Gretchen Christopher, February cover, and featured interview of Northwest Jazz Profile Magazine.  by Victoria MacDonald, (Click photo to enlarge)
	Inside photo by Ramona Dorian-Bodenbender. Available at venues throughout the Northwest  (Click photo to enlarge)

Featured Quote-

" It's very different for me to not have a producer because, in Hollywood, we adjust, we were told when the studio times were, and it was all set up- the studio musicians, everything, and we had some fine jazz players. We would arrange and rehearse counterpoint, and harmonies, a cappella, all day, we'd record at night. The Fleetwoods would finish, and Sinatra's come in... For complete text of Gretchen's "Cover shot" and interview (Page 1), (Page 2) and (Page 3-"Cover shot.).

Gretchen Christopher interviewed on Radio KBSG by Mark Christopher in support of the Venture's campaign for induction into Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Pisces Birthday of Fellow Singer, Dick 'n' Dee Dee's Sandy St. John and LILLIAN GRAY HELMER, Grammy Gretchen's 4th "Grammy" Award. Gretchen's 4th "Grammy" Award; unexpectedly delivered (by C section) on Grammy Gretchen's birthday (or near as one can get, on a non-Leap Year.) Congratulations proud parents, KIMARI & CHRISTOPHER HELMER (and "big sister" KAMIEL (2-1/2 years.) Providence St. Peter's Hospital, Olympia, WA (Click photo to enlarge)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL PISCES FRIENDS

Olympia City Council Meeting; Gretchen offers to give the community a trio of singing peacocks (Gretch(hen), Lady, and
Mr. Blue) to restore history and beauty to Priest Point Park on its Centennial.

( Click here to read full text of letter sent to Mayor and Council.)

Gretchen Christopher interviewed by KATHERINE TAM and peacocks photographed by TONI L. BAILEY for the OLYMPIAN. Olympia, WA

GRETCHEN, guest of Grammy Award Winning Producer ART GRENSHAW, for elegant lunch at ZODIAC ROOM in Neiman Marcus. Dallas, TEXAS. Then back to studio, where Art, Gretchen and Phil listen to new recordings of
"Come Softly to Me" (and make CD reference copies of all other recordings for her listening, selecting.)

Happy Birthday, Victoria MacDonald

(Memories:  When BEACH BOYS founder BRIAN WILSON and his wife were waiting to get into see us, and other of United Artists, in a special show at Whiskey A-Go-Go, in Hollywood, mid-1970s, Brian's wife told him THE FLEETWOODS were her favorite group!)

TCTV interviews Gretchen at Priest Point Park with her peacocks' "feathers for souvenirs."

FIFTIES DINER, neat place! Vos and I are dinner guest of owner, Loren, discuss entertainment and promotion.
THE FLEETWOODS' "(He's) The Great Impostor", AMERICAN GRAFFITI soundtrack, now included on jukebox
of the FIFTIES DINER, 5th and Railroad Ave., Shelton, WA
 

"Gray Thomas Frederick Matzen, Welcome to our World" 
 

	Click here for larger image

FRIENDS & FAMILY "FOURTH" AT THE FIRS!
4PM to who knows when?

A good friend was born on the 4th of July

Which gives an additional reason why

We're gathering here at The Firs on the 4th

To celebrate Chuck and our nation of course!

It's POT LUCK; so bring something yummy to share

Food Drink or Fireworks to light the night air.

Your friends, too, are welcome to join in the feast

Vos will bring shellfish, fresh from the beach.

All ages are welcome, from my newborn first grandson

(Due June 22nd) to Mom (the Great Grand one)

Who'll be 96, the 30th of July.

Why Wait? Let's celebrate; spirits sky high!

Come after 4 (by land or by bay)

You may stay for the waterfront fireworks display

(We prefer the "beauty" instead of the "bang!"

And music is welcome (we can do our "thang"!)

Suzanne McCurley will come clear from Texas

(where I recorded some songs, which we'll play. If  you'll ask us)

So her friend and yours and our families are all welcome

"Come Softly" (or otherwise) to The Firs for some swell fun!

See you there; love to share

Gretchen (Christopher)

The Firs on Budd Inlet, Olympia, WA

(Click photos to enlarge)

CAPITAL LAKEFAIR performance of GEOFFREY CASTLE BAND, Main Stage Screenwriter VICTORIA MACDONALD, and I delivered my new Dallas track of "What Good is Pride?" to ROGER FISHER who announces,
"I'd like to dedicate this next song to LAKEFAIR'S very FIRST PRINCESS GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER!"
( The song was appropriately their softest of the evening, a Rog original about "Rain".
Heritage Park, Olympia, WASHINGTON.

6 P.M. WEDDING DANCE INSTRUCTION (Swingin' Social Dance Basics) #4 for Jamie and Joseph's wedding, August 27. The Firs on Budd Inlet, Olympia, WASHINGTON

7 P.M. WEDDING DANCE INSTRUCTION (Swingin' Social Dance Basics) #5 for Jamie and Joseph's wedding, August 27. Rehears in hoop skirt. The Firs on Budd Inlet, Olympia, WASHINGTON

(Click here to view Daniel Shumaker and Toni Naylor's wedding invitation.)

REGULAR WEEKLY WORKOUT

1 hour Body Pump, 1 hour Body Step. Take Mom out to dinner, visit, help with medical needs, do laundry, spend night at  Panorama City, WA

(Can't wait to see the video of Choreography; it was such a pleasure helping create a wedding dance that would impress friends and amaze family. Previously sent gift CD of MR. BLUE, containing "I Care So Much" to which Vos and I had demonstrated Double Swing.) CONGRATULATIONS to a beautiful couple! Port Gamble, WASHINGTON.

PLANET MARS spectacular closest to Earth, ever! Solar System UNIVERSE.

2005-2006 Season Performance Details

Rep !: Director's Choice, September 22-October 2, 2005

Peter Boal's selection of works from three of the most important choreographers of the last 100 years. An introductory gift from PNB's new Artistic Director, Boal says, "I want to give you a program to remember."

In the Night (Frederic Chopin/Jerome Robbins)

One of Robbin's most celebrated works, In the Night is a series of intimate pas de deux set to a selection of Chopin nocturnes for solo piano

Artifact II (Johann Sebastian Bach/ William Forsythe)

A stunning Forsythe masterpiece, Artifact II returns to PNB with its powerful configurations that redefine ballet for the
modern age. Duo Concertant (Igor Stravinsky/George Balanchine.)

A welcome addition to PNB's repertory. Duo features two dancers reflecting and responding to each other and to the solo violinist and pianist who join them onstage. Symphony in Three Movements' jazz-flavored score is propelled by the driving energy of a large ensemble cast in this Balanchine work characterized as raw, unleashed and dangerous.

7;30 P.M. .Sept.22-24

2:00 p.m. Sept. 24, Sept 29- Oct.1

1:00 p.m. Oct. 2 

Shake Rattle Showtime schedule of times,   (Click here for page one of times) (Click here for page two of times)

Rep 11: Past, present and Future 3-13, 2005, Mc Caw Hall, Seattle, WA

Four treasures of music and dance reveal the remarkable diversity of PNB and present a sweeping view of our past, present and future. Concerto Barocco (Johann Sebastian Bach/George Balanchine) Balanchine's consummate visualization of Bach's Double Violin impeccable staged by Francia Russell.

Jardi Tancat (Maria del Mar Bonet/ Nacho Duato)

Nacho Duato's signature work danced to haunting traditional Catalonian songs. World Premiere! (TBD/Marco Goecke)
Catch a thrilling glimpse of the future from one of today's most rapidly rising young European choreographers: Marco Goecke from his first wok for PNB.

Hail to the Conquering Hero (George Frederic Handel/Kent Stowell) Kent Stowell's magisterial tribute to the baroque splendor of Handel featuring Seattle Choral Company

7:30 p.m., Nov 3-5 and 10-12, 2:00 p.m., Nov. 5, 1:00 p.m., Nov. 13

Dick Clark, welcome back and congratulations on recovery from your stroke! We love you and look forward to your ringing in the New Year at Time Square.

"Happy Birthday, Dick Clark!"
from Gretchen Christopher

November 30th! Another year older?
Don't be "Mr. Blue"
Dick Clark, you're loved the whole world over.
These greetings attest it's true.

How many teens might have lost their way
Had Bandstand not been born?
"Lovers By Night, Strangers By Day,"
All of us would mourn.

Another man spinning hits in your place
May help them climb the roster,
But millions of us who know your face
Say, "He's The Great Imposter."

"Outside My Window," you may "Runaround"
Or retreat to your Caribbean pleasures.
Wherever you go, good wishes abound;
You're one of our national treasures.

"Goodnight My Love," you're "The Last One To Know"
"You Mean Everything To Me"
Since the first time we Fleetwoods were on your show
And sang "Come Softly To Me."

Some feel each birthday's a "Tragedy"
("Graduation's Here" and gone)
But with you, dear Dick, we're eternally young;
The music plays on and on!

- by Gretchen Christopher copyright 1992, All Rights Reserved -
 

Early photo of Gretchen and Dick	Dick and Gretchen.