December 8, 2021 - An insider look at the Pacific Northwest Ballet 🩰

Hello Saturday.

December 18 2021

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This comeback story is en pointe. After a year and a half of kitchen ballet classes and streamed performances, the Pacific Northwest Ballet is back on stage for the first time since the pandemic with “The Nutcracker.”

We learned some fascinating facts about PNB recently that could bring out your inner twinkletoes, even if you’re not a big ballet fan. Here are the eight things you should know about our biggest local ballet company.

Snowflakes waltz following the Nutcracker and Clara’s battle victory. | Photo by Angela Sterling

🩰 It’s considered one of the best in the nation.

What makes a ballet company the best? A combo of factors — like overall expertise, skills, strength, artistic excellence and more, explains Communications Director Gary Tucker.

“We also have our own orchestra and a costume shop onsite. It’s the big package that creates that level of polish and professionalism.”

🩰 Being a full-time dancer is a literal workout.

The real magic of ballet is arguably making very complex and strenuous choreography look effortless, but “floating” requires massive amounts of strength.

Full-time dancers at PNB begin their days with a 9:15 a.m. company class — where dancers work on strength and train their muscle memory — and end their days at 6 p.m. after rehearsal. It’s equivalent to working out at the gym for a living.

🩰 You may want different seats for different shows.

Each ballet, like all art, is choreographed with a lot of intention — whether that’s to show off the lines of the human body or the dancers’ technical talent. Your favorite parts of each ballet will dictate where you may want to sit.

If you’re an aesthetics person who likes a good pose, you may want something in the orchestra. Aisle seats will guarantee an unobstructed line to the stage for those classic moments.

If you love watching college bands perform during halftime shows, the first few rows on the second tier give views on that formation work.

If you like hidden secrets, the box seats are the only spots with a line of sight on PNB’s orchestra.

5 MORE FACTS UNTIL YOU’RE A BALLET NERD

Share this with your friend who always reads the program before a show.

EVENTS

Today

Policy Matters Summit: The Future of Work | Wed., Dec. 8 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | $25+ | Seattle Airport Marriott | Former Gov. Gary Locke and other luminaries talk about how recent changes to work impacts transportation, economic development + higher education.

Thursday

The Harlem Nutcracker (Workshop 3) | Thurs., Dec. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Seattle Children’s Theatre | $10+ | Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s “Nutcracker Suite” accompanies the story of an African-American family living in Harlem on Christmas Eve. 🎹
Noah Kahan | Thurs., Dec. 9 | 8 p.m. | Crystal Ballroom | $22+ | This singer-songwriter brings his vivid lyrics + quippy humor to Seattle.

Friday

Belltown Art Walk | Fri., Dec. 10 | 6-9 p.m. | Corner of First and Bell Streets | Free | Tour local galleries, art exhibits + shops while meeting the artists behind the works. 🖼️
Holiday Croquembouche | Fri., Dec. 10 | 6-9 p.m. | The Pastry Project, 165 South Main St. | $125 | Learn how to make a delectable + eye-catching cream puff tower from start to finish, with all the baking tools you’ll need.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE DECEMBER EVENTS HERE

NEWS NOTES

Weather

45º | Morning showers | 55% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:45 a.m.
Set: 4:17 p.m.

Traffic

It’s getting a bit stuffy here. Seattle traffic congestion was somewhat worse this year compared to 2020. The average driver spent about 30 hours in traffic this year, which is up from the 25 hours in 2020 — but nowhere near the 74 hours estimated in 2019. 🚗 (Seattle Times)

Show

30 years ago, Nirvana performed at The Paramount during the first stretch of their “Nevermind” tour in 1991, just as the band was approaching its come-up as a cultural icon. To celebrate, STG will present the filmed concert in the very venue it was made on Sun., Dec. 12. (Seattle Times)

Biz

Swedish Health Services recently announced that it will aim for its four-million sqft. First Hill campus to be carbon negative by 2030. To reach the goal, Swedish intends to make significant changes to its recycling program and invest in new heat ventilation technology. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Closing

Capitol Hill’s Star Fusion and Bar will be closing next week after a year and a half of business. The restaurant opened just a week before the pandemic started in 2020 and has had a rough time recovering from the limited serving opportunities. (Capitol Hill Blog)

Coming Soon

White Center is getting a new Latino fusion restaurant potentially as early as next month. Que Chevere, opening in Taradise Cafe’s old spot, will serve lunch and dinner with a few cocktail options. (White Center Now)

Finance

Pocket an easy $200 bonus with these high-paying cash back credit cards. Plus, enjoy high ongoing cash back rates, no annual fee, and 0% interest until 2023. Go ahead, start racking up huge cash back rewards. 💳*

#SEATODAY

Simply the best

📸 @schittscreek

No 22 ft. tall Norwegian pine needed. Queen Anne resident Richard Knowles has brought back his beloved front yard version of the Schitt’s Creek Rosebud Motel to welcome in the holiday season.

The hand-cut, measured + painted replica of the motel was featured on the show’s official Instagram account last year, and brought in 200 visitors during the first week of December after its debut.

Seattleites can go check it out for themselves at the corner of W. Bothell St. and 10th Ave. W. in Queen Anne.

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THE WRAP

Editor’s Pick: I took Gabe’s advice and checked out a few of the spots from his list of places to let your geek flag fly this weekend while I had family in town. The Pinball Museum was a huge favorite with those unlimited plays — even if my brother probably beat my score every time.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out these tasty cookie bakeries.