“Sounds of Music” in the Yakima Valley - Winter '07 - '08

Autumn has waned, and the ‘crush’ in the vineyards is over. Now is the perfect time to savor the pleasures of ‘off-season’ travel in the Yakima Valley. Summer crowds have dissipated, but many wineries remain open all year, allowing visitors to enjoy more personal experiences in the tasting rooms. Perhaps, a surprise for many visitors are the incredible opportunities to enjoy fantastic music in the Yakima Valley!

Since 1971, founding Director, Brooke Creswell, has been at the helm of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, a 68-player ensemble, the only professional symphony orchestra in central Washington.

Upcoming concerts this season include the “Nutcracker Ballet” (Dec.8&9), “Fiesta de la Posada” featuring the Brubeck Brothers with the Yakima Symphony Chorus (Dec.14&15), “Christmas at The Seasons” (Dec.21), “A Night at the Movies” (Feb.9, 2008), YSO Chamber Orchestra Bach Cantata (Mar.15, 2008), and, Apr.12, 2008, the annual collaboration and opera performance with Seattle Opera Young Artists.

Most concerts take place in the beautifully restored Capitol Theatre (www.yakimasymphony.org). A second historical venue, The Seasons, opened in 2005, an architectural and musical ‘gift’ to the community from the Strosahl family. Dedicated to presenting world class jazz performers, Latin jazz/salsa, and classical music, the near-perfect acoustics of the domed-ceiling, 400-seat former church have drawn rave reviews nationally (www.seasonsmusicfestival.com). And there is more!

The Yakima Folklife Association presents a concert series, from October through April, usually on the first Friday of the month (occasionally on a different Friday, but always on Friday); these concerts are held in the Great Hall of the Yakima Valley Museum–a truly unique venue which seats 400 in a 2-story atrium space, surrounded by museum exhibits (www.folklife.yakimavalleymuseum.org). “ON” Magazine, published every Friday by the Yakima Herald Republic, lists many more venues presenting an eclectic variety of music in restaurants, clubs and lounges located all over the Yakima area.

Visit Yakima in the “off-season”, and enjoy the “Sounds of Music” everywhere!

This article was written by
Karen Krueger
The Orchard Inn B&B, Yakima
http://www.orchardinnbb.com