Erin Adair

SEAVIEW, Wash. – Hold the time and date – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, when the public is invited to a celebratory evening at the historic Sou’wester Lodge in Seaview, Wash. Innkeeper Len Atkins cautions attendees to “leave the last course of your supper untouched.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Awaiting guests’ arrival will be an Elysian field of homemade desserts. “This array of temptation is a labor of love,” said Atkins, “provided by some of the many persons of goodwill who, unsung, work to protect Seaview’s unique dunes against predatory developers.” All proceeds from the evening support that cause.

At 7:30 p.m., celebration of the “Love of Food” gives way to celebration of Shakespeare’s “Food of Love.” The Sou’wester plays on with distinguished Northwest flutists Erin Adair and Janeen Field. The duo celebrate their 20th anniversary performance at the Sou’wester. They first charmed listeners at the historic lodge in 1986.

The audience will luxuriate in musical delights originally the prerogative of crowned heads of Europe, its landed gentry, the clergy and a rising mercantile class – the “Who’s Who” of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras. Among others, composers will include Francis Couperin,George Phillip Telemann, Wilhelm Friedeman Bach, Frederick Kuhlau, Johann Joachim Quantz and Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Gottlieb Mozart.

Adair is an active freelance musician performing throughout the Pacific Northwest. She holds the chair of principal flutist with the Rose City Orchestra in Portland, the Newport Symphony Orchestra and the Linfield Chamber Orchestra. In recent summers, Adair has toured Europe with the Central New York Symphony and with the Santa Monica Chamber Orchestra.

Since 1976, Field has been both performer and teacher of music and dance. Her collaboration with Adair began 25 years ago, when they shared the position of principal flutist with Seattle’s Broadway Orchestra. Field performed as principal flutist with Orchestra Seattle for 12 years. In addition to being a member of the Prevailing Winds trio, and the Prevailing Winds Woodwind Quintet, Field has performed with the Pacific Northwest Chamber Orchestra and with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. A dancer and teacher of dance, Field also directs, performs with and arranges music for two tango bands, Tango Divino and Avanzado.

Adair and Field were featured performers at the 1997 Long Beach Peninsula Water Music Festival.

Finally, the evening also celebrates 24 years since the Sou’wester began what is believed to be a nationally unique ongoing series of cultural events, in December 1982.

For all this celebratory seasonal revelry, there is a suggested donation of $10 per person. The artists, the lodge and Friends of Seaview volunteers provide their services free. All proceeds help to protect the dunes from developers.

Everyone is welcome. Because of limited seating, however, advance reservations are recommended. They may be made by phoning the Sou’wester at (360) 642-2542.