Apr 10 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.”
Isaac Mizrahi- An evening that fuses performance art, music and stand-up comedy
Actor, host, writer, designer, and producer Isaac Mizrahi’s acclaimed concert performances have been described by The New York Times as “determined to challenge the cultural status quo and help blaze a path into a more liberated future where few subjects are off-limits.”
His one-of-a-kind show brings together comedy, commentary, and an array of classic and soon-to-be classic songs from Stephen Sondheim to Blondie, from Comden & Green to Madonna. Accompanied by his six-piece jazz band, “Mizrahi is the real deal when it comes to cabaret: He’s charming, he sounds great, and he is seriously funny” (TheaterMania).
Ohhh those summer nights! From its earliest performance in a Chicago nightclub through its record-breaking Broadway run and hit feature film, Grease has remained one of the world’s most popular musicals. Featuring the many hit songs that became the soundtrack of a generation, like “Greased Lightnin’,” “Alone at the Drive-in Movie,” and “It’s Raining on Prom Night,” this 1950s pop culture satire is filled to the brim with grit, glam, and youthful exuberance.
In roles made famous by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive their sizzling summer fling as the Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies of Rydell High’s senior class navigate the peer pressures and social politics of high school in the 1950s. Directed and choreographed by Lisa Shriver (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), this production of Grease promises nonstop, nostalgic, hydromatic fun. So throw on a poodle skirt, dust off that leather jacket, and rediscover the show that’s been winning hearts for generations!
Disney Channel’s smash hit movie musical comes to life on your stage in Disney’s High School Musical JR. Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High must deal with issues of love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extra-curricular activities. The show’s infectious, danceable songs are sure to engage performers and audiences alike.
It’s the first day after winter break at East High. The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes all find their cliques. Basketball team captain and resident jock, Troy, discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. The couple causes an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical. Although many students resent the threat posed to the “status quo,” Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well. – Music Theatre International
Hurricane DianeWritten by Madeleine GeorgeDirected by Annie LareauMarch 20 - April 12, 2026Evening and matinee performances
Meet Diane, a permaculture gardener dripping with butch charm. She's got supernatural abilities owing to her true identity—the Greek god Dionysus—and she's returned to the modern world to gather mortal followers and restore the Earth to its natural state.
IN BRIEF
Pianist Erik Hall, Sandbox Percussion and UW School of Music students & faculty join ECM for Simeon ten Holt’s evening-length minimalist work. Originally a keyboard piece by the Dutch composer, Canto Ostinato is made of overlapping layers and repeated patterns, amassing a cult following. This 17-piece ensemble arrangement, led and commissioned by Metropolis Ensemble’s Founder & Director, Andrew Cyr, will be a one of a kind experience - an evening NOT to be missed!
THE TUNES
Simeon ten Holt Canto Ostinato (conceived and developed for large ensemble by Andrew Cyr, Erik Hall, and Jonny Allen)
In partnership with Metropolis Ensemble and UW School of Music
ARTISTS
Andrew Cyr, Music Director | Erik Hall, keyboard/synthesizer | Sandbox Percussion, Ensemble in Residence | Kristin Lee, violin | UW School of Music Faculty- Bonnie Whiting, percussion & John Popham, cello | UW School of Music Students
Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer and arranger, is one of the most important Brazilian musicians working today. Jovino’s personal style is a creative blend of energetic grooves, deep harmonies, telepathic improvisation, lyrical melodies and great ensemble playing, always inspired and informed by the colorful richness of Brazilian music.
Clave Gringa sextet presents Cuban son, cha-cha-cha, rumba, latin jazz and more. Two horns, two percussionists, bass and piano. For the full Cuban experience DJ Reinier spins Cuban timba between sets. Come join us in this wonderful venue for a super fun, uplifting evening. $20 advance, $25 door.
Apr 11 Saturday
Eight years ago The Westerlies started a festival in their hometown of Seattle, dedicated to getting into schools during the days and presenting new music every night. Since then, they have reached thousands of students across Seattle, commissioned new work for brass quartet, collaborated with artists including Wayne Horvitz, Haley Heynderickx, and Celisse, and even recorded a live concert film!
For this year's Westerlies Fest, the band is thrilled to present four nights of music with three public concerts:
April 8 at Fremont Abbey - Opening night will feature an Album Release Celebration of our upcoming LP featuring world premiere compositions by Bill Frisell.
April 9 at The Chapel - One of the highlights of last year’s Westerlies Fest was our live recording of Songbook, Vol. 3 — from the moment we played our last notes, we had folks asking if we’d do it again next year! This year’s Songbook, Vol. 4 will be recorded and filmed at The Chapel, one of the most acoustically sacred spaces in Seattle. Come join us and be a part of the magic.
April 11 at 415 on Westlake - 15 years!! We formed this band in 2011 and we can’t believe the wild ride it has been, from Coachella to Carnegie Hall to the Grammys! Join us for a concert and celebration of how far we’ve come.
The Kareem Kandi World Orchestra will be presenting its 2026 Music Festival this year from April 5 to May 8. There will be many great artists performing throughout Tacoma and Puyallup and most of the performances and workshops will be free to attend. See the complete lineup here.
KNKX hosts two performances on Friday, April 24 in our Tacoma studios on Broadway:
4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. - The Kareem Kandi World Orchestra with visiting French Artists6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. - Brazilian jazz with pianist Cassio Vianna
