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Posted by: Andrew Holt in Events, Art on
Aug 23, 2010
 Sitting midway up the grandstands, the open stage and the backdrop of trees and the Blue Mountains before me, a balmy day having turned into a comfortable night, I couldn't imagine being in a better place at that moment than the Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater readying to see the Seattle Shakespeare Company's production of "Much Ado About Nothing."
It was the final performance of Shakespeare Uncork'd, a young annual event in its third year. Many of the patrons had consumed gumbo, salad, a tasty dessert and a glass of wine in preparation for taking in the classic comedy. The Seattle Company decided that its adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic comedy would be set in the Louisiana Bayou. A rather sparse arrangement of a door sandwiched by two Victorian columns, two small white tents, a clothesline, several wicker chairs and a bench, sat in the center of the concrete stage. The production began with a burst of energy that it would maintain throughout. The opening scene started with much of the cast singing the old Mardi gras anthem "Iko Iko" accompanied by an accordion and guitar. Tonight's version of "Much Ado" stayed true to the plays original storyline, outside of references to the Bayou setting and modern interpretations of the old Bard's lines. The success of "Much Ado" always seems to hinge on the performances of the two players portraying Benedict and Beatrice - Benedict the fast quipping independent and garrulous right hand man of Prince Don Pedro, and Beatrice, the quick tongued, stubborn and ,also, independent thinking daughter of Leonardo.
Posted by: Becky St. Clair in Scenery, Events on
May 17, 2010
 When I was in college, I made a list of things I want to do before I die. There are simple things, such as stop by the large antiques and fruit stand on the freeway between Walla Walla and Yakima, or driving a tractor. Then there are things I’ve already done, such as visit London, or become a mother. And finally, there are the complicated things; things that may or may not present an opportunity between now and when I’m laid to rest. Things like riding in a hot air balloon.
The Walla Walla Balloon Stampede is one of those traditions that’s been around longer than I have. It’s an automatic mood-lifter to head to work and discover two dozen hot air balloons watching your commute from the clouds. As you get closer to them, the colours stand out: Bright blues, brilliant reds, stunning greens, cheerful yellows, royal purples and shimmering golds. I always wonder about the people in the baskets beneath those bewitching orbs drifting high above my head. How old are they? How many are in each one? Where are they from? What made them buy a balloon? Where did they learn to fly one? How do they know each other? When will they take me up?
Posted by: Andrew Holt in Events on
Jan 28, 2010
 Tonight, we are headed to the movies. But don't bring your popcorn and soda, for this movie holds no entertainment, although it is a star studded evening in Walla Walla. We are viewing "Cargo: Lost Innocence" - a gritty documentary on human trafficking, directed and produced by actor Michael Cory Davis. The movie presentation and the subsequent panel discussion on human bondage is backed by "Artists for Human Rights" an organization created by Hollywood film artist, Anne Archer. Archer, Davis along with human rights activist Donna Isham and Executive Director of "Artists for Human Rights," Michael Wisner are all in attendance. When asked why they would bring such a film to Walla Walla, a relatively isolated rural community, Davis, Archer and Wisner all respond with the same answer: the fight for human rights starts in your local communities. "Cargo" chronicles the story of two young women who were abducted from their homes, one from Bulgaria the other South America, and brought to the U.S. to be sex slaves in Texas. Davis does a nice job of interspersing sound bites from government officials, who are trying to fight the problem, with gut wrenching interviews with the victims and re-enacted scenes of some of the horrific stories they describe.
Posted by: Sam McLeod in Events, Downtown on
Dec 07, 2009
 If you missed it, the Walla Walla Veterans Day Parade was a classic-five fire trucks, one cement mixer, one cherry picker, one subcompact sporting a banner "Friends of Gays and Lesbians," lots of old guys on motorcycles, plenty of Model T's, and some proud veterans. The Touchet High School Marching Band led the parade. They played "Louie, Louie." I love this place.
Posted by: Andrew Holt in Music, Events on
Jul 13, 2009
 This evening we find ourselves driving down a country road south of Walla Walla, deep in vineyard country, on our way to the final Tasting Music Series concert of the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival. We make a right turn at Waters Winery, winding down the curving descent towards the beautiful wine estate that will host tonight's musical event. Minutes later, as I sit outside on the patio, cheese and cracker in one hand, a glass of viognier in the other, I gaze up at this towering structure comprised of honey colored pine that frames enormous panes of glass, the entering light providing a warm environment for the tasting room as people sip their wine and nibble on an assortment of crackers and cheese. From inside the tasting room, one can take in the wonderful view of the vineyards set against the background of the Blue Mountains.
The Chamber Music Festival is the creation of Seattle classical musician, Tim Christie. After visiting Walla Walla several years ago, Christie decided that the hamlet would be the perfect location for his longtime dream of developing a festival of solely Chamber Music and to do so, by immersing the community with formal concerts, music tasting events, such as the one we are attending tonight, children's concerts and open rehearsals. As Christie explains, the 12-day event is all about bringing Chamber Music to the public and making it more accessible.
Tonight's Music Tasting event is a perfect example.
Posted by: Becky St. Clair in Scenery, Events on
Jul 09, 2009
 A couple of years ago my husband and I decided to stay in Walla Walla for the Fourth of July. Having lived here for coming up on 8 years, we've done something different for Independence Day each year. We decided to stay home this time.
We got the word out and invited anyone we knew who was still in town to our house for a hot dog feed. Everyone brought something...your typical summer get-together with food. We had a plethora of chips and ice cream bars, but somehow...everything got eaten. We played a few games - mostly inside, in front of the air conditioner - and enjoyed a lot of laughs. About an hour before nightfall, our conversation turned to the main event of the day: Fireworks. Most had planned on going down to the fairgrounds to watch the show, but Husband and I decided to stay at the house. We wanted to do something different. As all the taillights disappeared around the corner, we hauled out our ladder and climbed onto the roof above the garage. Though it was only a one-story house, we still had a better view than from the ground. As the sky darkened, the night filled with the pops and sizzles and flashes of colour - some from independent groups doing their own thing, but most from Walla Walla's fantastic fireworks show. When it was over, we climbed back down to reality, put away the ladder, and headed inside with smiles on our faces.
 It's a feast for all the senses! It's a party in a tent!
2008 was the first year for Feast Walla Walla and as one of the 600 attendees, I am here to say - - it was great! And here we are again with Feast Walla Walla 2009 just around the corner, Saturday April 11 from 1-4 pm.
Feast Walla Walla is a celebration of Walla Walla's food, wine and art and it all happens in a tent located at historical downtown Walla Walla on First Avenue and Main Street. It's a wonderful opportunity for locals and tourists to experience what Walla Walla is known for - food, wine and art. Besides entrance with the ticket price, we were given 10 tokens to be used towards food and wine, an etched wine glass commemorating the event and a souvenir plate to hold our "feast."
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