Sometimes you just have to get out of the house and explore something new.
When I'm in this kind of mood I become very impressionable to suggestion, and that's why I listen to NPR. I love public radio! How else can you find out about these backyard treasures?
About a month ago they did a little blurb on the amazing Japanese gardens located in South Seattle called Kubota. I was thinking about visiting that part when I heard from the same radio program about another fascinating event. There is a composer who is doing site-specific mini-operas about water. He chooses the sites around some form of water for this element is the only instrument to accompany the singer. (A percussionist manipulates the water with various other tools to create rhythm) As you can see by the pictures, a couple of the sites where they performed was located at the Kubota Gardens.
It was such a lovely afternoon! First there was chilled melon soup and a plate of ham and baguette at my favorite French bistro in town. Then through the summer heat and sticky bus seats, my love and I made it to the cool and refreshing gardens for this unusual outdoor concert.
The arias floated through the manicured trees as gracefully as the fish swimming in the streams. It was all expertly done, and has gotten me thinking towards site-specificity again.....
If you want to learn more about the gardens or the "Bottled" operas, then check these out:
http://www.kubota.org/
http://hearbyron.com/
