Community Calendar

Supported by KNKX. In 1965, the first ever “Peanuts” animated special took place. It was a landmark event and it was the start of a tradition that would continue year after year. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a tradition enjoyed around the world by fans of all ages. Now, over 50 years later, Contemporary Jazz Piano Legend, David Benoit along with distinguished Vocalist, Courtney Fortune, is paying tribute to this incredible piece of entertainment history.

This inspirational tribute concert features the classic music of Vince Guaraldi along with “Charlie Brown Christmas” originals from David Benoit, who took over the helm as music composer for the new Charlie Brown Christmas TV Specials more than a decade ago, as well as classics from David Benoit’s illustrious career as a Multi-Grammy Nominated Solo Artist. The heart-warming show is sure to get the audience in that Christmas Spirit and bring out the ‘kid’ in all of us this holiday season.

A “founding father” of contemporary jazz, Benoit has as wide-ranging musical resume as anyone in music. Influenced by jazz, Broadway, symphonies, and more, he has scored more than 20 chart-topping radio hits, created the wildly popular soundtracks for the Peanuts television movies, scored music for films produced by Clint Eastwood and Sally Field, and created themes for popular soap operas such as All My Children. He has collaborated with such diverse artists as The Rippingtons, Faith Hill, David Sanborn, and CeCe Winans, among many others as well as working with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Philippine Philharmonic. Having recorded over 40 albums, Benoit’s wide-ranging musical vision and talent has been one of the great stories of contemporary jazz.

Courtney Fortune is an acclaimed singer, songwriter and music mentor. Courtney grew up in Bellingham, Washington, near Seattle's vibrant music scene, where she started playing jazz and rock clubs at an early age. She was immediately recognized for her distinct smoky voice and often compared to singers like Karen Carpenter, Linda Ronstadt and Peggy Lee.

Celebrate the holidays with enthralling choral music from the British Isles. You’ll hear traditional favorites by Herbert Howells and William Walton, future classics from some of Britain’s rising female composers, and Roderick Williams’s gentle jazz-inspired setting of Now winter nights.

We will also feature works by Kerensa Briggs, Rebecca Dale, Joanna Marsh, Lucy Walker, Gabriel Jackson, Philip Stopford, and more.

Shows:

In person: Saturday, December 14, 2024 ‐ 3pm & 7pm
Chapel at Bastyr University - Kenmore
pre-concert conversations at 2:30 & 6:30pm

In person: Saturday, December 21, 2024 ‐ 3pm & 7pm
Seattle First Baptist Church - Harvard & Seneca, Seattle
pre-concert conversations at 2:30 & 6:30pm

Streaming: Monday, December 23, 2024 ‐ 7:30pm
online, free; donations gratefully accepted
premiering on YouTube on December 23, available on-demand for 30 days

Ellington’s wonderful “Sacred Music” is both serious and swinging. It is a reverent and hip body of jazz composition, written late in his career, for jazz big band, vocal and instrumental soloists, and tap dancers.

For the past 30+ years Earshot Jazz and Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra have partnered to present an annual concert of Ellington’s Sacred Music. The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, led by Artistic Director Michael Brockman (who co-founded SRJO alongside Clarence Acox Jr.), features the 17-piece big band. This year’s vocal soloists are Stephen Newby (baritone voice) and Nichol Veneé Eskridge (alto voice). Also featuring a choral ensemble combining members of the Northwest Chamber Chorus (Jeremy Edelstein, director) along with Music Director, Vanessa Bruce and vocalists. Cipher Goings will return to the stage as the tap dancer. A local artist raised in the Central District, Cipher Goings has appeared recently on So You Think You Can Dance, and on the stage in the Charles Dickens’ inspired production Spirited.

Langston Hughes’ Gospel Song-Play returns in this newly reimagined production! Celebrate the season with a cast of more than 30 actors, dancers, soaring vocalists, a live band, and a rousing city-wide gospel choir. Audiences will have the chance to raise your voice and sing-along during this stirring and joyful holiday musical for families of all backgrounds and beliefs. Don’t miss your chance to experience this treasured Seattle tradition.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Gregory Porter will stop at the Paramount Theatre on December 30 2024, as part of his 2024 Holiday
Tour. Tickets are on sale now!

Gregory Porter released his first-ever Christmas album titled “Christmas Wish” last year as a tribute to his favorite time of year and to music legends including Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Dinah Washington and Nat King Cole. Backed by his long-time band and produced by repeat collaborator Troy Miller, the album features inspired interpretations of carols, standards, and soulful sixties deep-cuts including “Silent Night,” “Little Drummer Boy,” Marvin Gaye’s “Purple Snowflakes,” Stevie Wonder’s “Someday At Christmas,” and Frank Loesser’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?,” which features a special guest appearance by GRAMMY-winning vocalist Samara Joy. In addition to Christmas classics, Porter has added three original tracks to the album, including the first single “Everything’s Not Lost.”

Acclaimed singer and songwriter Gregory Porter began singing in small jazz clubs in San Diego while attending San Diego State University. Eventually Porter moved to New York City to pursue music full-time and his career began to ascend with the release of his first two albums - “Water” (2010) and “Be Good” (2012) - both of which received GRAMMY nominations. In 2013, he released his breakout Blue Note debut “Liquid Spirit,” which quickly grew into a global phenomenon, selling more than one million albums and earning Porter his first GRAMMY Award with NPR declaring him “America’s Next Great Jazz Singer.” His 2016 follow-up “Take Me To The Alley” won Porter his second GRAMMY for Best Vocal Jazz Album and firmly established him as his generation’s most soulful jazz singer-songwriter. In 2017, Porter released the heartfelt tribute album “Nat King Cole & Me,” and in 2020, returned to his original songwriting on the uplifting “ALL RISE,” both of which received GRAMMY nominations. His 2021 release “Still Rising” featured new songs, covers, duets, and a selection of his much-loved favorite songs.

Sponsored by KNKX. Join us for the second annual Olympia Funk Festival – Funk OFF!, a three-day celebration of electrifying funk music, non-stop dancing, and pure joy, from January 31 to February 2, 2025. Hosted by Ecstatic Sound Collective, this unforgettable event will transform two of Olympia’s most iconic venues—Capitol Theater and Olympia Ballroom—into vibrant, funk-filled havens, with a third venue to be announced soon.

Get ready to groove to nationally acclaimed headliners, a stellar lineup of Seattle and Portland’s finest musicians, and Olympia’s very own homegrown funk talent. Outside, Washington Street will be buzzing with food trucks, band merch, and a range of fun activities to keep the energy going.

Your weekend pass to Funk OFF! grants you access to all general admission shows at both venues, promising a weekend packed with funk-fueled fun. And for an extra treat, don’t miss the Sunday Soul Brunch, featuring a surprise guest—available as an add-on to your weekend pass.

Don’t miss out! Join us at the Olympia Funk Festival – Funk OFF!, and let the rhythm of funk take over your soul.

Grab your weekend tickets now for just $129 before the price goes up! Limited availability at this price—act fast to lock in your spot for the funkiest weekend of the year!

Join University of Puget Sound for an engaging panel discussion previewing the upcoming legislative session in Olympia, featuring the top leaders from both sides of the Washington State Legislature. Hear from House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-27th Legislative District) and Senate Republican Leader John Braun (R-20th Legislative District) as they discuss their party’s top priorities for the session and the potential impact on individuals and communities. The event will be moderated by Austin Jenkins, an award-winning journalist and the veteran host of Inside Olympia on TVW. The event takes place in the Wheelock Student Center, Upper Marshall Hall.

See event website for agenda and ticketing information.

GRAMMY®Award-winning drummer, producer, educator, activist, NEA Jazz Master, and 2019 Doris Duke Award recipient, Terri Lyne Carrington debuts new band Social Science. Galvanized by seismic changes in the ever-evolving social and political landscape, Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science confront a wide spectrum of social justice issues. The band’s stunning double disc debut, Waiting Game, immediately takes its place in the stirring lineage of politically conscious and activist music, expressing an unflinching, inclusive and compassionate view of humanity’s breaks and bonds through an expansive program melding jazz, R&B, indie rock, contemporary improvisation, and hip-hop.

Artist Karen Hackenberg focuses on manmade bits of detritus – plastic bottles, cans, toys – that she finds on the beaches near her home in Port Townsend, WA, in this one-person exhibition of approximately 35 works.

Museum Hours:

Monday CLOSED
Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday 10 am – 5 pm
Thursday 10 am – 8 pm, (free admission 5 pm – 8 pm)
Friday 10 am – 5 pm
Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday 10 am – 5 pm