Jan 07 Wednesday
KNKX has always valued the recordings in our vast KNKX Studio Sessions series--these audio and visual recordings capture moments in the history and careers of artists and bands.From Chick Corea and Judith Hill, to up and coming regional creators, these time capsules are important in the lineage of their art forms.
KNKX hosted two studio sessions with composer-trumpeter Roy Hargrove at our Seattle studios which have become legendary and world renowned (one was recorded in 2017, a year before Hargrove’s untimely passing at age 49).No trumpet player of his generation has been more impactful and his legacy continues to resonate with fans around the world.
The exclusive songs from Hargrove’s KNKX studio sessions were never released on any of the artist’s albums. That’s why we’re so excited these time capsules are now being released as a digital EP by Hargrove's estate--Roy Hargrove: Live at KNKX. They reveal the emotional depth and spontaneity that made Hargrove one of the defining jazz voices of his generation--bridging bebop, soul, and groove with effortless authenticity.
Join us for a special KNKX benefit event on January 7, 7:30 p.m. at the Triple Door in Seattle, as we celebrate the EP's release. The event, hosted by Abe Beeson, features video on the big screen from the studio sessions, and members of Hargrove’s bands and family, sharing stories and memories about what makes these previously unreleased works so important in jazz. We'll share the video recordings from Hargrove's studio sessions on the big screen along with messages from his bandmates and heirs.
The evening caps off with a performance by the D’Vonne Lewis Trio (with trumpeter Owuor Arunga and bassist Evan Flory-Barnes) performing some of Hargrove’s music. A t-shirt with the album cover art will be available for sale at the event.
GET TICKETS HERE. Ticket prices are $50, $65, and $80 (not including ticketing fees) and are available at The Triple Door's website. The Triple Door is located at 216 Union Street in downtown Seattle.
Dec 14 Sunday
Langston Hughes’ gospel song-play returns! Featuring 30 performers, a live band, powerful vocals, a citywide gospel choir—and a chance to sing along. The magic and joy of the Christmas story is brought to life with vivid colors, dance and music. A joyful holiday celebration for all ages and beliefs that will have you leaping to your feet.
Sponsored by KNKX. Guitarist Michael Powers moved to Seattle as a teenager, where he honed his craft by immersing himself in the local music scene. As his musicianship progressed, Michael developed a deep interest in music theory, earning a BFA in Composition and Performance from Cornish College of the Arts in 1982. At Cornish, he studied under celebrated composers Gil Evans and Sam Rivers, bassist Gary Peacock, pianist Art Lande, and trombonist Julian Priester. Influenced by a wide range of musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis, Michael cultivated a distinctive style that reflects his diverse musical roots.
On stage, Michael has performed, recorded, or shared billings with legendary artists including piano giant Herbie Hancock, classic Jazz saxophonist Eddie “Clean Head” Vinson, B3 master Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ronnie Cuber, Gil Scott Heron, Dr. Cornel West, the legendary Ray Charles, and many more.
While challenging to categorize, Michael’s contemporary instrumental music remains deeply rooted in the Blues, showcasing his versatility and passion across genres.
Jazz in the City at the Frye Art Museum is a dynamic performance series presented in partnership with Ariel Media. This series celebrates the rich legacy, enduring vibrancy, and profound cultural impact of jazz music in shaping Seattle’s artistic identity.
Dec 15 Monday
Supported by KNKX. The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music. Celebrated by The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Recording Academy/Grammy’s with Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and winners of six Grammy Awards, they have attained the highest levels of achievement in a career that spans over 70 years. The Blind Boys are known for crossing multiple musical boundaries with their remarkable interpretations of everything from traditional gospel favorites to contemporary spiritual material by songwriters such as Eric Clapton, Prince, and Tom Waits. They have appeared on recordings with many artists, including Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Aaron Neville, Susan Tedeschi, Ben Harper, Patty Griffin, and Taj Mahal.
The Blind Boys released their latest album, Echoes Of The South, in August of 2023. It found the Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees coming home to Alabama to record in Muscle Shoals. The eleven-song collection is a portrait of perseverance from a group well-versed in overcoming incredible odds - from singing for pocket change in the Jim Crow South to performing for three different American presidents, soundtracking the Civil Rights movement, and helping define modern gospel music as we know it. The album garnered three Grammy Award nominations, and won for Best Roots Gospel Album.
That win continued a run of Grammy Award nominations from the two previous years. In 2021, the group’s collaborative recording with Bela Fleck, I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free was tapped in the Best American Roots Performance category. In 2022, they garnered another nod for their collaboration with the band Black Violin on The Message in the Best Americana Performance category.
In March 2024, the definitive book on the Blind Boys of Alabama, titled Spirit of the Century, was released. It’s an insider history of America’s longest-running group and the untold story of their world, written with band members and key musical colleagues. Appearances on The View TV show and other major media outlets followed. After all these years, the Blind Boys show no signs of slowing down!
Experience the wild wonder of the holiday season as you traverse through the Mystical Forest where stunning creatures gleam brightly! Here, behold the magical forest train, mystical tree fairies and fantastical unicorns. Embark on a Journey on a Bright Desert Highway and see desert flora and fauna before discovering Marvelous Mammals where spectacular Northwest animals are vividly portrayed in lantern form. Family-favorite Interactive Lanterns are spread throughout the WildLanterns spaces. Let your imagination take flight in the Birds of Paradise zone, swan into this area where magnificent peacocks flaunt their flamboyant plumes and birds of a feather perch on enchanted branches. Finally, embark on a journey Under the Jungle Canopy and spot all the mischievous monkeys hiding in the foliage!
Jan 30 Friday
Sponsored by KNKX. The 3rd Annual Olympia Funk Festival returns January 30–February 1, 2026, bringing three days of electrifying performances to Washington’s capital city. This year’s festival features funk powerhouses Tank and the Bangas, MonoNeon, and George Porter, Jr., alongside an all-star lineup of regional and national artists. With over 100 performers across 22 bands, the event continues to grow as a major cultural celebration in the Pacific Northwest.
KNKX returns as a proud media sponsor, supporting the festival’s mission to create an inclusive, joyful, and family-friendly experience that keeps live funk music thriving. The festival's venues include The Historic Capitol Theater, Olympia Ballroom, Olympia Center, and Ilk Brewing. Ilk Brewing will host free, all-ages programming including funk DJs and the Passing the Torch youth stage, while The Olympia Center will be home to free, educational masterclasses for aspiring musicians.
Beyond the stage, Olympia Funk Festival prioritizes affordability and access. Children 15 and under attend free, and tickets remain among the lowest priced for a multi-day music festival of this caliber — all to ensure that families and fans from across the country can experience the magic without breaking the bank.
KNKX is proud to support Olympia Funk Festival 2026 as it continues to cultivate the next generation of funk lovers and musicians through education, cultural exchange, and pure dance floor joy.
Timeless in a way that few other acts today are, The Spinners are one of the most iconic and enduring groups in R&B history. With a towering legacy spanning over six decades, The Spinners have never lost their universal appeal. In 2021, they returned with their first all-new original album, the aptly-titled, Round the Block and Back Again.
The group created and came to define the smooth sound of Philadelphia Soul, channeling the highs and lows of romance and heartbreak into a catalog of classic hits, beloved across generations. Throughout the years the Spinners continue to top the Pop, R&B and now Adult Contemporary Charts, with smash singles like, “I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” “Then Came You,” “The Rubberband Man'' and many more– earning Six Grammy nominations, 18 Platinum and Gold Albums, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and selling millions of records worldwide in the process.
Though The Spinners popularized, and came to embody, the lush sound of Philly Soul in the 1970s, they got their start in Detroit at Motown in 1954. The Spinners signed with Atlantic Records in 1972, teaming up with producer Thom Bell in Philadelphia where the group blossomed under his masterful productions.
Sponsored by KNKX. Bundle up in your favorite sweater, put on a cozy hat, tie on your skates, and celebrate the season at the annual Oly on Ice, a pop-up ice skating rink in Olympia. As the days grow colder and holiday season begins residents and visitors of Olympia will see a large white tent pop up in Isthmus Park. Enter the tent and prepare to have a blast as you join the group of ice skaters making their way around the rink. The annual Oly on Ice event brings together people of all ages and skill levels for a memorable winter experience.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® returns to brighten your holidays! Experience the sparkle, dancing, music, and magic that only The Nutcracker can bring. We’ll be decking the halls (McCaw Hall, that is) and putting on the greatest show in town, all you need are your tickets. Gather your friends and family for the Northwest’s favorite holiday tradition, a treat you’ll savor all season long.
Santa Limited - Saturdays & Sundays November 29-30, December 6-7, 13-14, & 20-21Ring in the holidays with a 2-hour excursion that begins out of North Bend Depot with a ride to the Railway History Campus. There you will have an hour to enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, seasonal crafts, photo opportunities, and visit with Santa in the restored Chapel Car 5 where all children receive a gift from him. Afterward you will hop back aboard and return to North Bend.
Yuletide Express - Fridays December 5, 12, & 19; Saturdays November 29, December 6, 13, & 20A shorter experience still perfect for making holiday memories! This round-trip train ride will take you from Snoqualmie Depot to the top of Snoqualmie Falls for a gorgeous winter view of the Snoqualmie River Valley. Santa rides aboard the train and visits with every family during the ride. All children receive a gift from Santa and all passengers receive a peppermint treat upon returning to Snoqualmie.
The stars are descending from the night sky. Set off across mysterious grounds to discover a celestial pathway of lustrous light, cosmic visions, and astral song. Immerse yourself in illuminating encounters of lighting, projection and sound, and connect with the stars before they return to the sky above.
Astra Lumina at Chinese Garden is the 21st experience in the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk series.
Astra Lumina welcomes you to an extraordinary place, a garden right here on earth that shares a special connection with the sky above. Come nightfall, the garden sets the stage for a phenomenal event: a visit from the stars.
The Seattle Men’s Chorus rings in everyone’s favorite holiday tradition: seasonal classics, Christmas comedy, costumes, dancing and the gayest sing-along in Seattle. We premiere NOTcracker Suite…our very own four-minute rendition of the holiday staple featuring hilarious lyrics, props, and antics you expect from the Men’s Chorus. It’s the holliest, jolliest time of the year!
Schedule:
Friday, December 5, 2025 7:30pm Pantages Theatre, TacomaSunday, December 7, 2025 2:00pm Everett Civic Auditorium, EverettSaturday, December 13, 2025 1:00pm Benaroya Hall, SeattleFriday, December 19, 2025 7:30pm Benaroya Hall, SeattleSaturday, December 20, 2025 11:00am 1-hr Kids Show, Benaroya Hall, SeattleSaturday, December 20, 2025 2:00pm Benaroya Hall, SeattleTuesday, December 23, 2025 7:30pm Benaroya Hall, Seattle (Video On Demand available through January 6, 2026)
Stroll through a magical world with over 1.5 million sparkling lights. A classic holiday tradition, Zoolights has dazzled our community for 38 years. Online timed tickets are required. Our aquariums are closed and animals are sleeping during Zoolights. Visit during the day to see your favorite animals. Closed Dec. 24 & 25.
See the zoo transform into a colorful winter wonderland with over 1.5 million lights. From the giant Pacific octopus to the Narrows Bridges, the Flame Tree to the Seahawks tree, and a magical tunnel of lights, come find your favorite displays... and don’t forget to hunt for Sasquatch!
Meet our magnificent herd of goats! During this one-of-a-kind holiday-themed private animal encounter, you’ll get up close and personal with our playful goats. Give the goats festive enrichment and then head into the zoo to enjoy all the sparkling lights. Space is limited.
For the first time ever, you can bring your dog to Zoolights! Mark your calendars for select Dog Nights on Dec. 1, 3, 9, 10 and Jan. 4. It’s a magical way to enjoy the lights with your furry friend by your side.
Echoes of the Floating World features a striking collection of 18th, 19th and early 20th-century Japanese woodblock prints from the Tacoma Art Museum and others, displayed alongside works by contemporary Northwest artists. This exhibition honors the rich legacy of ukiyo-e while exploring its cultural impact on today’s artistic expressions.
Hours-
Monday CLOSEDTuesday CLOSEDWednesday 10 am – 5 pmThursday 10 am – 8 pmFriday 10 am – 5 pmSaturday 10 am – 5 pmSunday 10 am – 5 pm
We are protesting project 2025. TacomaRama marching band will join us for the next 4 years. We will meet each month on the Saturday closest to the 18th each month. Always 10am, always Reconciliation park. Feel loved and supported.
The period from the 1870s to the 1900s, known as the Gilded Age, saw the rise of the railroad, textile industry, and production. It also saw a rise in migration to US cities, providing workers to fill low paying jobs producing many of the fashions of the era. This era marked a turning point in fashion as new technologies and changing cultural norms transformed the ways in which people dressed.
Explore this history and enjoy the rare chance to see clothing, notions, and artifacts of the period from the Washington State Historical Society collections.
