Dan Mayer
INTERVIEW
An interview with: Dan Mayer
Tell us about your Kirkland background.
I have worked in Kirkland for four years in May. I was born & raised in Seattle, and had worked on the Eastside and visited Kirkland before coming to work here full time.
What do you find special about working in the performing arts in Kirkland? Working in Kirkland in general?
The community’s self-image is that it is conducive to the appreciation and creation of art. That perception helps create a friendly environment for both arts organizations and working artists. The short distance from Seattle and its creative resources helps develop an identity that’s unique. This has helped strengthen and build the creative community here. As such, it’s not an isolated arts community; it’s not a suburban community of people who passively enjoy the arts; it’s more of an active community of people who enjoy interacting with all the arts in the region. It’s a small town in a beautiful environment across the lake from a big city. That combination makes for lively discourse and good art.
Is Kirkland a good place to be working in the performing arts?
Yes - Kirkland is very supportive of the arts; both the leadership that run and manage the City, and the citizens who live here. They take their image as a culturally friendly environment very seriously.
Where in Kirkland can people see the best of the performing arts?
Kirkland Performance Center, of course!
What are your favorite cultural activities in Kirkland, outside your discipline?
Exhibition openings at Kirkland Arts Center, readings at Parkplace Books, and going to the farmer’s market – it’s a great place to hang out and buy flowers and organic fruits and vegetables.
Inspirational Places
Are there any special places you like to go in Kirkland for creative inspiration?
The Carillon bells at Carillon Point. They actually have bells that ring. It’s a real carillon, and they chime regularly.
What do you like to do in your free time? Where do you enjoy going when you’re not working?
Tech City Bowling is one of the treasures of Kirkland– one of the few bowling centers left in the region.
What are some of your favorite places to go in Kirkland?
I like Santorini for lunch (the best gyros in the region, and excellent Greek fries), St James Espresso (they are the friendliest baristas in town), Teriyaki Madness in Houghton (it was endorsed by the original Toshi of Toshi’s Teriyaki as one of the best teriyaki places in the area) – and I’m excited we now have a Metropolitan Market. Then the best bakery is Hoffman’s, and, of course, Spuds for fish & chips. Also, there’s Everyday Athlete in Juanita (it’s a great place to find out about running activities on the Eastside.)
Do you have favorite places to go near your office when you’re not working?
Trellis happy hour, and the Parkplace Pub.