As I mentioned above, Seattle and environs has several good folk venues. One source of information on what's going on is Victory Music in Tacoma (about 30 miles south of Seattle, but they have info on the whole Puget Sound area). Give the "Event Calendar" a look to get an idea of what I'm talking about.

Also, be sure to check out this thread. Dusty Strings is one of the real hot-spots for folk music activity around Seattle.

On other music fronts, I knew that the Seattle Symphony, first whipped into shape by Milton Katims, then honed and polished by current director Gerard Schwarz, has become a truly world-class orchestra (lots of excellent CDs out) and is a real going concern. Recently they have expanded their services to the community. They're very "kid friendly." Just today, I heard about their "petting zoo" for kids. This is an opportunity for children to meet the musicians and let the young-uns try some of the instruments. Here's a run-down on some of the things offered for youngsters:

Tiny Tots, a series of five concerts that give little ones ages birth-to-five a chance to sing, dance, and wiggle at 40-minute long sessions presented by early-childhood musical performers. Offered on Tuesday or Saturday mornings.

Discover Music! , for kids ages five to 12, which is offered in a series of five hour-long concerts on Saturdays and includes a pre-show instrument "petting zoo."

Light Classics, for teens, which is offered in a series of three Saturday evening concerts, features familiar classics and rising stars of symphonic music.

Soundbridge Museum, located in Benaroya Hall on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Union Street, offers a fun introduction to symphonic music, weekly musical storytelling sessions, and music classes.

And the following note for adult attendees of Seattle Symphony concerts:

"If you're going to the Symphony without the kids, tell your sitter to call 206.215.4825 and give the sitter the exact seat location (aisle, section, row, & seat number) so you can be easily located in the event of an emergency."

By the way, Emmy-Lou Harris will be performing in a special Christmas concert with the Seattle Symphony on December 22nd and 23rd, 2006, both performances at 8:00 p.m.

Don Firth