625 West James St., Kent, 253-856-6999

4-13: The Isley Brothers & KEM

More: www.showarecenter.com

Snoqualmie Casino

37500 SE North Bend Way, Snoqualmie,
425-888-1234

4-5/7: Thunder from Down Under

4-22: Berlin with special guest Patty Smyth & Scandal

4-26: Paul Anka

4-28: Craig Fergusson

More: www.snocasino.com

Swannies Seattle Comedy Underground

109 S. Washington St., Seattle

4-5/7: Dwight Slade

4-13/14: Sadiki Fuller

More: www.comedyunderground.com

Triple Door

216 Union St., Seattle, 206-838-4333

4-10: Chilly Gonzales

More: www.tripledoor.com

Village Theatre

303 Front St. N., Issaquah, 425-392-2202

4-1/22 (except 4-3 and Mondays): It Shoulda Been You

More: www.villagetheatre.org

By David White

Navigating a wine list can be daunting.

Even wine geeks are intimidated by the leather-bound tomes that so many restaurants hand out. When the wine list doesn’t land on the table with a thud, patrons are still met with unrecognizable regions and producers. Plus, no matter where you dine or how much you know, prices can be senseless.

Fortunately, deciphering a restaurant’s list doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are five simple tips.

Ask For Help

The era of the snooty sommelier is over. Today’s sommeliers are wine zealots, eager to share their passion and palates. So if the restaurant you’re visiting employs a wine professional, ask for advice. Most are keen to help patrons find the perfect wine, regardless of the price.

Be Brave

If you’re at a restaurant with an impressive wine list, seize the opportunity to be adventurous. Your dinner companions will be impressed with your courage, and you’ll learn something new.

If you like Chardonnay, for example, consider Viognier. If you like Sauvignon Blanc, try Torrontes or Albarino. If you typically order Cabernet, consider ordering Malbec or Sangiovese. And don’t be afraid of Merlot. Even though it’s become cool to bash the grape, Merlot can be as rich as Cabernet Sauvignon, and is generally more approachable.

If everyone at your table has ordered something different, opt for an unusual wine that’ll pair with virtually everything. For white, think Austrian Gruner Veltliner. For red, think Sicilian Nero d’Avola.

Look For Value

I recently chatted with Kathy Morgan MS – one of just 186 people worldwide to earn the “master sommelier” designation – and she insisted that good deals can be found virtually everywhere.

“Don’t be afraid to order cheaper wines, especially if the wine list was put together by a sommelier or a wine professional,” she explained. “If thought is put into the list, all the wines should be good.”

If there isn’t a sommelier, Morgan advises people to seek out wines from less popular regions. At steakhouses, for example, you can often find deals on Pinot Noir from France and the United States, as most patrons order bigger wines. And at every restaurant, wines from Spain typically offer a great value.

Try Some Glasses

Morgan is also convinced that skipping the bottle list can be a wise decision. “At restaurants with serious wine programs,” she explained, “sommeliers see wines by the glass as an introduction to their programs – they know that’s where people are going to get their first impression.”

Ordering by the glass also enables patrons to try a wine before committing to it – it’s not frowned upon to ask your server for a taste of something before ordering a full glass. Plus, ordering by the glass makes it easier to try a variety of wines at one meal.

Remember That You’re In Charge

Is your wine too warm? Do you feel pressured to spend more than you’d like? Is your server refilling your glass too quickly? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” speak up!

Restaurants are notorious for serving red wine too warm – reds should always be served slightly cool, at about 60-65 degrees. So if your wine tastes like it’s been sitting at room temperature, ask for an ice bucket or switch to a white wine – or beer.

If the sommelier is steering you towards something too expensive, there was probably a miscommunication. So say something. If you don’t want to let your guests know how much you’re spending, point to the price you’re thinking and ask for something similar.

Finally, don’t be embarrassed to ask your server to slow down. I always insist on finishing my glass of wine before it’s refilled. That way, I can track the wine’s evolution and better monitor how much I’ve consumed.

While there are countless other ways to navigate a restaurant’s wine program, these five tips should be easy to remember – and help elevate your next dining experience.

David White, a wine writer, is the founder and editor of Terroirist.com. His columns are housed at Wines.com.

By Colleen Toomey | Photos by Chad Coleman

Spring is a precarious beast in the Puget Sound. Neither lamb nor lion, the warm weather will make a sudden and glorious appearance only to disappear as fast as it arrived, leaving far too many bleak days of drizzle.

But inside the Modern Cottage Company, vibrant hues of peacock blue and tangerine remind customers of spring on any day.

Modern Cottage, which refurbishes home décor for its clients, is the brainchild of Seattle resident Alison Bryan. In 12 years, she’s turned a love for vintage furniture into a fine art and now, a blossoming local business with many customers throughout the Eastside.

Bryan’s love of refurbishing secondhand furniture took off when she moved in to her 1910 farmhouse and needed to fill it with beautiful furnishings at an affordable price.

The styling of the farmhouse rivals the work of a masterful Pottery-Barn team: crisp white moldings, fresh linens and sunny accents of robin’s-egg blue and butter yellow. Embarking on her interior-design mission, Bryan created a blog in 2008 to detail her whimsical creations, and quickly received requests from readers for custom pieces.

Her favorite items she’s refurbished include a large dinner buffet, for which she paid $40, and a vintage wall clock.

“I bring home things all the time that my husband looks at like, ‘That is the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.’” Bryan says.

Her reply: “Just wait until I’m done with it.”

With two small children to care for, Bryan started taking specialized orders out of a homemade studio behind her house, making The Modern Cottage Company an official business in 2010.

After demand for her work outgrew the space, she applied for a storefront through Spaceworks Tacoma. The city initiative provides no- and low-cost temporary space available to artists, creative entrepreneurs, organizations and community groups in unused commercial properties.

Bryan moved into her new space in February where she has a workspace and a showroom that can grow with her new discoveries and creations.

Despite her success, her strategies remain simple. She seeks out furniture and home décor through Craigslist and estate sales, uses her paints and supplies thoughtfully, as not to waste anything, and maintains a strict devotion to color.

“I try to look at every piece and decide what’s best for it. I don’t have a color in mind, then go out looking for something to paint. I try to think of myself as a furniture stylist,” she says.

None of her work looks tortured or inappropriately bedazzled. Her most noticeable items are ones the world would hardly think to use today. A honey-hued birdcage and three beautiful topical globes rest in the windows of her storefront.

Other eye-catchers include a grass-green rocking chair, bright paper roses and a sea-blue dinner buffet with a welcoming blackboard and chalk script.

Always a purveyor of 21st century technology and social media, Bryan enjoys browsing through the online pin board juggernaut, Pinterest. She says its both a great space for design inspiration and building camaraderie with home décor mavens across the digital social-sphere.

For those who want to dip their own toes into the world of DYI projects, Bryan recommends starting with Craigslist, checking every day for great finds, letting go of color-phobia and bringing items in and out for seasonal display.

“Things that are more simple, I try to go all out with color. Things that are more ornate, I try to balance out with doing a more simple color,” she says.

If one is still suffering from color phobia, start small with one bold accent item in the room. For the most apprehensive, start with a pillow. For the slightly more daring, try a coffee table in the middle of the room and let the sunshine reign indoors any day of the year.

The Modern Cottage Co.

311 S 7th Street Tacoma, WA 98407

253-241-6877

Open from noon-4 p.m. Saturdays, and by

appointment only on weekdays.

www.themoderncottagecompany.blogspot.com

By Gabrielle Nomura

Before ever speaking to him, Alonzo Bodden is already making me laugh. At least, his voice-mail recording makes me laugh.

“And if you think AT&T service is bad in the United States, don’t even think about how bad it is outside the country,” says Bodden, who is currently traveling in the Caribbean when I give him a call in early February.

Self-described as tall, dark and funny, you know Bodden from his big win on the third season of the reality-TV series, “Last Comic Standing.” However, he’s also performed on such shows as “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” and “Comedy Central Presents,” and made a career out of radio, film (“The Girl Next Door”) and voice-over work (“Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue.”) Born in Queens, New York, Bodden’s other love are his toys – which include several Ducatis.

SCENE: Describe your standup in one word.

AB: Honest.

SCENE: When Boone Helm at the Parlor Live club set up this phone interview, he told me you were on a cruise. Are you taking a vacation?

AB: No, I’m actually working. This is show biz, Gabrielle, no more lounging around.

SCENE: Pardon me. Seems like a fun place to work.

AB: It is. On this cruise, there’s a dozen different jazz musicians playing every night and I do comedy shows twice a week. I love it because I’m a big fan of the music, and I get the best seats in the house from backstage. It’s a nice working vacation.

SCENE: Where do you get the inspiration for your material?

AB: The news, mainly. The fact that Newt Gingrich is a leading GOP candidate after publicly stating we should repeal child labor laws is hilarious. If you don’t have a sense of humor when you hear that …

SCENE: Describe your character in the hit 2004 movie, “The Girl Next Door.”

AB: Well, if you can only have two scenes in the movie,  it may as well be the bouncer at a porn convention.

SCENE: Why is standup comedy your favorite medium to work in?

AB: When it’s just me on stage improvising, it’s pure creativity. Who knows where it’s gonna go.

SCENE: Ever been to the Seattle area before?

AB: Yes, I’ve performed at the Parlor Live club before. I’ve done the tribal casinos on the outskirts of town. I’ve also ridden your ferry, and I must say, it’s 2012 – build a bridge!

SCENE: Anything else you want people to know?

AB: Yes. I am nominated for an Academy Award this year, and I truly hope the Academy considers me.  No,  don’t print that, Gabrielle.

Alonzo Bodden performed at the Parlor Live Comedy Club on March 15-17.

Battling a severe case of star-struck, I sat there waiting for Allen Stone to come sit down next to me in Zoka Coffee shop. I was going to interview him.

Born in Eastern Washington, now living in Seattle, Stone is a local who’s made good. The singer’s soulful riffs and runs have been praised on MTV and The New York Times. Often compared to Prince or Stevie Wonder, his songs remind me that, like music from the socially-conscious ’60s and ’70s, artists today can still make work that matters.

Despite his sexy sound, Stone’s lyrics aren’t all love and romance. If you’re really listening, you’ll hear him talk about things that matter: White privilege, corporate greed, the lies of politicians and yes, even problems with the media.

In my mind, I’d placed the bespectacled singer on a pedestal. And when I saw him up close, I was even more impressed. After all, he’s just a kid.

Well, not really. Stone is 24 – old enough to vote and drink, but not old enough to rent a car, or show many years of wisdom, struggle or age on his face.

In other words, he’s accomplished a lot in only two decades. He’s made national headlines and placed himself on  music charts that might take other singers years to get on.

You can read about Stone here.

But, as you’ll also see in our March issue, he’s not the only accomplished young artist.

From jazz singers to professional ballet dancers, our article on Eastsiders under 21 shows that even people who may seem inexperienced in the ways of the world are making great strides in the arts.

For a change of pace, our dining article tells the story of two impressive grown-ups, John Schmidt and Chef Phillip Twiss, who opened Lunchbox Laboratory restaurant in Bellevue.

But, as you can see from their photos, they too, are just kids at heart.

Loud & About column by Heija Nunn

Parents have a lot of rules to follow when they haul kids around town; no swearing, no singing, and for goodness sake DO NOT attempt to participate in juicy backseat discussions … those are private! Plus we have to model good behavior for future drivers by following the rules of the road and maintaining a good driving record.

My record was looking good until the city of Redmond and new-fangled red-light camera technology threatened my credibility and dreams of never-ending driving lectures laced with sanctimony.

On an average rainy Thursday in October, I ferried my spawn on multiple errands that culminated with a trip to Target Greatland in Redmond. I approached the intersection without hesitation or pause to complete a perfectly legal right-hand turn at the suggestion of the illuminated green arrow above me.

We all noticed an unusual smatter of flashing lights and I distinctly recall saying; “that better not be for me!” and all of the children shared my affront.

To my eye and my stellar driving record, a violation was not only improbable, but impossible. Until I received a $124 ticket in the mail, complete with pictures of my car and a link to video at www.violationinfo.com. As if!

I watched the video until my eyes bled, increasingly concerned I had misremembered the circumstances. It wasn’t until Sweetie-Boy used his special eyes to point out the dim and tiny green arrow that fades to black AFTER I have already entered the intersection. The fight in me resurfaced, and I scribbled and mailed in a request for a contested hearing.

Like other Red Light Districts I have visited, the courtroom was poorly lit, drably decorated and its occupants immediately cast their curious eyes towards me when I accidentally threw open the doors. The smell of guilt and defiance was in the air. I made it just in time to hear the judge slaughter my name during roll call.

His Honor was quite pleased to announce that it was “reverse alphabetical order day.” With a last name that puts me smack dab in the middle of the alphabet, I failed to cheer and then worried that he had noticed my non-reaction. I believe he decided to punish me immediately by rewarding the guilty.

Jaded-looking lawyers in purple shirts and shiny ties stood up to request mitigation and fee reductions for their repeat offender clients, unrepentant red-light criminals copped to their violations in exchange for mitigation of their fines, followed by questionable tales of mistaken identity. Finally it was time for us boring alphabet dwellers to make our best case for innocence before the judge.

An older couple took their places at the defense table. The husband described the circumstances and explained that he has driven a car for over 40 years and had never had a violation. The attorney for the city asked the man to confirm if his testimony about the absence of flashing lights. Then the judge invited the couple to squint over his shoulder at the video screen on his desk, where he pointed out the flashing light shown in the video. Ouch.

The next guy tried to use legalese and technicalities to wiggle out; no dice. The guy right before me had slightly better luck because the judge pulled out the special sheet of white copy paper he uses to as a diviner of truth, a decider, the white line between innocence and a hefty fine. He glanced cynically at the defendant who widened his eyes and struck an innocent pose. Finally the judge said “you can say something, but you should know I am about to rule in your favor. Being the last defendant sitting was starting to look like a good luck charm for me.

“Mrs. Nunn?”

I jumped up and walked towards the hot seat while explaining the correct pronunciation of my name. By the time I got there, the bailiff was suppressing a giggle. I tried to sit quietly as the judge pulled up the video of my alleged infraction. He asked if mine was the white van. What? I said mine was the innocent station wagon in front of the van. He squinted and frowned and cocked his head this way and that. Then he pulled out the dreaded white paper. After what felt like three life times of watching His Honor make minor adjustments to the paper as held it against his video screen, he asked the attorney for his opinion; “it’s close.”

As I opened my mouth to offer a little encouragement towards a ruling of innocence, the judge turned to me with a smile and said “I am about to rule in your favor, I could wait if you would like to say something.” Even I know when to shut up … for a second anyways.

I took a breath and waited for what seemed like an appropriate amount of time to make my innocence official. Then I started talking. I told the judge it would be impossible to reach any other conclusion because my expert witnesses had reviewed the video and were prepared to testify in my favor, but I couldn’t justify taking them out of school to appear in court. Then I asked if he could do me a teeny little favor that would help me sleep at night.

Now the bailiff was in full on giggle. I explained that during my in his courtroom I was distracted and had become obsessed with the asymmetrical placement of the flags against the wall behind him. I suggested both the courtroom ambiance and his image would be greatly enhanced if he could just move it to the left about 12 inches.

“Your left or my left?”

“Mine” I said.” No, wait, yours.”

He stood up, gathered his robe and bent down to grab the base of the flagpole, “tell me when.”

“Perfect! Actually, no. Maybe 6 more inches, now two more. Yes!”

And then we all silently admired the new vista.

After all, who doesn’t love a happy ending? Especially in the Red Light District … Court.

Wanna say Hiya to Heija? Follow her on Twitter (@Heija) Friend her on Facebook or relax, sit back, and silently judge her life in the flickering glow of your computer screen at her blog The Worst Mother in the World (www.Heija.com).

By Gabrielle Nomura | Photos by Jason Tang

The year is 2012, not 1970, but Allen Stone’s get-down-and-get funky music could have fooled anyone.

His Feb. 25 show in Spokane, just an hour south of his hometown of Chewelah, Wash., was just one stop on a national tour.

Stone’s voice spanned the honey tones of R&B to Prince-like falsettos – but what remained constant was his soul style: the kind left over from a socially-conscious era where brothas sang about what’s going on and, unabashedly, about making love, not war.

But few would have thought the next Marvin Gaye would come in the form of a bespectacled white boy who describes his style as “my friends give me free clothes.”

Pale, blonde stubble protrudes from his chin, the same color as his long hair.

He often wears grandpa sweaters over a Sonics jersey, a variety of hats, and an eclectic collection of jewelry. Bracelets, watches, rubber bands, and a necklace shaped like the country of Eritrea adorn his upper body.

“When people offer to give me stuff, I say, ‘You better put it on me or I’m going to lose it,” says Stone, 24. “When it finally falls off, I keep it off.”

On stage, Stone physically surrenders to his music, sometimes swaying, other times marching. His hands dangle like a T-rex as a magnificent sound comes roaring past the gap in his two front teeth.

And yet, despite his unexpected appearance, the sensuality in Stone’s voice could make women (or men, for that matter) ache with longing.

When he sings a cover of Bob Marley’s “Is This Love,” some audience members can’t help but think, yes, Allen – it is.

Fans across the country, plus national media outlets in print, TV and radio, have felt this way about the singer.

In recent years, Stone has shot up the R&B/Soul charts on iTunes, peaking at the number-two spot, and hittingt 29 and 62 on the Billboard Heatseekers and R&B/Hip Hop Album charts, respectively.

He blew Conan O’Brien away on national TV with the song, “Unaware” (“He seemed genuinely pumped about it, but I think I could have done so much better,” Stone says).

The musician has done it all without the support of a label, publisher or publicist.

While some have wondered about his overnight success, Stone has been hustling his music for years, having taught himself to play acoustic guitar as a tween.

The first concert he ever gave was of the song, “Time of Your Life” by Green Day at his Eighth grade graduation ceremony.

The pastor’s son grew up singing hymns and gospel songs in his small-town church. At night, he stayed up listening to records by Stevie Wonder and Teddy Pendergrass.

“I had to listen to them after my parents went to bed,” he said.

If it were up to Mom and Dad, Stone would probably still be singing Christian music.

He had a spiritual epiphany after turning 18 when he moved to Spokane. First, he attended community college for a semester, then, following his father’s footsteps, he enrolled in Bible college.

“I had been taught that this was the Bible, this was the Word of God,”  he said. “When I learned that it had been written by men, I felt like I had been deceived.”

He’s since walked away from the church. However, growing up in that lifestyle taught him that he doesn’t need to curse to get his message across, or sing about “getting it on” like some of the forefathers of his genre.

“I’m not really interested in your sex life,” he says.

While his voice alone is enough to make listeners swoon, the lyrics in his romance songs are often feel-good, toe-tappers like the upbeat, “Say So.”

“If you want me to love you / all that you must do is just say so,” he sings.

Then, egging on the audience members, they shout, “Say so! Say so! Say so!”

Similar to songs of the ’70s, Stone’s lyrics, too, offer socially-conscious messages.

“Well, I will never rest for immunity/’Cause I was born and raised in a Caucasian community,” he sings in the song, “Last to Speak.”

It’s not about pushing a political agenda.

“Even if I can’t change the world massively, I just want to make people think,” says Stone, pointing to a quote by Yoko Ono, where she said she would rather have half the people walk out during the middle of her show rather than listen to something that doesn’t resonate with them.

Stone, too, wants to know he’s genuinely affecting people.

“I’m not the smartest guy,” he says. “I’m only 24-years-old, but still, I’m not just going to sit around and write love songs all day.”

Love, in general, can’t be a main focus in Stone’s life.

He keeps a few clothes and a futon at an apartment he shares with some buddies in Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood. But most of the year, he’s packed in a van with a suitcase, his guitar and his band.

Besides, he hates talking on the phone. And he doesn’t exactly have a private life with more than 4,900 friends on Facebook.

Such is the fate for someone like Stone, who says he is not yet a career musician.

The price tag of touring with an entire band, plus hiring backup musicians for various shows, is a hefty one. He doesn’t even have his own tour bus.

Popular – yes. But successful, not yet, Stone says.

This year will be telling of the singer’s career as he prepares to tour parts of Africa and Europe this spring, adding on to the hype he’s generated in the U.S.

Wherever he goes, Stone always has the same goal for his audiences, who tend to leave sweaty and breathless.

While he decided to sing ballads  instead of hymns, he says he wants to make people feel fellowship with their brothers and sisters in the crowd.

“I want people to feel like they’re in church,” says Stone, a man who’s spiritual, but not religious.

His church is not crisp, clean and proper. As he tells it, his soul is a little bit greasy.

Soul Music
noun
a kind of music incorporating elements of rhythm and blues and gospel music, popularized by African-Americans. Characterized by an emphasis on vocals and an impassioned improvisatory delivery, it is associated with performers such as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Otis Redding –  and now, Allen Stone.

By Gabrielle Nomura | Photos courtesy of Teatro ZinZanni

Teatro ZinZanni’s newest, “¡Caliente!” (pictured above) sets itself apart from the dinner-theater’s previous shows in many ways.

First of all, there’s the feisty, Latino vibe and Spanish-language music. And, unlike other ZinZanni shows, “¡Caliente!” won’t just make audience members peal with laughter.

It will also make them think.

In a plot where the characters are handed pink slips and forced to fight to save the day, faced with impending closure of dinner-theater, the audience will be reminded of similar hard times. In fact, there may even be a few 99 percent jokes.

This contrast of qualities, a whole lot of humor with a pinch of satire, is what the director, Ricardo Salinas, is known for.

Before he was brought in to help direct this show, Salinas was best known for his work with the almost 30-year-old comedy trio, Culture Clash, which has performed on more than 5,000 stages across the country and was made into a series for Fox Television.

Based out of San Francisco, the trio celebrates Chicano culture and American diversity in skits and plays laced with socially-conscious humor.

“For example, we do a bit where Lewis and Clark are eating a burrito and suddenly proclaim, ‘From now on, this will be known as a wrap.’ That’s the kind of satire I love,” he says.

The word Chicano, Salinas explains, is a word born from the ’60s in a climate where Latinos, as well as black Americans and women, were standing up for their rights. It refers to an assimilated Mexican, someone with authentic roots, but who can’t really claim the identity, he says.

But, while growing up in an urban melting pot like San Francisco has given him an eye for this type of work, it hasn’t come without its own sacrifices.

In the late ’80s, Salinas was shot in his own multi-ethnic neighborhood, stopping to help a man who was getting beat up.

He would have died if he hadn’t been five minutes away from the local emergency room.

This was a defining moment for the director.  He says it’s made him appreciate his life in the arts, and the moments of pure joy a show like ‘¡Caliente!’ can bring.

“I can’t separate that from social commentary,” says the El Salvador-born artist, writer, director and activist. “I think it gives some weight to my material.”

For tickets and more information, go to http://dreams.zinzanni.org/. Teatro ZinZanni is located at 222 Mercer St., Seattle.

Ricardo Salinas, director of ‘¡Caliente!’

Live Irish music on St. Patricks Day at Paddy Coyne's in Bellevue, March 17, 2009.

Saturday, 3-10 to Sunday, 3-11

Bellevue Chamber Chorus presents ‘Choral Journeys’ at the Theatre at Meydenbauer Center and Mercer Island Congregational Church

This musical excursion takes listeners through the songs of China, India, Spain, Estonia, Scandinavia, Argentina, and the U.S. En route, savor a potpourri of sacred and secular music from classical to folk, plus, hear the regional premiere of a new work by American composer and conductor André Thomas.

The Saturday show is at 7:30, located at 11100 NE Sixth St., Bellevue and the Sunday show is at 3 p.m., 4545 Island Crest Way, Mercer Island, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/

Saturday, 3-11

Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra presents Masterworks Concert II

The show will include Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 9” and Arr. Ralph Ford’s “Video Games Live” in this show of living composer’s work. It includes a pre-concert lecture by KING FM’s Steve Reeder.

7-10 p.m., 11100 NE Sixth St., Bellevue, ww.byso.org

Saturday, 3-17

Third Annual St. Patty’s Day Dash in Lake Hills

Bring your friends and family for a run on this 5K course, which has been mapped out on the trails surrounding the Lake Hills area. New this year is a special 1K course for kids. Participants are encouraged to dress up and show their Irish spirit. Awards will be given for most spirited and other fun categories. Lucky, the leprechaun, will make a surprise appearance and will be available for photos. Snacks and drinks will be provided after the race. Price: $20 – $55.  Souvenir T-shirts are included in the cost and will be available for pick up two weeks after the event.

8-11 a.m., 15231 Lake Hills Blvd., Bellevue. 425-746-1160, www.samena.com

Saturday, 3-17 to Sunday, 3-25

Pacific Northwest Ballet school presents ‘Snow White’ at McCaw Hall

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? Snow White, of course. Cast out of her father’s home, Snow White seeks refuge with seven dwarves. Determined to derail Snow White’s happiness, the evil Queen repeatedly attempts to harm the poor maiden. The Queen thinks she’s succeeded after Snow White bites a poison apple and falls into a deep slumber. The Prince sees the sleeping Snow White, falls in love, wakes her, and a grand wedding is planned. Danced by the students of Pacific Northwest Ballet School, “Snow White” is a narrated, hour-long, version of this beloved classic. Running Time: one hour with no intermission. Tickets range from $22 to $67, and lower rates are available for children.

Times vary. 321 Mercer St.,  Seattle. 206-441-2424, www.pnb.org

Tuesday, 3-20 to Sunday, 3-25

STG Presents the national tour of “Mama Mia” at Paramount Theatre

A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget.

More than 45 million people around the world have fallen in love with the characters, story and ABBA music that “Mama Mia” the ultimate feel-good show. Writer Catherine Johnson’s funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.

Times vary. 911 Pine St., Seattle. 1-877-784-4849, www.stgpresents.org

Saturday, 3-24

Sing-a-long Sound of Music at the Theatre at Meydenbauer Center

Get ready to yodel in Bellevue. This is your chance to sing a long to the most successful movie musical of all time. This family event encourages audience participation and includes subtitles for all the songs. The cost is $17-$62. Groups rates are available.

The sing-a-long is 7-10:30 a.m., at 11100 NE Sixth St., Bellevue. 425-450-3810, www.meydenbauer.com

Friday, 3-23 to Sunday 3-25

KIDSTAGE presents ‘Hot Mess’ at First Stage Theatre

This play dives headfirst into the whirlwind world of beauty pageants. Behind the glitz and glamour, six girls attempt the impossible: inviting an outsider into their clique and teaching her the tricks of the trade. But will these girls be able to walk the fine line between courtesy and competition on this cutthroat stage? Exploring the ever-evolving world of teenage girls, “Hot Mess” is a cheeky comedy that paints an in-depth portrait of how young women communicate and behave with each other when the stage lights are off.

The show is at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23-24 and at 2 p.m., Feb. 25 at 120 Front St. N., Issaquah.  425-392-1942 x100, www.villagetheatre.org

Wednesday, 3-14 to Sunday, 3-25

‘It Shoulda Been You’ a new musical comedy at Village Theatre

The bride is Jewish. The groom is Catholic. Her mother is a force of nature, his mother is a tempest in a cocktail shaker. And when the bride’s ex-boyfriend crashes the party, the perfect wedding starts to unravel faster than you can whistle “Here Comes the Bride.” Plots are hatched, pacts are made, secrets are exposed – and the sister of the bride is left to turn a tangled mess into happily ever after. A musical comedy for anyone with parents, “It Shoulda Been You” is set to shine on the mainstage.

Times vary. 303 Front St. N., Issaquah. 425-392-2202, www.villagetheatre.org

Saturday, 3-24 to Sunday, 3-25 & Friday, 3-30 to Saturday, 3-31

Lyric Light Opera of the Northwest presents ‘South Pacific’ at Kirkland Performance Center

Set in an island paradise during World War II, two parallel love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Nellie, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile. Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native and, unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised, refuses Emile’s proposal of marriage. Meanwhile, the strapping Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl with whom he’s fallen in love out of the same fears that haunt Nellie. When Emile is recruited to accompany Joe on a dangerous mission that claims Joe’s life, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness, thus confronting and conquering her prejudices. The cost is $35-$37.

Times vary. 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland . 425.893.9900, www.kpcenter.org

Some of the most talented artists on the Eastside aren’t old enough to vote or legally drink. And yet, they are already making serious tremors in the arts and entertainment community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Here’s a run-down of some of the most artistic Eastsiders age 21 and under.

Jessica Pelluer, 15

Dancer

This lanky ballerina (pictured, top) was born with natural turn-out and grace. But she’s had help from her teacher, former Pacific Northwest Ballet principal, Deborah Hadley. “She helped me find my inner passion for ballet,” Pelluer says. This passion has already taken the teen far. Stay tuned, as she will soon be moving across the country to study with the Joffrey Ballet’s prestigious trainee program in Chicago.

Ben Kadie, 16

Award-winning filmmaker

With a computer-scientist father who keeps his son’s camera batteries fresh, and a mother with a background in theater and costume design, Kadie says he has the perfect parents. Film school is definitely in the future for this Interlake High School junior, whose nine films have brought home 30 awards, and maybe, a few walks down the red carpet. Watch his work at slugco.com.

Keaton Whittaker, 15

Actress

While many actresses aspire to be on Broadway,  Whittaker has already been there, done that. At age 13, she performed alongside  Catherine Zeta-Jones in “A Little Night Music,” and attended the Professional Performing Arts School while in New York. Suzie Bixler, programs manager at Village Theater’s KIDSTAGE program in Issaquah, has watched Whittaker’s acting evolve. “She has a powerhouse voice and is a joy to watch on stage.”

Christina Corbitt, 17

Jill-of-all-trades

It’s hard to imagine how this Issaquah High School senior has time for all of her activities. While some people are merely triple-threats, Corbbitt has a few more tricks up her sleeve, including teaching. Having first performed as a 2-week-old in her family’s Christmas nativity scene, she’s now a ballroom dancer, a soprano  singer and a drill team competitor. She recently performed in Eastside Lyric Theatre’s “Mikado.” As a mentor, she manages a summer drama camp from her home and teaches piano, violin and voice to elementary-aged kids. Oh yeah, and she also loves physics.

Ariel Pocock, 19

Everything Jazz

With classical pianists for parents, music is in Pocock’s veins. She started playing piano and violin at age 3, and would later win Downbeat Magazine’s Outstanding Soloist for jazz piano in 2008 and the Essentially Ellington competition for jazz voice in 2011. Pocock will never forget the thrill of opening for Sheryl Crow at a Starbucks Shareholders Meeting, and she is now a recording artist herself, having signed with Verve Records. Expect “amazing things” from this young woman, says Bellevue Downtown Association marketing manager Jordan Slaymaker. who helps organize the BDA’s summer jazz festival. Watch for Pocock’s album release next year.

Hadley Nelson, 18

Artist

At 2 a.m. Nelson can be found with canvases sprawled across her kitchen counter, paint brush in hand.  She’s finished in the top four at the International School Art Show five years in a row and claimed “Best in Show” by the Bellevue School District Art Show in 2011. One of her pieces is currently on display in the Bellevue Arts Museum. She credits her art teacher Enid Smith Becker. “Her genuine passion and support for all her students combined with the fantastically chaotic environment has made art my favorite class for many years,” Nelson says.

Hip-Hop group “Kung Foo Grip”

Both of these teen rappers wrote lyrics and dropped rhymes as tweens before combining forces to create their smooth-talking duo three years ago. They credit family with their success, “I had people in my life who saw potential in me … who encouraged me to keep rapping and expressing myself,” Cypher says. These young emcees have had the honor of playing the Capitol Hill Block Party, earning them a spot in the semi-finals in the 10th Annual Sound Off! Competition. Expect more solid lyrics in the future from this rhythmically eloquent pair, who are proud to represent the Eastside in a predominately urban hip-hop scene. Listen to their music at kungfoogripbbj.bandcamp.com.

Taylor Niemeyer, 20

Actress

If you saw Taylor Niemeyer in Village Theatre’s “Annie Get Your Gun,” you’d know she’s a director’s dream. From her perfect ballet split, or ponche, to her powerhouse voice, “She is dynamic on stage,” says Bixler, with KIDSTAGE in Issaquah.