Aug 07 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.”
Live Jazz!
Aug 08 Saturday
Supported by KNKX. The Sergio Mendes Band Returns! Led by Gracinha Leporace, Mendes' wife and vocal partner of over 50 years. Joined by the musicians who stood beside him, to Celebrate 60 Years of Brasil '66 and the Joyful Legacy of Brazilian Music!
The iconic sound of Sergio Mendes, performed by the original members of The Sergio Mendes Band as they continue his legacy by performing his music and celebrating his life. The Sergio Mendes Band toured and performed alongside the maestro. Before his passing in 2024, Mendes called this group the best band he ever had. Marking 60 years since the debut of Brasil '66, the band continue Mendes' lifelong mission of sharing the vibrant rhythms and infectious soul of Brazilian music with audiences around the world.
"Carrying Sergio's music forward is both an honor and a responsibility. This band embodies his spirit, joy, and deep love for Brazilian music. Sergio cherished every single member of this extraordinary ensemble, and we're proud to continue what he started." - Gracinha Leporace.
With a sound that blends timeless Brazilian grooves with fresh arrangements and uplifting energy, The Sergio Mendes Band brings a renewed sense of celebration to every performance. Each note pays tribute to Mendes’ remarkable influence — a career that helped shape the global appreciation of Bossa Nova, Samba, and the unmistakable warmth of Brazilian culture.
The West Sound Film Festival features talent both local and abroad. The Festival shows a large array of films including experimental, documentaries, comedies, horror, music videos, dramas, animated, feature length films and more. We aim to encourage networking, growth and share stories from all walks of life. The West Sound Film Festival will be hosted at The Historic Roxy Theatre, an independent non-profit theater in Bremerton, Washington and SEEfilm Cinemas. We look forward to bringing both local businesses and filmmakers together for a fresh, contemporary celebration of film. Check out the lineup here.
The West Sound Film Festival was previously known as the Port Orchard Film Festival founded by Amy Camp and Nick Taylor. The Festival debuted in 2016 in Port Orchard at our original home, the Dragonfly Cinema. “ In 2019 we partnered with the Roxy Theatre to move the festival to downtown Bremerton. SEEfilm Cinema and many other downtown businesses also came on board to offer space and support. The pandemic forced us to hold a virtual festival in 2020 but we are back, growing, learning, and going strong.” After several successful years of the International Film Festival and learning a thing or two, our sights are on the screen ahead.
Love hiking? Looking for a way to make a difference? 👀 Join Hike-a-Thon, Washington Trails Association’s community fundraiser!
Hike-a-Thon is for you if you want to …♥️ Give back to trails and public lands (and inspire others to do the same)🌲 Spend more time outdoors this summer, solo or with a team✨ Earn awesome prizes, including the official 2026 T-shirt once you raise your first $40
Everyone is welcome, no matter how or where you enjoy spending time outdoors. Register today to make the most of your Hike-a-Thon!
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
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.
Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music unveils the profound legacy of Gospel, Blues, Jazz, and Soul artists who shaped the soundscape of American culture and used their music as instruments of resistance, identity, and representation.
Gospel, Blues, Jazz, and Soul embody the profound influence of African American music on culture and history. From the spiritual foundations and transformative movements of Gospel hymns to the revolutionary improvisations of Jazz, the Blues’ Southern roots rising from the Mississippi Delta, and Soul’s powerful amplification of the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, these genres have defined the unique sound and undying spirit of a nation that continues to echo through contemporary Black music today.
This is a permanent exhibition. Since time immemorial, Tribal nations have existed in this place we call Washington. This Is Native Land invites visitors to understand Washington State through the lived experiences and voices of its Native people.
Tribal nations are sovereign nations. Today, Native history, culture, and community thrive in our state. Through everyday acts of sovereignty – big and small – Indigenous peoples demonstrate they are still here, they have persevered, and they will always be here.
This Is Native Land is guided by three teachings:We are of the land and watersWith knowledge comes responsibilitySovereignty protects people, lands, and waters
These teachings are shared through multimedia, artwork, and interactive objects designed for guest engagement. They represent a contemporary continuation of Tribal stories and traditions.
Over 100 Native contributors from more than 60 Tribes shaped the exhibition’s stories and content. We thank the Native Advisory Committee and all community participants for their contributions.
LeMay – America’s Car Museum proudly presents The Birth of the American Supercar, a groundbreaking exhibition guest curated by renowned automotive innovator Steve Saleen. This one-of-a-kind display invites guests on an exhilarating journey through the evolution of American supercars. From early speed pioneers to cutting-edge modern marvels, visitors will experience a stunning lineup of vehicles that have redefined engineering, speed, and style, built by a wide range of American automotive manufacturers like Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Saleen himself, and even some more obscure ones like Vector, Cunningham, and Hennessey. From roaring V8s to sleek carbon-fiber bodies, discover how American automakers pushed boundaries, challenged European rivals, and redefined what a supercar could be. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see some of the most thrilling and historically significant American-made performance vehicles ever built—all under one roof.