Classical Tuesdays Jan 14: Canceled, hopefully rescheduled in March.

TORCH is a contemporary chamber music ensemble performing original compositions. Their name references Nobel laureate Thomas Mann's mantra, “Art is the sacred torch that must shed its merciful light into all life's terrible depths."


From TORCH's website:

In 2012, we asked, “Is it possible to create music that could exist as both intellectually rich and crafted with precision while maintaining a palpable groove without using a drummer?” TORCH was born to answer the question with series of self-composed, original programs of music. Rooted in contemporary classical composition, modern tango, and jazz improvisation, TORCH bridges gaps between genres, re-imagines works from master composers of the 20th century, and demonstrates an indie-band model of self-composition as a contemporary chamber music ensemble.

When: January 14th at 7:00pm
Where: Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St
             Old Town Tacoma
Free/ donations appreciated
All ages welcome!
Parking and a ramp for those who need easier access are behind the hall

Wine & Song 2019 a resounding success

"(we)... had a wonderful time at the Wine and Song 2019.  Yes, the entertainment of piano and tenor  was top drawer!! And I am so excited about the kayak trip (we successfully bid on)...!!!! What a wonderful group of people.  I talked to so many interesting men and women!!!!!  Thank you for making our favorite Xmas Party so very special!!!! " GT

"And thanks to you Pam, for organizing such a fine event. It really was terrific--inspired us to get tickets to hear Brendan do the Messiah next week! " MK

Every seat was filled, Brendan and Beth's music was perfection, Chris's reception table was beautifully laden with delectable finger foods created by Karen and John,Kathleen, Northern Fish, Joanne, Chris' cookies, and wines donated by Kathy and John.

And above all, a big Thanks! to Rob for calling around and gathering folding chairs at the last hour!

The Old Town and Proctor district businesses Northern Fish, Lobster Shop, CI Shenanigan's, Harbor Lights, Katie Downs, Pacific Northwest Shop, Gardensphere, Justine of Europa Bistro, and Karen and Kirk were very generous with their contributions for the Silent Auction. Thank you!
We all enjoy spending the evening in the lovely Connelly Law Offices space, and thank them for their support.

All efforts - and our terrific audience - made for a successful and festive evening. All of this supports the Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma series; we couldn't do it without you. Enjoy the Holidays! See you January 14 for our next event in Slav Hall.

Wine & Song Benefit is Tuesday December 10 at Connelly Law Offices

Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma is holding our annual Wine & Song Benefit again this year in the lovely Connelly Law Offices. Join us for a chamber recital by our guest artist Brendan  Tuohy, followed by a generous and convivial reception of wines and finger-foods. Those who wish may gather around the piano for a bit of carol singing at the end of the evening.

Connelly Law Offices in Old Town

The silent auction baskets are filling up amazingly! North End shops, theaters and restaurants offered so generously last season, and already a new round of retailers have come forth with attractive items.This is a silent auction, so it is not the focus of the evening, the winning bids will be announced during the wine reception; you will be impressed with what you might pick up.

Our featured guest singer for this Wine & Song is Tacoma tenor Brendan Tuohy accompanied by the wonderful pianist Beth Tankersley. Brendan has planned an evening of art songs centered around the theme of wandering, "I was thinking of a short set of Schubert songs followed by the Vaughan Williams 'songs of travel'. Then lighten the mood a little with 3 or 4 Reynaldo Hahn French songs and then close the evening with Dvorak’s gypsy songs." Sounds delightful to me!

tenor Brendan Tuohy

I most recently heard Brendan sing the lead role in The Tacoma Opera's production of The Elixir of Love downtown at the Rialto Theatre. All the roles were sung beautifully and Brendan truly shone.

Come, join us for this festive evening. By purchasing a ticket at: classicaltuesdayswineandsong.brownpapertickets.com  you help support this series of free music events held on the 2nd Tuesdays in Old Town, September through February

When: Tuesday December 10, 7:00pm
Where: Connelly Law Offices, 2301 N 30th Street, Old Town
$30 tickets at classicaltuesdayswineandsong.brownpapertickets.com
call 253-752-2135 for more info and to mail a check for tickets

November 12 Classical Tuesdays welcomes back Tim and Maria

Violins and More Violins! 
Maria Sampen and Tim Christie
On Tuesday November 12 Maria Sampen and Timothy Christie return to Old Town with an evening of violin music - solo, duo, and larger ensemble.  Featured also will be a string group newly-formed and led by Maria at University of Puget Sound called the Puget Sound Virtuoso Strings -  comprised of talented 7th-12th grade violinists from the Puget Sound area. This group will play selections for violin ensemble including a piece by Polish female composer, Grazyna Bacewicz, and Maria will join them for a performance of Astor Piazzola's Winter from his "Four Seasons". 

The Puget Sound Virtuoso Strings

Tim and Maria will each perform solo violin repertoire - selections by Bach, Paganini, and Ysaye.

Where:

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

When: Tuesday November 12, 7:00pm

Free/donations appreciated

All ages welcome  

Ramp access from the alley

The evening of Irish song and dance was such fun and heart-warming!

Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma had a big success Tuesday evening when the Beltane Boys sang and played for us. Our toes tapped away and our hearts were warmed by the singing of their soulful male voices.

Brandon (fiddle), Rich (voice), Cameron (flute/whistles/pipes) and Bill on the bodhran

We had a full house - and 'most everyone started the evening with supper at The Spar. Great fun was had by all.
Be sure to join us November 12 for an evening of Violins and More Violins with Maria Sampen, Tim Christie and the Puget Sound Virtuoso Strings ensemble.

Classical Tuesdays brings Irish Toe-tapping to Old Town Tacoma

The Irish are Coming! to  Old Town.
Join Classical Tuesdays for some Irish fiddling, singing, drumming and good old toe-tapping.

The Beltane Boys

The Beltane Boys add their soulful blend of male vocal harmonies to songs from all around the British Isles and Ireland. It wouldn’t be a céilidh without some instrumental dance music, and the Beltane Boys’ fiery jigs and reels will be sure to get your toes tapping.  So come enjoy a lively evening of song, story, laughter, and tunes that will have you humming all the way home.  

When: October 8th at 7:00pm
Where: Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St
             Old Town Tacoma
Free/ donations appreciated
All ages welcome!
Parking and a ramp for easier access are behind the hall

Brass Band Northwest comes to Old Town Park for our 2019-20 season starter

Join us Saturday September 14 at 4:00 in Old Town Tacoma Park.

Bring your lawn chair and picnic makings.We'll have a party on the lawn.
The Old Spaghetti Factory has offered to treat us to Italian sodas while we listen to the brass guys!

We've enjoyed the Brass Band NW in previous years and are happy they keep coming back!

Saturday, September 14 at 4:00pm
Old Town Park at the bottom of 30th Street hill
And it's FREE!

The Girsky String Quartet members performed for Classical Tuesdays March 5, 2019

Violinist Artur Girsky: Born in Riga, Latvia, into a family of violinists, Artur Girsky began playing violin at age 5. He studied with Maya Glezarova at the Moscow Central Music School and with Felix Andrievsky at the Royal College of Music in London. Girsky won Third Prize at the International Violin Competition of Naples and he served as Concertmaster of the Moscow Soloists chamber orchestra under the baton of world-renowned violist Yuri Bashmet. In 1997 Girsky joined The Florida Orchestra as Principal Second Violin. He has been a member of the Seattle Symphony since 2006 and is also a member of ODEONQUARTET.

Violinist Natasha Bazhanov: Born in Ekaterinburg, Russia, Natasha Bazhanov began playing violin at the age of 5. After winning several regional youth competitions, she made her solo debut with Ural State Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 9 and later was invited to Moscow Central Music School to join the class of professor Belenky. She was one of five people chosen to participate in Sir Yehudi Menuhin's masterclass during his historic visit to Moscow. After graduating with honors, Bazhanov was accepted to the Moscow conservatory and was touring extensively throughout Europe, taking part in festivals such as Schleswig- Holstein, Evian, Bonn, Schloss Ort. After moving to the United States, she became a member of the Florida Orchestra's violin section and later the principal second violinist. In 2006 she relocated to Seattle to join the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and also plays regularly with Seattle Opera.

Violinist and violist Timothy Christie is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival. He serves on the music faculties of the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington, and the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina.
The solo violist of Brave New Works since the group's inception in 1997, Timothy has performed and premiered numerous solo and chamber works of the 20th and 21st centuries. Timothy currently with the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, IRIS Orchestra (Germantown, Tennessee), the Seattle Symphony, and the Seattle Opera. He also plays in numerous chamber music series throughout the Northwest.

Rowena Hammill, cello: Originally from Australia, cellist Rowena Hammill graduated with a master’s degree from Indiana University where she was teaching assistant to Janos Starker. She has held professorships at the University of Northern Iowa and California State University Northridge and was Associate Principal Cello of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Presently, she divides her time between her positions as Associate Principal Cello of the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra and Artistic Director of Vashon Chamber Music in Washington state.In Los Angeles, she has performed with the Gold Coast Concert Artists, Pittance Chamber Music, and for the Guild Series. In the Seattle area, she curates and performs concerts for Club Shostakovich, and with the Girsky Quartet presents the Vashon Beethoven Quartet Project, performing all the quartets of Beethoven over three years, 2015-2018.In 2016, she directed the inaugural Vashon Island Cello Camp, a summer camp for students ages 14 and older. Vashon Chamber Music is now in its eighth season, bringing chamber music concerts to the residents of beautiful Vashon Island in Puget Sound as well as outreach concerts in schools and senior centers all over the Seattle area.

Join us again for our 15th season! with a Concert in the Park on Saturday September 14 at 4:00pm.

Rescheduled to March 5: Power and Patronage in the History of Chamber Music

Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma is excited to bring The Girsky String Quartet to Old Town Tacoma on March 5th at 7pm in Slavonian Hall.

The Girsky String Quartet

Artur Girsky, violin

Natasha Bazhanov, violin

Tim Christie, viola

Rowena Hammill, cello

The program and a discussion of the role of patronage in the history of chamber music will feature:

Franz Joseph Haydn – Quartet in D major, Op. 71 No. 2

Dmitri Shostakovich – Quartet No. 10 in A-flat major, Op. 118

Ludwig van Beethoven – Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2

The Girsky Quartet is an ensemble of stellar string players from Seattle, Los Angeles, Vashon Island, and Tacoma that is rapidly carving a niche for itself in the Pacific Northwest: 

Where & When:
Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St., Old Town Tacoma
Tuesday March 5, 7:00pm
Free/donations appreciated
All ages welcome