By Assunta Ng Northwest Asian Weekly

How do you entertain your out-of-town friends and family during the holidays? The best way is to present them programs and entertainment with a Northwest flair.

1. "Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella," a musical, is being performed at the 5th Avenue Theater. The cast and production team of "Cinderella" are local. What better way to showcase Seattle than to treat friends to a show where the eponymous character is played by Asian American actress Jennifer Paz? Though a familiar story, the production still creates magic when you watch it. It is now showing through Dec. 31. For tickets, call 1-888-625-1418.

2. Seattle Art Museum (SAM)’s Walk through the Gate is a unique project of Do-Ho Suh, a South Korean artist whose work was commissioned by the Seattle Art Museum. He used SAM’s material to develop a multimedia piece. The idea for this type of artwork was conceived by SAM’s curator Catherine Roche. Additionally, while you’re at the SAM, realize that SAM’s existing collection of Asian art is ranked among the top three in the country. For more information, visit www.seattleartmuseum.org.

3. Winter Train and Village at Seattle Center’s Winterfest is a free show running through Dec. 29. Kids and adults alike are fascinated by the show. An annual tradition at the Center House, I go every year just to reflect on my childhood. When I was growing up in Hong Kong, I was happy just to see a short train show. This train show at Seattle Center brings back the kid in me. For more information, visit seattlecenter.com/winterfest.

4. It is hard to find an ice rink to skate on within Seattle. But the holidays bring a couple of rinks to enjoy. You can find an indoor ice skating rink at the Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion and an outdoor one in Capitol Hill’s Cal Anderson Park. For more information, visit seattlecenter.com/winterfest or www.capitolhillicerink.com.

5. Friends from Asia would enjoy seeing a Christmas ship. If you can afford dinner, take your guests to one of the Christmas dinner cruises. Such a cruise is about a three-hour ride, with dancing, too. Many companies in Seattle conduct these cruises — we hesitate to endorse just one. Search the Internet for options!

6. Take a drive, and you will find some beautiful Christmas lights around the city. How about taking your guests along? But always remind them to bring warm coats. It’s freezing cold out there. There are many festive areas, but ones to look out for are Candy Cane Lane in Ravenna (Northeast Park Road, off Ravenna Boulevard), Olympic Manor near Greenwood (Northwest 85th Street and 23rd Avenue Northwest), and Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill (211 W. Highland Dr.).

7. Animal lovers, I recommend going to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma because most Seattleites don’t think of going there. It’s a good place to explore. We should get to know one more tourist attraction in our state. I have a friend that loves animals. Going to the Tacoma zoo would, as we say, "kill two birds with one stone."

8. Speaking of zoos, a movie I recommend that you see is "We Bought a Zoo," starring Matt Damon. It’s based on a true story and is a family-friendly film. Oh, and another movie I highly recommend that you see is "The Descendants." It’s filmed completely in Hawaii, and from the name, you wouldn’t guess what the movie is about. But it will capture your interest from beginning to end. A worthwhile see.

9. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is my favorite among all the Seattle Symphony concerts. I try to go every year and never get tired of the music. Visit www.seattlesymphony.org and book other programs you like. (end)

Assunta Ng can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.