Blake is in town; tribute to Rostropovich; Kundig wins architecture award

Blake's safe -- and he and "American Idol" will be in town today.

"Idol" follows Blake Lewis home for the show's "hometowns" episodes next week. The show will include hometown footage of all three finalists (Blake, Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle). Here's Blake's schedule on Friday:

• 8 a.m.: Performance on Q13 FOX "News This Morning."

• 12:15 p.m.: Mini-concert at Westlake Mall, downtown Seattle, with local band Arisawkadoria.

• 3:30 p.m.: Parade on Main Street in downtown Bothell, ending at Main and Highway 527. At 4 p.m. Blake will perform in the park at Bothell Landing, 9919 N.E. 180th St.

• 7:05 p.m.: Blake sings the national anthem at the Seattle Mariners game at Safeco Field against the New York Yankees.

Florangela Davila, Seattle Times TV writer

Staff changes at KCTS

Dick Warsinske, who served as general manager at KOMO-TV for 14 years, has been named interim vice president of operations and general manager of KCTS Television. He will oversee the station's programming, production, Web and engineering areas, as well as corporate development and communications.

Randy Brinson, former general manager, has been appointed to the newly created position of executive director of content development. William "Bill" Mohler remains KCTS president and CEO.

Florangela Davila, Seattle Times TV writer

Seattle architect gets national award

Seattle architect Tom Kundig, of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen, on Wednesday will receive an Academy Award in Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York. The awards are given annually to honor distinctive American architects, and this year's winners include Eric Owen Moss, Wes Jones and Lebbeus Woods.

Kundig is known for creating contemplative spaces and buildings that connect with their environment. Among his current projects are Pratt Fine Arts Center and a 37-story tower in downtown Seattle. He was recently honored with two American Institute of Architects awards for his Delta Shelter in Mazama and Tye River Cabin in Skykomish.

Sheila Farr, Seattle Times art critic

Roman to play in Rostropovich tributes

Seattle Symphony principal cellist Joshua Roman will play three concertos on a single program with the Northwest Sinfonietta at Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. July 7. The program, dedicated to the memory of the late, great cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, will be repeated at 4 p.m. July 8 in Town Hall and at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 in Tacoma's Rialto Theater. The 23-year-old cellist, whose sold-out recital last March was widely praised, will play concertos of Haydn, Schumann and Shostakovich (No. 1) with Christophe Chagnard conducting.

"For me, nothing compares to the experience of sharing music with an audience," Roman said. "These are three of the greatest works written for the cello, and I'm thrilled to be able to present them on a single program."

Tickets: $25 ($100 for preferred seating and a post-concert party with Roman and Chagnard), through www.brownpapertickets.com or the Northwest Sinfonietta (253-284-9400 or 888-356-6040, or www.orchestraexperience.com -- click on "announcements").

Melinda Bargreen, Seattle Times music critic