Canceled - Stephanie Anne Johnson is not performing for us

 Wine & Song 2024: Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma was planned for December 10.

We are sorry to announce that the annual fundraiser for our series of free musical events is canceled.

If you have purchased a ticket and want a refund, we will inform Eventbrite to provide that for you. Please let us know of that wish at prryker@gmail.com

And, please consider donating in support of the series.

Or, meet me in one of the fabulous wine bars in Old Town and we can chat over a glass of wine while you write a check in support of the season. Thank you!

Thank you to Chris Reynolds for preparing her beautiful cookies for us. Thank you Nicki Tollefson, Kathleen Butler, and others for organizing fingerfoods. Big thanks to Ginkgo Winery and Metropolitan Market for generous offers of wines and foodstuffs.

And a big Thank You! to Connelly Law Offices for offering their lovely space for our annual fundraiser!

Canceled:

Date: December 10, 2024

Time: 7:00pm

Thank you to our generous sponsors!


Dec 10 Wine & Song tickets now available!

Wine & Song 2024: Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 7:00 PM

at Connelly Law Offices, 2301 N 30th Street

We are excited for our annual Wine & Song fundraiser! The Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma events are free through generous support from the Old Town Business and Professional Association, our wonderful volunteers, and our annual fundraiser.

Featured performer: Stephanie Anne Johnson!

Reception will include wines by Ginkgo Winery and finger foods provided by Metropolitan Market and neighborhood friends.

Buy tickets at Eventbrite or at the door

Stephanie Anne Johnson

Stephanie Anne Johnson

Vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist Stephanie Anne Johnson has opened for The Indigo Girls, Macy Gray, Mavis Staples, Robert Cray, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Mason Jennings, Durand Jones, Joseph, Cedric Burnside, and Black Joe Lewis, and political figure Senator Bernie Sanders. Puget Sound audiences also know Stephanie as the host of KNKX FM's "The Grooveyard", and as the lead singer of the Hidogs, performing Americana, Soul, Country, Folk, and Gospel, and representing the region on Season 5 of NBC's "The Voice".

Stephanie's latest album "Jewels" was released in 2023. Produced and engineered by Puget Sound guitarist and sound engineer Jeff Fielder.

Nov 12, 7pm Classical Tuesdays in Old Town: Opera Singers Gone Wild

Join us Tuesday, Nov 12 for some Classic Rock, Pop Rock and Jazz  performed by Emerald City 5.

 Emerald City 5 is the premier top 40 party band wowing audiences throughout Pacific N.W. This high energy 5-Piece cover band is powerfully dynamic and features a couple of the most extraordinary lead vocalists the West Coast has to offer. EC5 has an extensive repertoire, from classic rock to the most current dance hits. Lead singer is Dr. James Brown, head of the vocal department and director of opera at PLU, and Director of Vashon Opera, joined by vocalists Megan, Coral, and James, lead guitar James, bass guitar Josh, and Zeke on drums.

Emerald City 5

Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St, Old Town Tacoma

7:00 pm

This event is free, all ages welcome!

Please feel free to use the backdoor ramp accessed from the alley.

Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma celebrates our 20th Season!

Our 20th year Celebration for Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma!
 We have an exciting season planned. Please join our Old Town Tacoma community for a season of exciting music-making - celebrating the amazing musicians we have here in the Northwest.

2024/2025 Season: Our 20th!

September 24 Tacoma Tapestry 2024: Swedish Traditional Music
Slavonian Hall 7pm Klintetten from Sweden

November 12 Opera Singers Gone Wild
Slavonian Hall 7pm Emerald City 5 sing Classic Rock

December 10 Wine & Song Benefit
Connelly Law Offices 7pm $30 recital & reception

February 11 Strings Attached
Slavonian Hall 7pm Violinist Maria Sampen & friends

March 11 Folk & Celtic Traditions
Slavonian Hall 7pm Voice & strings directed by Anne Lyman

Pamela Ryker, Artistic Director
 Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St
 Connelly Law, 2301 N 30th St
Free to all, except for $30 admission to Wine & Song

Tacoma Tapestry 2024: Swedish Traditional Instrumental Music Sept 24 in Slavonian Hall

Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma

     We're celebrating our 20th season!

Free to all! Join us at Slavonian Hall in Old Town Tacoma

Tuesday, September 24th, 7:00pm   

Klintetten Swedish Ensemble

     performing Nordic traditional music & dance

Klintetten Swedish Ensemble
Klintetten is an internationally recognized Swedish music-and-dance ensemble. Several members hold top national music and dance honors in Sweden

Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St, Old Town Tacoma

  a ramp from the alley to the 2nd floor is available with a few parking slots back there


September 20-22 Klintetten is helping Seattle's Skandia celebrate their 75th Anniversary with fika, dinner, dances, and music and dance workshops.
3 days of spine-tingling Nordic music and dance! Klintetten will join Skandia for dances, music and dance workshops, and a spelmanstämma for musicians and dancers.   Klintetten is an internationally recognized Swedish music-and-dance ensemble that never fails to delight audiences. Among the more than a dozen members are several who hold top national honors in Sweden, including Zorn medals for musicianship, and Big Silver medals for dancing expertise.

Friday, September 20, 2024  Evening dance at the Cedar Valley Grange 20526 – 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood, WA
Klintetten and Skandia musicians play for the evening dance.  7:30 to 8:30 dance class taught by Helen and Stig Eriksson with music by Klintetten. Class begins at 7:30 p.m.; open dancing starts after class and ends at 10:30 pm. Skandia members, $10, non-members, $15, at the door.
Saturday, September 21, 2024 Fika, Dinner & Dance at the Swedish Club: 1920 Dexter Ave N., Seattle WA
2:00 – 4:00 pm  Fika ($10) Enjoy coffee and snacks, and browse the display of 75 years of Skandia's history.  The History Display will be available until the dance begins.  You don't need to register but if you do, it will help us plan the refreshments.
8:00 to 11:00 pm.  Dancing ($30)  Dance to the fantastic music by Sweden's Klintetten plus the Skandia Allspel.  You needn't register but it will help us plan the refreshments if you do!


Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma: Electric Cello & 2 Dancers

 Gretchen Yanover on Electric Cello

        joined by 2 Dancers

         - her daughter Anastasia Ryser  & Willow Durst

Tuesday March 12 at 7:00pm at Slavonian Hall

Gretchen Nicole Yanover, electric cello

Join us for our last event of this season! 
FREE, All ages welcome!
Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St

GretchenYanover enjoys playing both acoustic and electric cello. She has been a member of Northwest Sinfonietta since 1998, and has appeared as a soloist for the Earshot Jazz Festival, presented at TEDx Seattle, performed with LeVar Burton, and has had compositions commissioned by Seattle Symphony, Seattle Pacific University, and University of Oregon. Gretchen has 3 solo albums of her own compositions that she performs on her electric cello.

photo by Catherine Anstett


Tuesday Feb 13 Classical with a Twist: Let's explore the 50-year old Hip-Hop and BeatBox styles by NW artists

Please join us as we explore the Northwest Hip-Hop scene - a "classic" now in its 50th season.

Our guest artists - the father/son Hip-Hop duo Czon & Nicco and BeatBox artist Beatbox Panda will tell us about themselves, how they got into this wordsmithing and rhythm-producing genre, and what their message is.

More about Czon De Luna and his 12 years old son here.

And Beatbox Panda has provided a write-up about career below.

 The Beatbox Panda is a nationally top-ranked beatboxer out of Los Angeles, CA and currently resides in Seattle, WA. He began his beatbox journey in 2001 and since then has won beatbox competitions around the nation. Beatbox Panda holds championship titles in Los Angeles, and recently became Seattle’s 2019 Beatbox Champion. He travels around the USA performing at various schools and colleges, while spreading a positive message about beatboxing. He has performed at historic venues such as: The Roxy, The Coliseum, The Bourbon Room, The Redcat Theater, The Broad, The Whiskey, Troubadour, Greystone Manor, and others. He collaborated with America’s Best Dance Crew’s The Beat Freaks at The World of Dance Awards hosted by Paul Mitchell in Los Angeles, private events with Pretty Little Thing, Insignia, Amazon, Cisco Systems, SEMA Las Vegas, Long Beach Toyota Grand Prix, Long Beach Formula-e, Netflix, and more.   

He was also featured on 3 Buzzfeed videos which generated 25 million views collectively. The Beatbox Panda has also performed with celebrity artists such as: Snoop Dogg, Pentatonix, Matisyahu, Marshmello, Childish Gambino, Diplo, Big Sean, Sublime with Rome, XZIBIT, Beatbox pioneer- Rahzel, and legendary hip hop artist, KRS-one. From Rock and Roll to EDM and from Jazz to trap music, you will hear familiar songs personalized by his own style- all done with just his voice! 

Beatbox Panda has taken the time to master the art, able to recreate full songs, with accompaniment by himself without instrumentation, able to sing a chorus and provide a backing beat simultaneously, able to invoke impressions of singers on a whim. He takes his beatboxing beyond the traditional hip-hop influences into a much wider range of contemporary styles. 

At: Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St, Old Town Tacoma
When: Tuesday, February 13th at 7:00pm
FREE, All ages welcome

Feb 13, 2024, is the next Classical Tuesdays event: Hip-Hop and BeatBox! Come, give it a listen!

 Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma is featuring a twist on the concept of "classical" music this coming February 13.  Join us as we explore the now-50 years old Hip-Hop and BeatBox styles that are established in today's street music and mixed cultural gatherings. 

We welcome Czon DeLuna, the father/son duo Seattle Hip-Hop artist/wordsmith Czon De Luna and his 11 year old son Nicco. 

Czon DeLuna Hip-Hop duo

father-son duo Czon and Nicco







Also, this evening BeatBox Panda artist who will demonstrate his BeatBox style

Listen to this talented beatboxer at https://shoutoutla.com/meet-edward-vincent-m-bantasan-professional-beatboxer/

BeatBox Panda
BeatBox is the sound produced from the mouth using different techniques, as we will witness! The first known use of beatbox dates back to 1982, then described as an electronic device that adds a backbeat, manipulates sounds, and mimics music instruments, A beatboxer is a person who vocally imitates percussion sounds, layering entirely voice-generated rhythm tracks, turning himself/herself into what rappers call a human beatbox.

When: February 13, 2024, 7:00pm

Where: Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St, Old Town Tacoma

FREE/All ages welcome

The ramp from the alley at the back of Slavonian Hall is available for easier access to the 2nd floor performance level.

Wine & Song 2023 tickets are available! Join us December 5th at 7:00pm

 Classical Tuesdays' annual Wine & Song event - which is a benefit for our series of free musical evenings - is scheduled for December 5th at 7:00pm. Again this year the Connelly Law Offices will host and underwrite this lovely evening, in their handsome and inviting venue.

Lyric mezzo-soprano Soon Cho, accompanied by pianist Amy Boers, will use Robert Schumann's Frauenliebe und leben as the framework for this recital, weaving songs together to tell a story of "Echos of Life through a Harmonious Tapestry". This lovely program includes several women composers: Amy Beach, Clara Schumann, Lili Boulanger, and Florence Price, including living South Korean composer Hye-Young Cho, as well songs by Henry Purcell and Robert Schumann.

Tickets are $30 each are available at     https://wineandsong2023.eventbrite.com

     or contact Pamela at prryker@gmail.com


lyric mezzo-soprano Soon Cho

  • Wine & Song 2023: Echoes of Life through a Harmonious Tapestry                                      
  • December 5, 7:00pm                                                                                                               
  • Connelly Law Offices at 2301 N 30th St., Tacoma WA 98403                                              
  • $30 tickets available at http://wineandsong2023.eventbrite.com                                           

November 14 at 7:00pm in Slavonian Hall: Dancing with the Sun King

Harpsichordist Henry Lebedinsky and dancer Anna Mansbridge invite us all to attend the court of Louis XIV! The wearing of haute couture and other finery is optional but do join us at 7:00pm on Tuesday, November 14 at Slavonian Hall in Old Town Tacoma, as we enjoy a window into the grandeur and ceremony of the 17th century.

Known as the Sun King, also as Louis the Great, he was King of France from 1643 to 1715. In his early years he lived at the Louvre (the royal palace at that time), where he established the splendor and the protocol that was to define the Grand Siècle. In 1682, King Louis moved his court - and its fashionable music and decorum - to Versailles. Throughout his life Louis enjoyed dancing and playing the guitar.

On Tuesday Nov 14, Henry Lebedinsky returns to Slavonian Hall, this time sharing his insights into the music and dance of that golden era as established by King Louis and his court. Joining Henry in this performance are renowned dancer Anna Mansbridge, Tekla Cunningham on baroque violin, and Adaiha MacAdam-Some on viola da gamba. This will be a tremendous evening. Join us!



Henry Lebedinsky, harpsichord

Anna Mansbridge, dancer

What: Classical Tuesdays: Dancing with the Sun King
When: November 14, 2023 at 7:00pmWhere: Slavonian Hall, 2303 N 30th St, Tacoma WA
FREE, All ages are welcome
A ramp from the alley to the back door is available to help access the 2nd floor level.



October 10 7:00pm Violin & Percussion in Slavonian Hall, Old Town Tacoma

Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma looks forward to the return of violinist Maria Sampen! And performing with Maria, we welcome percussionist James Doyle who joined the Puget Sound music community in 2020.

Maria Sampen, violin

This exciting program will include:
Salina Fisher: Komorebi (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nVwBE4Oycs) (violin and vibraphone)

Daniel Levitan: Duo for Violin dan Marimba (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILyXrZXRFsg)

Yousif Sheronick: Jubb Jannin  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkKNPs11J5g (violin and percussion)

Fraser/Haas: Caliope Meets Frank https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwgcvxsOeyI (violin and marimba)

Marilyn Shrude (this composer is Maria's mother): Visions in Metaphor (solo violin and images)

Wynton Marsalis: Come Long Fiddler from "At the Octoroon Balls" (solo violin)

And selections of  solo percussion/marimba.

James Doyle, percussion

What: Violin & Percussion Duos & Solos

Where: Slavonian Hall, 2320 N 30th St, Tacoma

When: Tuesday, October 10, at 7:00pm

FREE, All ages welcome!



Tacoma Tapestry 2023 in Old Town Park Saturday Sept 9 at 2:00 - 4:00pm

 Join us in exploring Tacoma's cultural history.This year we celebrate the music of Croatia and the Balkans.

Bonaca Croatian ensemble

Performers are the KlapaDooWopella mens vocal quartet which specializes in traditional Croatian “Klapa” (a cappella minstrels who traditionally hang out on boat docks and street corners along the Adriatic coast of Croatia); Bonaca, a multi-piece tamburica orchestra which performs music from Croatia and Central and Southeast Europe; and Dunava (Danube), a Balkan womens vocal ensemble.

Dunava womens vocal ensemble

The ladies of Slavonian Hall are offering pastries and coffee.

Bring blankets and beach chairs for sitting on the grass.

We are happy to be sponsored by Tacoma Creates, Tacoma City Events, Tacoma Sister Cities, and Old Town Business & Professional Association.

Time: 2pm-4pm Cost: Free All ages welcome

KlapaDooWopella mens voices


Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma 2023-24 Season

 Announcing our 19th Season of Free Music events!

Classical Tuesdays starts the 2023-24 season in Old Town Park  
    then returns to Slavonian Hall (and Connelly Law Offices for our December benefit)

    September 9th at 2:00pm in Old Town Park
        Tacoma Tapestry 2023 - Croatian music & refreshments
    
    October 10th at 7:00pm in Slavonian Hall
        Dance Music for Strings - Maria Sampen, violin, & friends

    November 14th at 7:00pm in Slavonian Hall
        Dancing with the Sun King - Henry Lebedinsky, harpsichord, with                 dancer Anna Mansbridge

    December 5th at 7:00pm in  Connelly Law Offices
        $30 ticketed benefit event for the series offering song & wine                         reception

    February 13th at 7:00pm in Slavonian Hall
        Hip-Hop Duo Czon & Nicco
           
    March 12th at 7:00pm in Slavonian Hall
        Electric Cello & Dancers - Gretchen Yanover with Anastasia & Willow

Thank you to our generous sponsors!






Arx Duo percussionists return to Tacoma April 22, 2023, in Pantages Theater with Symphony Tacoma

 

Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma featured Arx Duo percussion ensemble on April 12, 2022, as we welcomed audience to return to Slavonian Hall 

Saturday April 22, 2023, Arx Duo performs with Symphony Tacoma.

Purchase tickets at a discount price using the code (PARTNERS20) as seen in the photo below. 

Along with a fantastic new composition by Nick DiBerardino performed by Arx Duo, we’ll hear the all-time favorite Beethoven 7th Symphony and Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances. Nice program! 

I will watch for Classical Tuesdays friends in Saturday’s audience!




March 14 at 7:00pm Join us for favorite Songs from Musical Theater!

We conclude our 17th season on a fun note - Puget Sound Concert Opera has planned an evening of Songs from Musical Theater!

Tuesday March 14th at 7:00pm at Slavonian Hall, Old Town Tacoma FREE Donations are very much appreciated to sustain this series!

The Dueling Divas’ Musical Theater Favorites will feature performers sopranos Katie Hochman and Regina Thomas, joined by mezzo-soprano Dawn Padula, with John Burkhardt at the piano.


Regina Thomas & Katie Hochman

Dawn Padula

Grant money from Tacoma Creates has supported Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma’s “A Celebration in Voice” which includes the performance of Valentine Songs by Soprello on February14 (youtube.com/classicaltuesdays) and the upcoming March 14 Musical Theater!

Guest artist for our December Wine & Song - the fabulous vocalist Adriana Giordano and pianist Eric Verlinde performing Brazilian Music - is featured in the March issue of Earshot Jazz. Have a read!

  • Tuesday March 14th at 7:00pm, Puget Sound Concert Opera singing Musical Theater Favorites

  • at Slavonian Hall, Old Town Tacoma

  • FREE, all ages welcome

  • Masks are optional but recommended

Love Songs for Valentine's Day at Slavonian Hall Feb 14, 7:00pm

Join Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma for Valentine's Day!

Love Songs Across the Centuries & Continents: Soprello - a duo formed by soprano Allison Pohl MacRae and cello Alistair MacRae - will perform Love Songs  including works by Purcell, Bach, Mozart, and Schumann, plus some modern works and arrangements by this fabulous duo. 
Soprano Allison and Cellist Alistair


WHEN: Tuesday February 14th, 7:00pm
WHERE: Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St, Tacoma 
FREE: All ages welcome

2023 Wine & Song returns to Connelly Law Offices Dec 13, 7pm: Songs of Brazil

 Wine & Song Benefit for Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma is happily returning to the Connelly Law Offices lovely space this Dec 13, at 7:00pm. This is always a festive evening with music, wine and finger foods, and community. All are welcome!

This year's Wine & Song features Adriana Giordano singing Songs of Brazil with the amazing Eric Verlinde at the piano (together they are in a band called EntreMundos Quarteto). 

Adrianna Giordano

Their effervescent and passionate music will be followed by a reception of wines - Ginkgo Forest Winery Tasting Room will pour some of their east-of-the-mountain wines! - and a generous table of savory finger-foods contributed by Met Market and others, and delightful holiday cookies baked for us by North End neighbor Chris Reynolds.

Tickets are $30, all ages welcome. Tickets are selling on Eventbrite at https://tinyurl.com/ClassTue

or contact prryker@gmail.com

What: Wine & Song Benefit: Songs of Brazil

When: Tuesday Dec 13 at 7:00pm

Where: Connelly Law Offices 2301 N 30th St., Tacoma

$30 tickets available at https://tinyurl.com/ClassTue or prryker@gmail.com

Some tickets may be available at the door




November 8 Classical Tuesdays Celebrates Puget Sound Composers! 7:00pm at Slavonian Hall. Tickets for our Wine & Song Benefit are selling on EventBrite

From the onset of  Classical Tuesdays in Old Town, some 18 years ago, we have enjoyed celebrating our talented musicians here in the Northwest. Over these years we have enjoyed several events featuring composers from Tacoma and the region.

On November 8th, we will perform works of several musicians active as performers and composers in the Puget Sound region: Jerry Kracht, Elise Winkler, Sheila Bristow, Kathryn Smith Derksen, Melia Watras, and Rob Hutchinson. The compositions will feature flute, clarinet and bass clarinet, mezzo soprano, guitar, violin, and harp, all performed by Tacoma instrumentalists. 

Kathryn Smith Derksen
Jerry Kracht
Melia Watras
Rob Hutchinson


Sheila Bristow
WHEN: Tuesday Nov 8th, 7:00pm
WHERE: Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St, Tacoma
FREE:  All ages welcome

Tickets for our festive Wine & Song Benefit on December 13 at Connelly Law Offices are selling now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-song-benefit-songs-of-brazil-tickets-433817849867?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

October 11 in Slavonian Hall: Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma welcomes the Auburn Symphony String Quartet

String Quartets composed by women and People of  Color

Tuesday October 11 at 7:00 pm, in Slavonian Hall

Auburn Symphony String Quartet

The Auburn Quartet will perform three pieces for us: String Quartet  No. 1 in G minor by Emilie Mayer (a prolific German composer born in 1883), String Quartet No. 1 in C minor. Op. 51 No. 1 by Johannes Brahms (1883-1897) , and Lyric Quartet: Musical Portraits of Three Friends composed in 1960 by William Grant Still  (b.1895 in Mississippi, he is considered to have been part of the Harlem Renaissance). 

Emilie Choi, violin; Kimmy Harrenstein, violin; Joyce Ramee, viola; and Brian Wharton on cello.

WHAT: String Quartets composed by women and POC

WHEN: October 11 at 7:00pm 

WHERE: Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St, Old Town Tacoma

FREE All ages are welcome, masks are encouraged when not seated

We are excited to be a part of Tacoma Arts Month!



Enjoy a video of our September TAIKO in Old Town Park at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poWDNELNp5Y&list=UUJQd9cK-rrkYZb5A_QVB1dg&index=1

Thank you to our generous sponsors!







Saturday at 4:00 in Old Town Park in Tacoma. TAIKO Japanese Drums

This Saturday will be a lively, colorful celebration of Asian cultures in Old Town! 


Join us for CHIKIRI Taiko drumming in Old Town Park and then walk over to the Chinese Reconciliation Park to take in the Moon Festival. 

Pick up a copy of this week's Tacoma Weekly to see a terrific feature article

I also suggest some very interesting reading about Japanese history in Tacoma 

This past May, Tacoma Weekly wrote about Merilee Tanbara's video on the Japanese internment which was shown at the Grand Cinema as part of the "Our Communities Our Neighbors" video project at and announced her upcoming book on the internment. 

 Here is another fascinating intro to Tacoma's Japan Town history 

 Join Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma this Saturday at 4:00 for CHIKIRI And The School of TAIKO performing Japanese Taiko Drums.
  • TAIKO Japanese Drums Old Town Park on 30th Street in Tacoma 
  •  Saturday, September 10, 4:00 
  •  FREE, fun for all ages 
  •  Bring a chair or blanket to sit on; perhaps bring a picnic!