New Music for the New Year: Erik Steighner on Saxophone

On January 8, 2013, 7pm,  Erik Steighner will play a fun and unusual program in Slavonian Hall.

Erik Steighner

The evening will feature a variety of instrumentation and soundscapes;Erik will perform on alto, baritone and soprano saxes and has invited trumpeter Zachary Lyman to join him on the program. Adding further aural interest, two compositions incorporate pre-recorded electronics.

And, very exciting because Classical Tuesdays celebrates Tacoma composers, we'll hear premieres of pieces by Tacomans Deborah Anderson and Greg Youtz.

Join us for this evening of Saxes in Slavonian Hall!
2306 N. 30th Street, Old Town Tacoma
January 8, 2013 7pm

For more info call 253.752.2135

A festive 2012 Wine & Song benefit for Classical Tuesdays held at the Connelly Law Offices

Thanks to all the Classical Tuesdays supporters who joined us for a delightful evening of Wine & Song on December 8, 2012.  Our gracious hosts, Jack and Angela Connelly and the Connelly Law Offices, had decked the hall for the holidays. Lights shone on the highly polished woodwork and green boughs were strung.

A full house of supporters at Wine & Song 2012

Because a grand piano is in the Connelly Law lobby, we enjoy featuring voice and piano each year. For this year’s affair Christina Kowalski, soprano, and pianist Denes Van Parys performed a selection of captivating songs by Franz Schubert.

Denes Van Parys and Christina Kowalski

For the reception, local wine shop merchant Katrina Lange of 21 Cellars donated lovely wines, as did Kathy Manke (The Spar), Josh Dunn of South Sound Magazine, and John and Karen Trueman. As she has each year, Chris Reynolds set a lovely table. Barb Bourscheidt, Kathleen Butler and Joan Iverson set out the food and John Trueman handled the wines. Barb, Chris, Karen, John, Cathy Russell (of Hawthorn Tea Room) and Kathy Westlin prepared many lovely and tasty foods, both sweets and savories. Jim Robbins took these great photos!

A festive gathering of friends

Thanks to all of you for your tremendous support! Our ninth season is in the works – lots more great music to look forward to.

Artistic Director Pamela Ryker

Tacoma Weekly likes Wine & Song; so will you!

Christina Kowalski, soprano

We like what the Tacoma Weekly likes....

The Things We Like:

WINE & SONG
The festive annual Wine & Song benefit event is next on the calendar for Classical Tuesdays in Old Town, 7 p.m. on Dec. 11 in the lounge of the beautifully refurbished Connelly Law Offices in Old Town (2301 N. 30th St.). Two fine musicians are back by popular demand: soprano Christina Kowalski and pianist Denes Van Parys will perform a delightful and stirring set of songs by Romantic Era composer Franz Schubert, the prince of song. The music will be followed by a lavish offering of finger foods – savories and sweets – and tasty wines. Enjoy a convivial evening in Old Town and help support Classical Tuesdays, now in its eighth season! $25 tickets available at Bayview Optical (2217 N. 30th St., #106) and at the door. More info: (253) 752-2135.

Published in the Tacoma Weekly
Wednesday, 28 November 2012

Join us Dec. 11 for Wine & Song!  More details here.

Wine & Song December 11: Schubertiade

Christina Kowalski

Our festive annual Wine & Song benefit event is next on Classical Tuesdays' calendar. We'll gather at 7pm on December 11, in the lounge of the beautifully refurbished Connelly Law Offices in Old Town neighborhood (2301 North 30th Street).

We're thrilled to have two fine musicians back by popular demand:  soprano Christina Kowalski and pianist Denes Van Parys will perform a delightful and stirring set of songs by Romantic Era composer Franz Schubert, the prince of song.

The music will be followed by a lavish offering of finger foods - savories and sweets - and tasty wines.

Join us for a convivial evening in Old Town and help support Classical Tuesdays, now in its 8th season!

Download or print a flyer

When & where:
Tuesday, December 11th, 2012, at 7 pm.
John Connelly Law Offices, 2301 N. 30th St., Old Town Tacoma

$25 tickets available at Bayview Optical, 2217 North 30th Street #106

Any remaining tickets will be available at the door at the benefit.

For more info: (253) 752-2135

String Trios in the Volcano!

Tonight's Classical Tuesdays concert is in The Weekly Volcano's Spew:

5 Things To Do Today:

Maria Sampen, Tim Christie and David Requiro will perform the music of Zoltan Kodaly, Gordon Jacob and J.S. Bach as part of the Classical Tuesdays In Old Town series. The trio hit the chairs at 7 p.m. inside the Slavonian Hall.

Join us tonight at 7pm! More details here.

Nov.13 String Trio a News Tribune Critic's Pick

Maria Sampen (violin)

Our Nov. 13 concert is a News Tribune Critic’s Pick!

UPS-based Maria Sampen (violin), Tim Christie (viola) and David Requiro (cello) fill Slavonian Hall with Kodaly, Bach and Gordon Jacob this Tuesday in the monthly free Classical Tuesdays in Old Town concert.

7 p.m. Nov. 13. Freewill donation. Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St., Tacoma. 253-752-2135, classicaltuesdays.blogspot.com

Come join us!  More details here.

String Trio performs Varied Program Nov. 13!

Maria Sampen

CLASSICAL TUESDAYS IN OLD TOWN is happy to welcome back  popular musicians violinist Maria Sampen and violist Tim Christie and their colleague cellist David Requiro, all on the music faculty at the University of Puget Sound.

The program offers an array of beautiful and outstanding works for strings. The pieces are varied by the century and the country of origin and by the size of ensemble. Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly's Duo for Violin and Cello, Six Shakespearian Sketches for string trio by Englishman Gordon Jacob and a solo suite by J.S. Bach (German/Saxon) represent a wide swath of European classical  music. They span from the early-18th Century Baroque era of Bach to the early-20th Century composer Kodaly and mid-20th Century Jacob.

We're excited to hear these fantastic musicians, and invite you to join us for this lovely program!

7 p.m. Nov. 13, Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St., Tacoma.
Freewill donation. 253-752-2135

Raffle Gift Basket, Tickets at Bayview Optical

A beautiful and bountiful Gift Basket has been assembled for a Raffle Drawing to benefit the Classical Tuesdays in Old Town music series.

Some of the Items in the Basket: gift certificates to the high-end Clara Spa and Savi Day Spa, both in downtown Tacoma, and Seattle Sun Tan (2 locations in North End Tacoma), for the region's outstanding Watson's Greenhouse & Nursery, and the award-winning Purple and Lot No.3 restaurants in Bellevue and downtown Tacoma's Varsity Grill. And 1-year subscriptions to South Sound Magazine and 425 Magazine, two gorgeous glossy magazines that focus on homes and lifestyles in the Northwest. Mugs and coffee and a wine are tucked in the Basket as well!

The basket is available for all to view at Bayview Optical in Old Town, 2217 North 30th Street, #106  Tacoma, WA 98403. Bayview's phone is 253.627.2818. 

Raffle tickets are available for  $1/or 6 for $5 at Bayview Optical  and at the November 13th concert for this beautiful GIFT basket. The drawing will be held during intermission at the Nov 13th String Trio concert and you need not be present to win.

Our thanks to Josh Dunn and the staff of South Sound Magazine for gathering the gifts.

Support your local musicians! Buy Raffle tickets $1/6 for $5. Only 2 weeks remaining.

Full House for Oct 9 Scandinavians in Old Town

Our thanks to all of you for a fantastic season opener!

Classical Tuesdays filled Slavonian Hall and Old Town district with fiddle playing and foot stomping in traditional Scandinavian music and dance. Thanks to Hale Bill & the Bopps and to the Bygdedeal dance group!

Thanks too to photographer Dayton Knipher for capturing the energy and merriment of the evening.

A great time was had by all!


Hale Bill & the Bopps, with the Bygdedeal dancers



Tacoma Arts blog on Classical Tuesdays

Thanks to Tacoma Arts, the Classical Tuesdays October 9th Scandinavian performance has a blog entry and photos here:

Scandinavia Comes to Old Town
Tacoma Arts blog, Oct 8, 2012

Check out the photos, and then come out Tuesday night and enjoy the fun!

Click here for more information on tomorrow's event.

Scandinavia in Old Town a Critic's Pick

Classical Tuesdays' October 9th event is a News Tribune Critic's Pick!  Come out and enjoy the fun!

Old Town Tuesdays kicks off with a Scandinavian romp
By Rosemary Ponnekanti, The News Tribune, Oct 5, 2012

The free Classical Tuesdays series in Old Town begins this week with an evening of traditional Scandinavian folk music, performed on Norwegian hardingfele and Swedish nyckelharpa by Hale Bill and the Bopps, with dance by Bygdedeal in traditional costumes. 7 p.m. Oct. 9. Free. Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Tacoma. 253-752-2135, classicaltuesdays.blogspot.com

Click here for more on the event.

Season opener: Bygdedeal in Tacoma Weekly!

Kick up your heels! The Tacoma Weekly announces our season opener:

Classical Tuesdays

MUSIC – Scandinavia comes to Old Town during the Classical Tuesdays music series on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. Hale Bill & the Bopps play Scandinavian dance music, joined by Bygededeal dance group in Norwegian and Swedish costumes. The performance takes place at Slavonian Hall, located at 2306 N. 30th St. Admission is free, and donations are accepted.

Published in the Tacoma Weekly
Wednesday, 3 October 2012

Come and kick off the Classical Tuesdays season! More details here.

October 9th: Scandinavia Comes to Old Town

Join us for the opening of the Classical Tuesdays 2012-13 season!

Hale Bill & the Bopps, a group that hales from and bops around the Puget
Sound region, plays traditional Scandinavian dance music and includes some original tunes in every set. Anticipate a variety of sounds coming from fiddles (including the Norwegian hardingfele and the Swedish nyckelharpa), keyboards and voices. All good fun!

Bygdedeal is a dance group from Seattle (bygdedanser refers to village dances dating back centuries). All members have earned dance medals from Svenska Ungdomsringen for Bygdekultur for their mastery of Swedish folk dancing. When not traveling in Norway and Sweden, they perform at Northwest Folklife and other events and teach for Skandia Folkdance Society in Seattle. The dancers wear traditional Swedish and Norwegian folk costumes, which add color and beauty to their lively performances. Be prepared to be entertained!

• Print a flyer for the fridge!

Tuesday, Oct. 9th, 2012, at 7 pm.
Free or voluntary donation.
Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Old Town Tacoma
For more info: (253)752-2135

8th Season of Classical Tuesdays in Old Town!

Announcing our 2012-2013 Season

2nd Tuesdays at 7pm in Slavonian Hall, Old Town Tacoma

October 9: Scandinavia Comes to Old Town
Come hear Hale Bill & the Bopps, joined by Bygdedeal showcasing the dance traditions of Scandinavia.

November 13: String Trios
Performed by our popular string players Maria Sampen on violin, Tim Christie on viola, and David Requiro on cello.

December 11: Wine & Song “Schubertiade”
Soprano Christina Kowalski and pianist Denes Van Parys, both back by popular demand, with songs of Schubert for our annual benefit. Followed by wine and party foods. Held at Connelly Law Offices. Tickets $25

January 8, 2013: New Works for Sax
Saxophonist Erik Steighner plays new works including pieces by Tacoma composers Deborah Anderson and Greg Youtz.

February 12: Tacoma Symphony Chorus
The Tacoma Symphony Chorus in songs befitting the season of love. Directed by Geoffrey Boers.

Join us for another great season of music and community!

All free concerts are performed at the Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Old Town Tacoma.

The December benefit will be held at the John Connelly Law Offices, across the street from Slavonian Hall.

*Click here to print out a poster - spread the word!

For more info: (253)752-2135

Pamela Ryker in 20/20 Identity & Portrait Project

This year the Tacoma Art Museum invited our Artistic Director, Pamela Butler Ryker, to participate in the 20/20 Identity and Portrait Project featuring 20 Tacomans.

In the 5-minute video below, Pam describes her identity as a musician and a Pacific Northwest native, and how those experiences shape her role as Artistic Director of Classical Tuesdays in Old Town. We hope that friends of Classical Tuesdays will enjoy this behind-the-scenes glimpse of our Artistic Director!

Of course the series is also shaped by its setting and support in the Old Town Business District and its loyal community of audience, volunteers, and performers.

8th Season of Classical Tuesdays in Old Town!

[updated]

The upcoming 2012-13 season offers 5 varied events
2nd Tuesdays at 7pm in Slavonian Hall, Old Town Tacoma

October 9: traditional music of Scandinavia performed by Hale Bill accompanied by the Bygdedeal dancers in traditional costume

November 13: our favorite string players Maria Sampen on violin and Tim Christie on viola joined by fellow UPS faculty member David Requiro on cello

December 11: soprano Christina Kowalski and pianist Denes Van Parys are back by popular demand with songs of Schubert for our annual Wine & Song

January 8, 2013: for the New Year saxophonist Erik Steighner will play new works including pieces by Tacoma composers Deborah Anderson and Greg Youtz, joined by trumpeter Zach Lyman

February 12: Tacoma Symphony Chorus will serenade us with songs befitting the season of love.

Join us for this great season of music and community!


Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Old Town Tacoma
For more info: (253)752-2135

~ Check back for more details and a season poster ~

A Valentine from Old Town!

February 14, 2012 at 7pm

Classical Tuesdays in Old Town presents:

"Plaisir d'Amour: The Pleasure of Love"

The Canonici Vocal Quartet sings Renaissance love songs in English, French and Italian

Canonici will perform a variety of romantic songs of both sacred and secular nature. The Song of Songs serves as the text for some of the most florid and virtuosic polyphonic works to come out of 15th-century France and England. Modern romantic works conclude the program, including new arrangements of Stephen Foster love songs.

Free admission ~ All ages welcome
Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Old Town Tacoma
More info: (253)752-2135

This concert is presented thanks to the Old Town Business Association.

Jan. 10th New Music concert a Critic's Pick

The News Tribune lists our January 10th concert as a Critic's Pick! Come out and help us celebrate local composer Josh Parmenter.

Critic’s picks: Mexican trio at Tacoma Art Museum, sax jazz at Marine View, cabaret with Second City Chamber Series and new music in Old Town

by Rosemary Ponnekanti
The News Tribune

Joshua Parmenter, composer

Jan. 6, 2012

New compositions in Old Town

This month’s concert for the Classical Tuesdays in Old Town series features Tacoma composer Joshua Parmenter and colleagues in “Wired for Sound,” a concert of new music for acoustic and electronic instruments. 7 p.m. Jan. 10. Free. Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Tacoma. 253-752-2135, classicaltuesdays.blogspot.com

January 10th Wired for Sound concert features Tacoma composer

Embrace the New Year with an evening of new compositions by Tacoma composer Joshua Parmenter and friends.

Parmenter and colleagues Donald Craig, Pete Moss, Douglas Niemela, and Ewa Trębacz present their recently written compositions for live electronics or computer-realized sound.

Several of the compositions combine electronic or computer-generated sounds with live instruments. Instrumentalists performing on this event are violinist Michael Lim, violist Brianna Atwell, and Josiah Boothby on French horn.

Tuesday, Jan. 10th, 2012, at 7 pm, FREE.
Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Old Town Tacoma
For more info: (253)752-2135