The Scene - May 2014

scene THE

Arts and entertainment for the Eastside May 2014

High-tech crooner Going from software to Sinatra, retired Microsoft tester George Santoni is finding his voice as an old-school singer

Also:

n ROAD TRIP! Have an adventure in 100 miles or less n SIFF is back.

Take a peek at some of the early announced titles from the film festival’s African Pictures program n Catching up with Shawn Wayans

131228 Scene Mag Crossroads Tutta Bella 9-5x11 FINAL.pdf

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R AD TRIP

It’s summer: Stop. Get in your car.

Have an adventure in 100 miles.

G

etting out and about in our state doesn't have to take a lot of planning. There are scores of things to do within just 100 miles of Bellevue and the Eastside.

Let’s hit the road.

South

Tacoma has a lot going for it and one of the city’s best features is the Lemay Car Museum. The four-story monument to motor history houses up to 350 cars, trucks and motorcycles from private owners and corporations. Check out cars from the 1906 Cadillac Model M to the 1994 Flintmobile George Barris Kustom.

Tickets range from $14 (adult) to $8 (kids 5-12). 253-779-8490; lemaymuseum.org .

Also worth checking out is the Tacoma Glassblowing Studio. Not only can you learn how hand-blown glass is made, you can try it for yourself with a one-on-one session with a skilled glassblower for $65.

Find it at 114 S. 23rd St.; 253-383-3499; tacomaglassblowing.com .

Continue a few miles south and you'll be in Olympia. If you love wooden boats, check out the Olympia Wooden Boat Fair, this year on May 10-11. All types of wooden boats, including powerboats, sailboats, row boats, dinghies, kayaks and canoes will be on display at the fair, an annual tradition since 1980. The event is held at Percival Landing Park, 405 Columbia St. N.W., in downtown Olympia.

North

MAY 2014 THE scene 3

TRAVEL

Set your compass north and you'll find Bellingham, one of the state's premier spots for outdoor activities. For something more unusual, check out the Procession of the Species, a parade on May 3 celebrating creativity, community and connection with the natural world (bpots.org). Everyone is welcome to participate under three conditions: no spoken

or written words, no live animals and no motorized vehicles (wheelchairs excepted, of course).

At the end of a busy day, you'll have lots of options for lodging. Three that get top reviews while eschewing the typical hotel-chain feel are the Fairhaven Village Inn (fairhavenvillageinn.com), Hotel Bellwether (hotelbellwether.com) and the Chrysalis Inn (thechrysalisinn.com).

West

Head toward the ocean and you'll find some of the most spectacular scenery in our state — or any state. Port Angeles bumps up against Olympic National Park and a short drive will take you to spectacular Lake Crescent. Keep going west and you'll find the Hoh Rain Forest, complete with moss dripping from massive trees.

While you're on the North Olympic Peninsula, it's a quick trip across the Strait to Victoria, British Columbia. Step off the boat and you'll feel that you've transported to a little bit of old England.

The Fairmont Empress Hotel (fairmont. com/empress-victoria), which sits palatially next to the harbor, is famous for its afternoon tea. The Maritime Museum of British Columbia (mmbc.bc.ca) will take you back in time to the days of pirates, shipwrecks and exploration.

A must-see is the Butchart Gardens (butchartgardens.com) featuring 55 acres of gardens year-round. The gardens retain their "wow" factor all year long.

East

Once you cross Snoqualmie Pass you'll feel like you are in a whole new state. Fortunately, it's one with plenty to see and do.

Near the city of Roslyn you'll find Swiftwater Cellars (swiftwatercellars. com) and Suncadia Resort (suncadiaresort.com). The combo makes for a destination at its best. The resort features luxury accommodations, restaurants and a spa. The winery hosts a summer concert series in a 2,500-seat amphitheater.

A bit further along I-90 brings you to SEE ROAD TRIP, 4

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4 THE scene MAY 2014

FILM

ROAD TRIP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Ellensburg, which has a particularly eclectic mix of things to see and do in May. There's the Art of Wine, a four-hour wine tasting event from on May 17 that shares time and space with the 42nd Annual National Western Art Show (May 1618). The art and auction show will display work by nearly 70 artists. Or check out the Bares & Broncs rodeo. The May 17 event features bucking horses and lots of food and music. Looking for something a bit older than the old West? Try Ye Olde Country Faire, two days of medieval and renaissance recreation from May 31 to June 1.

A bit north of Ellensburg you’ll find yourself in Wenatchee. Your timing couldn't be better. The city will be in the

midst of the Apple Blossom Festival, the oldest major festival in the state.

The event attracts more than 100,000 people and this year runs from April 24 through May 4.

If you've gotten this far, you owe it to yourself to drive an hour north to Lake Chelan (lakechelan.com) and its dropdead beautiful scenery. But there's more than just blue sky, blue water and 300+ days of sunshine a year.

The area is classified as an American Viticultural Area, meaning the growing conditions here for wine are special. Dozens of wineries attest to this, from small, boutique operations to sprawling properties with the look of a Mediterranean villa.

There are many to choose from, both in Chelan and just up the road in Manson.

Most wineries offer a colorful map to all the wineries in the area.

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SIFF back in Bellevue

BY DANIEL NASH

Since 2012, the Seattle International Film Festival has become the largest and most attended film festival in the United States, billing itself as an audience festival, rather than a film industry summit.

Founded in 1976 by Dan Ireland and Darryl Macdonald, the festival began humbly with 18 movies screened in the Moore Theatre. Three years later, the festival screened 120 movies and had at least one notable world premiere under its belt: Ridley Scott’s “Alien.”

In 2014, SIFF will celebrate its “40th” anniversary — the superstitious festival skipped its 13th, spokesperson Rachel Eggers said — with more than 400 narrative features, shorts and documentaries.

“It’s our 40th and the board and the staff of SIFF are doing what folks do when they turn 40 — looking back and looking forward at the same time,” Eggers said.

“We’re taking stock of our past, returning to old experiences in wholly different and new ways, and reflecting on the path that got us here.

“But we’re also nowhere near done. We have huge plans for the future of SIFF. It’s possible that some of those announcements about the future will take place during our 40th Festival.”

SIFF will return to Bellevue for the third time this May, and for the first time in seven years. Screenings will also be held in Renton and Kirkland — a festival mainstay since 2008. The Bellevue screenings will be held at the Lincoln Square Cinemas.

A full list of SIFF’s film lineup will be released April 30, with the festival box office opening May 1. Earlier in April, SIFF released the names of 13 films that will be screened under the African Pictures program, launched last year under a grant from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. African Pictures films

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took home two 2013 Golden Space Needle awards: Best Film went to the South African film “Fanie Fourie’s Lobola” and Best Director went to Nabil Ayouch for Moroccan film “Horses of God.” This year, “Fanie Fourie’s Lobola” director Henk Pretorius has submitted his follow up film “Leading Lady,” about a British drama teacher turned actress who enlists a sheep farmer to prepare for a potentially career-making role as an Afrikaner war hero.

Be on the lookout for “Difret,” the story of an Ethiopian teenager’s fight against the practice of marriage by abduction; “Finding Fela,” a documentary about the influence of Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti; and “Half of a Yellow Sun,” the tale of two Nigerian sisters who return home after receiving western educations, and an approved adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel of the same name.

SIFF 2014 will take place May 15-June 8. More information at siff.net.

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Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton in “Half of a Yellow Sun,” entered into SIFF under the African Pictures program.

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MAY 2014 THE scene 5

COVER STORY

Ex-Microsoftie pursues his singing dream George Santino sings Sinatra — and some of his own songs

BY SAMANTHA PAK George Santino’s dream since he was a kid was to become a professional singer.

His father liked to sing and, whenever they were out and about, the elder Santino would have his son sing if they ever came across anyone playing the piano or any other type of music. His father’s hope, Santino said, was that Former Microsoft employee George Santino belts out a his son would be tune. Courtesy photo discovered. After an entire childhood of this, Santino decided to pursue his dream after high school.

Things didn’t turn out how he pictured

them.

“I found out that there are a lot of people out there who can sing,” he said.

Santino, who grew up in Philadelphia and Florida, got a few gigs but not enough.

So he got a job at Microsoft. He spent 20 years working in the tech company’s software testing department before retiring at the end of 2011.

Since then, the Woodinville resident, now 58, has gone back to chasing his dream of becoming a professional singer.

Leading up to his retirement, Santino met with Erich Benedict, who owns and runs a recording studio called With an H Media in Kirkland. Benedict recommended Santino take a few singing lessons after he heard him sing and within a few months of his leaving Microsoft, Santino recorded an album: “Come Fly With Me,” a collection of Frank Sinatra covers.

The first song released off the album was “That’s Life” on April 24, 2012. It became the No. 1 hot new swing jazz release on Amazon.

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The entire Sinatra cover album was released May 15, 2012. A second album followed.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind,” he said.

Since he spent 20 years in an established career in the tech industry, Santino said he doesn’t have the pressure most singers do

to make a living off their music. Instead, he can take jobs where he is performing for an audience that wants to be entertained.

Currently, that audience has been at Pizzeria Guido & Wine Bar at 15600 N.E. Eighth St. in Bellevue. He is set to perform again at 7 p.m. May 8, June 12 and July 10.

scene

A publication of

THE

Publisher William Shaw

Managing Editor Craig Groshart Contributing Writers Daniel Nash Samantha Pak

Advertising 425.453.4270 Graphic Designer Tek Chai Office Coordinator Celeste Hoyt Circulation Manager Brian Judge

On the cover: George Santino photo by Anessa Benedict of benedict photo*art

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6 THE scene MAY 2014

Crazy when it counts LAUGHS

S

BY DANIEL NASH

hawn Wayans is the second-youngest member of the Wayans family and one of the most visible, alongside younger brother Marlon. But it was Shawn’s older brothers who brought him into the comedy fold. He made his acting debut in Keenan Ivory Wayans’ “I’m Gonna Get You Sucka,” then joined the cast of “In Living Color” as DJ SW-1.

With Marlon, Shawn co-created “The Wayans Bros.,” and co-wrote “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood,” “Scary Movie” and “Scary Movie 2”, “White Chicks” and “Little Man.” He co-wrote 2009’s “Dance Flick” with several members of the Wayans Family.

Shawn Wayans will perform at the Parlor Live comedy club over Memorial Day weekend, May 22-24.

SCENE: You’re a member of what is probably one of

the larger entertainment dynasties of our time, at least between yourself and your brothers and sisters. Did all of you become entertainers?

SHAWN: Six of us are entertainers and then we have a

bunch of nephews and nieces who have gone into acting and writing. So, I think there are 13 or 14 of us in all.

SCENE: I really can’t imagine growing up with 10 siblings.

What was that like?

SCENE: Your brothers brought you onto “In Living Color” —

house at the same time because the others were older and they moved out or went to college. But it was great.

SHAWN: It was a groundbreaking show. It was an

SHAWN: It was great. It’s hard to remember all of us in the SCENE: You were the second youngest of your family next to Marlon, so: Is it true what they say about the youngest children being the loudest?

SHAWN: The most obnoxious is what I would probably

say, and that would be Marlon. (laughs) I think Marlon’s probably the loudest. Me too, but... I have a crazy side to me, but when I’m with Marlon I’m the calm one.

a really groundbreaking sketch show — pretty early on in your career. What was that like.

awesome time in life. It was comedy college for me. I was just a kid. I had only been doing stand up for a year and a half. I was brought on as the DJ, so there was no real pressure on me. I got to kind of sit back and see all the masters at work. Keenan, Damon, David Alan Grier. All these people have been doing this for so long, working at their craft, so it really was an opportunity to learn from some of the best.

SCENE: What attracts you to spoof over other forms of SCENE: You’re his straight man.

SHAWN: I wouldn’t even say I’m the straight man because comedy?

SHAWN: You get to say something. You’re being really the straight man is boring. It’s more like I’ll take a backseat to Marlon’s craziness.

funny but, if you get to do it right, you’re informing people — it’s almost like the news. You get to hit (the subject) really, really hard.

these classics and laugh our asses off — and then we would act it out. We’d go, “I’m this guy, I’m that guy” and we’d say our scenes together.

is just the comedy gym for me. You get to be a better writer and performer putting yourself alone in front of an audience.

And standup is really my own point of view on a number of different topics, instead of a character’s point of view.

but my dad wouldn’t celebrate with us. It made me mad sometimes because it’s the perfect excuse not to get you a gift on your birthday! (Laughs) It’s like, “thanks Dad.”

you only have 140 characters for a punchline. Some people can be quippy on Twitter. But I wouldn’t put all my eggs in the Twitter funny basket. It’s cool, but the stage is the place for comedy.

SCENE: Was your home a big comedy-watching household?

SHAWN: Oh, yeah. Me and Marlon used to sit down and SCENE: Is your standup influenced by spoof? watch comedy all day long. We used to watch the Bowery Boys, Abbott and Costello, … I Love Lucy. We would watch SHAWN: I mean, it’s just an extension of our brand. Standup SCENE: You were raised a Jehovah’s Witness, weren’t you?

SCENE: What do you think of places like Twitter as a comic SHAWN: Yes, sort of. Yes, my dad was a Jehovah’s outlet?

Witness, but my mom was not a Jehovah’s Witness, so it SHAWN: I don’t think it’s good as a comic outlet because wasn’t 100 percent. We still got Christmas and birthdays, SCENE: I think what strikes me about the Wayans family

is that, when I think about an entertainment family like the Baldwins or Sheens, I think “yeah, they’re talented, but they’re nuts.” But offscreen it seems like your family is completely well-adjusted.

SHAWN: There’s a little insanity in our family. But we

make it work for us. We do it to be funny. So we might have insanity, but it’s all channeled into our work.

SCENE: Anything else you want to add to bring people out to your show Memorial Day weekend?

SHAWN: Hey, come get your laugh on. If you’re a fan of

my work, you’ll probably like it. And if you’re not a fan of my work, you’ll probably like it too because it’s a different experience. So just come out, laugh your ass off and have a good time.

MAY 2014 THE scene 7

TheEastsideScene.com

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