TIS THE SEASON TO EXPLORE KIRKLAND’S MANY HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES

MEDIA CONTACT:
Catherine Filippini
425-576-1710
cath@bombar.com

Celebrations, activities and performances in November and December

Kirkland, Wash. – This November and December, Kirkland welcomes the Northwest community to join in the numerous holiday celebrations, activities and performances offered in November and December. The following is a complete list of activities beginning the week of November 13 through the end of 2005. For more information, visit www.explorekirkland.com.

Holiday “Mini” Magic
November 5-December 31
See the “mini sights and sounds of the holidays with a visit to The Dollhouse Cottage, the largest dollhouse and miniature store in the Northwest. Events and sights include a parade of miniature holiday houses, magical outdoor fairy garden, charming collection of holiday displays, gifts ideas for children of all ages. Open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday noon to 5pm. Located at 13825 100th Ave NE or on the web at www.dollhousecottage.com.

Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery
20-Year Celebration
November 9-December 4
Loren Salazar
“Roads Leaving Rome”
Private preview, artist reception and celebration takes place Wednesday, November 9 from 6-9pm. Win an original hand colored lithograph by Loren Salazar (must be present to win).

StoryBook Theater Presents The Ugly Duckling
Kirkland Performance Center
350 Kirkland Avenue
Box Office 425.893.9900
November 12, 11AM, 1PM & 3PM
November 13, 1PM & 3PM
November 19, 11AM, 1PM & 3PM
November 20, 1PM
Adults $7.50 • Sr $7.50 • Youth $7.50
Life isn’t quite what it’s quacked up to be for the poor, unlucky duckling. No home, no friends, and winter fast approaching—this poor little bird’s goose seems to be cooked…or is it?

DEC 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 10

2005 Argosy Christmas Ship™ Festival
Ongoing in December along Kirkland beach shores Bonfires, parade of lighted ships, caroling. For information visitwww.argosycruises.com.

Magical Nights of Shopping
Kicks off December 1st?and takes place Weekly on Thursday and Friday nights in December in downtown Kirkland. Late night shopping, merchants open until 9pm. For information visit www.kirklanddowntown.org or call 425.893.8766.

Argosy Opening Night Ceremony
December 1, 6-9pm
Festivities at Marina Park including Santa, Christmas Ship lighting, performance by the Seattle Girls Choir. Ships depart from Kirkland City Dock on Dec. 1st, 3rd, 16th, 17th, 19th, 20th,. 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and from Carillon Point on Dec. 18th, and 23rd.

Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery 20-Year Celebration
December 7-January 8
“20/20 Vision” – 20 Artists for 20 Years
Private preview, artist reception and celebration takes place Wednesday, December 7 from 6-9pm. Win one of two original prints or a Bill Braun paining (must be present to win).

Bronn Journey
Kirkland Performance Center
350 Kirkland Avenue
Box Office 425.893.9900
December 1, 7:30 PM
Adults $15 • Sr $15 • Youth $12
Bronn and Katherine Journey return to KPC with their annual Christmas concert. Bronn is a performer of the concert harp. He brings a warm, casual approach to a classical instrument, accompanied at times throughout the evening by Katherine’s angelic voice. This concert features Christmas music from the British Isles as well as other music from Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Joining the Journeys will be Robert Puff playing woodwinds, cellist Diane Tremayne, violinist Susan Burke and Ben Rudd playing percussion.

Lights! Camera! Eggnog?
Kirkland Performance Center
350 Kirkland Avenue
Box Office 425.893.9900
December 3, 2PM & 7 PM
Adults $15 • Sr $15 • Youth $12
This event features the Northwest Sound Men’s Barbershop Chorus, 2005 Evergreen District Chorus Champion; Friendly Advice, 2003 Evergreen District Quartet Champion; Silver Chords, 2005 Evergreen District Senior Quartet Champion; Patti Payne, a Champion among MC’s; other quartets, sing-a-longs, Santa Claus, door prizes and refreshments.
Kirkland Parks Bonfire
December 3, 8:20 PM
Houghton Beach Park
Come join this bonfire event as the Argosy Christmas Ship™ stops by.

Rita Coolidge, with Kirkland Choral Society
Kirkland Performance Center
350 Kirkland Avenue
Box Office 425.893.9900
December 4, 7:30 PM
Adults $15 • Sr $15 • Youth $12
Best known for her uplifting, chart-topping renditions of “Higher and Higher” and “We’re All Alone,” this show features Rita accompanied by the Kirkland Choral Society. Celebrate KPChristmas with Rita’s silky-smooth delivery of holiday favorites, emotional translations of songs into her native Cherokee, songs from her new Concord Records jazz cd, And So Is Love, as well as the songs that made her famous.

Holiday Gingerbread Houses
Sur La Table
40 Central Way
December 4, 10 AM
Decorate a gingerbread house together and start a family tradition. After a brief decorating demonstration, each pair will receive a pre-assembled house to adorn with candies and icing. Gumdrops, candy canes and other sweet treats will be supplied. The rest is up to the imagination. Take home your richly decorated house at the end of class. Class registration fee is $50.

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