Discover the best top things to do in Washington, United States including Benaroya Hall, Seattle Symphony, Spokane Symphony, Walla Walla Symphony, McIntyre Hall Performing Arts & Conference Center, Yakima Symphony Orchestra.
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5.0 based on 520 reviews
The new home of the Seattle Symphony.
We spend a few months each year, living in Seattle, and Benaroya Hall is one of our favorite places to go. Home to the Seattle Symphony, this Downtown building also hosts other groups in both its 2,479-seat S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium and the 536-seat Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall. I can attest to the fact that the Auditorium offers excellent acoustics, superb sight lines and comfortable seats. But our most recent visit in November took us to the Recital Hall for a performance by Casa Pata Flamenco from Spain. The Recital Hall offers the same features as the Auditorium but in a more intimate setting on the second floor. The show, titled "Raiz de 4," featured two dancers, a guitarist and a percussionist. All proved to be superb, especially the male dancer, Rafael Peral. I have never seen such footwork, even in Spain, where I lived for a while and often went to flamenco performances. This production was typical of the consistently excellent offerings that I have attended at Benaroya Hall. But performances and lectures by notables are not the only draws at the Hall. The modern structure, which opened in 1998, holds some outstanding artwork. My favorite is "Crystal Cascade," a sculpture by glass artist Dale Chihuly, which consists of two 3-ton chandeliers, each suspended from opposite ends of the block-long corridor at the front of the building. Visitors can enter this section of Benaroya Hall to see Chihuly's work or stop at a coffee kiosk whenever the building is open. They can also take one of the infrequent, free public tours of the Hall, which present an opportunity to see some of the other artwork without attending a performance. With so many changes in Seattle because of COVID-19, however, I recommend checking on-line or calling to learn if there are restrictions in effect for entering the building. Though many parking garages exist nearby, we never take our car Downtown, because of heavy traffic. Buses stop directly in front of the building and Sound Transit light rail has a stop below the Hall at University Street Station. Restaurants abound close-by. I especially like Wild Ginger, which specializes in Southeast Asian cuisine, and is located next door at 3rd and Union.
4.5 based on 205 reviews
Take a break and take in some Bach or Berlioz here.
Beautiful venue. Great acoustics. Wonderful evening of spectacular music. Audience needed symphony manners. Man over 65 behind me let his phone ring (and ring and ring) for over a minute. Even after people turned to look at him. His wife kept kicking my chair and as a result, my back. Repeatedly. Thankfully, I was able to change chairs at intermission. People in front of me talking over the music when they weren't making out. An employee had to come talk to them. It was a shame, because it marred what would have been a perfect symphony experience. Ironically, I had a 5-6 year old sitting next to me whose manners were perfect!! Cudos to her dad who accompanied her!
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Founded in 1945, the Spokane Symphony continues a long tradition as the largest and most active professional performing arts organization in the Inland Pacific Northwest.
4.5 based on 7 reviews
4.5 based on 11 reviews
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