Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma 2025/2026 Season !

 

2025/26 Season

Our third decade bringing music to Old Town!

 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.

Celebrating Centuries of  Our Great Music & Musicians

September 9  Tacoma Tapestry 2025: Celebrating Place

Slavonian Hall 7pm percussionist, photographer James W Doyle

October 14  String Quartets 

Slavonian Hall 7pm Girsky Quartet with guest violinist Maria Sampen

November 11 Cosmo's Dreams America

Slavonian Hall 7pm Kristi & Steve Nebel, Gen Obata

December 9 Wine & Song Benefit: Rising Waters

Connelly Law Offices 7pm $30 recital & reception

February 10 Guitars & Song in American History

Slavonian Hall 7pm Elizabeth Brown, Storm Tucker, Erin Calata, Amy van  Mechelen

March 10 Sax Americana

Slavonian Hall 7pm Erik Steighner, Fred Winkler, Soren Hamm, Evan Smith

prryker@gmail.com, Artistic Director

 Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St - with a ramp in the back for those needing easier access

 Connelly Law, 2301 N 30th St

All events are free except for $30 admission to Wine & Song

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Tacoma Creates, Connelly Law Offices, Tacoma Events, OTBPA, Ted Brown Music Co., Slavonian Hall

Classical Tuesdays ' 21st season starts up September 9 in Slavonian Hall

Welcome to our 21st season in Old Town Tacoma!

September 9 at 7pm in Slavonian Hall

We are starting the season with a bang! 

Percussionist James W Doyle is performing for us his  composition Confluence for Marimba, Vibraphone and assorted percussion - to accompany projections of his images of the waters of the Pacific Northwest. 

 In the artist's words:

Confluence melds the natural sounds and images of field recordings with atmospheric compositions. Centering vibraphone and other percussion instruments with ambient analog synthesizers, these improvisatory soundtracks serve as a reminder to engage with nature. It’s my hope this series inspires moments of calmness and encourages others to find a sense of place in their surroundings.

Support for Doyle's project comes from the Washington State Arts Commission

James W Doyle, percussionist

What: Tacoma Tapestry 2025: Celebrating our Heritage, our Place

        James W Doyle, percussionist

When: September 9, 2025

        7:00pm

Where: Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th Street

        Old Town Tacoma

Please use the ramp from alley to the back door of the 2nd floor if you are challenged by the Hall stairs.

Thank you to our 2025-26 sponsors!

      

Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma March 11, 2025

Classical Tuesdays presents The Quiet Between: Tales and Tunes from the North

Join us Tuesday, March 11

 7:00pm at Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St in Old Town Tacoma

Join local singers Anne Lyman, Holly Boaz, and Erin Calata for a program of music from Celtic, Norse, and Maritime lands.  They are joined by Vienna Scheyer on Scottish small pipes and Jim Brown on guitar.

This event is free; all ages welcome

 If you are challenged by the stairs to the 2nd floor in Slav Hall, please use the ramp from the alley up to the 2nd floor. There are a few parking spaces in the alley, but also on the side street.

Our final event of this season - join us for community, coffee, and Chris's cookies!

Classical Tuesdays' February 11 Violin & Piano Recital

 Our February 11th Violin and Piano recital 

featuring violinist Maria Sampen and pianist Ronaldo Rolim is happening at Connelly Law Offices, across 30th Street from Slavonian Hall - at 2301 N 30th St.

You may reserve seats at prryker@gmail.com - or take your chances at the door before 7:00pm.

A suggested donation of $25/ or students $12, may be paid by check, cash, or by clicking on this QR code.

Tuesday evening Naomi will be at the door to greet you and she is happy to help guests manage the QR code - and it is quite quick and easy.          

We'll see you this Tuesday!

Next Classical Tuesdays in Old Town event is February 11, 2025!

 A new location for our February 11th event - Join us across 30th Street at -

 Connelly Law Offices at 2301 N 30th St, in Old Town Tacoma

7pm; all ages welcome. 

Seating is limited to 55 - be sure to reserve a spot - at prryker@gmail.com - or take your chances at the door before 7:00pm. This is sure to be a popular event.

Suggested donation is $25 - student discount $12.

We are excited that violinist Maria Sampen and pianist Ronaldo Rolim are preparing a recital for us. Classical Tuesdays does not have a piano available for our programming in Slavonian Hall - our usual performance hall. For her numerous performances on our series, Maria has organized string quartets, trios, duets (sometimes including her husband violist Tim Christie, or yours truly on flute, or adding a vocalist or even percussion!) For this occasion, in this special venue, Maria is delighted to add to the mix - she has invited the superb pianist Ronaldo Rolim, to join her.

We are in for a treat!

Maria Sampen, violin

Ronaldo Rolim, piano

Join us for a spectacular evening of beautiful music in the handsome Connelly Law Offices!

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

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