Seattle Gay News
Issue 12, Volume 44, March 18, 2016
Arts & Travel
Czeching it out: Exploring the historic, beautiful cities and countryside of the Czech Republic
Prague Castle – www.hrad.cz
by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer The Czech Republic isn’t a country many people go to on their first visit to Europe. In fact, it may be skipped over several times before tourists eventually add it onto their itineraries, opting instead for the wine regions of France, the snow-capped Alps in Switzerland, or the pizzeria-filled streets around Italy. But what visitors will experience here, however, just as I did, upon arriving, is a true, rustic image of Europe. The Czech Republic has yet to go through major commercialization, which has dramatically altered the culture of other nations on the continent, and it still maintains its own currency, the Czech Koruna (CZK). Yes, there are Starbucks coffee shops and brand name stores in the tourist areas and upscale shopping centers, though if you venture just a few blocks away you’ll stumble across neighborhoods that have gone virtually untouched for decades, as if you were on a movie set from decades ago. In total, the Czech Republic has twelve designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Prague, a city long beloved by LGBT travelers, is the beating heart of the country, the most integral component of it. And while I spent the most days in Prague, I was more
interested in wandering through its quiet streets in the daylight than going into a Gay club at midnight. The architecture is fascinating, the history is intriguing, the food is heavy but good, the people are reserved yet friendly when approached, and the scenery, especially outside of Prague, is stunning. Should you visit the Czech Republic? Absolutely. The home of Martina Navratilova, Franz Kafka, Milos Forman, Marketa Irglova, Petra Nemcova and Pilsner beer, it’s a wonderful place to explore – safe, affordable, mild climate and easy to get to. Here’s how I recommend spending a week in Prague and in the marvelous Vysocina region, in the Czech Republic. For trip-planning assistance, go to czechtourism.com. GETTING TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC From Seattle, a minimum of two flights are needed to reach Prague. I flew through Amsterdam, on Delta, with a brief layover and combined flight time of about 10.5 to 11 hours. You can fly out of Sea-Tac to Paris or Amsterdam (Delta), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), or London (British) – each of these flights will be between 9 or 10 hours and then tack on another hour and a half for the connecting flight to Prague. Traveling
through a U.S. hub – Chicago, New York, Houston, Atlanta – would likely extend your itinerary a few more hours. The Czech Republic is also accessible by rail from major European cities; Berlin and Vienna are two of the closest. PRAGUE Prague is the starting point for nearly everyone visiting the Czech Republic. It’s the capital and largest city of this European country, which is bordered by Germany in the west, Austria and Slovakia in the south, and Poland in the north. The greater urban area has a population of about 2 million people with the vast majority living within the city limits (1.2 million). Prague is said to be the third safest city in Europe, behind Luxembourg City and Stockholm. Though it’s big, it’s not as big as London or Rome, and many of the historical landmarks and top attractions in Prague are centralized, allowing you to walk or take public transit (subway, streetcar, bus) from a city hotel. My accommodations were at the Orea Hotel Pyramida (hotelpyramida.cz), putting me within walking distance of the famed Prague Castle (10 minutes) and City Center (15 minutes). This 351-room property operates as both a business and
leisure hotel, but during my stay I noticed two primary camps of guests, European businessmen and Asian tourists. My Superior Room, on the 7th floor, measured around 269 square feet and was equipped with all of the modern amenities I needed, including two firm beds, work desk and chair, flatscreen TV, private bath and shower, closets and drawers for all of my belongings, fast-boiling tea kettle with complimentary coffee and varied selection of teas, free WiFi and several plug-ins for my electronics. The Czech Republic has its own plug-in prong, so neither the German or international adaptor I took was compatible – NOTE: just ask the front desk for a loaner, or buy one at a store. The room was basic, yet clean, comfortable and contemporary. What I loved most about staying at Hotel Pyramida was the inclusive breakfast, a multiple-table buffet of savory and sweet items, ranging from fried eggs and breakfast meats to breads and pastries to fresh fruit and potatoes, plus orange and apple juice, coffee, tea and milk. It was a generous offering and perfect way to get my morning started. An indoor pool and a fitness gym, in addition to a lobby level restaurant, were a few of the on-site amenities see prague page 13
2 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
Celebrating 41 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
March 18, 2016
Seattle Gay News 3
Journey to Dunhuang: Buddhist Art of the Silk Road Caves at the Asian Art Museum
See the wonders of China’s Dunhuang Caves – a World Heritage site – through the eyes of photojournalists James and Lucy Lo
Parinirvana, Mogao Cave 158, Middle Tang dynasty (781–848), Photograph taken in 1943–44, The Lo Archive.
March 5-June 12 The Asian Art Museum presents Journey to Dunhuang: Buddhist Art of the Silk Road Caves, an exhibition featuring photographs, ancient manuscripts, and artist renderings of the sacred temple caves of Dunhuang. Selected from the collection of photojournalists James and Lucy Lo, the works are a treasure trove of Buddhist art that reveal a long-lost world. Located at China’s western frontier, the ancient city of Dunhuang lay at the convergence of the northern and southern routes of the Silk Road – a crossroads of the civilizations of East Asia, Central Asia, and the Western world. From the late fourth century until the decline of the Silk Road in the fourteenth century, Dunhuang was a bustling desert oasis – a center of trade and pilgrimage. The original “melting pot” of China, it was a gateway for new forms of art, culture, and religions. The nearly 500 caves found there tell an almost seamless chronological tale of their history, preserving the stories of religious devotion throughout various dynasties. During the height of World War II in 1943, James C. M. Lo (1902-1987) and his wife, Lucy, arrived at Dunhuang by horse and donkey-drawn cart. Their ambitious 18-month project produced over 2,500 black-and-white images that record the caves as they were in the mid-20th century, capturing many views of the interiors and exteriors that no longer exist today. They also collected fragments of ancient texts and drawings, which now form the largest group of Dunhuang manuscripts in the U.S. After moving to Taiwan in the 1950s, the couple invited a group of young art-
4 Seattle Gay News
ists to produce life-sized copies of the cave murals. These stunning renderings were painted freehand, or by projecting the Los’ black-and-white slides onto walls where paper was pasted. Color was then added based on the Los’ memories and notes. These remarkable works are testament to James and Lucy Lo’s mission to preserve and transmit the visual splendors of this ancient site. “It’s such an intimate experience to see Dunhuang through their eyes; you can see the love they had for the site – and for each other,” says FOONG Ping, SAM’s Foster Foundation Curator of Chinese Art. “It opens a window onto a part of the world that’s difficult to get to, and in some cases, already gone. Put it this way – we’re making it so you don’t have to get there by donkey.” The exhibition is organized in cooperation with
the Princeton University Art Museum and ABOUT SEATTLE ART MUSEUM the P.Y. and Kinmay W. Tang Center for As the leading visual art institution in East Asian Art. the Pacific Northwest, SAM draws on its global collections, powerful exhibitions, The Asian Art Museum is located at and dynamic programs to provide unique 1400 E. Prospect St. in Volunteer Park. The educational resources benefiting the Seattle museum is open Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5p.m., region, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Sunday, 10 SAM was founded in 1933 with a focus on a.m.-5 p.m. Admission to the museum is: $9 Asian art. By the late 1980s the museum - general admission; $6 - seniors 62 & older had outgrown its original home, and in and military with 1991 a new 155,000-square-foot downID; $5 - youth, town building, designed by Robert Venturi, 13-17 & students Scott Brown & Associates, opened to the with ID; FREE public. The 1933 building was renovated - SAM members and reopened as the Asian Art Museum. and children 12 SAM’s desire to further serve its commu& under. Admis- nity was realized in 2007 with the opening sion to the mu- of two stunning new facilities: the nineseum is FREE for acre Olympic Sculpture Park (designed by everyone the first Weiss/Manfredi Architects) – a “museum Thursday and first without walls,” free and open to all – and Saturday of each the Allied Works Architecture designed month and FREE 118,000-square-foot expansion of its main, the first Friday downtown location, including 232,000 of each month square feet of additional space built for fufor seniors 62 & ture expansion. From a strong foundation of Asian art to older. For more information, call noteworthy collections of African and Oce206-654-3100 or anic art, Northwest Coast Native American visit www.seat- art, European and American art, and modt l e a r t m u s e u m . ern and contemporary art, the strength of org. SAM’s collection of more than 25,000 objects lies in its diversity of media, cultures and time periods.
Celestial musician with flute, 1958–63, Chinese, Modern period, 1912–present, copy after wall painting, Western Wei dynasty, 535–557, Place made: Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, Gansu province, China, ink and color on paper, 27 1/4 x 19 1/8 in., James C. Lo Workshop, Gift of Lucy L. Lo, 2012-133.
March 18, 2016
Courtesy of Seattle Art Museum
Celebrating 41 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
March 18, 2016
Seattle Gay News 5
Anacortes Spring Wine Festival 2016 On Saturday, April 9, the Anacortes Spring Wine Festival brings 30 wineries to Fidalgo Island for a weekend of decadent wine tasting, food pairings, live music, art, shopping, and blooming tulip fields. Visitors travel from all corners of the world to behold the amazing Skagit Valley tulip fields in full bloom. Enhancing their journey to the valley, the Spring Wine Festival presents the opportunity to indulge in the appreciation of red, white and blush wines from across Washington state. This year’s line up of wineries boasts delicious wines from all of Washington’s major wine regions. With a mix of returning and new wineries to the show (including Washington’s first dedicated sparkling wine house!), attendees can explore finishing flavors of vanilla, spice, tobacco, floral, butter and berry on the historic Anacortes pier overlooking the beautiful Guemes Channel. (Festival attendees enjoy a 10% discount on their wine purchase on the day of the festival.) While at the festival, attendees not only get to taste some of the best wines in the Pacific Northwest, they will be indulged with tasty bites from local restaurants. There will also be cheese and chocolate to sample and purchase. Make it a full weekend of the festivities by staying at one of our areas many lodging options. Attend the Friday night winemaker Patrons of the Anacortes Annual Spring Wine Festival – Photo by Steve Berentson dinner or the Sunday winemaker brunch, Location: ent at the door. chase) – wine will also be available for purfeaturing wines from the festival in an intiPort Warehouse Event Center, 1st & ComNo babies, strollers, infants, children, or chase to take home at a 10% discount. mate setting with the winemaker. pets/animals. Several area restaurants are also featur- mercial, Anacortes, WA 98221 Directions: ing wines from the festival during the month Schedule: Tickets: Do not take any alternate routes from I-5 of April. Explore the full list of events in VIP Hour from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. For tickets and more information, includ- to Anacortes – please take State Route 20 Anacortes for April and plan a weekend getGeneral Admission from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 ing a complete list of participating wineries, at Burlington and follow west to Anacortes. away to Fidalgo Island! p.m. visit http://anacortes.org/spring-wine-festival/ For more information, visit http://anaAnacortes Annual Admission: The cost of your ticket includes a tasting cortes.org/. Spring Wine Festival VIP: $75; General Admission: $50; Des- glass, unlimited wine tasting, unlimited ignated Driver (food only): $25. bites from restaurants, plus chocolate and Courtesy of the Anacortes Chamber of Saturday April 9, 2016 Must be 21 or older with ID ready to pres- cheese samples (with the option to pur- Commerce
6 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
Celebrating 41 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
March 18, 2016
Seattle Gay News 7
Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic at the Seattle Art Museum
Experience the powerful and poignant work of one of America’s leading contemporary artists as he ingeniously reworks historical portrait traditions to envision a new republic
Kehinde Wiley stands in front of an installation at The Seattle Art Museum – Courtesy of The Seattle Art Museum
February 11–May 8
America’s leading contemporary artists. Composed of approximately 60 works – The Seattle Art Museum presents Ke- including paintings, sculptures, videos, hinde Wiley: A New Republic, showcasing and stained glass windows – the exhibition the powerful and poignant work of one of provides an overview of Wiley’s prolific
The Two Sisters, 2012. Kehinde Wiley, American, b. 1977, oil on linen, 96 x 72 in. Collection of Pamela K. and William A. Royall, Jr. Courtesy of Sean Kelly, New York. © Kehinde Wiley. Photo: Jason Wyche.
8 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
14-year career, prominently featuring his signature figurative canvases of black men in which he ingeniously reworks the grand portraiture traditions of Western culture. During a residency at the Studio Museum in Harlem in the early 2000s, Wiley found inspiration in the assertive and selfempowered young men of the neighbor-
hood. He engaged subjects for portraits, asking them to pick a pose and dress themselves as they would like to be seen. Wiley then recast these photographic studies in the style of traditional history painting. Like the mashup or remix in hip hop, Wiley combined details from diverse sources – aristocratic portraits of 18th-century Europe, bucolic 19th-century wallpapers, electric contemporary colors, and the presence of his contemporary subjects – to present something provocatively new. This process allows him to reenter the established history and power structure, reaching back in time to imagine a different future – a new republic. “Kehinde Wiley’s work is absolutely gorgeous and fascinating,” says Kimerly Rorschach, SAM’s Illsley Ball Nordstrom Director and CEO. “Moreover, it engages with timely issues in a very compelling way. The Brooklyn Museum has been a wonderful partner in organizing this exhibition, and I’m thrilled to bring these vibrant and necessary works to Seattle. Prepare to be wowed.” Kehinde Wiley shows the artist’s progression as he began to work in various mediums and deepened his explorations of race, gender, sexual innuendo, and the politics of representation. The exhibition includes a selection from Wiley’s ongoing World Stage project, which he initiated in 2006 by establishing a satellite studio in Beijing followed by cities in other countries including Nigeria, Brazil, India, Israel, Jamaica, and Haiti. The series touches on the commonalities found across nations and cultures with a history of colonialism and diverse populations.
Shantavia Beale II, 2012, Kehinde Wiley, American, b. 1977, oil on canvas, 60 x 48 in. Collection of Ana and Lenny Gravier. Courtesy Sean Kelly, New York. © Kehinde Wiley. Photo: Jason Wyche.
Celebrating 41 Years!
Saint George and the Dragon, 2015, Kehinde Wiley, American, b. 1977, oil on canvas, 114 x 108 in. © Kehinde Wiley. Used by permission. Photo by Max Yawney.
Several altarpieces from the Memling series will also be on view. Reflecting the works of 15th-century Flemish painter Hans Memling, who depicted not royalty or clergy but rich, influential men from the merchant class, these paintings depict young black men in contemporary street styles (including neck tattoos), directly confronting the question of who owns the symbolic imagery of power. These works are smaller in scale, creating a direct and intimate experience with the viewer. Wiley turned his attention to black women in his An Economy of Grace series, in which he employed his same process (street casting, photographic studies), but with a significant difference: rather than selecting from their own clothes, the women were adorned in gowns inspired by Old Master paintings but reimagined by Givenchy’s Ricardo Tisci in a close collaboration with the artist. The process was documented in a video, which will be on view. The resulting glamorous images touch on the importance of adornment, the possibilities of transformation, and the shifting meanings of the black body in representation. Also included in the exhibition will be an installation showcasing Wiley’s stained glass pieces. Inspiring contemplation and reverence, stained glass is also an atmospheric visual reminder of the church’s power. His contemporary subjects become heroes, saints, and martyrs – a lyrical and awe-inspiring summation of the artist’s explorations of power and transformation. Originally from Los Angeles, Wiley was influenced by the city’s theatricality and by visits to the Old Master-filled Huntington Art Collections. At twelve, he visited Russia on an arts fellowship. He honed his artistic craft earning his MFA at Yale in the 1990s, where he was steeped in the current discussions concerning identity politics. He brings these varied experiences to the multifaceted, layered processes and themes of his work. “These works are incredibly commanding – they bowl you over with their fabulousness and beauty,” says Catharina Manchanda, SAM’s Jon & Mary Shirley Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. “They’re also deeply relevant; if this show had taken place six or seven years ago, it might have registered differently. But there is so much possibility in this moment. It’s my hope that this exhibition will not just engage viewers in an important conversation, but actually create a galvanizing experience that will last long after they leave the galleries.” This exhibition is organized by the
Brooklyn Museum. The Seattle Art Museum is located at 1300 1st Avenue. The museum is open Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission to the museum’s special exhibition – Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic – is: $19.95 - general admission; $17.95 - seniors 62 & older and military with ID; $12.95 youth, 13-17 & students with ID; FREE - SAM members and children 12 & under. Admission to the museum is FREE for everyone the first Thursday of each month and FREE the first Friday of each month for seniors 62 & older – with a $10 off discount on tickets to the Kehinde Wiley special exhibition on those days. During regular museum hours admission to the museum’s general collection is by donation. For more information, call 206-654-3100 or visit www.seattleartmuseum.org. ABOUT SEATTLE ART MUSEUM As the leading visual art institution in the Pacific Northwest, SAM draws on its global collections, powerful exhibitions, and dynamic programs to provide unique educational resources benefiting the Seattle region, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.
Visit us online www.sgn.org
Houdon Paul-Louis, 2011. Kehinde Wiley, American, b. 1977, bronze with polished stone base, 34 x 26 x 19 in. Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund and A. Augustus Healy Fund, 2012.51. Photo: Sarah DeSantis, Brooklyn Museum.
SAM was founded in 1933 with a focus on Asian art. By the late 1980s the museum had outgrown its original home, and in 1991 a new 155,000-square-foot downtown building, designed by Robert Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates, opened to the public. The 1933 building was renovated and reopened as the Asian Art Museum. SAM’s desire to further serve its community was realized in 2007 with the opening of two stunning new facilities: the nineacre Olympic Sculpture Park (designed by Weiss/Manfredi Architects) – a “museum without walls,” free and open to all – and the Allied Works Architecture designed 118,000-square-foot expansion of its main, downtown location, including 232,000 square feet of additional space built for fu-
ture expansion. From a strong foundation of Asian art to noteworthy collections of African and Oceanic art, Northwest Coast Native American art, European and American art, and modern and contemporary art, the strength of SAM’s collection of more than 25,000 objects lies in its diversity of media, cultures and time periods. Courtesy of the Seattle Art Museum
Installation view of Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic at the Seattle Art Museum. © Seattle Art Museum, Photo: Natali Wiseman.
March 18, 2016
Seattle Gay News 9
10 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
Celebrating 41 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
March 18, 2016
Seattle Gay News 11
12 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
Celebrating 41 Years!
prague
continued from cover provided at the hotel. Prague Castle (hrad.cz/en/prague-castle-for-visitors) is a must; missing it would be like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. It’s not just a castle, it’s a complex dating back to the 9th century with cathedrals, palaces, concert halls, galleries and government offices. The gothicstyle St. Vitus Cathedral, the first structure you’ll see if entering through the main gates manned by royal guards, is a Roman Catholic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Prague. Admission into the complex is free; however, if you want to go inside any of the buildings you must purchase a ticket for 250 CZK that can be used for up to 48 hours. Besides touring the various parts of the complex, you can buy a separate ticket to attend a matinee classical recital, happening daily at the Lobkowicz Palace. Afterwards, have lunch at the palace’s cafe that provides impeccable views of Prague from its outdoor patio. Costing you nothing, except a pair of fresh legs, is a walk across Charles Bridge, a historical site connecting both Old Town and Lesser Quarter sides of the Vltava River. Thirty statues and statuaries are positioned above the railings of the bridge, measuring about 2,037 feet long by 33 feet wide. Local artisans selling custom-made jewelry, paintings, gift items and souvenirs line both walls of the bridge, as well as street performers from ragtime bands to jugglers. The Old Town Square is a popular tourist attraction, busy at most times of the day with tourists on foot and on segways, performance artists and food stalls. The Astromonical Clock, footsteps from the square, is another place that visitors make sure to see while in Prague; the mechanical clock and astronomical dial date back to the 1400s, celebrating its 605th anniversary last October. At the top of every hour, statues of the Apostles above the clock and main doors are displayed; it’s best to view this at noon or midnight when all twelve apostles appear. Something affordable in just about every city, and a personal favorite pastime of mine, is public parks. In Prague, you’ll want to plan a streetcar ride to spend an afternoon at the elevated Letna Park, a huge park with walkways, playgrounds, restaurants, clay tennis courts (a bit rundown, unfortunately), picnic setup and wonderful city vistas. In 1996, Michael Jackson launched the HIStory world tour at this site, but more importantly Letna Park was the place where protests and demonstrations against the then-
tory. Rather than take a streetcar back, you can descend to street level on foot. David Cerny is a Prague-born artist and sculptor whose provocative work is displayed throughout the city, including his “Piss” (aka “Peeing Statues”) exhibit situated in front of the Franz Kafka Museum, or his “Tower Babies” permanently attached to the Zizkov Television Tower, or “Man Hanging Out,” said to be Sigmund Freud hanging by one hand from a rooftop near Old Town Square. He also has installments in London, Brussels and Charlotte. His “Brownnosing” piece in Prague allows visitors to stick their heads into the rear of a giant statue and watch a video of Czech politicians (Vaclav Klaus, former president and Milan Knizak, head of the National Gallery) spoon-feed each other to Queen’s “We Are the Champions.” Cerny first came into prominence when he was arrested in 1991 for painting a military tank pink. Other attractions to see in Prague are the National Theatre, Wenceslas Square, Franz Kafka Museum, Gallery of Art Prague and Museum of Medieval Torture. You can get further information for all of these, plus the Charles Bridge, Astronomical Clock, Letna Park and David Cerny sculptures at czechtourism.com. I took the subway to the Mustek station – by the way, the subway stations in Prague have some of the lengthiest elevator rides in the world, easily over 2 minutes long from bottom to top – and explored the immediate neighborhood outside it, where a series of trendy restaurants, coffee shops and lounges, particularly the MOSAIC HOUSE (mosaichouse.com), a hotel + restaurant/bar + live concerts venue. In the vicinity is Q Cafe (q-cafe.cz), a cozy Gay bar with intimate seating upstairs and open space downstairs; the only drawback was the indoor smoking, which you’ll find at most watering holes in the city. For a nice Czech dinner, head to Restaurace U Mylnare (restauraceumlynare. cz) and order the Fried Chicken Schnitzel with mashed potatoes or the Traditional Beef Goulash served in a bread pot, and of course, wash everything down with an authentic pint of Pilsner. If you’re a Starbucks
Charles Bridge – www.prague.eu
Communist government in the ’80s were staged, which eventually led to political changes. Two things to check out and photograph while you’re here are the Metronome and hanging shoes over a power line; the true meaning of the latter is questionable, but they’ve been hanging there for years and have been absorbed into the park’s his-
fan, the cafe in the Lesser Quarter occupies the upper floors of a building with a rooftop garden terrace that offers unobstructed views of Prague. Even if just for a selfie, it’s definitely worth going to, but I personally found the window-side nooks, free WiFi and quiet atmosphere inside conducive to getting some work done. You can’t miss it –
Visit us online www.sgn.org
Trebic Jewish Quarter – Czech Tourism via www.joutrip.com
ask for Starbucks Prague Castle. TELC The town of Telc was founded in the 13th century as a royal water fort in Southern Moravia; it was a crossing zone for merchants transporting goods between Moravia, Bohemia and Austria. Today, it’s a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site with gorgeously preserved architecture, Renaissance and Baroque-style homes that stand out like flawlessly iced gingerbread houses. Telc is as adorable as they come with memorably friendly residents and an easy-going vibe, and it’s also the midway point between Prague and Vienna. My accommodations were at the Hotel U Hrabenky (hotel-uhrabenky.cz), located within a few blocks of Telc Chateau and the only 4-star property in town. It’s a small, boutique hotel with contemporary amenities, but in an older setting; it was converted from an old Baroque house. My room, on the second floor (no elevator) was furnished with two beds, private bathroom and glass-enclosed shower, work desk, large dresser and slanted ceiling with skylight. It was super quiet throughout the hotel and felt incredibly homey. Free WiFi was available, as well as two bowling lanes on-site and a good restaurant that served complimentary breakfasts with fried eggs, sliced cheeses and meats, fresh tomatoes, bacon and the usual morning beverages. You must go to Telc Chateau, built in 1564 and beautifully surrounded by Zamecky Park, itself dating back to the 15th century. One of the earliest Nosferatuthemed movies was filmed at this chateau, which much like the town is an elegant example of the Italian Renaissance. Definitely wander into The Zacharias Hradec Square, often called Hradec Square or The Main Square, bordered by traditional homes, shops and restaurants, where you can exchange greetings with the town locals. Close to the chateau, stop for lunch at the Svejk Restaurant Telc (svejk-telc.cz), serving traditional Czech food and beer. TREBIC Founded even further back in 1270 is Trebic, the second largest town in the Vysocina region with an estimated 38,000 people. It was almost destroyed in the mid-15th century during war, yet survived, and in the centuries afterwards became an important economic, administrative, political and cultural center of southwest Moravia. My accommodations were at the EA Hotel Joseph 1699 (joseph1699.cz), which sat atop a short hill overlooking the city. My standard room was a bit snug, yet I still moved around and slept comfortably, plus I loved the views of the town streets from my window and it included lavish, modern ame-
March 18, 2016
nities – flatscreen TV, dark wood veneer work desk, private bathroom with shower and dresser. It didn’t have all the bells and whistles that other properties do (fitness center, pool, etc.), but it was adorable and centrally located with a cheery staff. This was a smaller hotel than the two properties I stayed at in Prague and Telc, so the breakfast hall and complimentary morning buffet were minimal in comparison; however, it was my favorite hotel of the three overall. Trebic is home to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jewish Quarter and St. Procopius’ Basilica. Though designated together, they are separate landmarks. The Jewish Quarter is one of the best-preserved Jewish ghettos in Europe with two synagogues, a cemetery, and over 100 historic houses once occupied by families who never returned after being deported to Auschwitz. The synagogue hasn’t been used for services for many decades, yet the original paint work and wall inscriptions dating back to the 17th century are still intact. Its main purpose today is to host special cultural events and exhibits. St Procopius’ Basilica was constructed between 1230 and 1260 in Romanesque style, originally dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Inside, you’ll notice beautiful frescos, gorgeous columns and a crypt in the lower level, partially used to display contemporary artwork. Outside, guests have sweeping views of the town from a grassy lawn and garden. The food at the restaurant I ate at, Holiday Cafe Bar Restaurant Pizzerie (cafebarholiday.cz) was actually delicious; the menu equally boasts Italian and Mexican dishes. But the atmosphere was very loud and too smoky, so it’s not a place I’d go back to if I were to visit Trebic again. JIHLAVA The capital of the Vysocina region is Jihlava, a scenic city embedded into the lush green countryside. Resting alongside the Jihlava river, it was a silver mining area in medieval times whose earliest inhabitants were Germans. Deep beneath the city is the second largest underground in the Czech Republic, measuring 25km in length and covering 50,000 square meters; you do the math (hint: it’s very large). These catacombs, built between the 14th and 17th centuries, have been used by the military, for shelter and as a drainage system. Now, though, they welcome thousands of tourists who’re able to descend the depths and possibly catch sight or sound of a rumored ghost. While you’re in Jihlava, book a tour at the Dalesice brewery (pivovar-dalesice.cz), in the southeast corner of Vysocina’s highland region, for a lesson in beer-making and an opportunity to sample freshly-brewed suds. Afterwards, have dinner at the brewery’s on-site restaurant (pivovar-dalesice. cz/restaurace) and socialize with the local townspeople, a rather festive and animated bunch of folks on the night we stopped by.
Seattle Gay News 13
San Juan Islands Museum of Art presents FRAGILE WATERS: Ansel Adams, Ernest H. Brooks II & Dorothy Kerper Monnelly
Saturday, April 23 - Monday, July 18 Curated by Jeanne Falk Adams FRAGILE WATERS calls attention to water, our most critical resource, presenting iconic work of three renowned photographers and lifelong environmentalists: Ansel Adams, Ernest H. Brooks II, and Dorothy Kerper Monnelly. Water is essential to all life we know. Yet our oceans, rivers, lakes and other sources of water are in crisis. Extreme weather events, aquifer depletion, toxic contaminants, fracking, pollution, spills, ocean acidification, floods, desertification, and the impact of rising seawater, are just a few of the urgent issues that confront us. The FRAGILE WATERS exhibition was born out of these concerns. In technique and time these photographers span a century. The 117 black-andwhite photographs present a powerful collective statement. These artists communicate the beauty and vitality of water, focusing on nature and engage the viewer in affirming the intrinsic aesthetic, emotional and essential life value of water.
text by collaborator Nancy Newhall, started the publishing movement of “coffee table” books so popular today. Adams’ renowned photography of the magnificent American West has become the face of wilderness for many. Ansel Adams’ exemplary life work has been duly recognized. He received honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degrees, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the honorary naming of the Ansel Adams Wilderness and Mount Ansel Adams, and numerous other accolades – testimony to a life of beauty, well lived, and epitomizing civility and respect.
ANSEL ADAMS As a child Ansel Adams lived amidst the sand dunes of San Francisco overlooking the “Golden Gate” of the San Francisco Bay. He felt and smelled the ozone and fog, roamed freely, was precocious, and was a misfit in school. After reading In the Heart of the Sierra, by James Mason Hutchings (1888), Adams was infatuated and persuaded his parents to vacation in Yosemite that summer. For the rest of his life his reverence for nature, the mountains, and light, as he conveyed in his photographs, inspired and brought music to the hearts of many. “I hope that my work will encourage expression in others and stimulate the search for beauty and creative excitement in the great world around us.” Photographer, advocate, conservationist, mountaineer, writer, teacher, musician, scientist, innovator, curator – Adams was all of these. He shared with delight and persisted in what was important to him, such as preservation of wilderness areas, having photography accepted as a fine art, teaching creative photography, and encouraging others. His ten volumes of technical manuals on photography continue to be the most influential books ever written on the subject. This Is the American Earth, with
ERNEST H. BROOKS II Ambassador of the marine environment, photographer, adventurer, diver and educator, Ernest H. Brooks II was born to be a photographer. As the son of Ernest H. Brooks, founder of the internationally renowned Brooks Institute of Photography, Ernie Brooks was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps for part of his life’s journey before forging his own path. Throughout his long tenure as the head of Brooks Institute, he carried out the duties that come with that corporate territory, including keynote speaking at international conventions, working with national and international organizations and companies to enhance the industry, encouraging photographic education, and promoting photography as a universal language. As a noted professional photographer, Brooks has won international acclaim for underwater photography and audio/visual presentation. In his pursuit of dramatic marine images, he has descended into the treacherous waters beneath the polar icecaps and into the depths of almost every ocean on Earth. His work has been exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Smithsonian Institution, and the International Photography Hall of Fame, among others. He is a member of the Professional Photographers of America, is one of 40 photographers in the world admitted to the prestigious Camera Craftsmen of America, and the recipient of many awards and honors. As a trailblazer in the development of underwater photographic equipment and technique, Brooks has witnessed great industry advances and though he has harnessed and implemented much of that new technology, at a time when a plethora
14 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
of color underwater photographs illustrate magazines and glossy brochures, he, perhaps surprisingly, still favors blackand-white. His photographic legacy is the evidence that has illustrated the dramatic changes in our oceans, and he himself remains a tremendous voice for oceanic exploration, and through that, the preservation of our marine environment. DOROTHY KERPER MONNELLY Dorothy Kerper Monnelly speaks for the landscape through her photographs and also through her conservation advocacy. Her many years living in the midst of the Massachusetts Great Marsh culminated in the 2006 publication of her critically acclaimed book of black and white landscapes, Between Land and Sea: The Great Marsh (George Braziller Inc., 2007). The book won praise from both the fine art and conservation communities, and the largeformat black and white photographic essay has introduced many to the unique beauty of a fragile landscape and rich ecosystem. In For My Daughters (Lucia Marquand, 2013), her second book, Monnelly pairs her photographs of the natural world with her mother’s poetry, creating a dialog between photo and poem, mother and daughter, time and place. Through her imagery and work with conservation groups, she raises awareness of our role in safeguarding the fragile balance of this extraordinary resource. Legendary naturalist Edward O. Wilson called Monnelly “the Ansel Adams of the wetlands.” Ipswich resident and renowned author John Updike commented, “Your photos are just lovely, and the marshes are a noble subject.” In addition to her widely published, award-winning marsh photography, Monnelly has photographed extensively in the lava fields of Hawaii, the California desert, in Iceland, and in Maine, where she was artist-in-residence at Acadia National Park. Monnelly’s large-format gelatin silver prints are in the permanent collection of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., and also are held in numerous private collections. In September, 2012, black and white photographs from her Ice Pattern Series were on exhibit at Photo Vernissage 2012 in St. Petersburg, Russia. Her photographs have been exhibited in galleries from Maine and New York City to Seattle and Hawaii. She has shared
and discussed her photography at numerous locations including Photo LA and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. SPECIAL EVENTS Art as a Voice: Michael Adams, “A Son’s Perspective,” April 23, 7:00 p.m. at Brickworks (tickets available at SJIMA); Outdoor Walk: Dorothy Kerper Monnelly, “Seeing with the Inner Eye,” April 23, 10:00-11:00 a.m., location on San Juan Island to be announced to ticket holders (tickets available at SJIMA). Exhibition Curator: JEANNE FALK ADAMS Jeanne Falk Adams is former CEO of The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite National Park, a family business of 104 years. Through her 25 years with the gallery, she designed and directed photography exhibitions, symposia, and workshops. Her expertise in the field has made her a much-sought-after reviewer, juror, lecturer, and advocate for creative photography. She is also one of the rare individuals to have viewed every reproduction print of Ansel Adams’ expansive collection. She holds a Master of Arts in Education from Stanford University, and a BA in History from California State University, Fresno. Adams has served on the boards of art museums and higher education institutions and been actively involved in environmental activities. She has been a trustee with the University of California Press Foundation and the Central California Futures Institute. She also has been a board member of the University of California, Merced. She was a member and community liaison for the State of California Resources Agency’s Steering Committee of the Sierra Summit, serving as a key contact for scientists researching for the Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project. She is a recipient of the Kappa Kappa Gamma National Alumni Award for her lifetime of dedication to the arts, humanities, environment, public housing and education. Adams’s long involvement in environmental issues has convinced her that aesthetics, and black-and-white photography in particular, can alert, inspire, communicate, and motivate. Based on this premise, Jeanne took on the formidable task of curating FRAGILE WATERS, a subject matter close to her heart and beliefs.
Celebrating 41 Years!
exhibition presents 16 prints culled from two of Goya’s famous suites of prints: Los Desastres de la Guerra (1810-20) and Los Caprichos (1797-98). The prints of Los Desastres were so politically charged they couldn’t be published in his lifetime, and were only released posthumously several decades after his death. Famous for both impeccable technique and unwavering commentary of war and corruption of the human condition, these prints articulate his despair and endure in the universal acuity of this vision. These prints were generously loaned to SJIMA from the Collection of Tom and Lori Firman. LOCATION, HOURS & ADMISSION
Ai Weiwei, photo credit Ai Weiwei Studio
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
Ai Weiwei: Fault Line January 23 - April 11 Curated by Ian Boyden The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) presents an exhibition of work by Ai Weiwei, one of the most influential contemporary artists and most closely followed dissident political voices in the world. Ai Weiwei: Fault Line presents three pieces from his ongoing investigation into the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, a magnitude 8.0 quake that killed over 60,000 people including 5,196 schoolchildren in Sichuan province, China. This is one of the first museum exhibitions of Ai Weiwei’s work in the Pacific Northwest. Ai Weiwei: Fault Line is a rare opportunity to see work by one of the world’s top artists.
artist Dana Lynn Louis, recipient of the 2016 Contemporary Northwest Art Award. Bonnie Laing-Malcolmson, Curator of Northwest Art at the Portland Art Museum states, “Creating spaces with intimate and large-scale drawings, light projections, and sculptural objects, [Louis] uses glass, light, and shadow to achieve a glitteringly magical environment.” As Above, So Below includes four components: a floor-to-ceiling drawing on the glass of SJIMA’s Atrium Space; suspended glass and mixed-media sculptures; etched mirrors installed on the floor; and video projections. Experiential and multidisciplinary, the installation engages time and light, the changing shadows and reflections constructing a conversation with the materials of the Atrium Space and the environment of the region.
Dana Lynn Louis: As Above, So Below January 2 - 15 (installation) January 23 - April 4 Sponsored by Kim Miller The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) presents As Above, So Below, a site-specific installation by Portland-based
Sleep of Reason: Selected Prints by Francisco Goya From the Collection of Tom and Lori Firman January 23 - April 4 The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) presents Sleep of Reason: Selected Prints by Francisco Goya. The
San Juan Island is… 90 miles north of Seattle 90 miles south of Vancouver B.C. 1 hour from Victoria BC, Vancouver Island via the ferry
ADMISSION Adults: $10 Children 18 years and younger: Free Members: Free MISSION & VISION SJIMA MISSION SJIMA champions artists, the arts, and arts programming because we champion authenticity of expression, place, and connections. SJIMA VISION The San Juan Islands are a destination for many, drawn by the beauty and identity of a place that can be found nowhere else. Such uniqueness is a form of expression: expression of a community whose heart is informed by place and the connections within it. No wonder our islands have more working artists than anywhere else in Washington state. Authenticity of expression is at the heart of a strong arts commu-
DanaLouis installation – Courtesy of San Juan Islands Museum of Art
1-2 hours from Anacortes, WA via the ferry (The island is accessible only by ferry or plane.) DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Take I-5 approximately 90 miles from either Seattle WA or Vancouver BC to the Washington States Ferries terminal in Anacortes. Tell the ticket agent you are going to San Juan Island and she will guide you to the correct lane. The beautiful one- to two-hour ferry ride will take you through the breathtaking San Juan archipelago. There will be an announcement when the boat arrives at Friday Harbor. Follow the other cars (right) off the ferry, then left onto Spring Street, Friday Harbor’s main commercial street. IMA is approximately half a mile up Spring, on the right. You really can’t miss it! CONTACT INFO Street address: San Juan Islands Museum of Art 540 Spring Street Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Mailing address: San Juan Islands Museum of Art, PO Box 339 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Phone: 360-370-5050 Website: https://sjima.org HOURS 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Fridays 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, & Monday. Reservations recommended for groups of eight or more. Please call 360-370-5050.
nity. And strong arts programming, education, and opportunities are at the heart of creating and protecting connected, authentic selves and communities. SJIMA champions artists, the arts, and arts programming because we champion authenticity of expression, place, and connections. Through its exhibitions, education, programs, and events, SJIMA establishes our island region as a place of enduring discovery. We want all who come into contact with SJIMA to become more fluent in the languages of curiosity and connection. When we send our children into the world, we want them to enter it, and return, with a strong sense of who they are and how they fit into the educational, ecological, and community landscape. This is the world SJIMA cultivates – a world where arts exposure, education, and opportunities provide every one of our residents and guests with the language of authenticity so we can be strong stewards of and advocates for our most spirited selves, communities, and environment. FULFILLING OUR MISSION To present inspiring and engaging exhibitions and lectures, concentrating on the art and artists of northwestern United States and southwestern Canada. To create educational programs and experiences for youth and adult artists. To support the growth of the local arts community and to help promote the San Juan Islands as an art destination. To work collaboratively with other community groups in bringing accessible art to the San Juan Islands. San Juan Islands Museum of Art was established in February 2005, and is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Courtesy of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art
Francisco Goya The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters, 1799 Los Caprichos, No 43 Etching, burnished aquatint, and drypoint8.5 x 6 inches Collection of Tom and Lori Firman
Visit us online www.sgn.org
March 18, 2016
Seattle Gay News 15
16 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
Celebrating 41 Years!
What’s new, Portland, Oregon? by Jessica Price SGN A&E Writer
Portland never loses its luster as an impromptu weekend getaway or extended home away from home for Seattleites. Equal parts cultured and quirky, vibrant and quaint, urban and outdoorsy, Portland has successfully held onto its soul in the face of rapid development, urban renewal, and the popularity of a certain IFC comedy series idealizing while lovingly poking fun at Portland’s utopian West Coast dream. The city’s independent heart still proudly beats, so much so that Portland of 2016 seems to be having a bit of a cultural revival on all fronts. Shopping aficionados, food-focused travelers, and art lovers: go south and rejoice. Immersing yourself in any one (or all three) of the following lively Portland subcultures for the weekend is best enjoyed from a vantage point such as the muchbuzzed about, recently opened Hotel Eastlund. The sharply designed mid-century modern hotel is located on the up-and-coming Eastside near Moda Center and lies within walking distance of Lloyd Center. The MAX Light Rail and Portland Streetcar both stop adjacent to the hotel, making it an ideal home base for taking in a concert at Moda and then resting up in stylish boutique accommodations without losing the ability to easily get around town. The hotel is an uber-cool destination of its own, boasting a stylish lobby as well as rooftop restaurant Altabira (opened by Portland chef/restaurateur David Machado). The restaurant features sweeping city views and is gaining momentum as one of Portland’s notable new restaurants, featuring an impressive craft beer and Northwest wine list. (Hotel Eastlund, 1021 NE Grand Ave, www.hoteleastlund.com; Altabira www.altabira.com) SHOPPING Familiar shopping staples abound in downtown Portland, rubbing elbows with neighboring independently-owned shops at every turn. There’s an eclectic mix of handmade and bespoke merchandise as well as core retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s, and West Elm (and, of course, delightfully tax free). Traversing Portland’s best shopping from Downtown to the Pearl District to East Burnside is easy on foot, or by taking the MAX or a quick Radio Cab. Everyone knows that Powell’s City of Books is the sun around which all Portland shopping trips orbit, so here are some not necessarily new, but perhaps lesser known uniquely Portland shopping destinations: Canoe (1233 SW 10th Ave) – Canoe offers an eye-catching array of modern home and desk accessories and unique gifts – things you never knew you needed but instantly become must-have’s. Located directly behind the Portland Art Museum, if you’re having an all-around feast for the eyes kind of trip. Cargo (81 SE Yamhill) – If you haven’t been to Portland in a while, you’ll notice this former Pearl District importer has relocated to Southeast Portland. You can find literally anything here, from brilliant tapestries to little hand-carved Mexican figurines and other unique finds from around the world. Hand-Eye Supply (427 NW Broadway) – Here’s another Portland shop where craftsmanship, design, and utilitarianism rule the day. The workmen and designers in your life will swoon at the very mention of a gorgeous brass “Clampersand” for his or her workshop. Or how about a gorgeous new work apron that just happens to be made of durable materials, but looks incredibly fetching as well? Paxton Gate (4204 N. Mississippi Ave) – An independent, off-the-beaten path
USS Blueback Submarine. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is home to the U.S. Navy’s last non-nuclear, fast-attack submarine. Blueback has appeared in television and film, including The Hunt for the Red October and “Hawaii Five-O.” – Torsten Kjellstrand/ www.travelportland.com
oddities retailer with locations only in San Francisco and Portland. But don’t be afraid. Shop for creative and somewhat biologically-inclined gifts for kids while scoring a pristine petite mammal skull for over your fireplace. Stocks affordable art and exotic plants- including the carnivorous kind. Solestruck (417 SW 13th Ave) – Did you know that this smashingly cool online shoe store has its one and only brick and mortar shop in Portland? Now you know. It’s beau-
DINING Whether you’re a foodie with wanderlust or simply on a quest for the ultimate food truck, Portland’s culture of cuisine is booming. No less than five main food cart areas congregate downtown, boasting over 100 carts between them. Portland is largely responsible for the proliferation of food cart/ food trucks that have since caught on in Seattle and urban centers nationwide. The city’s many vendors have been serving up
ing new locations to check out all over town. The Southeast Division area is having a particularly delicious moment right now. Here are a few picks for new and rising star eateries in that area: Pok Pok (3226 SE Division Street, Portland) – Pok Pok is committed to their mission of serving up authentic Southeast Asian and Thai food researched and commonly eaten in its native land. While you won’t find fusion cuisine at Pok Pok, you will find chefs and staff eager to explain menu items and beverage pairings. The American Local (3003 SE Division St) – With the tagline “New West Drinking Food,” Chef Chris Whaley broadcasts a noble mission: distilling his favorite West Coast flavors and trademark ingredients into an establishment were “working men and women” can come and stay a while, eating, drinking, sharing stories and enjoying a rich atmosphere and delectable menu. Seasonal fish, local veggies, and “sticks” (skewers of various types) abound. Ava Gene’s (3377 SE Division St) – Who knew that a menu inspired by rustic Roman food would be so simple and so very close. Ava Gene’s sources as much as possible from Pacific Northwest farmers and ranchers, finessing them into authentic Italian delicacies. For more casual fare, try their Roman Candle Baking Co. serving Italian pastries and breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Their pizza bianca is as Roman as it gets. ART When Seattleites visit Portland, we’re usually so busy tax-free shopping and eating and Powell’s Books-ing that we don’t make enough time to visit the many outstanding museums and galleries dotting downtown and the Pearl District. Tsk, tsk! Portland’s visual art scene is thriving and will infuse a quick jaunt to Portland with a little creative energy to bring back home. Many of Portland’s core art museums are within walking distance of the main shopping areas, so take a breather and get a little culture in you with these recommendations:
Food carts in Pioneer Courthouse Square affectionately known by locals as Portland’s “Living Room,” the Square is the most visited destination in the city. – www.travelportland.com
tiful – go visit. Tanner Goods (1308 W Burnside St) – Exquisitely beautiful leather goods, handcrafted in rich colors and built to last. From customizable hardware to choose your own patina and monogramming options, Tanner Goods creates luxurious but affordable pieces worth treating yourself or your favorite canine to. Dog accessories, men’s clothing, and a small women’s capsule collection are also available.
sidewalk delicacies since the mid-’80s, setting up in parking lots downtown and serving 9-to-5’ers quick, colorful, non-corporate cuisine. Today there are 30 food cart “pods” throughout the city; one the best new carts is Bing Mi! (SW 9th & Alder) dishing up authentic Chinese crepes in delectable combinations. When noshing your way through Portland, food carts by day/fine dining by night is always a good battle plan. For dinner, Portland’s bursting at the seams with excit-
Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Avenue) – Now encompassing two buildings connected by a tunnel doubling as an underground gallery, the Portland Art Museum is a great place to start. The front room alone is majestic and bold: a mix of Native American works alongside the likes of Picasso, Van Gogh, and Monet climb high to the rafters against a vibrant teal wall. Now through May 15 you can see what the museum loving refers to as “the greatest cat painting ever made”, Carl Kahler’s “My Wife’s Lovers,” featuring 42 felines. The Museum’s fourth biennial awards exhibition, Contemporary Northwest Art Awards 2016, is also on view through May 8. General admission is $19.99. Museum of Contemporary Craft (724 NW Davis Street) at Pacific Northwest College emphasizes dynamic and provocative modern artistry and craft. Two previous exhibitions exemplifying the museum’s spirit included “Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture” and “Alien She,” examining the impact of Riot Grrrl on artists. General Admission is $6. Antler (2728 NE Alberta St) is a tiny gallery in Northeast Portland but definitely worth a trip to the Alberta Street arts district. It features, as one might guess, a menagerie of gorgeous art that often features striking images of animals. Showcasing new contemporary art and handmade craft, Antler is the type of gallery where you can begin an amazing and attainable art collection, not unlike our very own Ghost Gallery back here on Capitol Hill.
A Portland boutique, Tanner Goods specializes in leather goods with a focus on design and a deep commitment to crafting items by hand. – www.travelportland.com
Visit us online www.sgn.org
March 18, 2016
Seattle Gay News 17
18 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
Celebrating 41 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
March 18, 2016
Seattle Gay News 19
Make time for Tempe/Phoenix For theatre and the atmosphere
Tempe Mission Palms Exterior – Photo by Eric Andrews-Katz
TEMPE The Tempe Mission Palms Hotel (www. missionpalms.com) is centrally located between two light rail stops making exploration of the metropolitan area easy. The only full-service hotel in Downtown Tempe, the Mission Palms boasts beautiful courtyards, a rooftop pool (with whirlpool spa), tennis court and fitness/business centers. The rooms are spacious (with blackout curtains) and the beds are extremely comfortable, easily bringing a good night’s sleep. The main drag of Downtown Tempe is a short walking distance from the hotel with restaurants, shopping and nightlife blossoming in full swing. Remember, Tempe is home to Arizona State University and the nightlife reflects that. (A smart traveler always brings earplugs if their hearing is sensitive.) Outdoor dining is a pleasure in Tempe/ Phoenix where the weather is consistent and there are plenty of places offering al fresco dining. One night you might try House of Tricks (www.houseoftricks.com). In a romantic, vine-laden courtyard you can enjoy eating from boutique American menus with more-than-average wine and specialty cocktail listings. The menu is seasonally
inspired so no matter what time of year it is you are bound to enjoy a great meal of freshly made soups and salads. For those more adventurous fish and meat entrees are available in any assortment of delicious presentations. Vegan plates are available, but the restaurant politely requests a 24-hour notice so they can do their best to accommodate. Another option is Pita Jungle (www.pitajungle.com) for those wanting to tread down alternative options. With a list of Mediterranean starters to choose from it is difficult to make up one’s mind. Hummus comes in several options including Roasted Bell Pepper, Cilantro/Jalapeno, and with Grilled Chicken or Seared Ahi Tuna options. Mediterranean Antipasto platters as well as Fruit & Cheese are all offered, as well as Baba Ganoosh, Tzatziki, Spanakopita, and Dolmades. Get several to make a meal or explore various Pizzas, Salads and the widerange of Pita Wraps. Highly recommended is the Philly Cheese Steak Wrap, and it will not disappoint. Arizona State University is well known for its extensive theatrical programs. Theatre choices are as numerous as the cactuses growing in all directions. Walking to the theatre (after dinner or from the hotel) is a short jaunt taking less than 10 minutes. The Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA – www.tempe.gov/tcaevents) offers a plethora of theatrical venues. From small intimate presentations (with less than 200 seats) to a fullfledged performance hall, the Center is home to the highly acclaimed children’s theatre troupe, Childsplay, and will become the new home of the popular local Stray Cat Theatre this summer. There is even a theatrical museum with revolving exhibits displaying costumes, pictures and scenery from past productions. The Center is designed so the individual theaters housed within are independent from one another, including soundproofing to the extent of not hearing any of the planes flying overhead. The building is set on beautiful grounds with a lake and pedestrian bridge crossing the water below. Several halls are available for weddings with sights of glorious sunsets disappearing behind the red rock mountains for which Arizona has become synonymous.
20 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
by Eric Andrews-Katz SGN A&E Writer Arizona boasts beautiful scenery, great weather and a host of family-friendly festivals. No place is this more prevalent than in the Tempe/Phoenix area. Considered a suburb of Phoenix and part of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area, Tempe is easily traversed by the city’s light-rail system ($2.00/ticket or $4.00 for an All Day Pass) providing easy access to many theatre choices, as well as shopping, hiking and a plethora of assorted activities that celebrate the wonders of the beautiful surrounding scenery. Getting to Tempe or Phoenix is very simple and not expensive. Several airlines fly direct making the two-and-a-half hour flight easy to handle. Depending on what time of year you plan your trip there may or may not be a one-hour difference between Pacific and Mountain Time zones. There is an easy-to-navigate Light Rail System to get you from the airport to downtown Tempe or Phoenix, if you don’t mind a leisurely ride, or you can utilize taxi or Uber services to immediately start your vacation at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel.
PHOENIX ASU Gammage (http://www.asugammage.com) can offer another theatrical option within easy walking distance. Bringing the best of Broadway, this theatre is the Phoenix/Tempe metropolitan area’s home for Broadway Across America. Located on the edge of the college campus, this beautiful building was designed by the renowned Frank Lloyd Wright and has become a Historic Hall. The lobby galleries (there are three of them) feature the work of local artists. Getting into the heart of Phoenix (from Tempe) is an easy, leisurely ride on the Light Rail (anywhere from 2050 minutes depending on destination) or a simple taxi/Uber journey. You may want to go to the Phoenix Public Market Café (http://phxpublicmarket.com) and enjoy a light meal or snack and a cup of coffee at the Cartel Coffee Lab located inside. If you happen to be around on a Friday, enjoy Food Truck Friday in the parking lot outside the Café. Trucks selling artisan pizza, wraps, salads, hamburgers, doughnuts with an ever increasing list of food to sell. Long picnic tables make chatting easy. Walking off the delicious food is easy by following the selfguided “Roosevelt Row” (www.rooseveltrow.org) Tour. This walk takes you passed many murals, coffee shops, boutique stores, artist studios and galleries. The First Friday Art Walks have become extremely popular. Another option is visit the new Phoenix Pride LGBT Center (http://phoenixpridelgbtcenter.org/) in downtown Phoenix; it is the only one in the state. The Desert Botanical Gardens (https:// www.dbg.org) is an option as is the Phoenix
Zoo (http://phoenixzoo.org) or the Phoenix Art Museum. PAM houses an assortment of fine arts in their permanent collection including works from the Renaissance, Baroque and Impressionist periods. The museum also displays photography exhibits and the ever-popular Thorn Miniature Rooms of Historic Interiors. Check their website (http://www.phxart.org) for updates on special exhibits such as Michelangelo’s masterpiece drawings from The Casa Buonarroti. Another dinner option in downtown Phoenix is the very comfortable, cozy Welcome Diner. Nestled in the middle of a residential neighborhood, the Welcome Diner (http://welcomediner.net/) dishes up a new spin on traditional diner comfort food. Burgers served traditionally or with new twists (Peanut Butter/pickle/bacon/cheddar, or one with Bacon Jam, Cheddar, tomato, arugula and Thousand Island), Fish Po’boy or Grilled Cheese (Cheddar, Muenster and Smoked Gouda) Sandwiches are all available. The biscuit sandwiches are wonderful. The Big Jim (one of the most popular) is fried chicken, country gravy, cheddar and bacon served on a biscuit and are so large, and one is hesitant to eat it with their hands. No matter if by hands or cutlery, this is one not to be missed. There is even a full bar including Absinthe for those Sazerac cocktails. The Herberger Theatre Center (www. arizonatheatre.org) is a short walk from the Diner and has a 48-year history of producing quality shows. Often showing two shows simultaneously (a 750-seat and a 325seat theatre are both inside the building) this theatre is comfortable and intimate. After the show the Light Rail is a few blocks walk and can either whisk you to any of the various nightclubs/bars downtown, or back to your hotel for a quick nightcap before bed. Whether your focus is on the arts or the great outdoors, Tempe/Phoenix has something for your tastes. It’s an easy way to escape Seattle’s atmosphere for a quick dose of sunshine. The weather is beautiful, the landscape gorgeous, and the people are friendly. What more could you want?
House of Tricks – Photo by Eric Andrews-Katz
Celebrating 41 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
March 18, 2016
Seattle Gay News 21
22 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
Celebrating 41 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
March 18, 2016
Seattle Gay News 23
Neighborhood hopping in paradise: There’s more to Oahu than Waikiki
Waikiki Beach at dusk – Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson, Oahu Waikiki
by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer What’s new on Oahu? A lot. If you haven’t been to Hawaii’s most happening island in a while, it will look very different the next time you go. The iconic landmarks – Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, North Shore, Dole Plantation, etc. – are all still there and worth visiting again, but popping up around the island are a series of new hotels, shopping centers, restaurants, independent boutique stores, cocktail lounges and tourist attractions; even a light rail system is in the works. Everywhere you look, in Waikiki and in various other neighborhoods, there’s something opening, about to open, or under construction. As someone who goes to Oahu frequently, as recently as a few months ago, I’m always amazed to discover places to eat, drink, shop and stay at that weren’t there the last time I visited. Three airlines – Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian – fly non-stop between Sea-Tac and Honolulu International Airport, making it super convenient to get to Oahu and back. Flight time is about 5.5 hours on the outbound and 5 hours on the return. Upon landing, the Waikiki resort area is 20-25 minutes by shuttle or rental car; taxis are pricey. Public transportation is available via The Bus, though it’s a long journey from the airport to Ala Moana Center and then a transfer to
many of whom avoid the tourist traps and stay close to their immediate vicinities. Here are four neighborhoods, including Waikiki, to scope out on the island of Oahu during your next trip, plus a hotel recommendation. For more travel planning, go to visit-oahu.com. OUTRIGGER WAIKIKI BEACH RESORT is a terrific, affordable hotel right on the water Luxury, pricey hotels line Waikiki Beach, delivering posh amenities for anyone able and wanting to splurge. But for less money, you can stay at an Outrigger resorts brand hotel, such as the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort or Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort; a third property, the Waikiki Shore by Outrigger, part of the company’s Hawaii Vacation Condos line of condominium rentals, is also on the oceanfront. I stayed at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, in a Partial Ocean View Room, and couldn’t have been happier because it offered 360 square feet of space with king size bed, double sofa bed, work desk, plenty of pull-out drawers for folded clothes and a closet to hang my evening attire. It had a very clean, natural appearance to it, uncluttered with lots of space to move around and relax, work, watch TV and get ready in. The decor was simple, yet stylish with a mix of light and dark tones, from the dressers to the bedsheets to the drapes with subtle island
View from the Waikiki Beach Walk shopping complex – Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson, Oahu Waikiki
Waikiki, so a shuttle is your shortest and most affordable option. You should definitely stay in Waikiki because that’s where the bulk of hotels are at, yet make it a mission to venture out to Honolulu’s neighborhoods to experience some of the city’s best restaurants and shops, and to rub shoulders with the friendly locals,
touches – hula girl lamps, framed Hawaiian art, light green carpet with hints of yellow, a nod to a local staple, the pineapple. Morning sunrises and evening sunsets were absorbed on a private balcony, along with complimentary locally roasted coffee and a selection of teas with 4-cup coffee maker. Flatscreen TV with cable programming,
24 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
daily maid/turndown service, free WiFi and tropical scented lotions and hair essentials are a few of the other in-room amenities worth mentioning. On-site, the 524-room hotel features two restaurants, Duke’s Waikiki and Hula Grill; the former is a Hawaii institution, a popular chain of casual restaurants serving burgers, steaks, seafood and mai tais in a lively ambiance. The latter is a terrific dining spot throughout the day, though particularly for breakfast or lunch to take in the scenery from window-less booths just footsteps from the water. New to the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is Blue Note Hawaii, an offspring of the New York jazz venue with nightly performances by international touring musicians and island-based artists in a sleek 16,000 square foot, 300-seat club. Upcoming performances include Chaka Khan (May 4, 5, 7 and 8) and Christopher Cross (May 31, June 1-4). Should you desire to be pampered – and why not, you’re on vacation – book a treatment at the penthouse level Infinity Spa, where you’ll get firstclass lomi lomi, sports, shiatsu and other types of massages. Afterwards, unwind in the indoor relaxation area, or take in unob-
made with Billionaire’s bacon, creamy black pepper maple and frosted flake gelato. Equally tasty, yet on the savory side, is the Miso Smoked Pork and Onion Omelette with salad and toast, or for something light try the Breakfast Bruschetta with slivered local fruit, macadamia nut yogurt and Japanese rusk. The most scrumptious item on the menu, available as a special only, is the Beef Lu’au Skillet, a memorable combination of chuck steak, coconut lu’au stew and poached egg on a bed of crispy garlic rice; the Koko Moco - Maui Cattle Co. beef patty, garlic rice, mushroom gravy, sunny side up egg, tempura kimchi is a close runner-up, if the Beef Lu’au Skillet isn’t available. Chef Wong’s All-Day Dumplings should not be missed as a shared side order, and brunch is served all-day also. For healthy eaters, Kaimuki Superette (kaimukisuperette.com) is a deli that not only whips up delicious organic and natural meals, it also sells pickled vegetables harvested at Hawaiian farms that customers can take home with them. A daily variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, antipasti and sweets brings a steady flow of customers into the restaurant, who devour their
Oahu Market in Chinatown – Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson, Oahu Waikiki
structed ocean views from the outdoor terrace. I’ve stayed at several Outrigger properties on Oahu and the neighboring islands over the years and the hospitality is second to none; the Aloha spirit and culture is very evident at these properties with reasonable rates. For room reservations, go to outriggerwaikikihotel.com, where drop-down options are also available for Duke’s Waikiki, Hula Grill and Infinity Spa. For details on concerts scheduled in the months ahead, go to bluenotehawaii.com. KAIMUKI is a little foodie haven What used to be a run-of-the-mill part of the city has now become one of Honolulu’s sought after neighborhoods by foodies and hipsters. This is one of two spots on the island (Chinatown is the other) where you’re likely to cross paths with the cool crowd, mostly straight, though some gay folks as well. A 10 minute drive from Waikiki, Kaimuki is a great place to dig into Oahu’s local restaurant scene, and I’d start by having brunch at Koko Head Cafe (kokoheadcafe.com), a no-frills diner-style restaurant where people will wait up to 45 minutes or an hour for a seat, a small sacrifice for the phenomenal food inside that awaits them. Chef Lee Ann Wong, who operates another eatery across the street, takes Hawaiian comfort food to a whole new level, offering decadent, hearty meals with a personal twist. Among the must-try dishes is the ridiculously yummy Cornflake French Toast,
breakfasts or lunches there, at small tables or against the window on high rise chairs, or outside on picnic-style tables. Definitely order the Kuahiwi Meatloaf – grass-fed beef slices, tomato jam and aioli on a toasted telera roll – or, the Downtown Ahi Clubhouse – seared ahi, bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado and wasabi aioli on multi-grain bread. A favorite item at Kaimuki Superette is the Superette Salad, allowing you to choose three antipasti with ma’o organic lettuces. Wash everything down with a selection of natural sodas and be sure to save room for fresh baked goodies, an ono pop (popsicles in assorted flavors), or a banini (punalu’u sweet bread, apple-banana, chocolate mac-tella and whipped cream). Strolling through the streets of Kaimuki, home to Chaminade University, you’ll stumble across many reputable eating and drinking posts, primarily along Waialae Avenue. On the must-go-to list is Town (townkaimuki.com), for organic Italian and American cuisine, Mud Hen Water (mudhenwater.com), the latest dining establishment from noted chef Ed Kenney, Cafe Laufer (cafelaufer.com), a charming cafe with wonderful sandwiches, salads and fresh pastries, Verde Burrito (verdekaimuki.com) for inexpensive burritos, tacos and quesadillas and To Thai For (itstothaifor. com), for traditional Thai curries and noodle dishes. BREW’d Craft Pub (brewdcraftpub.com) offers a vast array of beers from Hawaii, mainland U.S. and Europe with a pub-style food menu, and for coffee lovers
Celebrating 41 Years!
either The Curb Kaimuki (thecurbco.com) is Morimoto Waikiki (morimotowaikiki. and then head to The Human Imagination or Coffee Talk (coffeetalkhi.com) should do com) inside the uber hip hotel The Mod- (in4mants.com) to browse a thoughtfullythe trick if you’re in need of a caffeine fix. ern, where I’m told A-listers from Taylor curated collection of activewear, from teeSwift to Zac Efron have stayed at in recent shirts and caps to board shorts and shoes. WAIKIKI’s latest additions are Tom- months. This swanky restaurant with indoor La Muse (lamusehawaii.com) carries handmy Bahama and Chai’s and outside seating, plus additional seating made jewelry, designer home accessories Nowhere else on Oahu has transformed overlooking the sushi chefs, is busy every and gift items from around the world in an more in the past 20 to 25 years than Waiki- night of the week because, well, it’s that intimate, artsy space. And, Tin Can Mailki. The principal tourist hub has always good. We feasted on Mixed Green Salad, man (tincanmailman.net) is wall-to-wall been the island’s center of attention and Sushi Combination platter, Pork Chop and full of vintage Hawaiian books, postcards, many of its iconic hotels are still standing Applesauce and my personal favorite, the posters, dishes, tropical print shirts and tall, but a steady influx of designer shops Angry Chicken, a finely-seasoned Jidori other goodies to bring home for yourself or (Chanel, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent) and organic half chicken with finger peppers friends. If you happen to be strolling Nuuachain restaurants (The Cheesecake Fac- and spiced chicken ju. We didn’t skip des- nu Avenue in the evening, make a pit stop tory, Yard House, Starbucks) has forever sert, wolfing down a Molten Chocolate & at The Dragon Upstairs/Hank’s Cafe (thechanged the dynamic and appearance of Almond Cake and the refreshingly nice dragonupstairs.com, hankscafehawaii.com) the heavily commercial, though partly resi- Tofu Cheesecake, served with kuromitsu, for a cocktail or quick bite at the two-story dential, neighborhood. Waikiki used to be kinako and adzuki. Morimoto, of course, is hole-in-the-wall that hosts live jazz and a more authentic slice of Hawaii, but today a globally celebrated chef with restaurants classic rock shows. it doesn’t look much different than Rodeo in many cities; he opened the Waikiki locaOn Bethel Street, Black Canvas (faceDrive. This is actually good news for trav- tion in 2010. book.com/blackcanvashi) stocks upwards elers who seek out familar brands wherOpening soon is the Ritz Carlton Resi- of 1,500 designs and dozens of apparel ever they go on vacation; you can literally dences Waikiki Beach, a resident-hotel con- varieties for anyone wanting customized replace your iPhone earbuds at the Apple cept, in April 2016, and the re-conceived hand-screened shirts. Scenic Route (sceStore inside the Royal Hawaiian Center International Market, currently under con- nicroutehawaii.com) offers fashion items (royalhawaiiancenter.com) on your way to the beach, or grab a Frappuccino on your stroll to the Honolulu Zoo (honoluluzoo. org), or treat yourself to a new swimsuit at Macy’s with a matching pair of flip-flops. A new dining and shopping attraction to Waikiki is Tommy Bahama Restaurant Bar & Store (tommybahama.com), which opened its doors on October 30, 2015. Customers can enter the tri-level, 19,200-square foot space on the ground level, where the retail area is stocked with sophisticated tropical clothes and beachwear, or they can make a beeline for the staircase that ascends to the second floor restaurant with tables, booths and an illuminated rectangular bar counter with high chairs. On the third floor is a rooftop lounge decked out with firepits, tables, chairs and a second and more intimate bar counter. The food is terrific here; my fellow diners and I basically made a meal from sharing items off the appetizers list, including the Ahi Tuna Tacos (wonton shell, island slaw, wasabi-avocado purée), Macadamia Crusted Goat Cheese (mango salsa, sweet soy, flatbread) and the Hamakua Mushroom & Apple Flatbread (Laura Chenel goat cheese, lemon arugula, truffle oil). If you want a full dinner, try the Blackened Fish Tacos, Smokehouse Bacon Burger, Guava Glazed Baby Back Pork Ribs, or the Parmesan Crusted Sanibel Chicken. Definitely stop by Tommy Bahama, a Seattle-based company by the way, and have something to eat or drink, and do a little shopping downstairs on your way out. Also new to this touristy area is Chai’s Waikiki (chaiswaikiki.com), situated across from the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It’s the latest installment from well-known chef Chai Chaowasaree, elegantly decorated with a laid-back ambiance and really delicious food. Everything on the menu is remarkable, but I suggest the Spicy Suicidal Chicken Wings, tossed in Thai chili, Dusk on Waikiki – Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson, Oahu Waikiki manoa honey, garlic, chopped peanuts and struction with no exact date set yet on the inspired by peace, love and wanderlust in a fresh cilantro with Granny Smith apple & unveiling. modern bohemian-inspired boutique, while mango cabbage slaw to start out, paired Fighting Eel (fightingeel.com) sells simple with a side of Baked Forbidden Sticky CHINATOWN is where to get your and sexy women’s tops and dresses in soft, Rice, a mix of rice, pork belly, lup cheong breatheable fabrics. For a shopping break, (Chinese sweet sausage), dried shrimp and shopping on, and some grub When I lived on Oahu, back in the early check out the bird, seascape and volcano sefire roasted chestnuts. Then move onto the Grilled Rosemary Garlic Maui Nui Venison 90s, Chinatown was a seedy, frightening ries works by Louis Pohl and fellow Hawaiwith sauteed jumbo white beans, Ho Farms place to be, especially at night. Today, it’s ian artists at Louis Pohl Gallery (louispohltomatoes and Merlot demi, or the Miso Sea one of the coolest stomping grounds on the gallery.com), or manly types might opt for Bass with pickled vegetables, steamed co- island, mainly for the 20s-30s set, although an expert shave, cut or line-up at Mojo Barconut milk-ginger brown rice. The Oxtail the opening of several independently owned bershop (mojobarbershop.com). On King Street, Homecoming (homeSoup with bihoon noodles, chinese celery, restaurants, lounges, boutique shops and art cilantro and Hawaiian chili water came to galleries has made it attractive to all ages, cominghi.com) sells trendy apparel, kitschy novelty items and fun accessories; it’s like a us well recommended and it didn’t disap- even families. Chinatown is perfect for those wanting cooler, independent version of Urban Outfitpoint. For a closer, the Shredded Coconut Cheese Cake with Tahitian vanilla crème to shop til’ they drop away from the masses ters. If you have a need to buy a birthday, Anglaise was superb, as was the Waialua and for those seeking unique finds vs. brand graduation or holiday gift for a skateboard Chocolate Wonton with ube haupia sauce. If name merchandise. Start your shopping enthusiast (think: nephew, godson), APB you perhaps dined at Chaowasaree’s former spree on Nuuanu Avenue, where you can Skateshop (downwithapb.com) has a large restaurant, at the Aloha Tower, you’ll very comb through a hand-picked collection of inventory of backpacks, t-shirts, caps and retro clothing, accessories and costume jew- actual skateboards for purchase. In advance, likely enjoy Chai’s Waikiki. Not new, but worth a dinner reservation, elry at Barrio Vintage (barriovintage.com) you might want to see if something’s hap-
Visit us online www.sgn.org
March 18, 2016
pening at the Ong King Art Center (ongkingartcenter.com), a space for creative minds to expose their talent. If the stomach is grumbling, flock to The Pig and The Lady (thepigandthelady.com), one of Oahu’s most raved about restaurants, a Vietnamese-inspired dining spot with a rather ambitious menu. Lastly, Hotel Street is more of an eating destination than shopping, beginning with Lucky Belly (luckybelly.com), where the ramen is outstanding, specifically the Fungi Bowl (maitake, hon shimenji, shiitake, porcini dust, vegetarian broth), as are the Oxtail Dumplings (with soy glaze, hot mustard crème) and Lamb Lumpia (with roasted pepper, kochujang coulis). Downbeat Diner (downbeatdiner.com) serves classic American favorites, from burgers and fries to milkshakes and desserts with vegetarian and vegan options as well. And, Grondin (grondinhi.com) is a charming FrenchLatin bistro with many tempting choices, including Crepes Mole Negro, Ratatouille, Cassoulet, Prawn Ceviche, Chuleta and Steak Frites. Later, at nighttime, Chinatown really comes alive with multiple options to cocktail and dance at. The Manifest (manifesthawaii.com) is a hipster hangout and a sure bet to hear good music by live musicians and DJs. Bar 35 (bar35hawaii.com) offers one of the largest beer selections in the city, plus gourmet pizzas and signature drinks, and Nextdoor (nextdoorhi.com) is an events space that routinely hosts national touring talent, mostly electronic acts. ALA MOANA CENTER / KAKAAKO are recommended for more shopping and more eating Ala Moana Center (AlaMoanaCenter. com) isn’t a neighborhood, it’s a shopping mall, though to be completely honest, it’s the largest open-air shopping center in the entire world with 2.4 million square feet of retail space, over 340 stores and more than 80 places to chow down. Brand new to this shopping attraction is Nordstrom, which had already been there but re-opened at a different location in the new Ewa Wing on March 11, 2016. Besides its fashionable merchandise, Nordstrom also includes two dining/cocktail options, Ruscello (full restaurant) and Habitant (bar-style atmosphere). In recent months, Bloomingdales, The Art of Shaving and Agent Provocateur are a few more retailers that have opened stores at the shopping center. Other stores at the mall, which also has an expansive food court and outdoor performance stage, include Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Hermes, Coach, Banana Republic, Abercrombie & Fitch, Town & Country Surf Designs, Gap, The North Face and Foot Locker. In progress, and set to open this summer in the Ewa Wing as well, is the Japan Village Walk, which will incorporate department store Shirokiya. Ala Moana Center is a shopper’s paradise; if you can’t find it here, you’re just not looking. Just passed Ala Moana Center is the redeveloped Kakaako district, a residential neighborhood and retail/entertainment district for everyone, though its majority of clientele is locals. Ward Village (wardvillage. com) has an abundance of stores to wander into, including Nordstrom Rack, T.J. Maxx, Town & Country Surf Designs, Ross Dress for Less, Famous Footwear, Patagonia, Brookstone, and Bed, Bath & Beyond, just to name a few. If you’re hungry and thirsty, your options vary from well-known chains: Starbucks, Buca di Beppo, Old Spaghetti Factory, Panda Express, Dairy Queen, Subway, Ben & Jerry’s, to island fare: L&L Drive In, Hula Dog, Honolulu Cookie Company and Wahoo’s Fish Taco. After a long day of shopping, eating and drinking, settle into the Ward 16 Theatres for a movie; on Mahalo Tuesdays, the admission is only $6 with $2 popcorn and $1 hot dogs.
Seattle Gay News 25
26 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
Celebrating 41 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
March 18, 2016
Seattle Gay News 27
28 Seattle Gay News
March 18, 2016
Celebrating 41 Years!