Seattle, WA

We are just one week from Thanksgiving and just over a month away from Christmas. The Christmas sales are everywhere and stores are doing everything they can to lure your into their stores. Have you finished your shopping yet? I have barely even begun to shop! Oh well, what can you do? Lets look at what’s going on this weekend instead.

The State History Museum is celebrating Native Heritage in Washington State with storytelling, art demonstrations, performances, and a close-up examination of artifacts. This program has been designed to provide an interactive experience for guests to discover the traditions and ways of life of native peoples from the Pacific Northwest. While exploring the museum’s Native American collections, guests will learn about native culture and tribes through presentations and performances from various Washington tribes. Guests can expect to learn about important topics like the use of natural resources, the treaty process, and the difference between Coastal and Plateau native cultures. Observe the creation of traditional art and handle artifacts as part of the learning experience. An interactive gallery sheet invites guests to visit the entire museum, taking them beyond our Native Heritage gallery to see how native peoples have been a part of Washington’s history from the very beginning and continue to be today.

Native Heritage in Washington State
When: November 22, 2008, 1-3pm
Where: Washington State History Museum, Tacoma
$$$: $6-8

This month’s Arts Gumbo event features an African harvest celebration for families that includes live music and dance (Thu-Sat 7pm), an African marketplace (Thu-Sun 12n-8pm), drumming and dance workshops, a fashion show (Sat 3pm), and an Artists’ Reception (Sat 5pm). Advance tickets are available online.

The Odunde Festival
When: November 20th - Sunday November 23rd
Where: Rainier Valley Cultural Center
$$$: Adults $12; Children (12 & over) $10, (11 & under) $7; Family of four $30

This weekend the Nordic Heritage Museum is transformed into a Christmas marketplace with singers, dancers, and fiddlers, visits with Santa, traditional Scandinavian food, and kids’ craft activities.

Yulefest
When: 11/22/08 - 11/23/08;
Where: Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th Street, Seattle, WA
$$$: Adults $2; Children (6-12) $1, (5 & under) free

Castle Bridge Winery is offering you an opportunity to design and make your very own unique mosaic chunk candle and experience bottling your own custom labeled wine, all at the same workshop! Castle Bridge Winery and Waxen Art are teaming up for a fun afternoon. Ticket price includes one make your own candle, one bottle of wine with a personalized label (which you bottle yourself), cheese and crackers, 6 tastings or your first glass of wine. RSVP or Purchase your tickets 425-251-0983

Wine & Candle Making
When: Sunday, November 23 2008, 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Where: Castle Bridge Winery, 7645 South 180Th Street, Kent, WA
$$$: $25

Here are a couple of things happening in Bellevue this weekend:

Firstly, there is the Vasa Park Christmas Craft show is this weekend. Featuring over 95 crafters. Sounds like fun to me!

Vasa Park Christmas Craft Show
When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 20-21; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 22.
Where: 3560 W. Lake Sammamish Road S.E., Bellevue
$$$:

Secondly, featuring over 100 vendors, 120 classes and expected attendance this year at around 10,000, the PSBF is now the largest national bead show on the west coast:

The 12th Annual Puget Sound Bead Festival
When: Nov. 22-23
Where: Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way N.E.
$$$: $6 (good for both days)

Those are my pics for this weekend. have fun!