Relive the Newport Jazz Festival with a three-part NPR special

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet at a previous Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, Rhode Island (photo by Cheryl Landes) The 2020 Newport Jazz Festival didn't happen because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, concerts and other highlights from past festivals were streamed and broadcast from websites and radio stations. During that time, National Public Radio (NPR) hosted … Continue reading Relive the Newport Jazz Festival with a three-part NPR special

Get outside with Go Play, Vancouver!

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Washington (photo by Cheryl Landes) The City of Vancouver Parks and Recreation (Washington) is hosting a new event called Go Play, Vancouver! The event encourages residents and non-residents to go outside safely during the coronavirus pandemic to get exercise and enjoy nature in the city's parks, historic sites, … Continue reading Get outside with Go Play, Vancouver!

Take seven virtual tree tours at Lakewold Gardens

Lakewold Gardens in University Place, Washington (photo by Cheryl Landes) Learn about some of the trees in the Lakewold Gardens in University Place, Washington, south of Tacoma, in a series of virtual tours. John Wilcox, a long-time volunteer at the gardens, leads these seven tours. Each tour features a different tree. The seven videos are … Continue reading Take seven virtual tree tours at Lakewold Gardens

Warm body and soul, win prizes at a soup walk in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood January 27-31

Warm up with some soup-er soups at the Fremont Soupocalypse in Seattle from Wednesday, January 27, through Sunday, January 31. Pick up a passport at one of the participating restaurants in the Fremont neighborhood, collect four or more stamps, and win a prize basket. Prizes include a certificate for a free tasting for two at … Continue reading Warm body and soul, win prizes at a soup walk in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood January 27-31

Go on a whale watch at home with the New England Aquarium

A humpback whale diving in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary east of Boston (photo by Cheryl Landes) Take ride on the Aurora with Boston Harbor Cruises and Laura Howes, the head naturalist at the New England Aquarium in Boston, to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary east of Boston. The sanctuary was created in … Continue reading Go on a whale watch at home with the New England Aquarium

Stroll the Planetary Promenade in Portland and online

Take a stroll of the whimsical solar system in the Mississippi neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. It's a collaboration of visual artist Mike Bennett, who's known for painting cute cartoon plywood characters and hiding them in random places in Portland, and Bill Kelly, a Grammy-nominated family entertainer. The exhibit features 13 of Bennett's large cartoon renderings … Continue reading Stroll the Planetary Promenade in Portland and online

Stream the Commonwealth Ballet’s “The Nutcracker en Masque” for free through January 31

Image by Goran Horvat from Pixabay One of my traditions during the holidays is to catch a performance of the Commonwealth Ballet's version of The Nutcracker during my trips to New England. With large gatherings restricted this year due to COVID-19, the Commonwealth Ballet could not hold live performances this year, so they created a … Continue reading Stream the Commonwealth Ballet’s “The Nutcracker en Masque” for free through January 31