Valhalla Quintet: Brass Music with a Viking Flair!
Trumpets Gabe Palmer and John Landis
French Horn Andre Goodrich
Trombone Grant Reed
Bass Trombone Wade Demmert
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| Valhalla Brass Quintet |
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Tacoma Creates/Tacoma Venues & Events/Connelly Law Offices/Ted Brown Music/Slavonian Hall
September 15 Valhalla Brass Quintet "chamber brass with a Viking flair"
October 13 Tacoma Tapestry 2026: Mariachi Moracas
November 10 Recorders and Clavichord: Vicki Boeckman, Bryan Boehnke, and Henry Lebedinsky
December 8 Wine & Song Benefit: featuring baritone Jose Rubio held at Connelly Law Offices
tickets $32 will be available through our QR code or at the door
February 9 Violin String Quartets featuring Maria Sampen & Tim Christie and friends
March 9 "Music be the Food of Love" featuring vocals & guitar, led by Anne Lyman
Special Thanks! to our 2026-27 sponsors:
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| Slavonian Hall |
Join us on March 10 for American Guitar and Song
Guitarists Elizabeth CD Brown and Storm Tucker are joined by vocalists Amy van Mechelen and Erin Calata in an evening of American music of the past 150 years for guitar and song.
Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00pm
FREE all ages welcome!
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| Elizabeth CD Brown, guitarist, lutenist |
Storm Tucker, guitars
February 10, 2026, Classical Tuesdays is excited to welcome a saxophone quartet to Slavonian Hall. The program features a variety of American compositions - sax music by Zack Browning, Moondog, Jennifer Higdon, Marc Mellits, Roshanne Etezady, Elliot del Borgo, Caryl Florio, Leonard Bernstein, and Elliott Carter.
The Crosswind Quartet is an ensemble committed to showcasing and expanding the possibilities of the saxophone through bold programming and compelling performances. The group debuted in 2024 with a concert of Finnish music presented by the Northwest Edvard Grieg Society.
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| Fred Winkler |
Alto saxophonist Soren Hamm is an award-winning soloist and chamber musician whose performances have aired on Performance Today and Northwest Focus Live. A strong advocate for new music, he has appeared at festivals such as New Music Gathering and the Bowling Green New Music Festival. He teaches at Seattle Pacific University and Pierce College Puyallup.
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| Soren Hamm |
Tenor saxophonist Erik Steighner has performed with ensembles including the Austin Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, and Symphony Tacoma, and appears on recordings from Albany, Naxos, and Reference Recordings. He teaches saxophone at Pacific Lutheran University, the University of Puget Sound, and Tacoma Community College, and is founder of the South Sound Saxophone Ensemble.
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| Erik Steighner |
Baritone saxophonist Evan Smith tours internationally with the R&B group The Dip and is active across Seattle’s experimental and classical music circles. He has performed with the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, and Seattle Men’s Chorus. He co-founded the Seattle Saxophone Institute and teaches privately while working as a clinician throughout the region.
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| Evan Smith |
Use the ramp from the alley up to the back door if the inside stairs are too challenging.
Thank you to our primary sponsors: Connelly Law Offices, Slavonian Hall, OTBPA, Tacoma Creates, and Ted Brown Music Co.; and our many generous neighborhood friends!
Our Wine & Song 2025 was a resounding success: a great gathering of friends -old and new! Every seat was filled and a lovely table of refreshments and wines awaited our guests, when we gathered on December 9 for our annual Wine & Song at the festively decorated Connelly Law Offices.
Classical Tuesdays Artistic Director Pamela Ryker welcomed our performing artists - members of Rising Waters Collective co-directors soprano Holly Boaz and mezzo-soprano Lucy Weber, joined by pianist Amy Boers. The program featured works by women composers and poets whose work "carries sparks of persistence, humor, longing, memory, and warmth" (to quote the program notes). We were enthralled - and thrilled!
Wines were generously poured by 3 Old Town Tacoma wine shops: Bordeaux Wine Bar, Uva Furem Winery, and Tacoma Wine Merchants.
The attractive, tasty fingerfoods were provided by Jan Lind and Kathleen Butler, and the lovely holiday cookies were baked and beautifully displayed by Chris Reynolds. Rob Reynolds gathered and strewed about the rooms festive green boughs. Karen Goettling greeted our guests at the reception desk.
Our thanks to Connelly Law Offices for the use of their elegant space. And thank you all for your generous support!
Please join us for our next Classical Tuesdays event "Sax Americana" featuring saxophonists Soren Hamm, Evan Smith, Erik Steighner, and Fred Winkler - on Tuesday February 10, 2026, at 7:00pm at Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th Street in Old Town Tacoma.
December 9, 2025 at 7:00pm
held at the Connelly Law Offices
2301 N 30th Street, Old Town Tacoma
$32 Tickets available at link above or at the door (if any seats left)
Join us for a recital of Songs and a Wine Reception
a benefit for our series of free events:
Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma
A Lovely Light: Songs to Brighten our Dark Days
Featuring works by Northwest composers Olympia-based Dawn Sonntag, Seattle-native Sheila Silver, and Issaquah-native Caitlin Vincent.
Performers: Mezzo soprano Lucy Weber, soprano Holly Boaz, pianist Amy Boers
Holly and Lucy are co-directors of Rising Waters Collective, a chamber opera company grounded in the cultural and ecological fabric of the Puget Sound region. Our mission is to create intimate, immersive works that amplify regional stories, employ local artists, build lasting cross-sector community partnerships, and embrace opera as a living, evolving art form.
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| Mezzo soprano Lucy Weber |
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| Soprano Holly Boaz |
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| Pianist Amy Boers |
November 11, 2025
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| Gen Obata, Kristi & Steve Nebel |
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October 14 at 7:00 pm
A Trip Around the Sun: The Four Seasons
Music of Vivaldi (his Four Seasons), Piazzola (Invierno Porteno), and Tacoma's own composer Korine Fujiwara (BeSpoke, Unspoken)
featuring The Girsky String Quartet with guest violinist Maria Sampen: Natasha Bazhanov, violin; Artur Girsky, violin; Timothy Christie, violin/viola; Rowena Hammill, cello.
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| The Girsky Quartet |
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| Maria Sampen |
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| Timothy Christie |
Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th Street, Tacoma
Free! All ages welcome/You may use the ramp from the back alley for easier access
prryker@gmail.com Artistic Director
Always our Thanks! to our generous sponsors
Connelly Law Offices, Old Town Business & Professional Assoc., Tacoma Creates, Slavonian American Benevolent Society, and Ted Brown Music Co., and many individuals
2025/26 Season
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
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| James W Doyle, percussionist |
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 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!
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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.
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!
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| Maria Sampen, violin |
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| Ronaldo Rolim, piano |
Join us for a spectacular evening of beautiful music in the handsome Connelly Law Offices!
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
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
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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.
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.
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| Emerald City 5 |
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
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
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| Klintetten Swedish Ensemble |
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
Gretchen Yanover on Electric Cello
joined by 2 Dancers
- her daughter Anastasia Ryser & Willow Durst
Tuesday March 12 at 7:00pm at Slavonian Hall
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| Gretchen Nicole Yanover, electric cello |
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| photo by Catherine Anstett |
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.
