Feb 21 Saturday
Sing your heart out to “The Wizard and I,” “Popular,” “Defying Gravity,” and the rest of the Wicked soundtrack, guided by emcee extraordinaire Lauren O’Neill, as you watch Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande dance across the screen at Mount Baker Theatre.
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winning powerhouse Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman — misunderstood because of her unusual green skin — who has yet to discover her true power. Grande stars as Glinda, a popular young woman — gilded by privilege and ambition — who has yet to discover her true heart.
Jazz Flugelhorn legend Dmitri Matheny brings his quartet to “Jazz on J Street”. Dmitri is an Earshot Jazz “Golden Ear” winner. He is a graduate of the prestigious Berklee School of Music and studied with another Flugelhorn legend Art Farmer.Dmitri Matheny-Flugelhorn Bill Anschell-PianoOsama Afifi-BassJeff Busch-Drumset
In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson presents a powerful and transporting documentary—part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was largely forgotten–until now. SUMMER OF SOUL shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present. The feature includes concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension and more.
Get your deerstalker cap on—the play’s afoot! From multi-award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig (Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood) comes a fast-paced adventure about everyone’s favorite detective solving his most notorious case. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their killer, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson must crack the mystery of “The Hound of the Baskervilles” before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch as our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than 40 characters. Does a wild hellhound prowl the moors of Devonshire? Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be.
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.”
Once upon a vine, John Jarboe’s aunt revealed that John not only had a twin sister in the womb, but that John consumed her: “You ate her. That’s why you are the way you are.” This was a lot for John to swallow! In this musical shrine to the consumed twin, named Rose, John welcomes you into a feast of gender through song, storytelling, and a full plate of wordplay.
Created in partnership with the Bearded Ladies Cabaret. Featuring all original music written in collaboration with Emily Bate, John Jarboe, and Pax Ressler.
MOPOP’s musical event of the year is ready to take center stage. Spotlighting the Pacific Northwest’s most talented 21-and-under musicians, Sound Off! gives emerging artists the stage, skills, and community to amplify their sound across three high-energy showcases.
Performers gain mentorship from industry pros, plug into key community partners, and share unforgettable moments with their artist cohort—making this legendary program a true launchpad for the region’s rising stars.
Alumni have gone on to play festivals like Bumbershoot and NW Folklife, hit stages at Neumos and The Showbox, record live at 90.3 KEXP, and build followings that stretch far beyond the Puget Sound.
Come experience the next wave of Northwest music and see these young musicians step into the spotlight. From first riffs to full power chords, they’re proving that the next big sound starts here.
Feb 22 Sunday
Supported by KNKX. Get ready for a funky good time when Martha High’s Funky Divas, backed by the Fred Wesley and The New JBs, performed a power-packed show of hots and standards from those played and sang with the Godfather of Soul, James Brown.
Martha Harvin began singing in The Four Jewels, whose members attended the same church and school and went on tour with James Brown in 1964. They did record two singles while they toured with Brown, but after a year and a half with Brown the group split up. Not ready to leave the tour, Harvin asked Brown if she could stay. Brown agreed, but he required her name change from Harvin to the stage name High.
She continued singing with Brown for the next 30-plus years, including her unmistakable high soprano falsetto wail on “The Big Payback.” She appeared with Brown on the track “Summertime” and on the Original Funky Divas album.
Joining Martha in the Divas will be Kelly Jarrell, who sang in Brown’s background group The Bittersweets from 1994 until his death in 2006, and Darlene Parker, who along with Martha were backing vocalists in the touring band of Maceo Parker, Brown’s iconic and beloved sax player.
Legendary bandleader, trombonist and author Fred Wesley is one of the forefathers of funk, still setting the standard with his jazz-funk band The New JBs. Together at its core for more than 30 years, the band is a living celebration of roots funk and more, performing such hits as “Pass the Peas” made with James Brown and the JBs including Maceo Parker, as well as selections from the P-Funk years and Fred’s own and others’ soulful jazz, funk and blues compositions.
Rainier Avenue Radio presents Call to Conscience, celebrating 100 years of Black History Month. Through immersive installations and Programs, the historic Columbia City Theater will transform into an exhilarating curated Black History Month museum celebrating the legacy, resilience, and contributions of Black communities in Seattle, Tacoma, and beyond.
This year’s museum features curated cultural installations and exhibits highlighting:
● The Seattle Chapter of the Black Panther Party● The Hartsfield Enslaved Quilt Collection● The history of religion in Seattle’s Black communities● Jackson Street Jazz, including the legacy of Quincy Jones● A History of Black Tacoma, presented by T. Heard● An exhibit showcasing Blackpast.org and Dr. Quintard Taylor, founder of BlackPast.org● The Rainier Cinema Vintage Black Movie Poster and Magazine Collection● A history of Black Athletes and Administrators in the Metro League The month-long experience will also include special events such as:● “Preserving Your Legacy”, featuring Phil Armstrong, former Executive Director of Tulsa’s Greenwood Rising Museum.
Plus special programs including a tribute to Seattle icon Lenny Wilkens, hosted and featuring former NBA and Sonics legends Spencer Haywood and James Donaldson; and a live history of funk performance and music honoring Parliament/Funkadelic, featuring KG and the Star 5, with a special appearance by Teleclere.
Hours are Thursday and Friday, 3-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
You're invited to share your stunning snapshots of the birds you love! Enter your best bird photo into BirdNote's 20th Anniversary Photo Contest, now through March 6 at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET for a chance to win amazing prizes and to be featured on BirdNote's platforms.
Choose from two categories: General Bird Photography and Conservation Actions, in honor of BirdNote's "From Love to Action" campaign to inspire one million people to take action to help birds. You can submit a bird photo featuring any bird in a natural environment, or, enter a photo that illustrates ways people can take action for birds. Enter here, where you'll also find contest rules.
The public will vote to choose the top three winners in the General Bird Photography. The top three winners in the Conservation Actions category will be chosen by guest judges.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at BirdNote’s Virtual Event, as well as on BirdNote’s social media and weekly email newsletter on Friday, April 10, 2026.
