Children should be encouraged to wear a costume to the symphony at least once, if not once a year.

That's the opinion of Anthony Spain, music director and conductor of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra.

And there's likely to be plenty of costumes on stage as well as in the audience on Friday, Oct. 27, when the orchestra opens its 20th season with the perennial favorite family concert.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 S. 152nd St. in Burien.

Spain said this year's concert, "Vive la Danse," is set to the theme of regionally inspired dance pieces. He encouraged children to wear costumes depicting the theme or other favorite costume attire.

On the bill are Slavonic Dance by Dvorak), Russian Sailors' Dance by Gliere), Sabre Dance by Khachaturian and more, as well as music of our own region's Northwest composers-a noteworthy mainstay of the orchestra's repertoire for which they have repeatedly garnered prestigious national awards.

Tickets for the family concert can be purchased at the Center box office Friday evening, in advance from any TicketMaster outlet, or by calling TicketMaster in Seattle at 292-ARTS (2787). Tickets are $10-$13.

Northwest Symphony Orchestra makes complimentary student tickets available to area schools for each of its four regular season performances. Teachers may contact the orchestra at 206-242-6321 for more information.

To find out more about Northwest Symphony Orchestra, visit www.northwestsymphonyorchestra.org.