The New Cool is fired up to present Tacoma's modern jazz leaders Velocity at the Spanish Ballroom at the Elks Lodge in Tacoma Monday night, Sept. 30. It's a celebration of their new album, Magnetar, and also celebrates an exciting cultural movement around the band's home base of Tacoma.
Keys player Peter Adams says the City of Destiny is in full bloom as we move past the autumnal equinox. Here's what Adams says he loves about Tacoma:
"The thing that makes Tacoma cool is it has such a strong arts culture. It is a city that has a history rooted in embracing the arts in any medium. Take a walk downtown or stroll through Opera Alley and you can see how art is part of Tacoma's DNA.
"In 2016, the Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality adopted a five-year strategic plan called ArtFull Tacoma to help grow and sustain a creative economy and strengthen Tacoma's creative ecosystem. It's pretty cool to be able to share our music alongside these amazing artists in a city that has personally given me so many opportunities and so much creative inspiration."
Peter Adams and KNKX's The New Cool cordially invite you to Tacoma for Velocity's CD release party Sept. 30. I also asked Adams and his bandmates Cliff Colon (saxophone), Rob Hutchinson (bass) and Brian Smith (drums) to share a list of their favorite Tacoma spots, so you know where to hang out before and after the show.
If you arrive in Tacoma hungry, Velocity suggests a visit to the premium hot dog bar The Red Hot on hopping Sixth Avenue, the two happy hours at the classic East McKinley tavern Top of Tacoma, burgers and neighborly conversation at the Frisko Freeze drive in, and the scenic dining at vintage waterfront haunt Harbor Lights.
Just looking for a quick drink? Velocity's T-town favorites include the iconic coffee pot shaped Bob's Famous Java Jive in the Nalley Valley, downtown's frequent live music venue/bar Doyle's Public House, and the newly opened German sausage and beer outpost Rhein Haus in the Stadium District.
The band says not to miss the views from Ruston Way, and recommends picking up some vinyl at Hi-Voltage Records and diggin' into the vintage book collection at Kings Books. The boys from Velocity went on and on, excited to share all that Tacoma has to offer.
Coming up Sept. 30, Velocity has an offer of their own, a performance of music from their upcoming album Magnetar in the Spanish Ballroom at McMenamin's new Elks Lodge downtown. KNKX and The New Cool are proud to sponsor this all ages Monday night party, yours truly will emcee the festivities beginning promptly at 7.
Come hear the modern jazz sounds of Velocity, and spend some time in their beautiful hometown. Can't make it this time? Tune in to hear a song from Magnetar on The New Cool this Saturday afternoon, and listen for your chance to win a free download of the full album!
The New Cool airs Saturdays from 3 to 5 p.m., hosted by Abe Beeson and produced by KNKX Public Radio in Seattle, Wash.
