By Trina Enriquez, Sunset copy editor

The Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle is hosting its last $5 Fridays event of the '08–'09 season this Friday, May 22, from 6 to 7 p.m. A dance preview orchestrated by PNB artistic director Peter Boal and put on in one of the Phelps Center's practice studios, the series features excerpts from the current program, except that dancers perform in practice gear and Boal precedes and follows up each excerpt with comments, then a Q&A. Very intimate, pretty informal, and über-cool for anyone who’s interested in the ballet but maybe a little intimidated by their lack of experience with or technical knowledge of it.

Artistic director Peter Boal and young audience members watch
PNB principal dancers Louise Nadeau and Jeffrey Stanton
at the PNB's $5 Friday Swan Lake studio rehearsal.
© Angela Sterling; photo courtesy of the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

This particular Friday's event is Director's Choice, featuring parts of Dances at a Gathering (with music by Chopin and choreography by Jerome Robbins) and After the Rain (a pas de deux choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon and set to Arvo Pärt's music). It’s a fun way to gain some insight on what goes into creating the slick, tricked-out performances onstage.

Order tix online or by phone (206/441-2424) to secure a spot in the general seating; otherwise you may nab tickets at the box office (301 Mercer St., Seattle). If you miss this $5 Friday, tune in later to the PNB's $5 Friday info page for more on the '09–'10 season.

Make a night (or a weekend) of it

Head for La Dolce Vita, about a mile away from the Phelps Center, after the show ends at 7 p.m. The cozy restaurant opens at 5 p.m., which would make it a tight squeeze for a pre-show bite, but it takes reservations until 10:30. One glance at the dinner menu will have your mouth watering: salsiccia e vongole (housemade sausage and fresh Manila clams in a tomato–white wine sauce) and tagliatelle alla Dolce Vita (fresh pasta with English peas, locally foraged spring mushrooms, pine nuts, and blue cheese), for starters. 

Photo courtesy of La Dolce Vita Ristorante Italiano.

For sleeps, look no further than the Alexis Hotel, featured in Sunset's March '09 issue. Sure, it's a little pricier than what you just spent at the ballet—but it is, as we billed it, "a downtown getaway that lets you curl up with a good book and get out exploring the city." Retrace the story and savor a weekend of culture and learning and eats and words.

Order the mushroom frittata or hot Dungeness crab on brioche
for brunch at the Alexis Hotel's Library Bistro & Bookstore Bar, and have books
within arm's reach while you wait. Photo by John Clark.

By Trina Enriquez, Sunset copy editor

Ever since Lisa Taggart wrote about the chibi taiyaki (small, golden, fish-shaped cakes made to order with fillings such as Nutella, chocolate, vanilla, or red bean, plus a catch of the week) at Sweet Breams in San Mateo, California, for the March ’09 Northern California issue of the magazine, I’ve sort of taken to haunting the place. And joined its Facebook fan page. And initiated as many friends as possible into the cult of Tiny and Tasty.

While I wait for my school of 12 fish, I look over works by resident artists Cat Oshiro, Andrew Uy, and Simon Tran, and took to coveting Uy’s Miso Panda print until word came that it was sold out—argh! But this Saturday, April 18, Sweet Breams is hosting its first group art show, Meet Me Under the Cherry Blossoms, featuring new works by the 3 artists and 11 of their friends. Spanning genres from “psychedelic acrylics” to “urban lifestyle,” their newest digital illustrations, drawings, and paintings will debut at this exhibition, which takes its name from the beauty of sakura, or Japanese cherry blossoms. (To extend the festivities, check out the Sunset story on SF's J-town and head to San Francisco.)

Be sure to stop by the shop between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday, meet and chat with some of the artists, and order a school (or three) of taiyaki while you’re at it. (At $5.50 a school, so worth it, seriously—and don't forget about Sweet Breams' secret menu.) A digital illustration from CatmAndru! (aka Andrew Uy) will be raffled off during the reception. If you can’t make it, the artists' works will be on display in-store through May 27.

Click on any of the artists’ names below for a sneak preview and more info.

Cat Oshiro
Simon Tran
Andrew Uy
Martin Hsu
Liz Lorini
Gem Mateo
Jeramie Tolentino
Rob Beckstrom

Chibi taiyaki photo courtesy of I Heart Sweet Breams

by MacKenzie Geidt, Sunset assistant travel editor

This weekend is the blow-out finale of Chinese New Year, the year of the Ox, and LA's Chinatown will be celebrating in true Hollywood big-spectacle fashion with 100,000 firecrackers (those evil spirits don't even have a chance), the annual Firecracker 5/10K Race, lion dancing, good food, awesome food, music, and other Gung Hay Fat Choy revels.  I was in Chinatown last weekend (I was inspired by the February Southern California Day Trip on Chinatown so I knew all the cool places to go) and I got a flavor of the Gung Hay spirit...

Shopping opportunities abound...I didn't know that I even wanted a parasol until I saw these...

You can shop the funky art galleries on Chung King Road, gorge on Dim Sum (I tried Empress Pavilion), shop for jade jewelry at the outdoor jewelry stands, and pick up Chinese New Year sweet treats at Wonder Bakery (943 N. Broadway) or Phoenix Bakery (969 N. Broadway).

And I can pretty much guarantee you'll see one of these:

Events will take place both Saturday and Sunday this weekend so it'll be a full weekend affair.  Have fun, and let's hope that the year of the Ox is better than the year of the Rat! 

by MacKenzie Geidt, Sunset assistant travel editor

Recessions are intensely depressing. I know during these gloomy times I feel the need more than ever to escape in books, magazines, movies, theater, and just plain going out.  But can you really justify spending precious money on tickets in a time like this?  My answer is definitively YES!  For one very particular reason:

GOLDSTAR.COM is my new best friend. Let me introduce you:

Wish you could afford to see that new musical in town?  LA Lakers tickets too expensive?  Need a cheap and creative idea for date night?  Sign up for Goldstar.  They send you listings of all their half-price and discount shows in some of the coolest towns in the West: San Francisco, LA, Las Vegas, and San Diego.

The listing range is amazing....it's not just theater....it's comedy, sports events, concerts, even things like wine tastings and rodeos (!).  For example, last week I got discount tickets to a live radio taping of "The Sound of Young America Live" at the San Francisco Sketch Fest for $10!  (and I didn't even know that event was happening until I got the email from Goldstar...it also helps me stay on top of what's in town)

THIS weekend I'm heading down to LA, so of course I checked Goldstar to see what looks fun, entertaining, and inexpensive down there.  Now I have tickets to Jane Austen Unscripted at Theater Asylum in Santa Monica....believe it or not, it's Jane Austen improv!  I can't think of anything more amazing!  Tickets on Goldtar are $10 versus $25. I wouldn't have known about this unless I'd seen it on  Goldstar, AND I save $15 on tickets.  Double bonus. After all, it is a truth universally acknowledged that anyone (not necessarily in posession of a good fortune) must be in want of good cheap fun now and again....   

Allen Gilmore (Lenck) and Stephen Caffrey (Fasch) in SSC's 2008 production of Bach at Leipzig by Itamar Moses. Photo: r.r. jones.

This morning, one of the Bay Area's most beloved theater companies, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, sent an email to supporters and friends to announce that if the perennially cash-strapped company cannot raise $300,000 by Monday December 22, if may have to cancel its 2009 season, effectively pulling the plug on the company itself. To read the message from the board of directors, click here.

Shakespeare Santa Cruz is a local treasure, a gift to the community that deserves our support, especially in these tough economic times when a lot of us could really use a good laugh and the feeling that we can only get from sharing live theater with a room full of fellow human beings. Let's not let "the numbers" dictate everything...

To make a donation, click here.

Update, 12/22/08: Shakespeare Santa Cruz just announced that it had exceeded its goal by raising $416,417, which means we can all look forward to Shakespeare under the redwoods again this summer!

By Amy Wolf, Sunset travel editor

Yesterday I challenged all readers to haul a Christmas tree home by bike. I gotta admit, I didn't expect any takers. But lo and behold, Gunther Rohrer is ON it! Gunther, you're my new hero.

From Gunther: The highlight of my week was bringing home this 6' Christmas tree on the back of my Xtracycle last Friday. I got more waves and smiles on my 8-mile trip home then you could imagine. The kids were riding their bikes at the local park and when I showed up they were beyond excited. Totally easy and beat the two hour car trip out to the hinterland to cut one down.

By Amy Wolf, Sunset travel editor

Yeah, hauling a tree home on top of the car is fun and all, but here's what I'd like to do next year: cut down my own tree and then bring it home on a bike. I kid you not. This guy did it. Why not me?

I mean, for all the talk of whether to buy a living tree or a cut-your-own tree or even a fake fir (which is the least wasteful??), I've heard not a single person address the greatest environmental offender implicit in every tree-trimming adventure: the car.

These days we've got an embarrassment of riches to choose from when it comes to cargo-hauling bikes. The Xtracycle pictured at left is only one of many. In fact, if you truly want to make the world a cleaner, less toxic, happier place, buy a good commuter bike for yourself or your spouse for this year's big gift.

So, anyone want to beat me to the challenge, and haul a tree home by bike? I dare you. Post your accomplishment, plus a photo for proof, as a comment, and I'll find some super special reward for you.

By Amy Wolf, Sunset travel editor

Yes, you read that right: Today is the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition! Wahoo!! I think we ought to make this a national holiday. Close the workplace, the schools. Hit the bar! Seriously, though, any excuse not to feel gloomy is a good excuse these days. And since they're now saying that happiness is contagious, let's get happy!

Need a little boost in spreading the joy? Here's my unofficial guide to where to toast the repeal of the big P. Cheers!

21st Amendment

Why: 'Cause they're hosting a Repeal Celebration parade today at 3:30.

Where: 563 Second St, San Francisco (parade is from Justin Herman Plaza).

What to drink: Beer. Any of 'em.

Sam's Anchor Cafe

Why: A trapdoor in the floor is evidence of the rum runner trade that was in full force here in the '20s.

Where: 27 Main St, Tiburon

What to drink: A Ramos fizz (to be drunk outside on the dock, overlooking the bay).

Moss Beach Distillery

Why: This was one of the few speakeasies that was never raided during Prohibition, even though it did a brisk business in booze.

Where: 140 Beach Way, Moss Beach

What to drink: Beer, or something more adventurous (can anyone tell me what this blue drink is?).

Harry Denton's Starlight Room, at the St. Francis Hotel

Why: Its classy antique-mirrored back bar evokes the glamour of the 1920s.

Where: 450 Powell St, San Francisco

What to drink: Any of master mixologist Jacques Bezuindenhout's creations (but be prepared to pay a steep price).

Earlier: Washington's Olympic Peninsula draws fans of "Twilight" vampire series

Update: Get yourself to Oregon for a taste of Twilight

by Elizabeth Jardina, Sunset researcher

Those Twilight fans — man, they're serious about their books.

Thanks to Twilighters visiting this site to read our story about visiting Forks, Washington, this blog has had a couple of record-breaking days, as well as some delightful comments.

A special shout-out to Faith R., whose parents have decided to take her on a trip to Washington as a result of our Forks story.

If you too are serious about visiting northwest Washington, I highly recommend reading travel editor Amy Wolf's article about the Olympic Peninsula from this past June. If anyone else needs persuasion — reluctant husbands, skeptical parents — send 'em there. They won't be able to resist.

Let's also take a moment to say hello to Lisa Hansen, the owner of TwilightMOMS.com (and a lifelong Sunset fan!) whose posting of our link helped us get many new readers. And provided us this comment:

This place is truly has the most majestic scenery I've ever seen in my life. It's one of those places I want to visit over and over again for years to come and the residents are absolutely wonderful!!!

Lisa is also a key source for our forthcoming post about where the movie version of Twilight — out Nov. 21 (that's Friday, people) — was filmed. Look for it at the end of this week.

About Port Angeles and taking the ferry

A few commenters have asked why we recommend a land route from Seattle to Forks rather than taking one of Washington State's ferries. Simply: Because we wanted to minimize confusion. For visitors who are not accustomed to using ferries as transit, it seemed easier to stay on land than figure out the ferry system.

You can, of course, take the ferry from the Seattle main terminal (at Pier 52) to Bainbridge Island — with your rental car too — and then head up State 305 to State 3 to State 104, or you can take the ferry from the dock in Edmonds to Kingston, Washington and take State 104 to State 101 and continue west to Forks. Adult fare is $6.70 each way; the car is an extra $11.55.

This northern route to Forks has the advantage of sending you through Port Angeles, home of the restaurant Bella Italia, where Edward and Bella have their first date. (Of sorts. If that's what you call it when your vampire not-quite-boyfriend rescues you from a bunch of bad guys, then sits you down to watch you eat mushroom ravioli.)

Twilight, the phenomenon

We aren't the only publication who's been writing about visiting Forks lately. The Los Angeles Times has a great story from Saturday's paper about Forks, and the Seattle Times wrote about Forks last week as an inexpensive vacation destination from Seattle.

I was also going to mention that some of the stars of Twilight will be at the West Hollywood Hot Topic store tomorrow, Nov. 18, but the event is already way, way sold out. (And the West Hollywood event doesn't even include Twilight star Robert Pattinson, whose appearances have created teen fervor all over the country in the past couple of weeks, notably in San Francisco, where a girl's nose was reportedly broken in a melee at Stonestown Galleria.)

Again, stay tuned for our next installment of of Twilight travel — movie edition.

by Lisa Trottier, Sunset senior editor

I moved from Oakland three years ago to buy a house. So, I feel a mixture of pride and envy when I hear about the cultural boomlet going on downtown—or Uptown, as they’re calling it these days.

On the same block where stylin’ Flora (love Flora!) pulls in a pan-Bay Area crowd, and where the Fox Theater, said to be more spectacularly opulent than the Paramount, is set to open in February, the news just keeps coming.

Check out this Eater SF update about the pending projects by the people at Pizzaiolo, Flora, and Zuni.

That was my BART stop! I’d never cook again! But no worries—I’m thinking it’s going to become a regular stop for a whole lot of us very, very soon.

Flora photo by Lori Eanes