Sep 25 Friday
Welcomed by KNKX. Frank Vignola is one of the most extraordinary guitarists performing before the public today. His stunning virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world’s top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, John Lewis, Tommy Emmanuel, Lionel Hampton, the Boston Pops, the New York Pops, and guitar legend Les Paul, who named Vignola to his “Five Most Admired Guitarists List:” for the Wall Street Journal.
His dynamic genre-spanning music has brought him to 21 countries on three continents – and still growing – performing in some of the world’s most illustrious venues, including the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, New York’s Lincoln Center, The Blue Note, and the world’s oldest indoor concert hall, Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Italy.
Pasquale Grasso - It was the kind of endorsement most rising guitarists can only dream of, and then some. In his interview for Vintage Guitar magazine’s February 2016 cover story, Pat Metheny was asked to name some younger musicians who’d impressed him. “The best guitar player I’ve heard in maybe my entire life is floating around now, Pasquale Grasso,” said the jazz-guitar icon and NEA Jazz Master. “This guy is doing something so amazingly musical and so difficult. “Mostly what I hear now are guitar players who sound a little bit like me mixed with a little bit of [John Scofield] and a little bit of [Bill Frisell],” he continued. “What’s interesting about Pasquale is that he doesn’t sound anything like that at all. In a way, it is a little bit of a throwback, because his model—which is an incredible model to have—is Bud Powell. He has somehow captured the essence of that language from piano onto guitar in a way that almost nobody has ever addressed. He’s the most significant new guy I’ve heard in many, many years.”
In 1902 New York, anything seemed possible. RAGTIME is a uniquely compelling exploration of America at the turn of the 20th century, weaving together three unforgettable stories: a daring Harlem pianist, a determined Jewish immigrant, and an affluent society woman. Each navigates a changing world, united by courage, compassion, and belief in the promise of the future.
With its Tony Award-winning score blending ragtime, blues, jazz, and show tunes, RAGTIME has been hailed by TIME Magazine as “a triumph for the stage,” and by the International Herald Tribune as “the best musical in twenty years.”
In a production marking our nation’s 250th birthday, this beloved epic musical bursts onto the Village stage, painting a vivid portrait of the people who built this country with hope for a brighter tomorrow.
For drag king Benny Dick and femmecee Beatrice, love is a real drag. Thankfully, at Messy Ina’s — the hottest gay nightclub in 1970s Seattle— they’re in good company!
When Claudio returns from protest with Dawn Pedro, he finds himself smitten with Leo Nada’s drag child, Hero. But before these two baby gays can U-Haul their way to a happy ending, Joanne — ex-wife to Claudio and sister to Dawn Pedro — cooks up a devious plot to sabotage their engagement.
Adapted and co-produced by Jo Jo Stilleto, directed by Verity Germaine, and co-choreographed by Flossy Beatrice and Fosse Jack, this delightfully queer adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy features muppet show-style hijinks, lipsyncs for one’s life, and an amount of puns that would make even the most seasoned Dad Joke-tellers groan.
WOW invites women from across Washington State to disconnect from everyday life and discover new outdoor skills, build confidence, and reconnect with nature at its annual Fall Weekend Outdoor Skills Workshop, September 25th - 27th at Camp Killoqua in Stanwood.
Designed for women ages 18 and older, the annual weekend workshop offers hands-on instruction in a variety of outdoor pursuits taught by experienced volunteer instructors in a supportive, welcoming environment. Participants select three, four-hour courses and can choose from topics such as archery, fly fishing, survival, native plant identification, wildlife awareness, outdoor cooking, gardening for wildlife, and more.We’re are bringing back Outdoor Photography and Birding and will offer new classes that include: Pine Needle Basketry, Preserving Your Harvest, and Wild Edible Remedies.
Sep 26 Saturday
September 24-27, 2026 and Virtual Fest - Sept. 28-Oct 4
An annual independent film festival held in the historic, Victorian seaport town of Port Townsend, Washington. Affectionately nicknamed "Sundance by the Sea," it is the oldest and largest film festival on the Olympic Peninsula and was recently named one of the "25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" by MovieMaker Magazine.
It screens over 50 independent films- including narrative features, documentaries, animations, and shorts across 8 distinct walkable venues.
Los Lobos: The legendary, multi-Grammy-winning East L.A. band is the 2026 headline guest. The festival is hosting the Pacific Northwest premiere of their documentary Native Sons, followed by a Q&A and a full live concert at the McCurdy Pavilion at Fort Worden on Monday, September 28.
Drop into Easy Street Records for an afternoon of crate digging. While you're there drop off your damaged or unplayable vinyl records to help support vinyl recycling efforts! Collection bins will be out through the end of September.
Event website: https://www.wmg.com/news/independent-record-stores-and-warner-music-group-launch-nationwide-pilot-to-explore-recovery-pathways-for-vinyl-records
Get Ready to run, groove, and feel the power of Beethoven!
Get ready to race the music at Symphony Tacoma’s second annual Beat Beethoven 5k fundraiser!
Symphony Tacoma invites you to join us for a one-of-a-kind 5k experience that will have you moving to the rhythm of one of the most iconic symphonic pieces of all time—Beethoven’s 5th Symphony! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a casual jogger, this race is designed for everyone who loves music and fitness!
The challenge? Cross the finish line before the last note of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. This epic symphony lasts about 30 minutes, so your mission is to finish before the final, dramatic da-da-da-daahh echoes through the air. Do it, and you’ll get a voucher to any 2026/27 Symphony Tacoma Classic Concert.*
Register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/Tacoma/BeatBeethoven5krun
*Excludes Holiday Favorites & Messiah concerts.
Big Hurt is a four-leg test of endurance, strength, and tenacity intertwined with the beauty of the North Olympic Peninsula. Compete solo or as a relay team to complete a mountain bike in the Foothills of the Olympic Mountain, a kayak in Port Angeles inner harbor, a road bike on rural roads, and a 10K run on the waterfront trail. A post-race party with beer, music, and food to follow.
Symphony Tacoma invites you for a one-of-a-kind 5k experience that will have you moving to the rhythm of one of the most iconic symphonic pieces of all time—Beethoven’s 5th Symphony! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a casual jogger, this race is designed for everyone who loves music and fitness!
The challenge? Cross the finish line before the last note of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. This epic symphony lasts about 30 minutes, so your mission is to finish before the final, dramatic da-da-da-daahh echoes through the air. Do it, and you’ll get a voucher to any 2026/27 Symphony Tacoma Classic Concert!
In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the Washington State Historical Society invites you to explore the history of building the State History Museum. 30 Years and Counting: The Making of the Washington State History Museum is a special exhibition that uncovers the vision, effort, and community spirit that brought this iconic Tacoma landmark to life.
Discover the bold ideas and architectural ingenuity that shaped the museum’s distinctive look. From early sketches to final blueprints, see how the building’s design reflects both innovation and reverence for Washington’s past. Go behind the scenes of the museum’s construction. Through photographs and artifacts from the building process, witness how a dream took shape—brick by brick, beam by beam.
Staff Picks: 30 Objects for 30 Years
In a special feature area, museum staff share their favorite objects from the collection—each one a personal reflection on the power of history to inspire, surprise, and connect us.
