Community Calendar

KNKX is relaunching our "KNKX Connects" initiative to connect listeners to different communities around the region in 2023 and beyond. Our news and music teams will tell the stories of interesting people creating art, making music, and cooking unique food.

The first KNKX Connects series is a weeklong adventure exploring the history, art and culture of Pike Place Market. Listen to stories on-air and online June 5-9. Join us for a free civic conversation on Monday, June 5 at Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum in Pike Place Market around the theme, "What makes a place iconic?" The conversation will be moderated by KNKX News Director Florangela Davila. She'll talk with former Washington State Poet Laureate Claudia Castro Luna, Cynthia Brothers, founder of Vanishing Seattle, and Rodney Hines, founder of Métier Brewing Company. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. KNKX will be recording and videotaping the event. Enjoy food and drink at Folio following the civic conversation.

GET MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER HERE.

Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum is a nonprofit library and cultural center located in the Pike Place Market at 93 Pike Street, #307. Folio offers a circulating book collection, provides workspaces for readers and writers, and presents numerous public programs, author readings, civic discussions and musical evenings.

Sponsored by KNKX. Keyon Harrold first came into the International spotlight for his work as the trumpet voice behind the Grammy winning Don Cheadle film “Miles Ahead”, and his critically acclaimed album, The Mugician, (Sony Legacy / Mass Appeal). As a bandleader, he has created a compelling new statement with a riveting mix of jazz, Afrobeat, soul, spoken word, hip-hop, blues, rock and even American folk. As a soloist, his distinctly warm trumpet sound simmers in the middle register; creating drama without aggrandizing, and mesmerizing live audiences with an emotionally charged concert presentation.

Sponsored by KNKX. The Tacoma Urban League is looking forward to once again hosting The State of Black Tacoma, a virtual community event to hear progress toward Black social equality and economic independence. This year’s event will premier virtually on Wednesday, May 31st, at 12pm and will be available for the community to re-watch any time. We invite you to support your community and join us as an event sponsor at this important townhall exploring the state of our community and issues unique to the African American community. For over 50 years, the Tacoma Urban League has been devoted to empowering African Americans and other disenfranchised groups to enter the economic and social mainstream. From its earliest days in the civil rights movement, through years of partnership with government and public agencies, the Tacoma Urban League has been a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change in the South Puget Sound African American community.

Sponsored by KNKX. Seattle Pride in the Park, produced by Seattle Pride®, will kick off Seattle’s 49th annual Pride Month celebration on Saturday, June 3 at Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill.

This annual LGBTQIA+ celebration, with the theme Galactic Love, will feature a can’t-miss lineup of LGBTQIA+ performances, a dance-focused stage curated by Supernova with an adjacent alcohol garden (for those 21 years of age and older), food trucks, local nonprofit booths, queer vendors, and more.

The free event also includes plenty of family friendly fare – including Drag Queen Storytime with Cookie Couture – and a youth space designed and hosted by youth in a collaborative internship between Seattle's LGBTQ Center and Seattle Pride.

Sponsored by KNKX. Eight Venues in Downtown Edmonds Featuring: Rich Cole, Kelly Eisenhour, Sage Eisenhour, Byron Vannoy, Bill Anschell, Phil Sparks, Gail Pettis, Jovino Santos Neto, Jared Hall, Steve Treseler, Danny Kolke, Greg Williamson, Michael Glynn, Jake Bergevin, JavaTown Swing Orchestra, Jazz Punishments, Nelda Swiggett, Xavier Lecouturier, Jory Tindall, Western Washington Unniversity Jazz Band, University of Washington Jazz Ensemble, Soundsation and many more...

It’s our 50th Anniversary and we’re celebrating! Formed as a result of the Market almost being destroyed in the 1960s the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (PDA) owns and manages this historic 9-acre Market. Every day we work behind the scenes to maintain and operate this historic 9-acre Market. From maintenance and facilities work to property management and event planning, we do it all! Come enjoy a summer day at Pike Place, learn about our history and enjoy Market activities in celebration of our commitment to this Market.

50th Anniversary Celebration
As we celebrate the long history the PDA has with this Market we invite Market shoppers and visitors to enjoy a day of fun-fill activities at the Market. On this day, Market-goers can enjoy immersive Market history activities, kids crafts, live music, special shopping offers and chances to win Market prizes.

The Sound of the Northwest is presenting its Spring Concert 2023 on Saturday, June 3rd at 7:00 pm at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. The theme of this year’s concert is “History, Her-story, Their-story: Music from Different Perspectives." Music reflects the joys, sorrows, victories, defeats, struggles and triumphs of people throughout history. The voice of woman composers has not always been heard on concert stages. In this performance, we will be singing Spirituals, Freedom Songs, and Gospel music by many Black composers, but we will highlight the songs of women who convey their perspectives.

From our Artistic Director, Vanessa Wells Bruce- “As we have watched the news in recent years, we have seen and heard the cries of people who have been oppressed. As the mother of a Black man, my heart broke to hear the voices of sons calling for their mothers as they were crushed and destroyed. My tears are for those women who have had to speak on behalf of their martyred children.”

In America, we need to listen more to the voices of women who lift their voices to change society. Freedom is a tenet of our democratic nation. When freedom is at stake, we need more songs, more poetry, more art, and more discourse to protect our life and liberty.

Listen to her voice, his voice, their voices.

Seattle Center Festál is a year-round series of 24 free cultural festivals, produced in partnership with community organizations. In 2022, Festál celebrated 25 years of stories and traditions, ushering in a new era of hybrid programming. Learn more about Festál and subscribe to the newsletter for updates.

The festival commemorates the anniversary of Philippine Independence with the word 'Pagdiriwang' meaning 'festival'. It offers a glimpse of Filipino heritage and culture through music, dance, arts, history, literature, and crafts.

Presented by KNKX. A leading voice of the harp, Brandee Younger recently made history at the 2022 Grammy Awards as the first Black female solo artist nominated in the Best Instrumental Composition category for her song “Beautiful Is Black.” The mesmerizing track is from her 2021 critically well-received major label debut album, Somewhere Different, that also received a 2022 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental.

Over her career Ms. Younger has performed and recorded across countless genres with artists including John Legend, The Roots, Lauryn Hill, Common, Pharoah Sanders, Ravi Coltrane, Ron Carter, and Charlie Haden. Additionally, her original composition “Hortense” was featured in the Netflix Concert-Documentary, Beyoncé: Homecoming and in 2019 the tireless musician was selected to perform her original music as a featured performer for Quincy Jones and Steve McQueens’ “Soundtrack of America.”

Ms. Younger’s ability to seamlessly inject the harp into arrangements and venues where it has historically been overlooked is a testament to her deep love for and exemplary command of the instrument. In addition to performing, she is on the teaching artist faculty at New York University and The New School College of Performing Arts in New York City.

Explore Bellevue's hidden treasures by bike on the Lake to Lake Bike Ride on June 10, 2023, rain or shine. Remember we have a kids ride in the park for children 8 and under afterwards. Bring the whole family to this enjoyable, non-competitive ride benefiting the City of Bellevue's youth donation fund.
Start/Finish: Robinswood Community Park, North Entrance, 14915, SE 22nd St.
Start area: Long course riders need to leave by 9:30, short course leave between 9:30 and 10. The course will be marked and well-supported by staff and volunteers until noon. Kids ride at 12:15. The event ends at 12:45.
Online registration closes at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 9. Day-of registration begins Saturday, June 10, at 8 a.m., while space is available. Pre-Registration and entry fees: Register online at parks.bellevuewa.gov/ride for course # 2301198 Or call 425-452-6885 Free Kids ride in the park at 12:15. Pre-registration recommended course #2301199
Two routes -- the mostly flat, eight -mile Greenbelt Loop and the more challenging, 24-mile Lake Loop with significant elevation gain. Both routes are approximately 80 percent paved road and 20 percent small gravel.
Equipment: Past participants have ridden these courses on all types of bikes. Over the 9-year duration of the ride, past participants tell us they prefer a cyclo cross adventure type bike with tires with some traction or a mountain bike. The event will have bike mechanics on site at the start to assist with safety checks and minor repairs. All riders must wear helmets.
Prizes: Post-event prize giveaway. All participants will receive a custom-designed event t shirt and various freebies at the post-event prize giveaway.
Requirements: All participants must obey the rules of the road and trail. Recommended for riders ages 9 and older (Greenbelt Loop). All riders under age 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult on all rides.

Sponsored by KNKX. Seattle-bred, Brooklyn-based brass quartet The Westerlies return home to present the fifth annual Westerlies Fest, a multi-day music festival featuring Sarah Elizabeth Charles and Jarrett Cherner, Wayne Horvitz Gravitas Quartet, and Jahnvi Madan. Westerlies Fest will include evening performances and workshops in local schools, including a residency in Highline Public Schools. The performances will take place over three evenings, each with a different guest artist and The Westerlies. Every performance will feature exclusive, one-off collaborations, showcasing the cutting edge of genre-defying contemporary music. The Westerlies created Westerlies Fest to give back to the musical ecosystem that raised them by engaging local students, highlighting local talent, and facilitating dynamic collaborations between artists from Seattle and beyond.

On June 15th, The Westerlies will be joined by vocalist Sarah Elizabeth Charles and pianist Jarrett Cherner, 8 p.m. at The Royal Room (5000 Rainier Ave S). Charles and Cherner will perform selections from their recent duo album, Tone, and premiere a number of collaborative ensemble arrangements featuring The Westerlies. The second evening, June 16th at 8 p.m., will be the official Seattle album release show for the Westerlies’ latest studio album, MOVE, featuring an opening set from local Seattle-based clarinetist and composer Jahnvi Madan, also at The Royal Room. The Westerlies will cap off the festival on June 17th, 8 p.m. at The Chapel Performance Space (4649 Sunnyside Ave N, 4th Floor) with a performance featuring the Wayne Horvitz Gravitas Quartet. Gravitas Quartet was one of the original inspirations that sparked the formation of The Westerlies nearly 12 years ago; now the ensembles will come together for an evening celebrating the musical legacy of Gravitas Quartet’s cornetist, the late, great Ron Miles. The Westerlies’ own Riley Mulherkar will fill the trumpet chair for Gravitas Quartet, illustrating the power of an important musical lineage.

NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest is hitting the road! Join us this summer for a one-of-a-kind concert experience showcasing the incredible talent of the 2023 Contest Winner, plus some amazing Tiny Desk Contest artists from each city. The tour comes to Seattle's Nectar Lounge on Friday, June 23. Headlining the tour is the band Little Moon from Springville, Utah. Singer Emma Hardyman and her husband, Nathan Hardyman, who plays bass in the six-person band, talk about winning this year's Tiny Desk Contest here, where you can also listen to some of their music. Opening the show are Northwest bands LaFonda and LIVt.

Nearly 6,000 unsigned bands and artists entered the Tiny Desk Contest in 2023. Our judges picked one winner who will get to perform behind the Tiny Desk at NPR’s headquarters, and we discovered many great musicians along the way. Now, we’re teaming up with Member stations to take the show across the country this summer. Enjoy a performance by the winner of this year's Tiny Desk Contest plus NPR's favorites from the Pacific Northwest.

The 2023 Tiny Desk Contest is presented by Capital One and supported by Guayaki Yerba Mate.

Sponsored by KNKX. Mainstage concerts schedule:

Friday, July 28, 7:30 p.m.
Sachal Vasandani, voice René Marie, voice Dawn Clement, piano Martin Wind, bass Matt Wilson, drums David Sanchez, tenor Terell Stafford, trumpet Wycliffe Gordon, trombone Randy Porter, piano Marlon Martinez, bass Obed Calvaire, drums

Saturday, July 29, 1:30 p.m.
Tia Fuller, alto Terell Stafford, trumpet George Cables, piano John Clayton, bass Lewis Nash, drums Faculty tribute to Chuck Deardorf Centrum All Star Big Band directed by John Clayton

Sunday, July 30, 1:30 p.m.
Miles Okazaki, guitar Randy Porter, piano Marlon Martinez, bass Matt Wilson, drums. Special Presentation of Matthew Whitaker Quintet.

Plus Jazz in the Clubs at Fort Worden venues - Thursday, July 27 and Saturday, July 29 from 8-11 p.m.

Be it jazz, conversing with crowds, or working with aspiring musicians, Goldblum does it all with a joyful sense of connection and reveling in the moment. Audiences will enjoy a night of classic jazz and improvised comedy with the beloved and gregarious Hollywood star.

With film credits including "Jurassic Park," "Independence Day," "The Fly," "The Big Chill," "The Grand Budapest Hotel," and “Thor: Ragnarok;" theatre performances including "The Pillowman," "Speed the Plow" and "Domesticated;" and television show “The World According to Jeff Goldblum”, television appearances including “Portlandia” “Inside Amy Schumer” and “Will & Grace,” Jeff Goldblum also plays jazz with his band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Whether performing regularly in Los Angeles, or elsewhere, Goldblum will take your questions, ask you trivia questions, and play classic jazz.

This performance will feature Goldblum on piano, John Storie on guitar, Alex Frank on bass, Joe Bagg on organ, James King and Scott Gilman on saxophones and Kenny Elliott on drums. The featured vocalist will be Gina Saputo.

Jeff and the band have a new album entitled “Plays Well With Others”, released on March 24, 2023 on Decca Records. This is the band’s third record, all on Decca.