NEW
YORK (www.bellingham.org) - Unspoiled, relaxing, exhilarating--the
Bellingham Mount Baker Region has it all for those looking for a
lifestyle change or just an exceptional destination for summer. It's
all the beauty of the Hamptons without the traffic or crowds. It's as
wonderful as Woodstock, and it's the relaxed side of celebrity living
without the constraints of the paparazzi. In the Bellingham Mount Baker
Region, luxury living includes outdoor activities such as golf on seven
Championship courses. Golf Digest rated Bellingham the seventh best
"golf city" in the nation out of 314 cities. Opportunities for
mountain-biking, hiking, sailing and kayaking abound. Recently named
one of the top "hippest, healthiest and most adventure packed" small
cities in
America by Men's Journal, a variety of celebrities from the
realms of film, television and literature make their homes in
Bellingham (
www.bellingham.org).
The area is also home to the prestigious Bellingham Festival of Music,
the internationally recognized musical celebration that includes
classical, jazz, opera, and world music. The 2005 Festival with "music
from the mountains to the sea," runs August 6-21 and is just one
example of luxury living in the 'authentic' Northwest.
Perfectly
situated on Puget Sound and the I-5 Corridor, Bellingham is 90 miles
from Seattle, just 50 miles from beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.
Whistler is only a plane ride away. Bellingham International Airport
gives the discriminating traveler easy access to the entire region,
making this unique locale perfect for that quick or extended luxury
getaway. Reward yourself by taking in some of the most spectacular
views of the San Juan Islands with a challenging hike up one of the
many mountain recreation areas. Counter your nature to play hard with a
relaxing luxury spa package from the Chrysalis Inn and Spa, which is "a
respite for the body, mind and soul." A waterfront hideaway on Puget
Sound, but in walking distance to trendy, historic Fairhaven, the
Chrysalis Inn and Spa, finds its inspiration in nature and combines it
with Northwest sophistication and style. Pamper yourself with
treatments guaranteed to work out all the knots�and only steps from
posh and inviting accommodations fit for the celebrities and VIPs that
have blazed the trail before you. Once you're relaxed, enjoy evening
bayside chamber and jazz concerts with the Bellingham Festival of Music
or any of the 14 spectacular concerts by world-renowned artists at 7
different venues.
Now in its 13th season, the Bellingham
Festival of Music, under the direction of famed maestro Michael Palmer,
has built its reputation on attracting high-profile musicians, such as
principal players from major American and European orchestras, in
addition to stars like violinist
Sarah Chang and piano virtuoso Garrick
Ohlsson. Artists like former New York Philharmonic principal oboist,
Joseph Robinson, who recently retired, return year after year to share
their talents with the community and to relive the invigorating spirit
that is found in the people and the beauty of the Bellingham Mount
Baker Region. Mr. Robinson will be making his first appearance with the
Festival since his departure from his 26-year tenure at the New York
Philharmonic. He will spend his retirement in Bellingham, which
consistently ranks in the top ten places in the United States to retire
mainly due to its pristine geography, close proximity to Seattle and
Vancouver, its university, and outstanding arts offerings.
The
Festival commences on Saturday, August 6 with its Gala Opening that
rivals any concert in any hall around the world. Opening night features
the Bellingham Festival Orchestra, comprised of 40 symphonic
"all-stars" from major American and European orchestras performing
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Metropolitan Opera soprano,
Heidi Grant
Murphy and the Bellingham Festival Chorus will make the evening
extra-special with their performance of the Poulenc
Gloria and Ms.
Murphy will also sing selected arias.
The following day, August
7, will see the Festival's signature "Music in the Mountains" concert
with the Bellingham Festival Chamber Players, featuring two
performances and a salmon dinner at Mount Baker's fabulous White Salmon
Lodge. The Festival's Chamber
Music Series will continue with concerts
by the Bellingham Festival Chamber
Players at Bellingham's First
Congregational Church on August 10, as well as at the beautiful outdoor
venue at Semiahmoo Resort Golf and Spa on August 16.
For those
more attuned to jazz, the Festival's Friday Night Jazz Series includes
Seattle's always-popular gypsy jazz group
Pearl Django at the Village
Green in upscale but laid-back Fairhaven on August 12. The following
Friday, the Portland-based
Patrick Lamb Band, which currently opens for
Grammy Award winner
Diane Schuur, will warm up the green at Hotel
Bellwether on the Bay overlooking Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands
with hot classic jazz.
On Wednesday, August 17, world music
lovers can experience the Vancouver-based musical group Silk and
Bamboo. An event not to be missed, their Bellingham debut, Ancient and
Contemporary
Music for Chinese Instruments, will feature a world
premiere by Canadian composer Mark Armanini, commissioned especially
for the Festival.
The Festival will also feature a concert
version of Leonard Bernstein's opera-meets-musical-theatre Candide with
a roster of young, up-and-coming singing talent, the 2005 Bellingham
Festival Orchestra and Chorus at the Mount Baker Theatre on Saturday,
August 13. If all of this wasn't enough, the Festival will also host a
piano recital, pre-concert talks and its Family Concert, all leading up
to the grand finale on Saturday, August 20 at the Mount Baker Theatre.
The final concert will celebrate the Brahms Violin Concerto with
violinist Elmar Oliveira.
All tickets can be purchased through
the Mount Baker Theatre Box Office at 360.734.6080. Season tickets for
the 2005 Bellingham Festival of
Music will go on sale Tuesday, May 31.
Individual tickets ranging from $20-$28 will be available starting
Monday, June 6, and can be purchased over the phone or online at
www.mountbakertheatre.com.
