This especially musical Seattle Center Winterfest weekend offers inspiration and dynamic movement and sound, from classical and jazz music to square dancing and whistling flutes, presented by some of the region’s most impassioned artists. All performances are free and open to the public.
Seattle Center Winterfest also offers Saturday afternoon ice sculpting and bonfire sing-alongs, the Winter Train and Village and Winterfest Ice Rink (skate rental and use charge).
Event Listing for Dec. 17 – 19 (all performances in Center House)
Microsoft® Orchestra: more than just a software giant, Microsoft® is also home to many passionate and accomplished musicians, including a 60-member classical orchestra. Come hear them in sonorous seasonal symphonic selections, Friday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra: this adjunct ensemble of the Woodinville Community Band plays an exciting mix of funk, Latin, jazz-rock fusion, and contemporary jazz, all expressed with the unique power of a big band. Led by saxophonist extraordinaire and music instructor Neil Proff, expect to hear music from great jazz arrangers, Saturday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.
Seattle Flute Society: this choir of 20 Seattle flutists presents a seasonal feast of classical, jazz, baroque, ethnic and contemporary flute music. The Society promotes an appreciation of the instrument by featuring the entire flute family – from the piccolo at the high end down to the rare contrabass flute at the low end, Sunday, Dec. 19, 12:30 p.m.
Community Square Dance: twirling skirts abound as dancers ages 8 to 95 follow calls to “Promenade,” “Allemande Left” and “Do-Si-Do” in this age-old folk dance, Sunday, Dec. 19, 4 p.m.
Ice Sculpting: award-winning artists create seasonal sculptures. Watch while they work or stop by later to see the glistening result. Each Saturday, an ice master will carve a different design. Saturday, Dec. 18, 12 noon – 2 p.m., outside Fisher Pavilion, free.
Fireside Singing: share in warmth and music around the crackling flames of a bonfire. Folksingers lead passers-by in a mix of original, traditional and contemporary folk holiday songs as embers illuminate the night. Saturday, Dec. 18, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., outside Fisher Pavilion.
