Song of Songs

First, we'll go to St. James cathedral, where we will listen to Seattle Pro Musica's dress rehearsal for it's upcoming performance of Song of Songs.  It is the premiere choir in the Northwest.  It has over 70 people in it.  One of those people is Kavana's own Deb Arnold (!) and she'll be leying/chanting part of the traditional text (yes, in the cathedral.  Definitely unorthodox.)  We'll also hear the entire choir sing the text in a Hebrew/Latin/English combo.  Church accoustics + Deb's amazing voice + 69 other amazing voices = wow!  
 
Then, we shall repair to the Sorrento Hotel, where we will lounge in the Hunt Club or the Fireside Chamber (i.e. one of the hotel's bars) and study a portion of the text from the Song of Songs, led by Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum.  (Yes, you can study the bible's greatest romance while nursing a martini.)

Date:  Wed. May 12, 2010
Time:  6:45-9pm.  (Dress rehearsal at the cathedral from 7-8pm, text study/discussion in the hotel bar from 8-9pm.)
Cost:  Free (except for any drinks & snacks you buy at the hotel.)

Important:  Please arrive at the south entrance to the church, off Columbia, by 6:45pm.  For security reasons, they will let us in, as a group, at 7pm sharp.  Not Jewish-time.  After 7pm, the doors will close and stay closed.  (Not joking!) 

Da House Rules:  It turns out the archdiocese is really strict about the real estate.  So, please treat the building with respect - no food or drink, do not play with the altar, do not dunk anything in the baptismal pool, and turn all cell phones off or the conductor will plotz. 

Here is a map TO the church, and to the hotel.  Note that they are a block apart. 

Here is a map OF the church (not pictured on the map are the two buildings to the south of the cathedral, i.e. between the cathedral and Columbia St.  You simply walk up a wide path between the two buildings and head straight and voila, you will end up at the correct entrance.)

As for the choir's actual performance of Song of Songs, it's May 14 and 15.  For more information, or to purchase tickets, see www.seattlepromusica.org.  (There is a 15% discount for tickets purchased online before May 10 using the special Kavana discount code: Kavana36.)