06/12/09 10 Days Out

Friday, June 12

* After two preliminary rounds, the 62 hopefuls who tried out for the Yakima's Got Talent contest have been paired down to the Top 10. They take the stage at 7:30 tonight at The Seasons, 101 N. Naches Ave.

A panel of judges selected the finalists, but the winner of this talent show (and fundraiser for The Seasons) will be determined by the audience. Here's who'll be vying for your applause:

* Gabe Merrill-Steskal, classical pianist.

* Dora Barnes, Broadway-style vocalist.

* Gary Malner, accordion player.

* Jessica Corn, rootsy vocalist.

* Christy Hunziker, old-time fiddler with guitar.

* Da Maestros, hip-hop/break dance troupe.

* Nikki Jay, easy-listening singer and guitarist.

* Podunk Funk, Nick Sokol's mandolin, guitar and bass trio.

* Maggie Orvald, classical vocalist.

* Sam Geho, country singer.

Tickets for tonight's grand finale cost $15 to $30 and are available through The Seasons box office. Call 509-453-1888 or visit www.theseasonsyakima.com. (Only the $25 tickets are available online.)

The winner takes home $500 and a limo ride to Seattle for a weekend getaway.

Friday, June 12-Sunday, June 14

* The Rainbow Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church of Yakima and the newly formed Central Washington Diversity Coalition have organized several events for Yakima Pride Weekend, which kicks off at 8 tonight with a casual meet-and-greet at Goody's Restaurant, 1203 N. First St.

The Pride Weekend festivities continue with these events:

* 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday -- Rainbow Pride Dance at Rainbow Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church of Yakima, 225 N. Second St. Admission is $8. Ages 21 and older only.

* Noon to midnight Sunday -- Pride Family Barbecue and Shindig at Club 54, 2014 S. First St.

The barbecue includes hamburgers and hot dogs, salads, chips and watermelon. Cost is $5.

There'll also be kids' games, face painting, a drum circle, a mass wedding service at 2 p.m., the presentation of Miss and Mr. Gay Yakima, and performances by the Royal Knights drag troupe, a local rock band, the Yakima Drag Queens and singer-keyboardist Rob Sherwood.

The dance, for ages 21 and older, starts at 9 p.m. Admission is $12, or $10 with two nonperishable food donations. Ages 60 and older are free.

* 6:30 p.m. Sunday -- Pride worship service at Rainbow Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church of Yakima, 225 N. Second St.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/474531700, e-mail YakPride@live.com or call Rob Sherwood at 509-901-0868.

ALSO, THE 1ST FRIDAYS organization is hosting a couple of events:

* 5-11 p.m. today -- Wine tasting and honoring activist Marilyn June Tellez at Tim's Downtown Tasting Room, 312 E. Yakima Ave.

* Noon-6 p.m. Saturday -- Pride in the Park at Franklin Park.

* 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Saturday -- Pride Dance and You Make the Difference Awards from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the Howard Johnson Plaza, 9 N. Ninth St. Admission is $10 for the all-ages dance.

For more information on these events, call 509-576-0276.

Saturday, June 13

* In 1982, Bert Grant made Yakima the birthplace of the craft brewing revolution when he founded Yakima Brewery & Malting Co. and opened Grant's Brewery Pub, considered to be the first brewpub since Prohibition.

On Saturday, Yakima Craft Brewing Co. -- which brews with Grant's original copper boil kettle -- will uncap an homage to that brewing history, an amber ale aptly called 1982.

"We decided to do one that's reminiscent of that time," brewmaster Jeff Winn says about the malty beer made with local Cascade hops.

"It's a simple and straightforward beer you would have had back then," says Winn. "Today's craft beer is all over the map."

The new brew -- 5.4 percent alcohol and 45 IBUs for you beer-ophiles out there -- will be unveiled from 3-6 p.m. Saturday at Bert's Pub (which is also named in honor of Grant) in the basement of Glenwood Square, 5110 Tieton Drive.

"It seemed fitting to do it at Bert's," says Winn.

* At Two Mountain Winery, your sidewalk drawing could become a work of art -- or at least a wine label -- during Saturday's fourth annual Chalk Party, a benefit for the Pegasus Project Therapeutic Riding Center.

Artists of all ages can express themselves, via chalk, on Two Mountain's cement tasting room floor and enter the chalk art contest. The winning design will adorn the label of a Two Mountain wine.

The chalk party runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the winery, 2151 Cheyne Road in Zillah. While there, visitors can enjoy food, live music and a special appearance by 3-D chalk artist Steve Platt.

The event is free, but donations will be accepted for the Pegasus Project, which provides therapeutic riding and equine-related activities to those with special needs and disabilities.

For more information, call Two Mountain at 509-829-3900.