by Mercy Moosemuzzle - SGN A&E Writer

Seattle Chamber Music Festival
Reality and Clarity joined Mercy for Seattle Chamber Music Festival opening night, July 2, at Benaroya Hall. The pre-recital involved Marc-Andre Hamelin playing piano on a theme and variations he had composed. Mercy thought it was delicious. Clarity felt Hamelin was channeling Chopin.

Mercy thought the rendition of Beethoven's 'Variations for Violin, Cello, and Piano in E Flat Major, Op. 44' that followed, with Erin Keefe on violin, Edward Arron on cello, and Jeewon Park on piano, was ecstatic. Reality thought it was incredibly tight. Bartok's 'Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano, Sz. 75,' with James Ehnes on violin and Jon Kimura Parker on piano, was passionate. Reality pointed out the violinist broke several strings. The performance earned a standing ovation.

Brahms' 'Quintet for Piano and Strings in F minor, Op. 34,' with Andrew Wan and Augustin Hadelich on violin, David Harding on viola, Bion Tsang on cello, and Hamelin on piano, was well-tempered. Reality said it was wonderful and powerful. It also received a standing ovation.

k.d. lang and Siss Boom Bang
Mercy and Cuteness enjoyed k.d. lang at ZooTunes, July 3, a lot. The warm-up band, Milk Carton Kids, played nice folk. Mercy found k.d.'s performance energetic and big. Cuteness thought she had an amazing voice. Her back-up band, the Siss Boom Bang, was fantastic. The combination of originals and covers went well. High points were 'Sing It Loud,' 'Constant Craving,' 'Hallelujah,' 'After the Gold Rush,' 'Miss Chatelaine,' and 'Big Boned Gal.' There were six standing ovations and encores.

Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury
Mercy and Cuteness liked the Storm vs. Mercury game at Key Arena, July 8. Going into the game, the Storm's win-loss record was 7-9, while the Mercury's was 4-12. Diana Taurasi, one of Phoenix's strongest players, had been out with a hip injury for 15 games, which helps explain why the team has been losing so much. Penny Taylor on their team was also out with an ACL injury. Our Tina Thompson was out with knee problems, and Ann Wauters with a rolled ankle. Mercy missed Lauren Jackson, who was training with the Australian team for the Olympics.

Seattle dominated the first quarter, 22-12. The same was true going into the half, 45-28. The third quarter ended 65-45. Sometimes the Storm has trouble keeping a lead to the end, but that was not the case with this game. We won 83-68. Sue Bird was named Player of the Game.

Cuteness said, 'Phoenix was missing some of their key players. Seattle was also missing two. Sue Bird scored 31. Her career high was 33, 10 years ago. Camille Little scored 18.

'There were a lot of fouls on both sides. The fans were thrilled to have Svetlana Abrosimova (we call her Bossa Nova) back.

'It is great that Sue Bird is going to be on the U.S. Olympic team. She will see her friend, Lauren Jackson, there. Swin Cash, former Storm player, is going to be on the team, too. It is unknown whether Diana Taurasi will be in good enough health to play.'

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