Seattle Gay News announces "Best of Travel 2012"

Hotel Palomar Phoenix pool.

From the crowded streets of Tokyo to the remote beaches of Hawaii's Big Island, from the snowy Swiss Alps to the Arizona desert, and from sweet Belgian waffles in Brussels to buttery biscuits in Portland, Oregon the travel writing team at Seattle Gay News - Albert Rodriguez, Jessica Price and Jerry L. Peerson - made their selections for the "Best of Travel 2012".

From our trips last year, we chose our Top 10 or Top 5 in the categories below - Hotels, Restaurants, Bars/Lounges/Coffeeshops, Visitor Attractions/Tourist Activities and Transportation Services.  Mini descriptions for each can be seen by clicking on this link: http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews41_01/page27.cfm

HOTELS

1 The Burrard (Vancouver, BC Canada)
2 Crystal Hotel (Portland, Oregon USA)
3 Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii USA - Island of Hawaii)
4 Hotel Five (Seattle, Washington USA)
5 Hotel Granvia Kyoto (Kyoto, Japan)
6 Hotel Palomar Phoenix (Phoenix, Arizona USA)
7 Park Hyatt Tokyo (Tokyo, Japan)
8 Post Hotel (Weggis, Switzerland)
9 Sheraton Stockholm (Stockholm, Sweden)
10 Renaissance Zürich Tower Hotel (Zurich, Switzerland)

RESTAURANTS

1 Bowery Restaurant & Bar (Brussels, Belgium)
2 Café Trio (Kansas City, MIssouri USA)
3 Collections Cafe (Seattle, Washington USA)
4 Gallo Blanco - (Phoenix, Arizona USA)
5 La Brasserie De Bruxelles (Brussels, Belgium)
6 Langa Raden (Stockholm, Sweden)
7 Pine State Biscuits (Portland, Oregon USA)
8 Royal Brasserie Bruxelles (Brussels, Belgium)
9 Scala Restaurant (Luzern, Switzerland)
10 ‘Ulu Ocean Girl at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii USA - Island of Hawaii)
 
BARS / LOUNGES / COFFEESHOPS

1 Bar Bridge (Tokyo, Japan)
2 Courier Coffee Roasters (Portland, Oregon USA)
3 Filmbar (Phoenix, Arizona USA)
4 Frenz-Frenzy (Osaka, Japan)
5 Kona Brewing Company's Kona Pub & Brewery (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii USA - Island of Hawaii)
6 Lux Central (Phoenix, Arizona USA)
7 Heile Welt (Berlin, Germany)
8 Louis Bar (Luzern, Switzerland)
9 Missie B’s (Kansas City, Missouri USA)
10 You Night Club (Brussels, Belgium)
 
VISITOR ATTRACTIONS / TOURIST ACTIVITIES

1 Belgian Pride (Brussels, Belgium)
2 Bike Hawaii (Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii USA - Island of Hawaii)
3 Chihuly Garden and Glass (Seattle, Washington USA)
4 Gay Ski Week (Arosa, Switzerland)
5 Manta Ray Snorkel with Kamanu Charters (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii USA - Island of Hawaii)
6 Hankyu Men's Tokyo (Tokyo, Japan)
7 Schwules Museum (Berlin, Germany)
8 Spa World (Osaka, Japan)
9 Stray Cat Theatre (Tempe, Arizona USA)
10 The Surf Bus (Haleiwa, Hawaii USA - Island of Oahu)
 
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

1 All Nippon Airways 787/Dreamliner "Business Class" (Seattle to Tokyo)
2 Delta Air Lines "Business Elite" (Osaka to Seattle)
3 Hawaiian Airlines "Coach Class" (Seattle to Kona, via Honolulu)
4 Japan Railways Shinkansen (Bullet Train) "Ordinary Class" (Tokyo to Osaka)
5 Scandinavian Airlines “Economy Extra” (Berlin to Stockholm)

Seattle Gay News announces Best Albums and Singles of 2012

Seattle Gay News recently unveiled its choices for the top albums and singles of last year, included in our  "Best of Music 2012" spread (December 21 issue) that also featured an exclusive interview with hip hop star Macklemore.

Below are our picks, in ranking order.

ALBUMS / CDs

1 Channel Orange - Frank Ocean
2 Red - Taylor Swift
3 Boys & Girls - Alabama Shakes
4 Paradise - Lana Del Rey
5 Blunderbuss - Jack White
6 good kid, m.A.A.d city - Kendrick Lamar
7 Bear Creek - Brandi Carlile
8 Visions - Grimes
9 The Lumineers - The Lumineers
10 Master of My Make-Believe - Santigold

 SINGLES / TRACKS

1 Spectrum (Say My Name) - Florence + the Machine
2 We Are Young - fun. (featuring Janelle Monae)
3 Adorn - Miguel
4 Blow Me (One Last Kiss) - Pink
5 Pyramids - Frank Ocean
6 Pontoon - Little Big Town
7 Yet Again - Grizzly Bear
8 Same Love - Macklemore (with Ryan Lewis, featuring Mary Lambert)
9 Bad Girls - M.I.A.
10 Hard to Love - Lee Brice

Macklemore + "Best of Music 2012" in this week's Seattle Gay News

The end of the world didn't happen, after all.  But the end of the year is inevitable.  This means one thing, it's time for Seattle Gay News to present its usual round-up of the year's top picks in musical entertainment.

Our "Best of Music 2012" issue prints today with local distribution throughout Seattle, and will go online this weekend at http://www.sgn.org/. Joining us for this special year-end music spread is Macklemore, who shares with us his personal favorite album of 2012, his holiday plans, his reaction to gay marriage passage in Washington State, and he also chimes in on that all-too-important local foodie war, Top Pot Doughnut vs. Cupcake Royale.

Macklemore, who appeared on the Ellen show with fellow collaborator Ryan Lewis and featured vocalist Mary Lambert, has been selling out concerts around the country, and will soon perform in Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand.  His album, The Heist, debuted at #2 on Billboard's 200 Albums chart and at #1 on iTunes' albums chart a few months ago.

Grab a copy of Seattle Gay News this weekend to find out what we picked for the "Best of Music 2012", and read our exclusive interview with hometown hip-hop star Macklemore.   

Christina Aguilera interviews with Seattle Gay News

We loves us some Christina Aguilera.  And she loves us right back.

The four-time Grammy winner and star judge on the hit reality competition show "The Voice" interviews tomorrow with Seattle Gay News.  Aguilera, who corresponded with us via email, talks about her brand new album, Lotus, and about juggling multiple tasks, including motherhood and a possible upcoming tour. 

With the gay marriage initiative passing in Washington State a week ago, aside from 3 other US states, we asked Aguilera what tunes she'd play if she were to DJ at a gay wedding reception - find out what two songs she'd definitely spin for the occasion.  A strong ally of the LGBT community, the bilingual recording artist also affirms that she will "ALWAYS" support her gay fans.

Lotus is available now.  The first single "Your Body" is already a solid hit in multiple countries.  Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cfCgLgiFDM

Aguilera is set to perform this weekend on the American Music Awards, but catch her two days before in the November 16 edition of Seattle Gay News.  

Seattle Gay News flying on ANA "Dreamliner" today to Tokyo

It's the beginning of something very exciting, and we're on board to capture all the action!

Seattle Gay News joins a small press corps today for an experience aboard All Nippon Airways' inaugural Seattle-to-Tokyo 787 flight.  The Japanese-based airline launched non-stop service between the two cities in July, but has been utilizing a 777 aircraft for the 10.5 hour flight (outbound, from Seattle).  At 1:15pm this afternoon, ANA will send its first passengers to Tokyo on a 787 "Dreamliner", which is mostly made of carbon fiber and other composite materials.  ANA is the first airline to receive and put the "Dreamliner" into active service.

Look for a review of the flight experience in an upcoming issue of Seattle Gay News, which this year has published feature destinations on Tokyo and Osaka.  For more on ANA, go to http://www.ana.co.jp/asw/wws/us/e/

Shirley Manson interviews with Seattle Gay News

Bold and the Beautiful?  You're looking at it.

Shirley Manson is so many things.  Sexy, smart, sophisticated and strong.  All "s" words, we know.  Let's add 'star' to this list because the frontwoman for Grammy-nominated act Garbage is certainly a well-recognized face and name in rock music.

Manson speaks with Seattle Gay News in our September 21 issue about gay marriage, her shoe collection, Beyonce, Kings of Leon, and her band's current tour, which lands at The Showbox SoDo on September 26.  Go to http://showboxonline.com/ for ticket information. 

Grab a copy of the SGN this weekend at many locations in metro Seattle, or read us online at http://www.sgn.org/

Vancouver BC's The Burrard provides excellent location for Madonna weekend

Seattle welcomes the Material Girl for back-to-back nights the first week of October, but Vancouver BC gets her the weekend before - Saturday and Sunday, September 29-30.

If you're heading up to the 2010 Winter Olympics host city for either Madonna, or another pop legend, Barbra Streisand on October 29, you definitely want to consider the very gay-friendly and convenient The Burrard (http://theburrard.com/) for your crashing pad, a favorite of Seattle Gay News.

This landmark motor inn has undergone several transformations over the years, but it seems comfortable with its newest identity, that of a hip, urban boutique hotel.  The 72-room property is skipping distance to Vancouver's petite gay district on Davie Street and it's 4 to 5 blocks from the nearest SkyTrain station that will deliver you to Rogers Arena in just two stops.  You can walk to the venue in about 20 minutes, but I'd save those legs for the show because Madge's set list is loaded with dance numbers. 

New to The Burrard, in the past few months, is the opening of its cafe, Betty.  The lobby-situated eatery is a great place to start out your day with a cup of cofee, or kick off your evening with a glass of wine.  Snacks and light meals are also on Betty's menu.

The rooms at The Burrard, comparable in design to Seattle's Ace Hotel or Portland's Jupiter Hotel, are a mix of a basic, clean look and chic, cool feel - imagine a Trekkie in a pair of skinny jeans.  Simple in decor, almost entirely in white with drapes and bed covers in a soft color palate, plus modern amenities from flatscreen TVs to reasonably-sized workdesks to natural bath amenities, each room is sophisticated yet understated at this four-story hotel. 

Guests are privileged to free bike rentals, and parking per night is just $20.  Rooms (King, Queen, Queen Plus, Twin) begin at $161.00 (CAD) for Madonna weekend (online reservation only).  Prices may vary in late October when Babs lands in Vancouver.  For more information, call The Burrard or visit its website.