We’ll see you down at the marina this Saturday for the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market! There will be loads of fantastic fruits and vegetables available, so it’s a great time to think about freezing, canning and making jams and jellies!

The Rotary Club of Des Moines will be on hand selling tickets for the Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Fest coming up on September 25 in Beach Park. The festival will features live music, great food and of course plenty to sample from local breweries. Grab your tickets while you can!

This week’s live entertainment at the market is the Fabulous Po’ Boys.

Jazz Night and Wine Tasting returns to the E.B. Foote Winery on Sunday, August 29.

Tickets are $10 each ($9 for Wine Club Members) in advance or $12 day of the event and include two hours of smooth jazz, a sample of four wines, and snacks. The doors to the winery will open at 5:30 pm and music will go from 6-8 pm.

Wayne Miller and Friends will relax you with smooth jazz music while you enjoy a sample of four wines. Wine will also be available by the glass for $5 cash, and you can purchase bottles to take home with you. This event is for adults only. Tickets are available by visiting or calling the winery, or on the website at www.ebfootewinery.com.

[Would you like to have a Blogvertorial story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info!]

It’s the Freshest and Tastiest (and Rockinest) thing to do on a Saturday – and this week, an all-female band called Sister Wives will rock the Des Moines Farmers Market, which runs from 10am -- 2pm at the South Marina Park.

Fresh This Week include a variety of apples, perfect for a summertime apple pie.

Or try new recipes like Norman potato salad with apples or thyme-roasted apples and onions.

And while you’re planning that apple pie, you can also enjoy the musical sounds of Sister Wives, who describe themselves as:

Ranging from soulful blues to fiery rock to all-out dance band, the Sister Wives defy the conventional norms typically set for all-women bands with the range and depth of their musical energy and virtuosity.

The Sister Wives display a multitude of musical attitudes in a style that is part Stevie Ray Vaughn, a little Sippie Wallace, and a little Allman Brothers.

Their live shows persuade even the most skeptical that “Girls Rock!”

Here’s video proof of how Sister Wives can get people dancin’:

Speaking of videos, here’s a time lapse one we shot at last Saturday’s market – see if you can spot yourself, or someone you know, or maybe a bank robber:

Oh, and be sure to drop by The Waterland Blog booth for a live demo on how we “blog.”

The Rotary Club of Des Moines wants to remind our Readers that you can save $5 per ticket for the Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Festival (coming up Saturday, Sept. 25th from Noon – 7pm) if you order online now.

Here’s more info from the Rotary website:

100% of the net proceeds will support Rotary’s “Music4Life” program, aimed at expanding music to youth in our local schools.

Enjoy  a day filled with local blues from Dudley Taft, Becki Sue and her Big Rockin’ Daddies, the Cold Shot Band, the Stacy Jones Band and Rod Cook together with a variety of fine brews from 10-15 local breweries.

To complement your blues and brews, we will be barbecuing Bratwurst and B&E Market’s famous Tri Tip for your dining enjoyment.

The Festival will be located on the shores of Puget Sound at the Des Moines Beach Park. This is an outdoor event and will be held rain or shine, you must be 21 or older to attend and no pets will be allowed inside the event.

There will be plenty of free parking in the Des Moines Marina.

While you are in town, you might want to visit the Des Moines Farmer’s Market and enjoy the Poverty Bay Arts Festival.

Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the gate.

Here’s the musical lineup:

• 12:00 -- 12:45 PM - Cold Shot Band
• 1:15 -- 2:15 PM -- Stacy Jones Band
• 2:45 -- 3:30 PM -- Rod Cook
• 4:00 -- 5:00 PM -- Becki Sue and her Big Rockin’ Daddies
• 5:30 -- 7:00 PM -- Dudley Taft

Music4Life is a program to benefit elementary (fourth and fifth grade students) in Highline Public Schools.  The program is a collaboration between Highline Public Schools, the Rotary Club of Des Moines and many individuals and businesses, partnering to expand music education for all children in the Highline School District.

Music means different things to different people.  To children, learning to play a musical instrument is a meaningful activity -- it’s fun and it builds relationships that can last a life time.  To youth, music opens up the world -- its history and its many cultures -- and provides opportunities for teamwork and meaningful forms of self-expression.  Educators know that music benefits students academically, especially in mathematics, science, history and world languages.  Our community understands that music education helps a person lead a richer, fuller, more meaningful life -- and an arts-rich community is a more desirable place to live.

Music4Life is intended to give every student in the Highline Public Schools access to instruments in good working conditions so they can participate in instrumental and vocal music programs.  Initially, Music4Life will acquire 500 musical instruments and supplies to ensure that 50 percent of Highline Public Schools 4th and 5th grade students can participate in instrumental music.  In the years to come, Music4Life may expand to include a broader range of ages and grade levels, as well as additional music education programs.

To purchase tickets, save a few bucks and learn more, click here.

Tickets can also be purchased at CorkyCellars99 Bottles (206) 824-9462, (253) 838-2558 or Des Moines Drug (206) 878-2345, and through Rotary Club of Des Moines.

To whet your musical whistle, here’s a video of the Stacy Jones Band doing “Angel from Montgomery”:

The Beach Park Jazz & Blues summer concert series wraps up tonight with a grand finale performance by the African All Stars. It looks like we’ve turned the corner on weather conditions so why not take advantage of the opportunity and spend an evening in the park listening to FREE music? You can even get a hot dog from the Dog House!

And remember, parking is a challenge due to construction. Take advantage of the free shuttle van provided by the Des Moines Marina from the south parking lot (near the farmers market location) to the park entrance.

If you’ve enjoyed the summer concert series, it’s not too early to start expressing your support for next summer. Besides contributing financially through the Des Moines Arts Commission, you can also let the Des Moines City Council know that you’d like to see the city continue supporting the arts.

Finally, to whet your appetite for tonight’s concert, here’s a slideshow of photos from last week’s Handful of Luvin’ concert by photographer Michael Brunk. Be sure to adjust your volume before clicking!

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Here’s this week’s round-up of FREE concerts being offered in the surrounding area. This is the final week for concerts in Burien and Des Moines, so enjoy the music before it’s too late!

Tue, Aug 10	12:00PM	Caleb	Burien Town Square Park
Wed, Aug 11	7:00PM	African All Stars	Des Moines Beach Park
Thu, Aug 12	6:30PM	Locust Street Taxi	Lake Burien School Park
Fri, Aug 13	12:00PM	Nancy Stewart	Tukwila Community Center
Sun, Aug 15	5:00PM	Starlings	Marvista Park
Sun, Aug 15	5:00PM	Ranger and the Re-Arrangers	Angle Lake Park

Flute Quest, which is “Bringing Music to the World One Breath at a Time,” is returning to Saltwater State Park the weekend of Aug. 20-22nd, bringing together internationally-acclaimed flutists, local musicians, those who want to learn to play, and persons who simply enjoy listening to the Native American flute.

According to their website:

Makers will offer instruments suitable for all levels of performance from beginner to pro, or fairgoers can bid on instruments in the silent auction. Experienced musicians will lead workshops at all levels. Experienced musicians will also lead flute, drum, and didgeridoo circles under the festival teepee. Such circles are excellent places to try out newly developed playing skills. Budding performers can take advantage of the open microphone on the “New Breath” day stage. Many of these activities will be free.

We are honored to work in partnership with Washington State Parks. We know that this location will give us the opportunity to expose more people to the Native American flute; our circles will grow wider and our community will expand.

This event is family oriented and is alcohol, tobacco and drug free.

In addition to the all-day festival at the park, there will also be performances on Friday by Scott August and Saturday night by Mary Youngblood (see videos below), from 7pm – 9pm at the Knutzen Family Theatre in the Dumas Bay Centre in Federal Way. More info on these, as well as tickets, is available online at www.centerstagetheatre.com/plays.html; here’s info from that website:

Flute Quest 2010 proudly presents two concerts on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21. This sweet blend of performers will make your spirit soar long after the concerts end. Last year tickets sold out; don’t miss this opportunity.

Friday’s concert features award-winning musician Scott August; a “multi-instrumentalist”, nationally acclaimed composer, producer, Keyboardist, Anasazi & Native American flute player. Opening for Scott is Rona Yellow Robe.  Rona shared her “other voice”, as she calls her flute, from the New Breath stage last year; touching us all with her music.

Saturday’s concert features Mary Youngblood, “The First Lady of the Flute”.  Mary is the first woman to win, not just one, but two Grammy Awards for “Best Native American Music Album”.  Along with Mary, Joe Young is a “Rising Star” performer.  Joe shares his eclectic style of music that features the Native American flute, penny-whistle, saxophone and other world flutes.  Come jam with Mary, bring percussion instruments!

Here are the event details:

WHAT: Flute Quest 2010

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 20th, Saturday, Aug, 21st, and Sunday, Aug. 22nd, with concerts Friday and Saturday night off-campus (see below); Festival Hours will be:

• Friday, Aug. 20: 10 AM to 5 PM
• Saturday, Aug. 21: 10 AM to 5 PM
• Sunday, Aug. 22: 10 AM to 3 PM

WHERE: Saltwater State Park, located at 25205 8th Place South, Des Moines, WA‎; (253) 661-4956.

INFO: More info on the fest at www.flutequest.com; more info on the evening concerts at www.centerstagetheatre.com/plays.html.

VIDEOs: Here’s a video of two-time Grammy winner Mary Youngblood, who will perform Saturday night at the Knutzen Family Theatre:

Here’s Scott August, who will be performing Friday night:

Ever wonder what is lurking in the waters of Puget Sound? Fish, crustaceans, sea weed and yes, sharks! While the Discovery Channel is wrapping up Shark Week, the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market will be celebrating Puget Sound marine life this Saturday at the market.

Marine Science and Technology (MaST) Center will be on hand to share information about Puget Sound sea life communities and will have some of their sea creatures for you to “see and touch.” MaST will also be at the market on Kids Day, September 11, and once a month for the entire 2011 season.

The market had over 43 vendors last week, the largest market this year! Come down this week and enjoy the sweet sounds of local group, Saltwater Saints. Fresh produce is bountiful and the flowers are spectacular. There are many hand crafted food and craft items as well.

One market shopper commented: “There is something here for everyone!” Fruits, vegetables, flowers, beef, pasta, berries, honey, cheese, breads, ice cream, nuts, jams/jellies, apple butter, BBQ sauces, hand crafted items all grown or made in Washington. Be sure to stop by and thank our Market Day Sponsor, Des Moines Methodist Church!

The Marine Science and Technology (MaST) Center, part of Highline Community College, offers the local community a chance to interact with the underwater communities of Puget Sound. Visitors can “see” and “touch” animals from Puget Sound in 11 large flow-through tanks. The center has volunteers, known as stewards, who give talks about the sea life in the tanks as well as caring for the creatures while spectators can watch. The center is open to the public for Water Weekends every Saturday from 10am to 2pm – free of charge.

Photos by Michael Brunk

The Des Moines Beach Park summer concert series continues with local favorites Handful of Luvin’ performing tonight at 7PM. The concerts are FREE so bring your folding chair or blanket and enjoy the evening listening to great music by the water!

With construction going on in the park and marina, parking can be difficult. Your best bet is to park in the north marina lot (near the fishing pier) and walk into the park or park in the south marina lot (near the Farmers Market location) and take advantage of the free shuttle van being provided by the Des Moines Marina.

If you haven’t made it to one of this fantastic local concerts yet, here’s a slideshow from last week’s concert featuring the Lucas Cates Band to give you a little taste. The slideshow is set to music from the concert so check your volume before clicking!

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Here’s this week’s round-up of FREE concerts being offered in the surrounding area. There’s sure to be something here to please just about anyone!

Tue, Aug 3	12:00PM	Sebastian Clark	Burien Town Square Park
Wed, Aug 4	7:00PM	Handful of Luvin’	Des Moines Beach Park
Thu, Aug 5	6:30PM	Caela and the Dangerous Flares	Lake Burien School Park
Fri, Aug 6	12:00PM	Eric Herman	Tukwila Community Center
Sun, Aug 8	5:00PM	Woodrush	Marvista Park
Sun, Aug 8	5:00PM	Rod Cook	Angle Lake Park

Summer is finally in full swing and with the warm weather and blue skies comes a plethora of free concert series offered by local cities. Why not take advantage of the weather and get outside for fresh air and FREE music?

Here’s this week’s upcoming concerts:

Tuesday, July 27	12:00PM	Steve Olson	Burien Town Square Park
Wednesday, July 28	7:00PM	Lucas Cates Band	Des Moines Beach Park
Thursday, July 29	6:30PM	Jimmy Free’s Friends	Lake Burien School Park
Friday, July 30	12:00PM	The Not-Its!	Tukwila Community Center
Sunday, August 1	5:00PM	Recess Monkey Normandy Park Youth Orchestra	Marvista Park
Sunday, August 1	5:00PM	Cold Boots & Bad Coffee	Angle Lake Park

This past Sunday (July 25) contemporary celtic band Craicmore performed their award winning music in Marvista Park. This was the second concert in Normandy Park’s annual “Music in the Park” concert series.

The award-winning group played a mix of contemporary and traditional music from Ireland and Scotland. They even slipped a Canadian piece into their set!

The concert series continues on August 1 at 5:00 PM with a double-bill of Recess Monkey and the Normandy Park Youth Orchestra.

Photographer Michael Brunk was at last Sunday’s concert and put together this slide show set to music by Craicmore. Be sure to check your volume before clicking!

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Join us this Saturday for the first of two Business Showcase days. In addition to our wonderful weekly goods for sale we will have some of Des Moines’ finest businesses on hand to promote their wares and services!

We hope you will come down and show your support of our business community and thank them for being there! We’ll have another Business Showcase on September 25.

Also new this week, Healthy Creations personal chef and owner, Ariel Bangs will be demonstrating ways to introduce healthy meals into your daily dining experience, from 11-1 PM. Chef Ariel will share creative ideas with market patrons, as they watch vendor’s produce turned into tasty original creations.

The Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market is working on a cookbook to be available for purchase later this fall. If you have a recipe you would like to contribute to this community cookbook time is running out!

Please visit www.dmfm.org to download a cookbook form and bring it with you to the market before July 31 or email the market at market@dmfm.org.

Just a heads up: The annual Elder Care & Safety Day will be on July 31. We will have many additions to our usual goodies including South King Fire, Senior Services and representatives from the local retirement communities. This will be a great opportunity to learn how to keep yourself safe and find out what is available for you in our great community.

Hope to see you there!

That’s right, tomatoes are in! Pair that with onions and assorted other goodies and you have yourself a fantastic and healthy snack.

We should also be seeing the first of the corn on the cob. Come on down this Saturday to get your produce for the week, enjoy the sounds of Traditional Blues & Americana artist, JD Hobson and visit with friends and neighbors.

Don’t forget to submit your recipe for our Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market Cookbook. The deadline is July 31st. If you have questions or need a form, come see us at the Market information booth or visit our website.

Join us Saturday, July 10 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the south end of the Des Moines Marina for the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market!

Peaches will be in! Come on down to pick up your fresh picked peaches for that peach cobbler you have been secretly pining for! How about a juicy peach cut up with some yogurt for Sunday breakfast? If you are in the mood for something cool, we suggest fresh peaches sliced over vanilla ice cream!

A few new vendors are expected this week, including a new rancher. The veggies are looking fantastic and we’ll see more stone fruits and berries.

Charlie Spring will entertain you as you meander through the market visiting with friends and neighbors.

Don’t forget to drop by the Waterland Blog tent and say “Hi!” We would love to meet you!

Just a few miles north of Des Moines, Burien’s annual Wild Strawberry Festival runs all weekend, with tons of FREE entertainment, music, arts, food, performance art, and much more.

The fest runs until 6pm today (Saturday June 19), and 10am – 5pm Sunday (June 20) at the Burien Town Square, on SW 152nd and 5th SW (map/directions here).

Be sure to come find our sister site The B-Town Blog near the intersection of SW 151st and 5th SW, where they’ll be “blogging live” all weekend.

Here are some of the weekend’s highlights:

Saturday, June 19:

• Anunnaki Project Trapeze Performances
• Stiltwalker Ellarella
• NW Parkour
• B-TOWN Bike Fair
• Elliott Bay Brewery Activities

Sunday, June 20:

• Abyssinian Dancers
• Manuela Horn—The Yodeling Wonder
• 5K Run/Walk— 150th & 4th SW
• Car Show
• Elliott Bay Brewery Activities

Here’s a map of the site:

To download and print your own copy of the event brochure, which includes a schedule, sponsors, site map and more – just click here for a PDF version, then hit the “Print” button.

Enjoy the smooth sweet sounds of J. D. Hobson performing “Traditional Blues and Americana” music from 10am – 2pm at this Saturday’s Des Moines Farmers Market.

J.D. is an award winning local artist who competed nationally in Memphis this year at the International Blues Challenge.  He will be performing from 10am-2pm on the market stage.

As many of you know, the market expanded this year to include the north side lot. If you haven’t been down yet, you may be surprised to see how much it has grown. Berry crops are magnificent this year. Vendors have a great selection grown right here in Washington! Make sure to get your fresh produce for the week from your local farmers.

There are many other vendors for you at this year’s market including beef, fish, baked goods, prepared foods and handmade crafts.  Enjoy lunch and conversations with friends.

To whet your musical appetite for JD, here’s a video of him:

WLB Reader Mysty Beal tells us that Des Moines’ own Pacific Middle School Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Jeffrey Steen, is heading to San Francisco this Thursday, May 27th, for the annual Heritage Festival competition.

According to Mysty:

After a quick run through San Francisco’s famed Pier 39, they’ll boat across the bay to Alcatraz (for a tour, not incarceration). On Friday, they’ll head inland to the campus of UC Berkeley to attend a clinic held by Dr. Bob Calonico, Director of the Berkeley Wind Ensemble. He’ll give them a final tune-up prior to their performance at the Heritiage Festival competition, held at Foothills College.

Competition pieces the Wind Ensemble will perform include “Quest of the Undaunted Knight” by Greg Hillis; a chorale piece, “Modal Song and Dance” by Elliott Del Borgo; and a march called “Raging Thunder” by David Shaffer.

Best of luck to the Wind Ensemble, and here’s hoping they can again bring home the Gold!

The Des Moines Arts Commission released the schedule for this year’s Beach Park Jazz & Blues Free Summer Concert Series, with some returning bands as well as new ones, and including a wide range of styles, from “new grass jam” to “fiddle fed roots rock” to World Beat music.

These free shows are hosted on Wednesday evenings, from July 21 – Aug 11 on the steps of Founders Lodge in Beach Park (22030 Cliff Ave South).

Stop by the waterfront park as the weather warms up for free summer concerts by great bands. Bring a picnic and a blanket to enjoy the music, but remember, alcohol consumption is not allowed in public parks!

Here’s the info from the commission’s website:

Beach Park Jazz & Blues free Summer Concert Series
Hosted Wednesday evenings July 21 – Aug 11 on the steps of Founders Lodge in Beach Park/22030 Cliff Ave S., Des Moines, 98198.  Stop by the waterfront park as the weather warms up for free summer concerts by great bands.  The four-part series features rock, jazz, blues and cultural performances beginning at 7pm.  Bring a picnic and a blanket to enjoy the music!

Note:  Alcohol consumption is not allowed in public parks in the City of Des Moines

DATE	BAND	GENRE	LINK TO BAND
July 21st	Deadwood Revival	New Grass Jam Band	www.deadwoodrevival.com
July 28th	Lucas Cates Band	Pop/Rock	www.lucascates.com
Aug 4th	Handful of Luvin’	Fiddle fed Roots Rock	www.handfulofluvin.com
Aug 11th	The African All Stars	World Beat Music	www.myspace.com/africanallstars

To give you a taste of what these shows are like, here’s a Sound Slideshow by Nicholas Johnson from last year’s “Handful of Luvin’” performance (make sure your speakers are turned on):

More info at the Arts Commission’s website here.

You can also become a “Fan” on Facebook here.

The fifth annual Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market kicks off its 2010 season on Saturday, June 5th, and is ready to provide customers with the freshest produce and flowers and unique handcrafted items through October 30th.

Like last year, the market will run from 10am-2pm on Saturdays, with fun activities for the entire family, including opening day entertainment by the “Salt Water Saints.”

You can watch The Waterland Blog’s “Countdown Clock” to the right as the big day approaches, especially if you’re a behind-the-scenes worker who wants to see how (gulp) close it is to starting!

In addition to opening day ceremonies, the market this year will be honoring long time Kiwanis, Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market and Community Volunteer Vera Harper with a bench dedication in the flag plaza at South Marina Park, next to the market.  Vera will be missed by all who knew her.

According to the good folks who run the market:

Local farmer’s crops have been growing all spring and the first harvests are just around the corner. The market board of directors and staff has been busy over the winter.

We have obtained our own 501C4 federal charitable status and are partnering with many organizations including the City of Des Moines, Des Moines Rotary Club and Des Moines Legacy Foundation.

We wish thank our many sponsors including:

• Des Moines Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Kaplan
• Sunnie View Inc
• Brothers Carpet Cleaning & More
• Highline College Foundation
• Judson Park Retirement
• Print Place
• Snure Law Offices
• Vitality Chiropractic
• The Waterland Blog
• Auntie Irene’s
• Balloon Wizards/Babycakes NW
• Char Schulz, State Farm
• Des Moines Drug & Hallmark
• Down & Out Demolition
• Eagle Fitness
• Edward Jones, Mike Wilcox
• Marcus Whitman Presbyterian Church
• Russell & Associates
• Salon Michelle
• United Methodist Church,
• Precision Builders
• Zenith Holland
• Patrice Thorell

Our market would not be possible without their support, make sure to support them!

Many vendors are returning including:

• Polish food
• Thai food
• Honey
• Goat cheese
• Alvarez Organic
• Cha New Life Garden
• Collins Family Orchards
• Sidhu Berries

New vendors appearing throughout the season include:

• Eggs
• Cheese
• Pork
• Smoked salmon
• Ice cream
• Baked goods
• Unique crafts

Mark your calendars with these special market dates:

• June 5th-Opening Day
• July 24th-Local Business Showcase
• July 31st- Elder Care & Safety
• August 14th-Health & Fitness
• September 11th-Kids Day
• September 25th-Local Business Showcase
• October 30th-Chili Cook-Off

Entertainment for many of the market days will be:

• Salt Water Saints, 1st Saturday of the month, June-September
• Charlie Spring, 2nd Saturday of the month, June-October
• JD Hobson 3rd Saturday of the month, June-September

Be sure to look for The Waterland Blog’s booth at the market, because we’ll be “blogging live” most days – we look forward to seeing you there!

If yo’re interested in performing at the market or having a booth at the Local Business Showcase days, please email market@dmfm.org.

There will be a traditional Irish house concert featuring fiddler Aurora Burd, flutist Leo MacNamara, and Colm MacCárthaigh on May 21st at 8pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Trad Irish House Concert featuring, Aurora Burd, silver medalist fiddler of the 2009 All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Ireland. She will be joined  by Leo MacNamara, flute player of the All-Star Clare Ceili Band along with Colm MacCárthaigh, a multi instrumentalist from Dublin.

WHEN: May 21st 8pm.

WHERE: Its limited seating at this small intimate venue at 208th Street and 3rd Ave South in Des Moines, so Advanced Tickets are required.

TICKETS: To purchase tickets ($15/adults, $5/youth) call (253) 854 7513 or email mjhoiland1@yahoo.com.

INFO: For more info click here.

Here’s a video of the trio in action:

Irish music is at its best in acoustic house concerts!

Highline Community College International Students and Local Seniors at WLB Advertiser Wesley Homes are sponsoring Culture Fest, on Thursday, May 20th.

It’ll be held from 6pm – 8pm at the Wesley Homes Des Moines Terrace auditorium, located at 816 South 216th Street.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Culture Fest, sponsored by Highline Community College International Students and Wesley Homes.

WHEN: Thursday, May 20th from 6pm – 8pm.

WHERE: Wesley Homes Des Moines Terrace auditorium, located at 816 South 216th Street.

TICKETS: Tickets are $8, and admission will include:

• International foods samplings
• Entertainment from around the world
• Culture booths from many countries
• Free shuttle from Des Moines Activity Center

INFO: Visitors are encouraged to “surprise us by wearing the costume of your heritage” but that’s not a requirement.

The Des Moines Activity Center is a sponsor, and all proceeds from this event benefit senior programs and services for the Des Moines and Normandy Park communities.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (206) 878-1642.

It’s St. Patrick’s Day week, so it’s the perfect time to don (or drink) some Irish green and do a jig to great, traditional Irish music.

If you can’t find any of that tonight, you’ll have two chances coming up soon: Saturday, March 27th or Tuesday, April 20th, when the members of a band called “Crumac” jig their way into Des Moines.

The first jig gig is at the North Hill Community Center on Saturday, March 27th at 8pm.

The second show is at 7:30pm on Tuesday, April 20th at Highline Community College’s Artist-Lecture Center, and is the final concert in the 2010 Waterland Music Series sponsored by the Des Moines Arts Commission.

According to the arts commission’s website:

Crumac, formerly The Suffering Gaels, hosted by Des Moines Arts Commission and Highline Community College on April 20th at 7:30pm at Highline CC. The performance is the final performance in the 2009-10 Waterland Music Series. Crumac will be replacing Cul an Ti from Portland, due to an injury a Cul and Ti player.

The Waterland Music Series completes its season with a performance by Seattle-based Irish band Crumac, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 20 at the Highline College Artist-Lecture Center.

Crumac features Tom Creegan on Uilleann pipes and whistles, Dale Russ on fiddle and Mike Saunders on guitar and vocals.  Together in some form since 1989 (and descended from Seattle’s premiere Irish band, the Suffering Gaels), Crumac has played around the world, sharing an infectious blend of traditional Irish music.

Single tickets are available for $15/adult and $5/student (elementary-college), or $30 for three tickets, at the door or in advance.

The Highline Artist-Lecture Center is located on the main campus, 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines.  The center provides an intimate and acoustically positive setting for concert viewing.

Tickets are available at the Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department, 1000 220th St. and Des Moines Florist, 721 S. 219th in Des Moines, and at the door.  Call the Des Moines Parks & Recreation at (206) 870-6527 for ticketing or concert information.

The Waterland Music Series, bringing a variety of top-quality talent to South King County, is sponsored by the City of Des Moines Arts Commission and the Highline Community College Music Department.

Don’t miss our free Des Moines Beach Park Summer concerts on July 21, 28, August 4 and 11 at 7 pm in the Beach Park in Des Moines sponsored by the Des Moines Arts Commission and co-produced with The Snohomish Artist Guild (SAG).  For more concert information call (206) 870-6527 or visit www.desmoineswa.gov/artscommission.

Here are the show details:

WHEN: Saturday, March 27, 2010, 8:00 pm and Tuesday, April 20th.

WHERE: Mar. 27: North Hill Community Center, located at 20827 3rd Ave South; Apr. 20: Highline Community College.

INFO: As the fellas from Crumac say: “A lovely small concert in Des Moines at a small hall. Good intimate setting for this music we dish out.”

VIDEOS: Here are a couple of videos of Crumac in action:

Friday night (Mar. 5th) was the opening “A Night in the Vineyard” gala party for this weekend’s Poverty Bay Wine Festival, which continues all weekend at the Landmark Event Center in Des Moines.

Sponsored by the Des Moines Rotary Club, this annual wine festival will run both Saturday (Mar. 6) from Noon – 7pm and Sunday (Mar. 7) from Noon – 5pm at the historic Landmark Event Center (formerly Landmark on the Sound) in Des Moines. Guests will enjoy live jazz and great food while tasting wines from 25 Northwest wineries.

Saturday’s music line-up includes Darren Motamedy and 4th Degree. On Sunday, it’s Rouge and Billet-Deux. Local restaurants and gourmet food vendors will sample breads, cheeses, smoked salmon, chocolates and other fine fare.

Here’s a Photo Slideshow by Michael Brunk of last night’s gala:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are just $25 at the door, and includes wine, food and even beer tastings.

Through the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, the Rotary Club of Des Moines has raised over $150,000 in its five-year history. All proceeds fund a wide variety of charitable projects, including college scholarships, grants to local schools, safety and recreation programs for children, yard projects for elderly residents, support for the local food bank and the homeless, and projects to assist needy people as far away as South Africa and Pakistan.

HOURS:

• Saturday, March 6: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Sunday March 7: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

WINERIES:

• Canyon’s Edge
• Chandler Reach
• Covington Cellars – NEW
• Coyote Canyon Winery – NEW
• Burien’s own E.B. Foote Winery (BTB Advertiser)
• Eaton Hill
• Erin Glenn
• Fall Line
• Five Star Cellars
• Fort Walla Walla Cellars – NEW
• Kestrel – NEW
• Knipprath – NEW
• Masset Winery
• Otis Kenyon
• Page Cellars
• Pondera – NEW
• Sleeping Dog
• Sodo Vino – NEW
• Stina’s Cellar
• Two Vintners – NEW
• Vashon Winery
• Vin du Lac – NEW
• Waving Tree
• Willis Hall
• Windy Point

MUSIC:

• Saturday, March 6:
  • 12:30-3:00: Darren Motamedy Duo
  • 3:30-6:30: 4th Degree
• Sunday, March 7:
  • 12:30-2:30: Rouge
  • 3:00-5:00: Billet-Deux

For more information, please visit www.dmrotary.org.

Be sure to drop by and say hi to us – our table is on the first floor on the right just after you go up the ramp!