Apr 12 Sunday
Seattle's 3-Day Bellydance Festival is back!
Get ready for an unforgettable weekend filled with dynamic workshops, a vibrant vending marketplace, free daytime haflas, delicious food trucks, evening showcases, and most importantly, empowering community connection!
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.
Celebrate Japanese art, culture, and community at the Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival on April 10-12 at the Armory Food & Event Hall and Fisher Pavilion, and Exhibition Hall (Saturday only) at Seattle Center. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this family-friendly festival promotes cross-cultural exchanges and a deeper understanding about Japanese and Japanese American culture and heritage in both traditional and contemporary ways.
Enjoy an array of cultural stage presentations and demonstrations including koto music, taiko drumming, traditional dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, and tea ceremonies. Experience the fine art of Shodo calligraphy and ikebana displays in the Armory Lofts. Family-friendly activities and workshops include tegata “hand print” making, children’s kite making, fan making, and kimono and yukata dressing. Peruse the expanded art exhibit and delight in delicious culinary treats before shopping at the large Japanese community market.
Saturday only: Don’t miss the second annual Rain City Open, a free sumo wrestling tournament hosted by Rain City Sumo, taking place Saturday morning in the Exhibition Hall. Saturday & Sunday: There will be special bingata stencil dyeing workshops, as well as a 21+ Sake Tasting – both with added fees.
Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival is part of Seattle Center Festál, a year-round series of 25 free cultural festivals. Learn more about Festál (seattlecenter.com/festal).
🎷 Jazz Jam at Butter Notes Café 🎷📍 Butter Notes Café – Everett, WA🗓️ Every 1st & 3rd Sunday @ 2 PM
☕ Come sip, snack, and swing!
Join us for an afternoon of live jazz and spontaneous creativity at Butter Notes Café! Whether you’re here to play or just enjoy the vibes, you’re welcome.
🧇 Fresh croffles and warm coffee served all afternoon🎶 Open to all instruments, all levels💛 Donations encouraged to support local musicians and future sessions
Bring your instrument, your friends, or just your love for music!
Jacobsen Series 2025-26 performances featuring Puget Sound music faculty, renowned guest artists, and inspiring themed concerts.
The Jacobsen Series was established in 1984 in honor of Leonard Jacobsen, former chair and professor of Puget Sound’s piano department. Ticket sales support the Jacobsen Series Scholarship Fund, annual music scholarships awarded to outstanding student performers and scholars in the SAI international music organization. Thank you to our many patrons whose support has benefitted students and contributed to this successful series. The Keyboard Series, now in its third year, features a dynamic lineup of charismatic guest artists.
To learn more, visit pugetsound.edu/jacobsen or call the School of Music at 253.879.3741.
Jazz saxophone and flute master Mark Lewis is performing Sundays in Bremerton, each week with different guest musicians. All ages. No cover.
Olympic Ballet Theatre presents "Spring Rep," a dynamic double-bill celebrating striking contrasts in ballet. Donald Byrd’s "From the Dark Land," set to music by George Crumb and Franz Schubert, returns for the first time since its 2023 premiere, weaving beauty and dissonance into a riveting ballet. In contrast, excerpts from "La Fille Mal Gardée," set to music by Peter Ludwig Hertel and staged by Artistic Directors Oleg Gorboulev and Mara Vinson after Alexander Gorsky, bring warmth and charm to the stage, featuring the lively Waltz and the spirited pas de deux of Lise and her beloved Colas.
The Portland virtuosos of jazz combine their extensive musical resumes for an evening of intellectual jazz. John Stowell (www.johnstowell.com) established himself as an outstanding guitarist early in his career. Downbeat’s International Critic’s Poll in 1978 and 1979 identified John as “talent deserving wider recognition.” In 1983, John joined flutist Paul Horn, bassist David Friesen and Paul’s son Robin Horn for a historic tour of the Soviet Union. This was the first time in 40 years that an American jazz group had been invited to play public performances in Russia. He was invited back in 1993, 1995, 1998 and 2012. Over the years John has recorded/performed with a who’s who of artists worldwide and maintains a very busy teaching and performance schedule throughout the United State, Europe and Asia.
David Friesen (www.davidfriesen.net) is a highly influential jazz bassist, composer, pianist and educator, whose expressive artistry and creative breadth have earned him to placement among the top 100 greatest and 20 most influential jazz bassists of all time. Born in Tacoma and raised in Tacoma, Spokane and West Seattle along with his sister, actress Dyan Cannon, David enjoyed early success, performing across Europe, appearing at the Monterey Jazz Festival and various beacons of jazz. He has recorded over 80 albums as a leader or co-leader and appeared on more than 100 albums as a sideman. In addition he has traveled worldwide presenting music clinics in more than 200 universities and music conservatories.
Charlie Doggett, a native Oregonian, began violin lessons at age 8 but later switched to the drum set. He studied at the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance and has maintained an extensive teaching and performing career since moving to Portland in 2000. Currently an adjunct faculty member at Lewis and Clark in Portland, he has performed in the Pacific Northwest, West Coast and in Europe. His diverse collaborations over the years speak highly of his skillset as he is established as a first-call drummer for artists on the Portland jazz scene as well as visiting artists.
