Plenty of luxury boats and accessories, as well as all the latest technology can be viewed at the Big Seattle Boat Show. That’s why people travel from over 40 states, 6 Canadian provinces and as far away as Dubai to see the event, the largest on the West Coast. Moreover, the 2013 edition of this popular show will also feature plenty of entertainment options, bound to please showgoers and add an extra incentive for attending and lingering at the show.
Cirque du Soleil-style entertainment at January Seattle Boat Show - Photo credit: M. Bates and J. Cornicello
Events include Seattle Boat Show Uncorked on Opening Night (a selection of Northwest wines available for tasting), Sails and Ales on the second Friday (a tasting of Northwest craft beers) and “Splash”, daily aerial acrobatic performances above the boats in the West Hall. The Seattle Boat Show opens on Friday January 25th at 10am and continues for 10 days through Sunday, February 3rd 2013.
“Splash” consists of three separate acrobatic performances high above the boats in the West Hall at CenturyLink Event Center. The daily nautical-themed performances will feature some of Seattle’s most talented aerialists and acrobats doing Cirque du Soleil-style aerial work and will be performed on a Corde Lisse (or rope) a Cloud Swing and a Triple Trapeze. There won’t be a bad seat in the house as all the boats in the West Hall will serve as viewing platforms as will the boater’s lounge on the mezzanine level. Performances are Monday –Thursday at 6:30 pm, Fridays at 7:00 pm and Saturdays and Sunday, January 27th at 3:00 pm. No performance will be held on Sunday, February 3rd.
Splash Lineup: The Triple Trapeze Quartet, Mermaid on Cloud Swing, Drunken Sailor
• The Triple Trapeze Quartet: Based on the grand film era of synchronized swimming, this triple trapeze piece incorporates synchronized dance and acrobatic work by four of Seattle’s leading aerialists. It is performed on a three-section trapeze on which all four acrobats are working together. The women are costumed in 1930s style cherry red swim suits with an Esther Williams flair. The feeling is fun, awe-inspiring, and deeply rooted in synchronized swimming history and is performed to music of the 1930s. Hailing from various local aerial groups (The Aerialistas, The Velone Sisters, and The Flying Caribe girls) are Carri Andersen, Cathy Sutherland, Esther Edelman and Martha Enson. They have performed across the United States and in Europe & Mexico, on the outer edge of the Space Needle and in the presence of Kings.
• Mermaid on Cloud Swing
She frolics, spins, rolls and swings, mesmerizing the crowd with the unattainable beauty of the mermaid. Mythical and powerful, she is equally at home hanging by her toes or her neck, cascading in a series of spins around the rope or and resting in the rocking of the sea. The Mermaid segment of Splash will be performed by Kari Podgorski, “aerialist par excellence” according to The Seattle Times. Podgorski has performed on her cloud swing in over 30 major U.S. cities from Las Vegas to Manhattan and everywhere in between, as well as internationally from Victoria, B.C. to Porto, Portugal. She has enjoyed show runs at both the critically acclaimed Seattle and San Francisco Teatro ZinZanni venues and more recently in Europe at Palazzo and Friedrichsbau variety theaters.
• Drunken Sailor
Every sailor is trained to tie ropes into knots, but this sailor has been carousing on shore or drinking double strength grog, and he can’t seem to tell up from down, nor manage to keep his feet on the deck. It’s a breath stopping solo skill act on a vertical rope. It’s a comic tour de force between the sailor and the crowd. It’s a fabulous balance of strength, flexibility, and humor, as the sailor tries to climb the ropes and not fall to the deck. The Drunken Sailor is performed by Jonathon Rose who trained under tutelage of world renowned circus artists Charly Dedessus le Moutier and Gregory Marquet.
Seattle Boat Show Uncorked Opening Night, Friday January 25, 5pm – 9pm
This year the show kicks off with a festive bang. On opening night a selection of premium Northwest wineries will be on hand at CenturyLink Field Event Center showcasing their wares and answering questions. Cabernet and a cruiser or Sauvignon Blanc and a sailboat? Take your pick! Tasting tickets and a souvenir wine glass will be available for purchase at the show.
Sails and Ales – Friday February 1, 5 pm – 9pm
Showgoers will be able to cruise the indoor show at CenturyLink Field Event Center with ale in hand and enjoy the best of NW beers and boats. Tasting tickets are extra and include a souvenir beer glass to remember the evening.
Seattle Boat Show, Indoors + Afloat. Know Before You Go
When: Friday, January 25 – Sunday, February 3, 2013
Where:
– CenturyLink Field Event Center, 800 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle
– South Lake Union, 901 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle
Free shuttle running continuously between both locations.
Hours:
CenturyLink Field Event Center:
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 8 pm
Fridays: 11 am – 9 pm
Saturdays: 10 am – 8 pm
Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm*
South Lake Union:
Weekdays: 11 a.m. – 5 pm
Weekends: 10 am – 5 pm*
* The show will close at 4pm on Sunday, February 3rd
Tickets:
Adults: $12; Youth (11-17): $5
Monday – Thursday after 5pm: $8
Kids 10 & under: Free
Official hotels: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Silver Cloud Hotel Stadium and Courtyard Marriott
