Seattle comedy contest has winner

Seattle comedy contest has winner

The 28th annual Seattle International Stand Up Comedy Competition is over, and a Salt Lake City performer who goes by the single name Marcus is getting the last laugh. He took first place in the nearly monthlong competition, winning $5,000 and a Dec. 6-8 gig at Seattle's Comedy Underground.

Other top-five finishers: Tony Boswell ( Chicago); Leif Skyving (Boise); and Northwest residents Key Lewis and Geoff Lott.

Marcus incorporates music, dance and celebrity voices into his routines. More information on his Dec. 6-8 shows: 206-628-0303, www.ticketweb.com or www.comedyunderground.com.

Seattle Times staff

"Idols" in "Black Nativity"

A trio of local singing contestants from the hit reality TV series "American Idol" will take solo turns in Intiman Theatre's holiday musical, "Black Nativity," Sunday. By far the best known is Sanjaya Malakar, the controversial entertainer who placed seventh in this year's "Idol" contest. Also appearing will be Karma Johnson (from the 2002 season of "American Idol") and Leah Vladowski (from season 2004).

All three performers are alums of Seattle singer Patrinell Wright's Total Experience Gospel Choir, which performs annually in "Black Nativity: A Gospel Song Play."

Malakar, Johnson and Vladowski will appear in the shows at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday Tickets and information for those shows and other performances of "Black Nativity," which runs through Dec. 28:206-269-1900 or www.intiman.org.

New City finds new home

Another footloose drama company has found a place to dwell on Capitol Hill. New City Theatre is now installed in its new home, a 900-square-foot performance space at 1404 18th Ave., between Union and Pike streets.

According to New City artistic director John Kazanjian, the venue is titled New City Art Center and will officially open in January with a new work by writer-actor Kristen Kosmas. The show will be followed in February, tentatively, with a Holly Hughes play presented by the New City Gay & Lesbian Theater Project.

New City also plans to host an annual festival next March that showcases work by local actors, playwrights and directors. More information: newcitytheater@comcast.net or 206-271-4430.

Misha Berson,

Seattle Times theater critic

Christmas in NW online, on CD

Ready for Christmas tunes? Then check out "Christmas in the Northwest Radio," streaming continuously online at www.christmasinthenorthwest.com, courtesy of Children's Music Fund. Steve Lawson, executive producer, said in a statement that the project is a promotion of the 10 CDs by "Christmas in the Northwest" artists, and a fundraiser for four children's hospitals in Washington and Oregon. A visit to the Web site will give listeners a link to continuous streaming of all 10 of the "Christmas in the Northwest" CDs, with no commercials.

Among the artists: Kirkland resident and Grammy nominee Stacie Orrico, the Dave Matthews Band, Harvey Danger, Heart, Pete Droge, LeRoy Bell, Kenny G and the Steve Miller Band.

For more information about Children's Music Fund and the "Christmas in the Northwest" series, or to listen to song samples from previous albums, visit www.christmasinthenorthwest.com or www.myspace.com/christmasinthenorthwest.

A classical Christmas

Fans of classical Christmas music can now hear all Christmas, all the time, too, through Dec. 25 by visiting the new KING-FM Christmas Channel in HD radio at www.KING.org. There the station is streaming traditional carols and holiday classics on demand, the perfect option for listeners around the world who have no desire to hear another pop crooner intoning "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire."

The KING-FM Christmas Channel will also be available 24 hours per day for local audiences in HD at 98.1 HD-2, said Bryan Lowe, the station's program director, in a statement. The station has been streaming 98.1 Classical KING-FM on the Internet since 1985, with a current average of 450,000 listening sessions each month, and an average time spent listening of 110 minutes.

Melinda Bargreen,

Seattle Times music critic