Chef Mike Sierra adds some final touches to his grilled vegetables on his iron griddle at Tokyo Steakhouse in downtown Bellevue.

BY CELESTE GRACEY

It took Tokyo Steakhouse owner Bryan Joo seven years to break into the Bellevue market, but he did it with the patience he learned as a Korean immigrant working on a produce farm to support his family.

He now owns Bellevue’s only teppanyaki restaurant, where guests sit around iron griddles to watch chefs prepare their meals.

At one table, Chef Mike Sierra juggles a meat fork, before spinning an egg on a spatula. He builds a volcano from an onion, and its flames shoot up into the vent hood, painting his face in orange light.

His hands are always tapping, and his lips always chanting through jokes and rhythms that keep his guests engaged.

His work is both about the show and the food.

While the goal is to keep customers drawn in, for Sierra, who has been a teppanyaki chef for five years, it’s all about the food. He has to use high-quality, fresh ingredients, otherwise customers would notice. Seasoned primarily with soy and sake, the food is as simple as teriyaki.

Choose a meat, owner Joo likes shrimp and medium-rare steak ($17 for lunch, $28 for dinner), and chefs conjure up fried rice, grilled zucchini and bean sprouts. Dinners also come with a prawn appetizer and salad.

Although the fare is simple, Tokyo is far from bland. It serves Asian-styled steak sauce, they call A-1, alongside sauce for the shrimp, which they comically coined A-2.

While Tokyo’s teppanyaki grills add the most to the Bellevue restaurant scene, it also touts its sushi menu, 118 varieties.

Its grand bar, which stretches most of one wall in the 9,000 square foot space, is made entirely of Plexiglas filled with LED colored lights. LEDs light everything from the edges of the teppanyaki tables to bubbling water features scattered throughout the space.

Depending on Joo’s mood or the season, the colors change. This modern look is completed by neon-colored bar stools that surround Plexiglas tables, which are also filled with the lights.

Joo decided to make the add a Bellevue location after customers from his Federal Way restaurant continued to ask him to come to the Eastside.

He first attempted to find a spot at Lincoln Tower in 2005, but he was up against too many large chain restaurants, he said. “The market was hot.”

He waited until last year, when he struck a deal with Wallace Properties at one of the Elements towers. Tokyo is the second restaurant to open in the towers. Lunchbox Laboratory moved in next door in February.

Joo’s patience through finding the new location came from his parents, who taught him good things come to those who wait.

When he immigrated with his family at age 13, they asked him to take a job at a produce farm to help pay the bills. Until his early 20s, all of his paychecks went to his parents.

It didn’t all disappear into bills though. His parents saved enough that when he wanted his first car, they were able to outright pay for it. For him, it was the reward of his patience.

After high school he took a job as a dishwasher at a teppanyaki restaurant and worked his way up to chef. He cooked for 16 years, before opening Tokyo in Federal Way.

Now and then he still takes over the griddle for fun. “It’s in my blood.”

Tom Papa will bring his clean-cut look and comedy to the Parlor Live Comedy Club from May 17-19.

Papa, who was born and raised in Passaic, New Jersey kid, has become a multi-faceted performer. He’s a veteran stand-up comedian who night owls will recall his numerous appearances on “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Late Show with David Letterman.”

He’s also had two stand-up specials on Comedy Central. His most recent, “Tom Papa Live in New York City”

As a veteran stand-up comedian, Papa has recorded two stand-up specials on Comedy Central and Rob Zombie directed his next special, “Tom Papa Live in New York City,” was available for download in January.

He’s also made fans for his reoccurring role opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the CBS series, “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and his own show “Come to Papa.”

He also was chosen specifically by Jerry Seinfeld to serve as host of NBC’s “The Marriage Ref.” Speaking of Seinfeld, Papa has for years been the comedian’s opening act, testimony to the type of performance Papa brings to the state. Seinfeld is one of the few comedians to work “clean,” without resorting to off-color language.

If all of that wasn’t enough, Papa is like many comedians who have gotten roles in movies. He starred opposite Matt Damon in “The Informant.” That also was him starring opposite Paul Giamatti in the animated feature, “The Haunted World of El Super Beasto,” as the voice of El Super Beasto. In addition, he had a voiceover role in the DreamWorks animated feature “Bee Movie.” He also received a screen credit for his writing in the film “Analyze That” that starred Robert DeNiro.

Like Seinfeld, and also Bill Cosby, Papa finds his humor from observing his own life as a family man.

Like almost everyone these days, Papa has a Twitter page – another source for people looking for a funny take on life. Consider some of these recent observational gems:

“We should be more frightened of cemeteries in our towns than we are.:

“Planes turn me into a sissy. Misty eyed watching ‘we bought a zoo’.”

“If Hula Hoop is now a sport, my six-year-old better stop screwing around.”

“I’m making a new pet out of dryer lint.”

“To feel like a kid again I bought baseball cards and a new cap with money I stole from my mom’s purse.”

Parlor Live Comedy Club is located at at Lincoln Tower, 700 Bellevue Way NE in Downtown Bellevue.

Eastsider Ted Kosmatka collected a desk drawer full of rejection notices before he sold a story for $50. His first novel deals with a not too distant future where a Cold War-like genetic contest produces specialized killing machines

SCENE: How did you become interested in science fiction writing?

KOSMATKA: I was three years old, and I remember seeing Star Wars at the drive-in with my parents. I didn’t understand any of it, but I knew I wanted more.

SCENE: Was it a struggle to get published?

KOSMATKA: I had a whole desk drawer full of rejections before I ever sold my first story. I kept all the rejections because I read once that Stephen King had kept all his rejections on a spike on the wall, and I think I had this idea that one day when I finally sold my work, I’d be able to point to all my rejections as a learning curve, or a triumph over adversity, or something.

SCENE: What was your first break as a writer?

KOSMATKA: My first sale was for $50 to an online publication that went silent not long after buying my story. After that, I had some success with writing a play, and then I finally sold my first pro story to Asimov’s Magazine. After the sale to Asimov’s, I started selling short stories on a regular basis to various genre magazines.

SCENE: You’ve won a number of writing awards. Did you feel that you had made it as a writer?

KOSMATKA: No, not at all. Award attention is nice when it comes along, but I’m just happy that my work is being published. I wrote for a lot of years where my stuff just ended up in the trunk, so just having my stuff out there where people can actually read it is very gratifying. That’s really the only thing I could ever ask for.

SCENE: What was the driving force to write the novel, The Games?

KOSMATKA: The Games was a way for me to think deeply about exploring the limits of genetic engineering, virtual reality, and what it means to be a conscious, self-aware being. I also wanted to explore the question of whether the end really justifies the means when it comes to certain moral questions related to scientific advancement.

SCENE: You work at Valve Software in Bellevue as a a full-time writer. Did the story lines for the software titles that you worked on shape your thinking for the novel?

KOSMATKA: No, I actually wrote The Games before I ever started at Valve. It does seem like the kind of story that might make a fun game for genetics geeks to play though.

SCENE: The book deals with scientists creating “gladiators” from the genes of non-human life forms. Any idea if science is close to creating the gladiators in your book?

KOSMATKA: I don’t think they’re close right now, but I think it’s the kind of thing that might be possible in the future. Genetic engineering is getting more and more sophisticated all the time, so I wouldn’t want to rule anything out. Of course, just because something is possible doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do—but it often means that somebody, somewhere will try it.

SCENE: How hard was it to explain technical/scientific terms/techniques in the book yet keep the non-scientific reader engaged?

KOSMATKA: That was a huge, central concern I had when writing the book. I’m infinitely fascinated by genetics and all its associated minutia, so I can go on and on about it. I can think about it, and write about it, for hours without ever tiring of it; but I realize that I’m in the minority in this regard, and I could very easily bore the pants off of readers. I usually have a very low tolerance for boredom in fiction, but genetics is kind of my blind spot. When it comes to how much science to keep in the book, I rely a lot on my editors and first readers. The last thing you want is for readers eyes to glaze over.

SCENE: Has life changed for you since the publication of the book?

KOSMATKA: I’m pretty happy with life right now, and I don’t think I’d really want anything to change. I still go to work everyday like I always have, and I write fiction in the evenings and on weekends. I spend time hanging out with friends and family. I play with my kids and do my best to be a good father. I’m still kind of new to the Pacific Northwest, so I’m having a lot of fun exploring the area. Washington is a gorgeous state.

SCENE: Do you have another book in the works? If so, what can the reader look forward to?

KOSMATKA: I do. The book is called “Prophet of Bones,” and it should come out some time in 2013. It’s an alternate history thriller set in a world where carbon dating has proven that the Earth is 5,800 years old. Although the Earth is young, the fossil record is identical to ours, and the novel follows what happens after archaeologists dig up the bones of Homo floresiensis.

By Sarah Butler

From the must-have color palettes to artisanal prints, everything is perfectly refreshing for Spring 2012. You too can be a style muse this season with top trends for spring from The Bellevue Collection.

Here are the looks that debuted April 21 at the Spring 2012 Exclusive Runway Show.

1. African Artisan: The ultimate escape into tribal stripes, animal prints, and natural textures with a local artisan focus on beads, weaves, and more.

2. Sand to Sea: An ode to underwater world! From seaweed, seashells, and fish scales to ocean waves and glittering sunsets, it’s time to live in pearlized finishes that shimmer like a mermaid’s tail.

3. Candy Coated: Indulge in a sugary sweet color palette for spring that’s inspired by your favorite sweets, from lemon sorbet to mint ice cream.

4. Floral Focus: A head-to-toe floral explosion of hyper-bright blossoms. From graphic to oversized to abstracted, it’s a fresh new take on a classic spring print.

5. Graphic Metallic: Graphic color blocking meets glamour and glitz for a very architectural look.

6. Ladylike Chic: Femininity takes form in lace and pleats for a fragile but strong appeal.

7. Fit Fashion: Performance fabrics bring the thrill of sports to fashion with hi-tech prints, drawstring details, and streamlined track pants.

Want more insider scoop? The Bellevue Collection has created a “Behind the Scenes” video of its Spring 2012 Look Book photo shoot. See what it takes to make the fashion guide of the season, from hair and makeup to stylists and photographers – it’s all there in one irresistible video.

Visit The Bellevue Collection’s Spring Website at, bellevuecollection.com/SpringFashion.

Sarah Butler is Fashion Events & Editorial Coordinator for The Bellevue Collection

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).

I am talking about the magic of FastPasses and the Internet that allows tourists to sail past the long lines that blot the facades of Europe’s most popular sights. Thanks to online booking and brilliant discount passes,

Europe has its priorities, or rather “Priorité Passes,” straight. A little research and a lot of Rick Steves made me look like a genius to the Worst Kids in the World as we bypassed breathtakingly long queues throughout England, France and Italy. Online reservations saved us from a windy wait at the Millennium Eye and on a damp Tuesday morning we breezed into the first and only operating elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower despite the “technical incident” and renovations that had closed the other three.

Guilt and empathy caused me to avoid eye contact with the unlucky hordes trapped behind the metal crowd-control fences zigzagging wearily toward the ticket office. I couldn’t believe that so many people were wasting precious vacation time standing in line. I will admit my planning was not perfect, but isn’t travel all about being flexible and open to new experiences?

We learned that when a FastPass is not available, a little fast talk might do the trick. Shortly after arriving in Paris we “popped over” to the Centre Pompidou to see a Matisse Exhibition before we had purchased tourist gold, aka the Paris Museum Pass. Standing in line for hours to purchase a pass that would allow us to skip the lines seemed silly, so with the winked consent of the security guard I boldly rode the dedicated restaurant elevator escaping one floor shy of the Georges Restaurant in order to wind my way back through the museum to the main floor ticket office and back out the front door, much to the relief of six soggy family members who then happily joined the priority line.

Two days later after breezing past the queue at the Louvre, we wandered toward Notre Dame Cathedral during a sunny lunchtime; we stumbled upon a crowd gathered outside La Saint Chapelle, a stunning Gothic chapel ringed with amazing stained glass windows dating back to the 13th century. Already spoiled by our museum pass, I assumed we would have line jumping privileges here, too, so I dragged my reluctant family to the empty and unmarked line parallel to the unmoving line of people waiting. They huddled in a cold, dark tunnel while I used terrible high school French to struggle through a discussion with two uniformed men manning a TSA worthy X-ray machine. I am not 100 percent positive what I said or how I said it, and I definitely have no idea what those nice young men were saying to me, but I can tell you that standing alone inside Sainte Chapelle when it is closed to tourists at lunchtime is a truly religious experience.

By the time we arrived in Venice and Rome, this line skipping thing had become routine, in fact the Worst Kids in the World suffered moral affront at the mere thought of queue. At Rome’s famed Coliseum our Roma Pass took us straight in, and for 8 euros more, an archaeologist took us underground, behind locked gates to walk in the footsteps of ancient gladiators. At the Vatican, we were steadfastly unremorseful about our reservations that took us past long lines and then taking  a left at the Sistine Chapel to enter St Peter’s Basilica “through the back door.”

After our visit, we exited the church through the front door where we were awestruck by the massive crowd of people waiting to enter. Of course we paused to bless Rick Steves in our own special way, because he is indeed our travel Saint. Please don’t tell the Pope.

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).

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 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.

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