Collage 2-Abeja Winery

A Magical Evening

With a backdrop of concrete walls and floor and stainless steel fittings for winemaking, I attended my second performance in the month-long series of music events included in the Walla Walla Chamber Music festival. It was billed by my friends and loyal WWCMF fans as the ONE performance not to miss, so I came with high expectations. I was not disappointed.

I learned quickly the audience protocol for these performances which is to arrive early in order to choose the best seat available, and then meander around the venue, purchase a glass or bottle of wine, chat with friends, or in my case, take photographs.  And because I am not a wine drinker myself, I have not had the opportunity to visit many of the 100+ wineries and vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley. So this has been a win-win for me--lovely venues to photograph along with beautiful music to listen to. 

The big white barn has always been a favorite sight for me on my bicycle rides up Mill Creek Road and back, remembering it being there long before it was re-purposed as part of Abeja Winery. 

While normally the barn serves as the main building for the Abeja wine-making operation, for the two WWCMF Collage performances, the giant stainless steel tanks had to be removed and replaced with rows of seating and extensive electric cables for the dramatic lighting of the musicians and solo dancer.

While the main performance area was in the center of this theatre-in-the-round formation, musicians played from all corners of the space, including the second level making an already intimate setting feel even more so. Seen below is Timothy Christie, founder and artistic director of the WWCMF, as well as one of the musicians.

Flutist Sarah Brady performs as one of the many Collage musicians.

Walla Walla dancer Peter de Grasse performed two solo pieces in the center space accompanied here by PROJECT Trio.

PROJECT Trio again plays a lively animated piece just an arm's length from the audience.

At the end of the second half, all of the musicians assembled in the center space to play in the finale.

A well-timed intermission gave attendees a chance to view one of Walla Walla's remarkable sunsets.