Wild Summer Nights will continue to entertain guests with live Jazz on Thursday evenings from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at The Shops at The Bravern, now through September 16th at the outdoor fireplace just off the 110th Ave arrival court.

Tickets to the events are $5 and include appetizers. Ticket proceeds directly benefit the Hopelink organization and can be purchased in advance at the Concierge Desk in Building 1 or at the event.

Jul 29 – Eli Rosenblatt
Aug 5 – How Now Brown Cow
Aug 12 – Ty Bailie B3 Trio featuring “End Summer Hunger” event
Aug 19 – Alisha Roney
Aug 26 – Geoffrey Castle
Sept 2 – Soul Kata
Sept 9 – James Baumgart
Sept 16 – Dan Rapport

He will be signing his book Win Forever, Live, Work, and Play Like a Champion. He will only be signing the book, no other types of memorabilia. To ensure the opportunity to get the book signed, Barnes & Noble will be distributing wristbands at 9am on Friday.

626 106th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
425-451-8463

July 23rd – 25th Downtown Bellevue will play host to the annual Bellevue Arts Museum Artsfair, 6th Street Fair, and the Bellevue Festival of the Arts. Each fair is free and has its own unique arts and events:

Bellevue Arts Museum Artsfair
This year marks the 64th annual Bellevue Arts Museum Artsfair. The Artsfair is the largest juried arts event in the Pacific Northwest, with over 300 select artists from all over the country and 350,000 visitors annually. There are several family-friendly programs throughout the weekend.  Events and activities include: a demonstration station, Chalk Mural, Kidsfair, Sound & Movement Stage, & Chalk It Up!

The fair takes place throughout the Bellevue Collection on Friday and Saturday, from 9:30am – 9:30pm and Sunday, from 9:30am – 6pm. The Bellevue Arts Museum Artsfair is largely sponsored by Microsoft and Overlake Hospital.

6th Street Fair
The 6th Street Fair, which is produced by the Bellevue Downtown Association, has a 40-year tradition in Downtown Bellevue. This year’s fair is expected to have over 130 jury-selected artists and over 300,000 fair-goers. The fair hours vary a bit from the Bellevue Arts Museum Artsfair; it’s from 10am – 8pm Friday and Saturday and then on Sunday from 10am – 6pm.

The 6th Street Fair also features some great food and refreshments. The event will be located at NE 6th Street and 106th Ave NE near the Galleria.

Bellevue Festival of the Arts
The Bellevue Festival of the Arts is located in the Cost Plus World Market parking lot across the way from Bellevue Square, where the Bellevue Arts Museum Artsfair will be taking place simultaneously. The event is in its 26th year and features 180 talented artists and crafts people in the Northwest and beyond. The hours of this event are 10am – 8pm on Friday and Saturday and on Sunday from 10am – 6pm.

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill

The Jose Gonzales Trio will play jazz music during brunch from 11am – 3pm (band starts at 11:30am) and guests can enjoy Jose Gonzales on keyboard and vocals, Lamar Lofton on bass, and Lionel Kramer on drums. Brunch menu items range from the Barbacoa Beef Breakfast Enchiladas to Eggs Benedict and Bananas Foster French Toast, along with a Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar for $3.50. All breakfast items at Z’Tejas begin with a freshly baked muffin and a bowl of fruit sorbet. Haven’t been before? You’re in for a treat!

El Gaucho is hosting its 2nd annual Pour On The Plaza summer celebration with amazing wine and food on Saturday, August 14th from 2pm – 5pm. Over 25 of the Northwest’s best wineries and local restaurants will be offering wine tastings and delicious appetizers. Guests will enjoy a swanky afternoon on the City Center Plaza while listening to the cool sounds from Brian Nova.

This year’s event will also support Room to Read, a global organization focused on literacy and gender equality in education. A portion of the event proceeds and retail wine sales will go directly to Room to Read.

Reserve your tickets online or by calling El Gaucho at 425-455-2715.

Below are the restaurants and wineries that will be featured:

Restaurants

• El Gaucho
• Wild Ginger
• Melting Pot
• Grand Cru

Wineries

• Alexandria Nicole Cellars
• Andrew Will
• Barons V
• Col Solare
• Darby Winery
• DeLILLE Cellars
• Domaine Drouhin
• Domaine Serene
• Dunham Cellars
• Efeste
• Elevation Cellars
• Fidelitas
• Gorman Winery
• Lachini Vineyards
• L’Ecole
• Long Shadows
• Mark Ryan Winery
• Northstar
• Novelty Hill
• Pepper Bridge
• Sparkman Cellars
• Stevens Winery
• SYZYGY
• Va Piano Vineyards
• Woodhouse Family Cellars
• Woodward Canyon

Bellevue Fashion Week 2010 will take place August 25th – August 29th. The week’s showcase event, titled ‘Front Row Fashion,’ will again take place at The Bellevue Collection, at the Hyatt on Saturday, August 28th. Vogue Magazine’s, ‘Front Row Fashion’ event will Benefit The Moyer Foundation.

The fee for “all-access tickets” is $125. This pass includes a myriad of perks: valet parking, access to the private lounge, where appetizers and drinks will be served, a $50 gift certificate to The Bellevue Collection, and lastly, admission to The VIP Shopping Night, immediately following the evening’s fall fashion show.

General admission tickets for ‘Front Row Fashion’ are $75, which includes a $20 gift certificate to The Bellevue Collection, drinks & appetizers, and admission to the VIP Shopping Night, as well. A complimentary Bellevue Collection swag bag will be given to all event attendees. To book your tickets for the show click here.

One surprising change to this year’s Fashion Week will be the noticeable absence of Nordstrom’s Fall Fashion Show. The Nordstrom Fall Fashion Show, for four years, had traditionally kicked off Bellevue Fashion Week. See below for the full list of the premier events during Bellevue’s Fall Fashion Week at The Bellevue Collection:

PREMIER EVENTS

AUGUST 24 – 29
CFDA American Fashion Collection Photo Exhibit
August 16 – 29
Bellevue Square
In partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Assouline Publishing, Vogue presents the American Fashion Collection as an exhibit at Bellevue Square. The fashion installation will showcase still photography from the American Fashion Collection series of books.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26
5: Fitness | Function | Fun | Fearless | Fashion
Thursday, August 26
lululemon athletica
Evergreen Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Bellevue
Doors open at 7:30 pm, Show starts at 8:30 pm. lululemon athletica celebrates 5 years in Bellevue. A party to remember that will leave you inspired. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at lululemon athletica in Bellevue Square. For more information call: 425.462.5530. All proceeds will support Islandwood.

Forever In Fashion
Thursday, August 26
Tiffany & Co.
6 – 8 pm
Tiffany & Co. invites you to discover a spectacular array of iconic Tiffany jewelry and the art of putting it all together. Invitation Only. Limited Availability. For more information please call 425.451.8844 or email bellevue@tiffany.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28
Front Row Fashion
Saturday, August 28
Presented by Vogue and The Bellevue Collection
To Benefit The Moyer Foundation
Doors open at 5:30 pm; Show starts at 7:30 pm. Vogue brings the fall trends straight from the pages of the magazine to the runway offering Vogue’s insight on fall trends and how to wear fall fashions available at The Bellevue Collection. 100% of the Ticket Price Benefits The Moyer Foundation. Must be 21 or over. Hyatt Regency Evergreen Ballroom

All Access Tickets
$125
Your fashion experience includes complimentary valet parking, access to the private lounge where you’ll enjoy drinks and appetizers, entrance to the show, early preferred seating in rows one and two, an exclusive All Access swag bag, a $50 gift certificate to The Bellevue Collection and admittance to VIP Shopping Night following the show. Limited number of tickets are available.. Must be 21 or over.

Click here to purchase your Front Row Fashion – All Access tickets.

General Admission Tickets
$75
Your fashion experience includes drinks and appetizers, entrance to the show, swag bag, a $20 gift certificate to The Bellevue Collection and admittance to the VIP Shopping Night following the show. Must be 21 or over.

Click here to purchase your Front Row Fashion – General Admission tickets.

VIP Shopping Night at The Bellevue Collection
Saturday, August 28
8 – 10 pm
Bellevue Square Center Court
Have it all at your fingertips with decadent desserts, fashionable in-store events and a $20 gift certificate from The Bellevue Collection. You’ll also be privy to exclusive offers from select Bellevue Collection stores open late just for you. Participating stores will remain open until 10 pm. Event is for all ages and cost is $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Space is limited. 100% of Ticket Price Benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bellevue.

Click here to purchase your VIP Shopping Night tickets.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29
Freestyle Theory
Sunday, August 29
Presented by SEVEN the Salon and Zebraclub
Evergreen Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Bellevue
Free your individuality and define your unique theory of style. SEVEN the Salon and Zebraclub ignite the runway with cutting edge designs. Cocktails at 7 pm Show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $50 and exclusively available at all SEVEN the Salon and Zebraclub locations. For additional information please call SEVEN the Salon at 425.289.1777 or Zebraclub at 425.450.5542.

More In-Store Events to Follow

So, the summer is being a bit of a diva this year, choosing its sunny days accordingly, but summer’s slow arrival isn’t preventing The Bravern from making the most of the season, celebrating with summer concerts, Wild Summer Nights. The concert series began on Thursday, June 24th. Concerts will continue on Thursday evenings at The Bravern, from 5:30 PM -7:30, through September 16. The concerts are being on the west side of The Bravern, outside of The Wild Ginger Restaurant, next to fireplace. Live music, cocktails and Asian-styled appetizers from prepared by The Wild Ginger will be served. Event tickets are $5, with proceeds going directly to the local charity, supporting Hopelink’s End Summer Hunger campaign.

The premiere concert of Wild Summer Night, on June 24th, opened to sold-out crowds. The July 1st event proved that a good party doesn’t let a little rain ruin the fun. The jazz stylings of “Das Schwa”, as well as the local jazz duo of Justin Sorensen on vibraphone and Geoff Larson on double bass, performing as “Das Vibenbass”, filled the space with their cool, atmospheric sounds. In the event of future rainy evenings, the series will move indoors again, occurring at the former location of the Artisanal Table. Music lovers, take note – The Wild Ginger’s connection to Seattle’s premiere music venue, The Triple Door, provides The Bravern with the opportunity to showcase well-known jazz performers, like Das Vibenbass. So mark your calendars with the July 8th performance of Dan Rapport, “The Ty Bailey B3 Trio” on July 15th, and Darrius Willrich on July 22nd.

Light appetizers are served that take nods from Wild Ginger’s dim sum and regular menu, like crisp, lightly-sweet sesame dumplings or their chicken and glass noodle salad wrapped in translucent rice sheets. Every week’s appetizers will be different and it’s an opportunity for people to sample some new things their kitchen is playing with for party food. Signature cocktails like a summery Ginger Lemondrop, along with beer and wine are available at the event’s cash bar.

Because it’s a different performer every week and a new menu, the Wild Summer Nights events offer a new experience every time. To keep the party lively, there’s a special surprise promised for the July 8th event. Along with the performance by Dan Rapport, another special treat is planned, so make sure you get your ticket at The Bravern’s concierge desk early, before they sell out!

The Bravern
11111 NE 8th Street, Suite 5
425-456-8780

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Sky Deck is open from 11am – 9pm daily depending on weather, and reservations are not required. However, you may reserve the Sky Deck for special events.

The Parlor’s food and cocktail menu have been revamped, which makes for a great excuse to visit the Sky Deck soon!

The long rows of gleaming bottles that stretch out towards the back of Pete’s Wine Shop is impressive, with shelves decorated with bright tags listing wallet-friendly prices on quality wines. First-time visitors to the store are often taken aback by the wide selection of wine and beer in the unassuming corner space in Bellevue Plaza, an older retail center nestled between all the new buildings in Downtown Bellevue. Pete’s has been a go-to wine resource for 20 years, proving that — like a good wine — time, experience, and good character can make something truly exceptional.

Opening its doors in 1990, Pete’s Wine Shop in Bellevue was the Eastside counterpart to the Seattle store on Lake Union, which opened in 1971. Pete’s in Bellevue took over a space that was previously a restaurant, clearing out all the booths and dividers to make a spacious shopping experience. Jan Hunsley recalls a customer coming in and remembering the previous life of the store as a restaurant, pointing out where the dance floor used to be. Jan knows the history of Pete’s Wine Shop well, as before taking over as manager in April of this year, she had worked at this location for over 12 years, watching the shelves expand in wine choices and seeing the local love for this store remain the same as the city developed and grew around it.

What has kept Pete’s Wine Shop such a successful business is its discount pricing on wines of all types, from the everyday favorites to special occasion bottles. Their markups tend to be lower than grocery stores and wine boutiques, and their large selection of wine, all bought directly from the winemakers, experience a high turnover rate. They also have a sizeable beer selection, offering wide-market brands as well as rare, limited edition bottles from microbreweries. The most notable thing about Pete’s is the staff itself, a knowledgeable group resource of wine information, with most of the people previously being loyal customers before eventually working at the store. They happily talk shop with fellow wine enthusiasts, as they would share recommendations with a first-time visitor who might feel overwhelmed by all the choices. The shopping experience is meant to be relaxed and un-fussy –- it really is all about the wine and trying to find the best fit for a person’s tastes.

Wandering the rows of bottles is like a trip around the world. Over 12 countries are represented in Pete’s collection, including wines from classic locales like Italy and France, as well as countries gaining momentum in the world of wine production like New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa, and Austria.

For those wanting to uncork something local, Pete’s has an equally comprehensive selection of Washington wines to highlight the region’s own growing profile as a notable wine producer. Starting this summer, Pete’s will be having periodic weekday tasting events with a local focus. The first event on July 1st, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm will focus on Woodinville wineries, spotlighting selections from Pomum, Stevens, and Darby. Along with these new summer tasting events, Pete’s continues to have its regular weekend tastings from 3pm – 7pm every Saturday at their tasting bar towards the back of the store.

Pete’s Wine Shop
134 105th NE Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: 425.454.1100
Mon. – Fri. 10am – 8pm, Sat. 10am – 7pm, Sun. 11am – 5pm

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The first week of the series will begin with Jazz at Skyline Tower on July 6th, followed by Falmenco Soul at Bellevue City Hall on July 7th.

Enjoy the concerts in outdoor plazas throughout Downtown Bellevue every Tuesday and Wednesday; Thursday concerts can be found at Bellevue Galleria’s Compass Plaza.

Live at Lunch concerts will also host sign-ups for BDA’s Walk Downtown Bellevue campaign – it’s a fun way to be active and explore the Downtown Bellevue. Participants will receive a free starter kit, pedometer, water bottle, walking map, reusable shopping bag, and more.

The annual Rockaraoke contest will be held on August 19th. The winner will receive lunch for 2 for 1 year at Tap House Grill.

2010 Live at Lunch Concert Series Schedule