Cavalia brings the magic of horses

In Cavalia, opening this week at Marymoor Park, the equine power and beauty of horses meets the agility and grace of human circus performers. Jan. 18-Feb. 5. $17.50-$179.50. Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, Redmond. 866-999-8111, www.cavalia.net

Gilbert and Sullivan at the Pantages

The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players present “I’ve Got a Little Twist,” a medley of the famous 19^th-century musical writers’ best hits (“The Mikado,” “HMS Pinafore”) mashed with more modern faves like “The Music Man.” 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14. $26/$36/$46/$59. Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma. 253-591-5894, …

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Cantus sings a World War I Christmas

All-male a cappella vocal ensemble Cantus recreates Christmas of 1914, when a young German soldier initiated a one-night truce of music and peace by singing “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”). Presented by the Broadway Center. 3 p.m. Dec. 3 (pre-show lecture 2 p.m.). $42/$52. Urban Grace Church, 902 Market St., Tacoma. 253-291-5894, www.broadwaycenter.org

Vashon Island Art Studio Tour

Over 40 studios open their doors this and next weekend for the annual Vashon Island Holiday Art Studio Tour. With media including fiber art, glass, jewelry, wood, candles, pottery, tile, mosaic, paper …

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The Tacoma Arts Commission has announced the recipients of its 2011 AMOCAT Arts Awards, given in three separate categories plus one more created for the 10^th year of the commission’s Art at Work Month. The new Arts Leadership award goes to David Fischer, executive director of arts presenter/manager the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts; the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation receive the Arts Patron award; the D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts receives the award for Community Outreach by an organization while the Community Outreach award by an artist goes to poet and filmmaker Stella …

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The Tacoma Philharmonic, a classical music presenter now approaching its 75^th anniversary, recently announced that, following the resignation of executive director Andy Wood, its management would be contracted out to the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, which manages and presents for Tacoma’s three downtown city-owned theaters. The contract is for one year, during which the Philharmonic board would reappraise its strategies.

“The Philharmonic is excited about the opportunity to strengthen our programs and operations as we face the new challenges of the 21^st century,” said Philharmonic board president Karen Seinfeld. “The team at the Broadway Center will …

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Cirque Mechanics at the Pantages

Cirque Mechanics of “Birdhouse Factory” fame are back in town with a world premiere opening tonight: “Boomtown,” circus set in the Gold Rush era. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 and 2. $28/$38/$48/$64. Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma. 253-591-5894, www.broadwaycenter.org

Speakeasy circus

Circus gets kooky at the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative late tonight, with local bands and DJs, performers from Seattle’s SANCA circus school and guest artists unleashing the dark side of circus. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. tonight. $10 (ages 21+). Speakeasy Arts Cooperative, 543 Broadway, Tacoma. 253-426-5704, www.speakeasyartscooperative.com

MOVE! dance show #17

The dancers at MLKBallet bring the …

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The Broadway Center for Performing Arts has announced the prizewinners of its Dream Home Raffle, an awareness-raiser for the organization that manages Tacoma’s downtown theaters. The raffle, the first of its kind in Washington state, has been ongoing since early this year, and has already seen two early draws on February 14 and April 15.

The winners of the final draw, announced Saturday evening, were Sandra Kennewick of Bellevue (Grand Prize, $25,000), Carol Simatic of Tacoma (1^st Prize, $7,500), Sue Larson of Dupont (2^nd Prize, $5,000 or 10-day cruise), Lindsay Helser of Tacoma (3^rd Prize, $1,500 or seven-night vacation in …

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Tacoma’s Broadway Center for Performing Arts is just one of two Washington presenting organizations to win a $15,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in its 2010 Access to Artistic Excellence program, it announced today. The grant was awarded in recognition of the BCPA’s 2010 program of high-quality, community-driven and diverse arts presentations.

Specifically, the NEA money will fund five upcoming shows that were chosen in response to recent dialogues between the BCPA and various local community segments such as the African American and GLBT communities. The five shows are: Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble (Jan. …

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