Boulding to Debut as ASO Soloist

When the Auburn Symphony Orchestra's new concertmaster, Brittany Boulding, makes her first appearance as a soloist with ASO on October 9, she may look familiar. That's because, from the age of 6, Boulding has performed with the rest of her family in the well-known group called the Magical Strings. The Olalla-based family has toured the world and recorded 16 albums. But perhaps here in the Northwest they're best known for their annual Celtic Yuletide Concerts.

For many years, Boulding also has been a soloist in her own right, performing with the New Haven Symphony the National Repertory Orchestra, the Spoleto Festival, and other groups throughout North America. Since moving back to our area, she has played in the Seattle Symphony, Bellevue Philharmonic, Seattle Opera, and Bellingham Festival of Music.

On October 9 and 10, Boulding will perform Chausson's "Poeme" for Violin and Orchestra. The concerts will take place at the Auburn Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit www.auburnsymphony.org.

Bell Chimes Again in Federal Way

When the Federal Shopping Way opened in 1955, one of the major sections to be planned was Old World Square, which was designed as a European village square with small shops and a clock tower. Heinz Ulbricht, the German designer who assisted in the development, later went on to help Leavenworth reconceive itself as a Bavarian-style village. But Federal Way came first, and he designed the yellow building with the clock tower as a replica of the city hall in his hometown of Freiburg, Germany.

The clock tower contained not only a clock, but also a 290-pound bell, cast in Holland, that chimed the musical note E at the top of every hour.

After 1970, Old World Square fell into disrepair along with the rest of Federal Shopping Way. In 1994, two thieves stripped the copper from the clock tower in broad daylight. A year later the clock tower was dismantled to make way for new construction.

Now the bell has been reinstalled in front of the Historical Society of Federal Way's office, and its familiar tone can be heard again. For more information about the bell, see the special report that was researched and written up by Historical Society member Dick Caster. Contact the Historical Society of Federal Way at 253-945-7842 or contactus@federalwayhistory.org.

Flow With the Glow

When it comes to annual hometown festivals, Burien hosts one of the loveliest events anywhere. Burien Arts-A-Glow is a lantern festival that encourages hands-on participation. Over the last month, the studios over at Moshier Art Center have been filled with local folks using various techniques to craft their own lanterns.

On Saturday, September 18, you’ll get to see them all as people come together for “the Glow.” For Johnny-come-latelys, there will be a Lantern Creation Station where you can fashion your own last-minute lantern. There’ll also be face-painting, live music, an art walk, and a tent hosting a Russian tea room with treats from local eateries. Then at dusk, with lanterns alight and aloft, everyone will come together in a luminous procession through the streets of Burien. For more information, visit the SoCoCulture calendar.