by Christopher DeLaurenti Solo instrumentalists are a rare breed of bird. And of that select species, those who champion new and new-ish music are seldom spotted in Seattle, so I was pleased that OtB brought Maya Beiser back for a solo cello concert. Incorporating video, an appealing stage set of multiple monitors, and spoken word, Beiser’s concert featured a slew of new music.

Maya was exceptional tonight. Her journey became our journey and the full house seemed to gladly follow towards, what I perceived as being, her exploration of place, migration and nomadism. To watch Maya play a cello is somewhat similar to seeing the setting sun. It’s through movement that one gains a better understanding of the complexity and beauty. Her left hand working the fingerboard from top to bottom, alternating between a blurred furry to a slumbering vibrato, while her right hand works the bow seemingly cutting and stabbing into the strings.

The day before Major Bang opened at OtB... actor Steve Cuiffo was in NYC doing the Houdini straight jacket escape. You can watch it on You Tube here. Immediately after this, Steve left for the airport to fly here for the show. Pretty rad. Posted by Sara

Steve Cuiffo of the Foundry Theatre and Lane debate the merits of drinking a 12 year single malt scotch right out of the bottle: Later, Steve, Tania and Sara share a tender moment during a sweaty night of karaoke at Ozzie's: