Large turnout for Drums in the Park!

Thanks all for coming to the opening event of the 9th season of Classical Tuesdays in Old Town. On September 10, we had a great turnout of folks from the Old Town neighborhood and from throughout the Puget Sound region gathering in Old Town Park!

Thione Diop & Yeke Yeke on the new stage

The weather was perfect and the sprawling lawn beckoned chairs, blankets and picnics. The newly constructed stage in the park was the center of attention.

Quite an array of drums!

Thanks to The Spar for the use of their sound system, Thione Diop and the Yeke Yeke West African Ensemble filled Old Town Park with the beats and timbres of their traditional drums. Thione's "talking drum" was amazing!

Yeke Yeke Ensemble

And especially inviting was the Yeke Yeke's dancer Sumaya Diop. She enticed many from the audience to join in the dancing! 

Sumaya's great smile & movements!

Thanks! to Rosemary Ponnekanti of the TNT, Matt Nagle of Tacoma Weekly and Amanda Westbrooke and the team at TVTacoma's CityLine for helping to get the word out about this year's Classical Tuesdays season, September through February.

Over 200 enjoyed the music, the sunshine and neighbors on the grass
(photo by Jim Robbins)

African Drums in Old Town Park, September 10th

Senegalese artist Thione Diop

Join us to kick off Classical Tuesdays in Old Town's 9th season!

African Drums in Old Town Park
Tuesday, September 10
5:30pm
2350 N. 30th St., Tacoma
Family friendly and free!

We open the season on Old Town Park's new stage. Bring chairs and blankets to sit on. Neighborhood eateries offer beverages and light meals.

We'll feature the fabulous Thione Diop and the Yeke Yeke West African drum ensemble.  Thione is a terrific drummer, teacher and person.  I'm delighted to introduce him to our community.

Thione Diop was born in 1978 to a Griot family in Senegal, West Africa. Griots are hereditary artists who carry the responsibility of preserving history, values, and cultural identity, dedicating their lives to art. His father already a renowned sabar drummer, Thione began playing the sabar and djembe at the age of five. After becoming an acclaimed performer, he moved to Seattle, Washington, where he began teaching in addition to performing, mostly in the Northwest.

For more information:
http://classicaltuesdays.blogspot.com
253-752-2135

9th Season opens September 10th in Old Town Park

Click for 2013-14 season poster

September 10
Concert in the Park

• ThioneDiop & Yeke Yeke West African drums
• 5:30pm
• In Old Town Park on the new stage

October 8
Harps Across the Seas

• Margaret Shelton, harpist
• At Slavonian Hall
  

November 12
String Trios

• At Slavonian Hall
• Maria Sampen, violin; Tim Christie, viola; David Requiro, cello

December 10
Wine & Song Benefit: Operetta and Cabaret

• Soprano Dawn Padula and pianist Denes Van Parys
  
• At Connelly Law Offices
  
• Join us for music, wine and party foods.
• Tickets $25

January 14
Mosaic Brass Quintet

• At Slavonian Hall

February 11
Stadium High School Orchestra

• At Slavonian Hall

When & where:

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

Tuesday, 7pm
(5:30 for the Concert in the Park

Free/donations appreciated
All ages welcome
Handicap parking and access from alley

More information:
(253) 752-2135

Bonus concert! Arabian 'oud, March 19th at Slavonian Hall



Simone Shaheen, 'oud

 Join us for a terrific bonus concert, extending our Classical Tuesdays series!

Come out and hear Arabic 'oud performer Simone Shaheen, thanks to a generous last-minute offer from the Broadway Performing Arts Center, and thanks to Slavonian Hall for their lovely space.

A quick bio:

Simone Shaheen dazzles his listeners as he deftly leaps from traditional Arabic sounds to jazz and Western classical styles. His soaring technique, melodic ingenuity, and unparalleled grace have earned him international acclaim as a virtuoso on the ‘oud and violin. Shaheen is one of the most significant Arab musicians, performers, and composers of his generation. His work incorporates and reflects a legacy of Arabic music, while it forges ahead to new frontiers, embracing many different styles in the process.

Video:

• Simone on violin
• Simone on 'oud

When & where:

Slavonian Hall
2306 N. 30th St., Tacoma

Tuesday, March 19, 2013,  7pm

Free/donations appreciated
All ages welcome
Handicap parking and access from alley

More information:
(253) 752-2135

Classical Tuesdays' 8th Season Ends; 9th Season Planning Underway

Thank you for making Classical Tuesdays' 8th season our best yet!

Bygdedeal dancers with Hale Bill and the Bopps

From Hale Bill and the Bopps to string trios, Tacoma composers' new music for saxophones to the Tacoma Symphony Chorus, we filled Slavonian Hall with good music and good friends every month. And our annual Wine & Song benefit concert at Connelly Law Offices was once again a tremendous success.

Thanks to our audience, our performers, and the Old Town businesses and volunteers that support Classical Tuesdays. We so appreciate the generosity of the local businesses. For example, Old Town Starbucks has generously donated coffee these 8 years for the intermissions. Cathy of the Hawthorn Tea Room donates lovely teas and cookies. Treos donated coffee for this month’s season finale.

We're already planning Classical Tuesdays' 9th season!

The Tacoma Arts Commission has sponsored Classical Tuesdays since we first began, and has already committed to sponsorship for our 9th season.  And the Slavonian American Benevolent Society has once again offered us their beautiful Slavonian Hall.

Mark your calendars! The next season's performance dates will be:

• September 10, 2013 (6pm, outdoors at the new Old Town Park stage)
• October 8, 2013
• November 12, 2013
• December 10, 2013 (our annual benefit at Connelly Law Offices)
• January 14, 2014
• February 11, 2014

News Tribune: A Chorus for Valentine's Day

Geoffrey Boers leads the
Tacoma Symphony Chorus

The News Tribune highlights our upcoming concert as a passionate choral Valentine!

Want to get some Valentine's Day credit in advance?  Then take your honey to hear some passionate choral music....  The TSO Chorus concert is in the cozy Slavonian Hall in Old Town, and it's part of the monthly free Classical Tuesdays in Old Town series.

Join us on Tuesday, February 12th, at 7pm.  More details here.

Classical Tuesdays final concert of season. After-party at Treos

The Chorus is coming! For the closing concert of our 8th season, Classical Tuesdays in Old Town welcomes the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Join us for this free concert in Slavonian Hall on Tuesday February 12 at 7pm.

The News Tribune and Tacoma Weekly recommend this event for the coming week (Valentine's week date?).The concert will feature highlights of the chorus' current season. Led by Director Geoffrey Boers, the TSO Chorus will sing movements from Handel's Messiah, selections from this winter's "Sonic Delights" concert and a preview of their upcoming Spring concert.

After the concert gather with us at the new Treos espresso/wine & beer bar in Old Town neighborhood.They’ll have baristas waiting and ovens heated, ready to greet us. This is a special no-host preview for the friends of Classical Tuesdays– Treos is opening next week!
Treos is located at 2312 N. 30th St., in Old Town.

Treos in Old Town

Classical Tuesdays in Old Town
Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th Street
Tuesday, February 12, 2013 7pm

Free/donations appreciated
All ages welcome
Handicap parking and access from alley
(253) 752-2135 http://classicaltuesdays.blogspot.com

A free event thanks to the support of the Slavonian - American Benevolent Society,Tacoma Arts Commission, Columbia Bank, Sigma Alpha Iota and Treos Life.

Highlights of TSC Season: Tacoma Symphony Chorus sings on February 12 for Old Town

Tacoma Symphony Chorus

The Chorus is coming! Join us for a free concert by the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra Chorus in Slavonian Hall on Tuesday February 12 at 7pm.

The 60 voice TSO Chorus will fill the historic Old Town hall with highlights of their current season. Led by Director Geoffrey Boers, they will sing movements from Handel's Messiah, a few selections from this winter's "Sonic Delights" concert and a preview of their upcoming Spring concert with the Tacoma Youth Chorus.

Columbia Bank and Sigma Alpha Iota Tacoma alumnae chapter have helped sponsor this event.

Join us for this evening with the TSO Chorus in Slavonian Hall!
2306 N. 30th Street, Old Town Tacoma
February 12, 2013 7pm

Free/voluntary donation
Handicap accessible from the alley

For more info call 253.752.2135

Sax Concert in Weekly Volcano

The Spew appears to have prune whip and jungle drums on its mind. Thankfully, Classical Tuesdays' next concert will be catered by Starbucks and the Hawthorn Tea Room!

5 Things To Do Today:

Conventional wisdom dictates that you'd rather spend Tuesday night watching the ION Channel and sharing a big bowl of prune whip with your great aunt Martha than venturing out to hear a band comprised of drums, marimba, congas and found sounds. But in this case, conventional wisdom would be wrong. Unless, of course, you're a big fan of Criminal Minds. Tonight, Saxophonist Erik Steighner will perform on alto, baritone and soprano saxes as part of the Classical Tuesday series at the Slavonian Hall in Old Town Tacoma. Trumpeter Zachary Lyman will join him for the 7 p.m. concert.

Come join us on Tuesday! More details here.
(No prune whip, we promise.)

The Weekly likes us! They really like us!

Check out the latest Tacoma Weekly!

The Things We Like:

CLASSICAL TUESDAYS
Classical Tuesday in Old Town presents new music for the New Year. On Jan. 8, Saxophonist Erik Steighner will perform a fun and unusual program in Slavonian Hall (2306 N. 30th St.) featuring a variety of instrumentation, soundscapes and pre-recorded electronics with Steighner on alto, baritone and soprano saxes and trumpeter Zachary Lyman joining him. Hear premieres of pieces by Tacoma composers Deborah Anderson and Greg Youtz. This free/voluntary donation event begins at 7 p.m.

Published in the Tacoma Weekly
Thursday, 3 January 2013

Join us on Tuesday! More details here.

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

Photos of 2011 Wine & Song Benefit Concert

Thank you to everyone who was part of the Classical Tuesdays 2011 Wine & Song Benefit! As always, we had a wonderful audience, dedicated volunteers, and generous support from local businesses and residents.

Tacoma photographer Dayton Knipher has generously shared her photos of the event. Below are soprano Christina Kowalski, tenor Gino Lucchetti, pianist Denes Van Parys, and our beautiful venue, the John Connelly Law Offices.

Tonight's Wine & Song Benefit (December 13)

The Volcano recommends...

... that you come out tonight for our Wine & Song Benefit Concert!

Events - We Recommend...

Tuesday, Dec. 13: Classical Tuesdays Wine & Song Benefit

By Volcano Staff on December 7, 2011

This year's Classical Tuesdays Wine & Song Benefit in Old Town Tacoma will feature "American Arias and songs from operas, musicals and movies," according to the press release. It will also - more importantly - feature soprano Christina Kowalski and tenor Gino Lucchetti accompanied by pianist Denes Van Parys - doling out tunes by Gian Carlo Menotti, Bernard Herman, Samuel Barber, Oscar Hammerstein and others. This annual event benefits the free Classical Tuesdays in Old Town chamber music series.

When & where:

Connelly Law Offices, 2301 N. 30th Street, Tacoma.
7 p.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2011.
$25, tickets available at Bay View Optical, The Spar, or by calling Pamela at 253.752.2135.

More details here

Wine & Song Benefit on December 13

American Arias and Songs from Operas, Musicals and Movies are the theme of this year's Classical Tuesdays Wine & Song Benefit.

Lyric soprano Christina Kowalski and tenor Gino Lucchetti (back by popular demand!) will be accompanied by pianist and raconteur Denes Van Parys (also welcomed back!) in songs by Gian Carlo Menotti, Bernard Hermann, Samuel Barber, Oscar Hammerstein and others.

Tickets:

Tickets are $25. This is our annual fundraising concert benefiting the free Classical Tuesdays In Old Town chamber music series. Following the performance, guests are invited to mingle and enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres.

To reserve your seats, drop by Bay View Optical or The Spar Coffee Shop, both on 30th Street in Old Town, or call Pamela at 253-752-2135. There are no online sales for this event.

When and where:

The Wine & Song Benefit will be held at 7pm on December 13, at the handsomely refurbished Connelly Law Offices at 2301 N. 30th Street in Old Town.

Thanks to Community for Supporting Evening of String Trios

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Connelly Law Offices, Classical Tuesdays' audience enjoyed a delightful evening of string trios and duos on November 8.  The Manette Trio performed works by Beethoven, Mozart, Dohnanyi and Kodaly to a full audience in our lovely Slavonian Hall.

The support of members of the Old Town Business & Professional Association makes it possible to present these concerts - for free - in the Old Town District. For the Manette Trio concert, the Connelly Law Offices underwrote the expense of the concert and printed the flyers and programs for the event. Many thanks for these generous contributions!

Classical Tuesdays also has a number of full-season sponsors, including both businesses and individuals in the district. The Slavonian-American Benevolent Society offers the series free use of the hall, the Old Town Starbucks donates coffee and cups, and Cathy Russell at the Hawthorn Tea Room contributes teas and cookies. Last but not least, the Tacoma Arts Commission grants financial support for the entire season--for seven straight seasons of Classical Tuesdays!

photos by Jim Robbins

One of Volcano's 5 Things To Do Tonight

Thanks to The Volcano for including the Classical Tuesdays November 8 concert as one of 5 Things To Do Tonight.

We appear to score somewhere below the bare-chested young men of the Twilight series.... With such competition, we appreciate the mention!

5. Classical Tuesdays in Old Town: The Manette Trio will perform Beethoven, Mozart, Kodaly and Dohnanyi as part of Classical Tuesdays inside the Slavonian Hall in Old Town Tacoma.

More information on the concert:
String Trios on November 8

When and where:
Tuesday, Nov. 8th, 2011, at 7 pm, FREE.
Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Old Town Tacoma
For more info: (253)752-2135

String Trios on November 8 in Slavonian Hall

The Manette Trio will perform for our Nov. 8th, 2011 concert. Trio members are violinist Gwendolyn Taylor, violist Thane Lewis and cellist Stuart Hake.

Their program includes works from the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries. The evening will start with Beethoven's Trio in C Minor, Op. 9 No. 3, linger on selected movements of Mozart's Duo in G for Violin & Viola and Kodaly's Duo, Op. 7 for Violin & Cello, then  conclude with Dohnanyi's Serenade, in C Major.

Join us for this lovely evening of chamber music in Old Town.

• Download and print a flyer
  (You may need to check "fit to page")

Tuesday, Nov. 8th, 2011, at 7 pm, FREE.
Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Old Town Tacoma
For more info: (253)752-2135

Call for photos: Old Town Lion Dance & Chinese Concert

Thanks to our new neighbors, South Sound Magazine, for highlighting the Old Town District's lion dance and Classical Tuesdays' first concert of 2011-12! South Sound Magazine just moved to Old Town a few months ago, and we're delighted to welcome them to the district.

More information on the events:
Chinese Concert & Lion Dance on October 11

We would like to post a few good photos of the lion dance and the concert, and South Sound Magazine may also be able to use one or two photos. If you have photos to share, please drop us an email.

Classical Tuesdays on TV Tacoma's CityLine

Last week, TV Tacoma's CityLine featured Classical Tuesdays Artistic Director Pamela Ryker along with segments on the Tacoma Film Festival and the Fall Free For All. CityLine is great to work with, and we're enjoying hearing from those of you who've already seen the episode.

If you missed the show last week, you can still catch it online or on cable:

• Watch at the City of Tacoma website (click on "Oct 4, 2011"). The Classical Tuesdays segment starts 45 minutes in.
• Watch for the episode to repeat on Click! or Comcast (Channel 12 or 21, depending on your location).

Tuesday's Chinese concert in The News Tribune

Tomorrow night, we're delighted to both open the Classical Tuesdays 2011-12 season and also honor the Chinese Reconciliation Project and the newly-dedicated Fuzhou Ting. Friday's News Tribune gave a good description:

Chinese music program honors new park

By Rosemary Ponnekanti on October 7, 2011

With the Chinese Reconciliation Park just opened at the Old Town Tacoma waterfront, Tacoma has finally taken a step in throwing off its historically infamous relationship with its Chinese citizens, going some way toward apologizing for brutally evicting them in 1885. Next week, that step is honored further with a free concert of classical Chinese music in Old Town’s Slavonian Hall, preceded by an outdoor lion dance through Old Town.

The concert and dance are part of the seventh season of the Classical Tuesdays series, a free series of classical concerts presented by the Old Town business district that often goes out of the box: Upcoming concerts include a string trio, the annual opera aria fundraiser, a Tacoma composer and a medieval vocal consort.

This Tuesday kicks off with the U.S. China Music Ensemble led by Warren Chang, a Seattle-based orchestra of traditional Chinese instruments like erhu, pipa, dizi and guzheng blending to create that shimmery Asian soundscape.

When and where:
5:45 p.m. Lion Dance (begins at Gateway Park, near the Old Town Music Society on N. 30th St.)
7 p.m. Free concert by the U.S. China Music Ensemble (at Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Tacoma).

More information:
253-752-2135, classicaltuesdays.blogspot.com, uschinamusic.org.

Classical Tuesdays' 7th Season

October 11th, 2011, kicks off our seventh season of Classical Tuesdays in Old Town!  We'll feature four widely varied free concerts, plus our annual benefit concert.  The line-up is:

October 11 Chinese Concert & Lion Dance

• In celebration of the new Chinese Reconciliation Park and Pavilion
• 5:45pm Lion Dance starting at Gateway Park
• 7pm US China Music Ensemble at Slavonian Hall

November 8 The Manette String Trio performs Beethoven and Mozart

• Gwendolyn Talyor, violin; Thane Lewis, viola; Stuart Hake, cello

December 13 American Opera Arias: Annual Benefit Concert & Wine Reception

• Christina Kowalski, soprano; Gino Lucchetti, tenor; Denes Van Parys, piano
• Held at Connelly Law Offices, Old Town; $25 admission

January 10, 2012 Wired for Sound

• Tacoma composer Joshua Parmenter and friends
• Acoustic and electronic music

February 14 Plaisir d'Amour (The Pleasure of Love)

• Canonici vocal consort
• Love songs in English, French and Italian

As always, a big Thank You! to the Slavonian-American Benevolent Society for the use of their beautiful hall in Old Town.

Concerts start at 7pm the second Tuesday of each month. All but the benefit concert are at Slavonian Hall, 2306 N 30th St, in Old Town Tacoma. Info: 253-752-2135, http://classicaltuesdays.blogspot.com. And of course, admission is free.

Remember:

• Print this page!
• Print the season poster (8.5 X 11)
• Watch for the poster at local businesses!
• Check this space!
• Mark the concert dates now!
• Check the News Tribune Calendar!

Chinese Concert & Lion Dance on October 11

Pipa

Erhu

October 11 opens Classical Tuesdays in Old Town's 7th season!

Our first concert is part of Old Town Tacoma's celebration of the new Chinese Reconciliation Park and Pavilion on the waterfront. Old Town will host two events on October 11:

5:45pm Lion dance

• Gather at Gateway Park (next to the Old Town Music Society) and accompany the lion party to the doors of Slavonian Hall.

7pm Classical Tuesdays concert

• Warren Chang and the US China Music Ensemble will perform Chinese traditional music on pipa, erhu, dizi, guzheng and yangqin

Both events are free and open to the public.

Come help celebrate a new season of Classical Tuesdays and the next phase of the Chinese Reconciliation Project!

When and where:

Tuesday, Oct. 11th, 2011, at 7 pm, FREE.
Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Old Town Tacoma
For more info: (253)752-2135

Print a flyer for this concert.

---

Guzheng

All photos courtesy of US China Music Ensemble.

Classical Tuesdays February 8 concert a Critic's Pick

We hope to see you tomorrow, February 8, for our final concert of the season! It's nice to end with a bang, so we're doubly glad to be among The News Tribune's Critic's Pick:

Critic's Picks: William Wolfram piano at UPS, African American history portraits, Classical Tuesdays in Old Town and Garrison Keilor at the Pantages

By Rosemary Ponnekanti on February 4, 2011

Classical Tuesday features “Expanded Sounds”

This month’s Classical Tuesday in Old Town will expand your listening ears with contemporary classical music for electric guitar, marimba, flute, voice and electronics. 7 p.m. Feb. 8. Free. Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Tacoma. 253-752-2135, classicaltuesdays.blogspot.com

More details on the concert

Tuesday, Feb. 8th, 2011, at 7 pm, FREE.
Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Old Town Tacoma
For more info: (253)752-2135