Multiple freebies and low cost events for Swan Lake fanatics this week

April 5, 9:50 AMSeattle Theater ExaminerRosemary Jones

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Carla Korbes (center) in PNB's Swan Lake.
Photo copyright Angela Sterling, courtesy of PNB.

I have a friend who can’t attend Swan Lake without multiple  packages of Kleenex. No hankie available?  She grabs her husband’s coat sleeve to stifle the tears during the last act.

While the Nutcracker is probably the best known story ballet for most Americans, Swan Lake remains highly recognizable (and oft parodied) runner-up.  Most of us go to see the bevy of swans crisscrossing the stage, but many also go for the ultimate romantic music by Tchaikovsky accompanied by the sad tale of a guy who falls for the wrong swan.

Want to understand why some of us are already stuffing our pockets full of hankies in preparation for Thursday’s opening of Swan Lake at Pacific Northwest Ballet?  There’s a number of free or really cheap events around town, starting today, featuring the themes and music of Tchaikovsky’s ultimate romantic ballet.

Conversations with PNB
2:00 pm, Sunday April 5, 2009
Elliott Bay Book Company
101 South Main St. in Pioneer Square
Free admission
This hour-long Sunday afternoon conversation series with PNB dancers and guests in the casual atmosphere of the reading room at The Elliott Bay Book Company.  The Swan Lake conversation will feature PNB principal dancers Carrie Imler, Louise Nadeau and Kaori Nakamura, who will all be portraying the dual roles of the swan princess Odette and her rival Odile in the opening weekend performances.  For direction to the bookstore, see www.elliottbaybook.com.

Library Preview of Swan Lake
Tuesday, April 7, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Central Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Avenue, Seattle
Free
A lunchtime event for downtown workers and shoppers. PNB's lecturer Doug Fullington will offer insights about Swan Lake, complete with video excerpts.

Swan Lake Lecture and Dress Rehearsal
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Lecture 6:00–6:50 pm, Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at McCaw Hall
Dress Rehearsal 7:00–9:30 pm, McCaw Hall
These lectures are always fun and informative and the fact that you can go see the full dress rehearsal for only $10 more is one of the best deals in town. PNB’s founding artistic director and Swan Lake choreographer Kent Stowell will be joined by technical director and lighting designer Randall G. Chiarelli to share insights about producing Swan Lake.  The lecture takes place the hour preceding the dress rehearsal and then you can go upstairs to see the full show. Tickets are $10 for the lecture only, or $20 for the lecture and dress rehearsal. Tickets may be purchased by calling the PNB Box Office at 206.441.2424, online at www.pnb.org or in person at the PNB Box Office at 301 Mercer Street.

  PNB Orchestra’s First Swan Lake Broadcast
7:30 p.m., April 11, 98.1 Classical KING FM 98.1
For the first time ever, 98.1 Classical KING FM 98.1 will broadcast a performance of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Swan Lake, performed by the PNB Orchestra under the direction of PNB music director/conductor Stewart Kershaw.  For more details and programming schedule, visit www.king.org.