Community Calendar

Born in the same city, shaped by the world, and rooted in the Pacific Northwest — pianist David Lee Joyner and trumpeter Nathan Breedlove bring a rare and powerful musical kinship to the Washington Center’s Black Box stage. Joyner, a prolific composer, scholar, and performer, has graced stages and universities across the globe. Breedlove, twice Grammy-nominated and a Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, has lent his luminous trumpet sound to iconic ensembles and theatrical stages alike. Together in an intimate setting, expect an evening that is spontaneous, deeply swinging, and utterly alive — jazz the way it was meant to be experienced.

What happens when a French classical virtuoso, an Italian YouTube rock phenomenon, a Hawaiian Slack Key master, and an Australian blues powerhouse share one stage? You get International Guitar Night — a celebration of the guitar’s breathtaking range featuring Roxane Elfasci, Luca Stricagnoli, Jim Kimo West, and Minnie Marks.

Warm. Soulful. Unforgettable. Eugenie Jones has built a remarkable career on the strength of a voice NEA Jazz Master Reggie Workman called “extraordinary” and a gift for songwriting that dazzles critics worldwide. Her latest album, EUGENIE (2025), is her most celebrated yet — a rich blend of original ballads, jazz standards, and vintage soul backed by expressive strings, spending 25 weeks on Jazz Week’s Top 50. Jones brings authenticity and heart to every performance, delivering music that is deeply genuine and utterly captivating. Don’t miss this intimate live performance — an evening of jazz at its finest.

Honor Black History Month with an afternoon of film and music that lifts up the artistry, innovation, and enduring legacy of early Black performers. This special program features a rare screening of The Flying Ace (1926), a thrilling aviation drama from the era of “race films” – independent productions created for Black audiences during a time of segregation in the American film industry. Set against the backdrop of a small-town airfield, the story follows a heroic pilot as he navigates mystery, romance, and high-flying adventure, offering a fascinating glimpse into a vital and often overlooked chapter of cinema history.

Complementing the film is a live organ performance celebrating the music of Fats Waller, one of the most influential and joyful voices of early jazz. Known for his stride piano brilliance, infectious rhythms, and larger-than-life personality, Waller helped define the sound of a generation.

Acclaimed silent film organist Dennis James brings the evening to life with a dynamic live score on our 1924 Andy Crow Wurlitzer Organ. Together, film and music create an entertaining and educational tribute to Black creativity and resilience, where history, culture, and artistry take flight.

The Dark Garden
New American Composers Series with Fahad Siadat

Seattle First Baptist Church
Saturday March 6 - 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm

A “fanciful and downright utopian artist and thinker” (LA Times), Fahad Siadat uses music to uncover the mysteries of our inter-connected world. Let your spirit soar as choirs from local schools join us to explore this visionary music together.

Featured composers: Fahad Siadat (world premiere of The Dark Garden), Eric Whitacre, Moses Hogan, Josef Rheinberger, Donald Skirvin, Elizabeth Alexander.

For 15 years, Dwayne Gretzky has been North America’s greatest party band — built entirely on the strength of their live show. With a repertoire of over 800 songs spanning the classic rock and pop hits of the 70s, 80s and 90s, they perform these beloved anthems with a precision and passion not seen since the original artists in their prime. Their momentum reached new heights in 2025: headlining Budweiser Stage in Toronto to 7,000 roaring fans, and launching the viral YouTube series Dwayne’s World, which has introduced them to music lovers across the globe. Now they bring their electrifying show to the Washington Center. Whether you lived through these songs the first time or discovered them later, this is a night you won’t forget.

One of jazz’s most thrilling and unpredictable voices, trumpeter and composer Cyrus Nabipoor splits his time between New Orleans and Portland, OR — and carries the spirit of both cities in his music. Praised by JazzTimes for his “deadly trumpet chops” and by Offbeat Magazine as a bandleader “for whom no style or emotion is off limits,” Nabipoor has captivated audiences at festivals from the French Quarter to Chicago. His debut album In Lieu of Tears is a bold landmark in American jazz. In the intimate setting of the Black Box, Cyrus Nabipoor delivers exactly what jazz promises at its best: surprise, soul, and something you’ll never forget.

For over 75 years, the Blind Boys of Alabama have moved souls, lifted spirits, and redefined what gospel music can be. On April 1, 2027, these living legends bring their transcendent harmonies to the Washington Center for a very special evening: a 50th anniversary celebration of Stevie Wonder’s beloved masterpiece, Songs in the Key of Life. The program pairs many of Wonder’s most iconic songs with beloved selections from the Blind Boys’ own storied catalog, creating a joyful, genre-crossing experience rooted in gospel, soul, and Americana.

Celebrated with six Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Blind Boys remain one of the most vital and beloved acts in American music — and this night promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.

The pop-swing revolution is coming to Olympia — and it’s led by two of the most electrifying performers around. Marco Palos and American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis front Phat Cat Swinger, a fearless 10-piece band that blends rock, swing, and jazz with a thoroughly modern edge. Their performances are the stuff of legend: reimagining iconic pop hits from the ’60s through today, infused with driving brass, soulful jazz, and undeniable groove. Whether you’re a lifelong big band devotee or a first-timer, Phat Cat Swinger will make you a believer. Join us for a night you won’t stop talking about.

In 2021, The Wellermen helped ignite a global sea shanty craze — racking up billions of views, performing at the BRIT Awards, and appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. What began as five friends singing across split Zoom screens has since evolved into one of the most exciting live acts in folk music today. With two powerhouse basses evoking the depth of Randy Travis and Johnny Cash, and harmonies that turn even the most bittersweet song into something jubilant, The Wellermen are a force of nature. Rich, euphoric, and deeply human, their music honors traditional roots while charting bold new territory. Come hear why the world fell in love.