Arts

The Arts

The exterior of Steve's Cafe, later commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s, as it appeared in April of 1951. The real-life dining and entertainment hot spot is a setting in the historical fiction novel, The Farewell Tour. Photo courtesy of Northwest Room at The Tacoma Public Library, Richards Studio A57331-36.

‘The Farewell Tour’ brings readers back in time to Tacoma’s honky-tonk history

While the West Coast is known for grunge and surf rock, Stephanie Clifford’s latest novel, a piece of historical fiction, reminds readers of the roots country music has here, especially Tacoma.
Tacoma, a burgeoning port city on Commencement Bay in the 1940s and 50s, plays a central role in The Farewell Tour. The book is an American West tale of coming home, with a few forks in the road, that takes readers back in time over the protagonist’s life as she makes her way as a musician on the West Coast. Continue Reading ‘The Farewell Tour’ brings readers back in time to Tacoma’s honky-tonk history

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Women’s History Music Moment: Bach’s Daughters

You’ve heard so much about the sons of Johann Sebastian Bach, but there were daughters, too.

Bach was 23, and his wife Maria Barbara was 24, when the first of their children was born. They named her Catherina Dorothea. CD grew into a singer, and helped out in her father’s music work. Fifteen years passed, her mother died, her father remarried, and finally, CD Bach acquired a sister: Cristina Sophia Henrietta, daughter of Johann Sebastian and Anna Magdalena Bach. CSH died at the age of three, just as another sister, Elizabeth Juliana Frederica, was born. EJF Bach would grow up to marry one of her father’s students. Continue Reading Women’s History Music Moment: Bach’s Daughters

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Bassoonist Dr. Jacqueline Wilson smiling with her instrument. Click here to hear the full story.

Using Her Bassoon To Elevate Indigenous Voices – ‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 40 – With Composer Dr. Jacqueline Wilson (Yakama)

Dr. Jacqueline Wilson of Yakama Can an instrument suit your personality? Dr. Jacqueline Wilson of Yakama would say so. She believes her personality fits best with a large, low sounding,… Continue Reading Using Her Bassoon To Elevate Indigenous Voices – ‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 40 – With Composer Dr. Jacqueline Wilson (Yakama)

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Tacoma unveils Black Lives Matter mural

Along Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, the city’s new Black Lives Matter mural unfolds across the 23,000 square-foot Tollefson Plaza in bright colors.
The mural cascades down the steps of the plaza and from different viewpoints, it reveals different faces, messages and meanings. The challenging space makes the viewer work to absorb the mural — something lead artist Dionne Bonner wanted.
Continue Reading Tacoma unveils Black Lives Matter mural

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The finale piece in Dorothy Anderson Wasserman's exhibit "The Carnival of the Animals," at Gallery 110 in Seattle. Photo by Lauren Gallup.

‘The Carnival of the Animals’ comes to life this October in Gallery 110

Four walls of Gallery 110 in Seattle have been transformed with dancing animals displayed within colorful, boxed scenes that jump to life against the otherwise white space.
They are sculptures of human dancers, costumed like animals, the ensemble of Dorothy Anderson Wasserman’s latest exhibit, The Carnival of the Animals. It’s a study of music, dance, theater and visual art combined. Continue Reading ‘The Carnival of the Animals’ comes to life this October in Gallery 110

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