Annual World Gratitude Day Benefit for The FireHouse

September 21st is World Gratitude Day and we’ll be expressing our gratitude for our favorite local venue: The FireHouse! Guitars and Gratitude will be hosting an evening of acoustic music from some of Bellingham’s finest talent. Guitars and Gratitude feature the stellar harmonies of Dianne Ardourel and Lane Hoback. They play original and favorite cover tunes in folk, country, Americana, and pop genres. They will be joined by the talented Rick Baunach on harmonica and three row diatonic accordion!"

Come on in, have some food and drink, enjoy the music and the venue. We’re getting our gratitude on! Join us!

No cover charge, all donations go to The FireHouse.

Bill MacDonough and Loch Clark return to the Firehouse, this time joined by Bruce Maurier on bass, to play some of their favorite jazz. The trio will be performing a mix of styles, emphasizing sweet and fun sounds. Come and enjoy!

Loch Clark on horns, Bill MacDonough on piano, and Bruce Maurier on bass.

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.

At a momentous first meeting at a coffee shop in Fez, Moroccan vocalist Lamiae Naki and multi-instrumentalist Nat Hulskamp composed their first song and decided to get married. Brought together by their deep knowledge of the music of both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar — Spanish flamenco and Moroccan Arabic music — they created Seffarine.

Seffarine takes its name from the ancient metalworking square in Fez, which is famous for the complex rhythms that ring out from the blacksmiths' hammers, and where Lamiae's family is well known as masters of the tradition. Seffarine's music embraces and extends Morocco's musical collision between Arabic, Iberian and West African cultures, forging vibrant original music deeply rooted in their backgrounds in flamenco guitar, oud and Arab Andalusian music. Nat and Lamiae built an international quintet bringing in all star musicians from Iran, the US and Spain, who infuse the sound with textured instrumentation and inspired improvisation. Sweeping kamancheh (Persian spike-fiddle) ornamentation plays off gritty bass grooves and explosive flamenco footwork, with Lamiae's fluidly riveting voice at the center, sending up sheets of cascading Andalusi melodies punctuated by the catchy hooks of North African Chaabi, sung in her native Moroccan Arabic. Their sound has taken them around the world, from touring Europe, Australia, Indonesia and the Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia, to receiving grants to study Ottoman singing in Turkey, to recording with top flamenco musicians in Spain such as Diego del Morao and Latin Grammy Award winner Antonio Rey.

Cost: $20.00

Purchase Advance Tickets

Website: www.seffarine.com

A fixture on the New York music scene for 30 years, guitarist John Hart has distinguished himself as a band leader with 16 CDs - including releases on such prestigious labels as Blue Note and Concord. John has also appeared on 100-plus CDs as a sideman.

Pianist/Composer Jake Hart is an emerging artist recently signed with Sunnyside Records. Jake has performed in a multitude of international competitions and holds a Bachelor of Music from University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and a Master of Music from Salem College.

Lineup: John Hart (guitar), Jake Hart (piano), Steven Kirsty (bass), Rudy Petschauer (drums)

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase Advance Tickets

Website: Jazz Center of Bellingham

Contact: Steve Jones

Cuarto Sueño (Fourth Dream) captivates their audiences with live performances of high energy flamenco guitar, modern Latin jazz, and creative arrangements of familiar classics. Influenced by a range of pioneers such as Al Di Meola and Paco de Lucía, to Jaco Pastorius and Chick Corea, Cuarto Sueño delivers an exciting and accessible sound to listeners of all tastes.

 Cuarto Sueño is an acoustic jazz quartet comprised of BJ Block and Jacob Seyer (acoustic guitars), Tom Anastasio (bass) and Steve Jones (percussion), and will be joined by local guest percussionists for a night of rich and exciting music.

Cost: $23.00

Advance tickets HERE

Website: cuartosueno.com

The 2025 Fall Art of Jazz series returns to the Firehouse Arts and Events Center on September 28 with Brazilian pianist Jovino Santos Neto with his Quinteto:  Tim Carey bass, Ben Thomas vibes, Mark Ivester drums, and Jeff Busch percussion

Advance tickets are available in The Jazz Project store or at the door.  The Fall series is free for Jazz Project members; $20 general; and $10 students.  September’s concert is sponsored by Joyce Busch.

The Out of the Ashes music program continues at the VFW Post through 2025 every Tuesday from 3-5 pm.

The 2025 season is in its final stages and the Spring 2026 series is booked.   Contact The Jazz Project to receive a season announcement.   Programs and events are posted on the gigs page and the events calendar.  Tickets available for all shows on this website. Tickets are generic and admit to all Spring, Summer and Fall Art of Jazz concerts.  The 2025 series is free to Jazz Project members.  Tickets to all shows are $20 general, and $10 students.

Cost: $20 general admission, $10 students, Free forJazz Project Members
Purchase advance tickets here

Website: jazzproject.org

The name Dry Martini is an homage to the alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, who famously remarked that he wanted to sound like a dry martini. 

It also acknowledges the band's friends and mentors, saxophonist Brent Jensen and guitarist Jamie Findlay, whose 2001 and 2021 CDs are titled "The Sound of A Dry Martini" and "More Sounds of A Dry Martini", respectively.

Mike Knutson started playing alto sax in high school and college. After a hiatus of many years, he has again taken up the sax, reflecting his lifetime love of jazz. 

Michael Newlight started on guitar in high school. In the '70s, he performed throughout the Northwest as half of the folk duo "Judith & Michael." Later, he and his nasty black Les Paul Custom guitar fronted the short-lived Bellingham rock band Secret Lives. Then came solo performances here and there as blues musician Mike Leo. At last, following this restless many-decade journey through folk, blues, and rock, he has arrived at relaxed domesticity, bossa nova, and cool jazz.

Steve Webber-Plank began his initial percussion journey in 1956 at a So Cal music store with weekly lessons and he worked his way thru high school playing Sat night Two Step & Polka gigs in a country Italian pizzeria and road house. His real love was Afro-Cuban Caribbean rhythms popular at the time and he bonded with the Bossa Nova tunes introduced in the late ‘50’s.  Big Band greats like Benny Goodman and his Carnegie Hall performance played a role in his love for rhythm, with the early Be-bop and later smooth jazz era of the mid-century music scene. He’s pleased to partner with Bellingham’s Dry Martini and share the Love.

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.

Website: drymartinimusic.com

Bellingham local Bo Bestvina shares incredible guitar playing, soul-stirring lyrics, and stories about finding a place to call home. For years, Bo had wanted to stitch together a creative life as a musician and writer. It just took losing a job, a pandemic, backpacking in Spain, and a surprise landing in Bellingham for things to settle in. In all of the changes, Bo wrote an album exploring his folk roots, fingerstyle guitar and songs to make people laugh, because sometimes you just gotta laugh.

Come listen to Bo’s songs and stories, and get a chance to reflect on your own journey towards wholeness, however unusual that may look.

Cost: $15
Purchase advance tickets here.

Website: www.bobestvina.com

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Lydia McCauley returns to the stage for a rare Reunion Concert.

A unique voice in world music, McCauley’s compositions are shaped by Contemporary, Folk, and Classical influences, blending ancient tones with modern textures to create an immersive and soulful listening experience. She has released six albums over the past two decades, beginning with Sabbath Day’s Journey in 1998, described by Newberry Award-winning author Madeleine L’Engle as, “The words are just as good as the music.”

Her follow-up album, Entrances (1999), was praised as “a provocative blend of mysticism, intelligence and beauty” by Connie Dover of Taylor Park Music. In 2002, Lydia released two recordings: The Beauty of the Earth, which became the top-selling New Age album of 2003 for Goldenrod Music Distributors, and The Moon of Wintertime, a collection of sacred and traditional songs spanning the 13th century to today. Her 2004 release ForeignLander offered newly arranged Appalachian folk music, hailed by Dan Maher of NWPR as “sophisticated Folk—refreshing, with good energy!” She followed with her first instrumental album, Quieting (2008), a deeply reflective journey inspired by her reverence for the natural world.

For this intimate concert, Lydia will be joined by a gifted ensemble of longtime collaborators:

Phil Heaven – viola

Nancy Rumbel – Grammy Award-winning oboe and ocarina

Brian Cunningham – guitars

Lynne Givler – bass and vocals

Jay Darling – percussion

Together, they’ll perform music spanning Lydia’s discography, plus new single releases—inviting listeners into a soundscape that’s both timeless and transporting. From ancient hymns to cinematic instrumentals, the evening will honor the healing power of melody and storytelling.

For more about Lydia’s music, visit @lydiamccauleymusic.

Cost: $25.00, ages 12 and up only

Purchase advance tickets here

No physical tickets needed. Please bring a printed or digital copy of your receipt (from *StoneHouse Artifacts) for entry.  

Contact: Lydia McCauley or call 360-647-0152

An evening with Naomi Moon Siegel, the award-winning trombonist and composer described by JAZZIZ as having "crafted a truly unique aesthetic." Siegel takes the trombone beyond expectations, weaving together modern jazz, fusion, and world music with incredible depth.

Join her and the Naomi Moon Siegel Ensemble for an unforgettable performance of original music, featuring deep grooves, soaring melodies, and captivating improvisation. You'll hear why she's a recipient of the Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Hero Award and has been lauded for her critically acclaimed albums.

Lineup: Naomi Moon Siegel (trombone), Ray Larsen (trumpet), Elias Hampton (guitar), Kelsey Mines (bass), Chris Icasiano (drums).

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase Advance Tickets

Website: www.naomimoonsiegel.com

Contact: Steve Jones

BEFORE US, Kuntz and Company’s newest work, is a dance theatre piece exploring how we navigate, manage, and survive what is to come with grace and humility. Not as merely spectators of our lives, the performers dive into images of what came before and what is coming next while engaging in a journey across the stage. Ian Bivins, Cara Congelli, Atlas Hovdesven, Ingrid Hurlen, and Pam Kuntz have discovered community, relationships, and humor are at the core of both the stories shared and their creative process. With Richard Scholtz's recordings of sounds of the world adding layers of humanity to the score, BEFORE US is a playful release of frustrations and fears while traveling into a glorious win…the win we all really need right now. 

Kuntz and Company artists Ian Bivins, Cara Congelli, Atlas Hovdesven, Ingrid Hurlen, Pam Kuntz, and Richard Scholtz bring BEFORE US to the Firehouse Arts and Events Center October 9, 10 @ 7:30 and Oct 11, 12 @ 5:00.

Cost: $11.63-$27.38
Purchase tickets in advance HERE

Website: Kuntz & Co

Questions/Contact: kuntzpam@gmail.com

BEFORE US, Kuntz and Company’s newest work, is a dance theatre piece exploring how we navigate, manage, and survive what is to come with grace and humility. Not as merely spectators of our lives, the performers dive into images of what came before and what is coming next while engaging in a journey across the stage. Ian Bivins, Cara Congelli, Atlas Hovdesven, Ingrid Hurlen, and Pam Kuntz have discovered community, relationships, and humor are at the core of both the stories shared and their creative process. With Richard Scholtz's recordings of sounds of the world adding layers of humanity to the score, BEFORE US is a playful release of frustrations and fears while traveling into a glorious win…the win we all really need right now. 

Kuntz and Company artists Ian Bivins, Cara Congelli, Atlas Hovdesven, Ingrid Hurlen, Pam Kuntz, and Richard Scholtz bring BEFORE US to the Firehouse Arts and Events Center October 9, 10 @ 7:30 and Oct 11, 12 @ 5:00.

Cost: $11.63-$27.38
Purchase tickets in advance HERE

Website: Kuntz & Co

Questions/Contact: kuntzpam@gmail.com

BEFORE US, Kuntz and Company’s newest work, is a dance theatre piece exploring how we navigate, manage, and survive what is to come with grace and humility. Not as merely spectators of our lives, the performers dive into images of what came before and what is coming next while engaging in a journey across the stage. Ian Bivins, Cara Congelli, Atlas Hovdesven, Ingrid Hurlen, and Pam Kuntz have discovered community, relationships, and humor are at the core of both the stories shared and their creative process. With Richard Scholtz's recordings of sounds of the world adding layers of humanity to the score, BEFORE US is a playful release of frustrations and fears while traveling into a glorious win…the win we all really need right now. 

Kuntz and Company artists Ian Bivins, Cara Congelli, Atlas Hovdesven, Ingrid Hurlen, Pam Kuntz, and Richard Scholtz bring BEFORE US to the Firehouse Arts and Events Center October 9, 10 @ 7:30 and Oct 11, 12 @ 5:00.

Cost: $11.63-$27.38
Purchase tickets in advance HERE

Website: Kuntz & Co

Questions/Contact: kuntzpam@gmail.com

BEFORE US, Kuntz and Company’s newest work, is a dance theatre piece exploring how we navigate, manage, and survive what is to come with grace and humility. Not as merely spectators of our lives, the performers dive into images of what came before and what is coming next while engaging in a journey across the stage. Ian Bivins, Cara Congelli, Atlas Hovdesven, Ingrid Hurlen, and Pam Kuntz have discovered community, relationships, and humor are at the core of both the stories shared and their creative process. With Richard Scholtz's recordings of sounds of the world adding layers of humanity to the score, BEFORE US is a playful release of frustrations and fears while traveling into a glorious win…the win we all really need right now. 

Kuntz and Company artists Ian Bivins, Cara Congelli, Atlas Hovdesven, Ingrid Hurlen, Pam Kuntz, and Richard Scholtz bring BEFORE US to the Firehouse Arts and Events Center October 9, 10 @ 7:30 and Oct 11, 12 @ 5:00.

Cost: $11.63-$27.38
Purchase tickets in advance HERE

Website: Kuntz & Co

Questions/Contact: kuntzpam@gmail.com

Guitars and Gratitude feature the stellar harmonies of Dianne Ardourel and Lane Hoback. They play original and favorite cover tunes in folk, country, Americana, and pop genres. They will be joined by the talented Rick Baunach on harmonica and three row diatonic accordion.

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.

Kathy Bastow and Cathy Taylor met at a local open mic here in Bellingham.  They began collaborating and formed the duo- Wild Hearts.  

They play an eclectic mix of covers and originals, including folk, country, bluegrass, and rock, adding our unique arrangements and harmonies.

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.

Get ready for an inspiring performance by Cat Toren, the Brooklyn-based, award-winning pianist, improviser, and composer praised for her "vibrant, earthy and spiritual" sound (UK Vibe). Cat's music beautifully blends "bold atmospheric abstraction and fluid melodies" with "deep human warmth and creative fire" (Coastal Jazz and Blues Society).

With six albums under her belt, including the highly acclaimed Scintillating Beauty and her latest, Sea/Sky, Cat Toren's inventive approach to jazz and improvisation is truly something to experience. As a JUNO Award winner and a respected composer, her artistry is not to be missed!

Lineup: Cat Toren (piano), Xavier Del Castillo (saxophone), Gord Grdina (oud), Jake Leckie (bass), Matt Honor (drums).

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase Advance Tickets

Website: www.cattoren.com

Contact: Steve Jones

Cabin Fever NW in Concert

Cabin Fever NW celebrates a full band reunion with a hometown concert at The FireHouse!

What began as an adventure by two best friends, Cabin Fever NW has grown into a powerful quintet including Dianne Bochsler (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Tara Caldwell (vocals, claw hammer banjo) of Bellingham, WA, Ed Johnson (vocals, lead guitar) of Menlo Park, CA, Paul Elliott (vocals, fiddle) of Seattle, WA, and Cary Black (vocals, bass fiddle) of Sebastopol, CA.

Dianne Bochsler's musical career began by singing duets and playing guitar with her father. She adopted an important piece of his life philosophy: happiness is playing a guitar and singing with friends. Her love of the stage took her all the way from upstate New York to Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. When she saw the music scene in the Pacific Northwest, she realized she had to be part of it. She followed her heart's desire and jumped into the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, where she found a bottomless well of inspiration.

Tara Caldwell’s musical roots rise from the mountains and prairies of Alberta and the folk traditions of the labor movement. An accomplished singer and songwriter, Tara finds inspiration in the brighter spots as well as the darker corners of human experience. As a two-year-old child, she "imprinted" with the banjo and has been following it around ever since. When Tara and Dianne met at their children’s preschool, they discovered their near-perfect vocal blend and immediately grew ambitious about performing, recording, and living out their musical dreams together.

Ed Johnson is a master of musical styles ranging from folk to Brazilian to classical. He is highly esteemed and sought after as a guitarist, bandleader, record producer, vocalist, teacher, and musical consultant. His vibrant, original contemporary jazz recordings have earned him fans and airplay worldwide. Ed tours regularly with numerous bands, including his own Novo Tempo. (www.edbjohnson.com).

Paul Elliott is an extremely versatile and respected West Coast fiddle player. He is a member of the legendary country group Sons of the Pioneers, originally founded in 1934 by Roy Rogers and sporting their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has performed with The Good Old Persons, John Reischman, Michelle Shocked, Alison Brown, Buell Neidlinger, and many others. His recording credits span film, television, and radio, and a long list of recordings including Scott Nygaard’s No Hurry on the Rounder label.

Cary Black is an inventive and expert bassist, described by Alan Senauke in Sing Out! Magazine as “a musician’s musician”. He performs, records and teaches a variety of styles including blues, funk, Brazilian, jazz, bluegrass, pop and rock. Cary has recorded and performed with a vast array of world-class acts including The Kingston Trio, Glen Yarbrough, The Grand Ol’ Opry, Mollie O’Brien, A Prairie Home Companion, The Kathy Kallick Band, Laurie Lewis, and Nina Gerber.

For questions contact: Tara

Cost: General Seating $25.00
Purchase advance tickets HERE

The 2025 Fall Art of Jazz series returns to the Firehouse Arts and Events Center on September 28 with Brazilian pianist Jovino Santos Neto with his Quinteto:  Tim Carey bass, Ben Thomas vibes, Mark Ivester drums, and Jeff Busch percussion

Advance tickets are available in The Jazz Project store or at the door.  The Fall series is free for Jazz Project members; $20 general; and $10 students.  September’s concert is sponsored by Joyce Busch.

The Out of the Ashes music program continues at the VFW Post through 2025 every Tuesday from 3-5 pm.

The 2025 season is in its final stages and the Spring 2026 series is booked.   Contact The Jazz Project to receive a season announcement.   Programs and events are posted on the gigs page and the events calendar.  Tickets available for all shows on this website. Tickets are generic and admit to all Spring, Summer and Fall Art of Jazz concerts.  The 2025 series is free to Jazz Project members.  Tickets to all shows are $20 general, and $10 students.

Cost: $20 general admission, $10 students, Free forJazz Project Members
Purchase advance tickets here

Website: jazzproject.org

Join us for special events hosted by Music Together Fairhaven! We can't wait to make music with you!

Register online here!

Contact: (971) 400-0348 or musictogetherfairhaven@gmail.com

We’re proud to present Cory Weeds, a jazz powerhouse! Weeds wears many hats, all with exceptional skill: he's an award-winning saxophonist known for his warm, impactful sound; a visionary record label owner (Cellar Music Group, including the Grammy-winning Cellar Live imprint); and a dedicated impresario who has shaped the jazz scene across North America.

From his legendary Cellar Jazz Club to booking Frankie's Jazz Club and leading the "New York With Weeds" tours, Cory Weeds is consistently at the heart of vital jazz experiences. With over 20 albums as a leader and more than 200 as a producer, his contributions to jazz are immense. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the artistry of "the hardest working man in jazz business."

Lineup: Cory Weeds (saxophone), Chris Hazelton (Hammond B3), David Rourke (guitar), Rudy Petschauer (drums)

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase Advance Tickets

Website: www.coryweeds.com

Contact: Steve Jones

"A Very Queer Ballet: TRANScendence" is a contemporary dance work that brings LGBTQ+ representation to the dance world and explores concepts of gender, time, and queer existence. Directed by WWU dance student Atlas Hovdesven with an incredible team of student dancers, choreographers, and technicians.

This project is dedicated to every trans and genderqueer who has struggled to find their place in dance communities. Dance should be a place of boundless self-expression, not hostility and discrimination.

AVQB's second production, "TRANScendence", explores the experiences of a trans person, River, at three different points in his life. River faces dysphoria, challenging social dynamics, and finding peace in his identity.

Cost: TB

Website: Coming Soon

Contact: Atlas Hovdesven

"A Very Queer Ballet: TRANScendence" is a contemporary dance work that brings LGBTQ+ representation to the dance world and explores concepts of gender, time, and queer existence. Directed by WWU dance student Atlas Hovdesven with an incredible team of student dancers, choreographers, and technicians.

This project is dedicated to every trans and genderqueer who has struggled to find their place in dance communities. Dance should be a place of boundless self-expression, not hostility and discrimination.

AVQB's second production, "TRANScendence", explores the experiences of a trans person, River, at three different points in his life. River faces dysphoria, challenging social dynamics, and finding peace in his identity.

Cost: TBD

Website: Coming Soon

Contact: Atlas Hovdesven

This Trio enjoys many genres of music - jazz, blues, boogie, bossa, country and originals. Diane Leigh (vocals & piano) is enjoying learning more and more about the world of jazz. Jeff Reier (guitar) has a long and varied history playing both solo and in ensembles. Ray Wolpow (bass & vocals) loves to lay down a groove that’ll get your toes tappin’ and fingers snapping!

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.

JAZZ OVERHAUL is a jazz quartet that covers rock songs from the renowned Seattle grunge music scene that gave the world Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam. Jazz Overhaul has created arrangements from these classic bands, in addition to other popular music from the past 30 years, and has “overhauled” them to fit into the jazz structure. The group features Cliff Colon on sax, Jake Sele on keys, Osama Afifi on bass, and D’Vonne Lewis on drums. This isn’t your normal jazz quartet. This is a JAZZ OVERHAUL!

Lineup: Cliff Colon (sax), Jake Sele (piano,) Osama Afifi (bass), and D’Vonne Lewis (drums)

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase Advance Tickets

Website: www.jazzoverhaul.com

Contact: Steve Jones

"A Very Queer Ballet: TRANScendence" is a contemporary dance work that brings LGBTQ+ representation to the dance world and explores concepts of gender, time, and queer existence. Directed by WWU dance student Atlas Hovdesven with an incredible team of student dancers, choreographers, and technicians.

This project is dedicated to every trans and genderqueer who has struggled to find their place in dance communities. Dance should be a place of boundless self-expression, not hostility and discrimination.

AVQB's second production, "TRANScendence", explores the experiences of a trans person, River, at three different points in his life. River faces dysphoria, challenging social dynamics, and finding peace in his identity.

Cost: TBD

Website: Coming Soon

Contact: Atlas Hovdesven

"A Very Queer Ballet: TRANScendence" is a contemporary dance work that brings LGBTQ+ representation to the dance world and explores concepts of gender, time, and queer existence. Directed by WWU dance student Atlas Hovdesven with an incredible team of student dancers, choreographers, and technicians.

This project is dedicated to every trans and genderqueer who has struggled to find their place in dance communities. Dance should be a place of boundless self-expression, not hostility and discrimination.

AVQB's second production, "TRANScendence", explores the experiences of a trans person, River, at three different points in his life. River faces dysphoria, challenging social dynamics, and finding peace in his identity.

Cost: TBD

Website: Coming Soon

Contact: Atlas Hovdesven

Winds5 is excited to present their next concert series: Woods. This program features a mix of music inspired by forests and nature, from Bon Iver to forest-themed video game music. We are also premiering two brand-new pieces written for wind quintet by composers based in Seattle and Tacoma. Join us for a unique afternoon of music that will take you on a walk through the Woods.

Two-time American Prize finalist Winds5 is a Seattle-area woodwind quintet. We specialize in performing music that is not traditionally associated with a wind quintet, such as music from non-Western cultures, video games, film and television. Broadening the wind quintet’s repertoire is important to us, as we actively champion and commission new music for wind quintet. Winds5 brings the wind quintet into the 21st century with fresh, vibrant, and diverse performances.

Cost: coming Soon

Purchase Advance Tickets: coming soon

Allen follows in the footsteps its author who, a few years after writing the novella, began public readings of it which he continued to perform until the year of his death.

This story has been represented in over a hundred adaptations for stage, film, opera, and radio. In Allen’s version, audiences have the opportunity to use the full range of their imagination as one actor— on a virtually bare stage— creates 26 different characters. Audiences have been delighted by the personal, individual impact which this approach affords.

Dickens' novella captures the zeitgeist of the mid-Victorian revival of the Christmas holiday, popularizing many aspects of Christmas celebration— including family gatherings, seasonal food and drink, dancing, games, and a festive generosity of spirit. And it shows the path by which selfish, acquisitive men may redeem themselves. Its most important theme, however— all too relevant today— is to shine a glaring light on mistreatment of the poor. Dickens wrote his novella in response to British social attitudes towards poverty. He was compelled to show the repercussions of ignoring the poor— especially children— in poverty.

Cost: TBD

Tickets: Coming Soon

The 2025 Fall Art of Jazz series returns to the Firehouse Arts and Events Center on September 28 with Brazilian pianist Jovino Santos Neto with his Quinteto:  Tim Carey bass, Ben Thomas vibes, Mark Ivester drums, and Jeff Busch percussion

Advance tickets are available in The Jazz Project store or at the door.  The Fall series is free for Jazz Project members; $20 general; and $10 students.  September’s concert is sponsored by Joyce Busch.

The Out of the Ashes music program continues at the VFW Post through 2025 every Tuesday from 3-5 pm.

The 2025 season is in its final stages and the Spring 2026 series is booked.   Contact The Jazz Project to receive a season announcement.   Programs and events are posted on the gigs page and the events calendar.  Tickets available for all shows on this website. Tickets are generic and admit to all Spring, Summer and Fall Art of Jazz concerts.  The 2025 series is free to Jazz Project members.  Tickets to all shows are $20 general, and $10 students.

Cost: $20 general admission, $10 students, Free forJazz Project Members
Purchase advance tickets here

Website: jazzproject.org

Peter Bernstein was born in New York City in 1967. He has been playing and recording since 1990 when he first appeared on recordings with Lou Donaldson and the organ trio of Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart, a group still touring and recording today.

Peter played in Lou Donaldson's group for 10 years as well as performing and recording with Joshua Redman's group 1995-97. Other associations and collaborations include Jimmy Cobb, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman, Brad Mehldau, Etta Jones, Melvin Rhyne, Diana Krall, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, Nicholas Payton, George Coleman, and Sonny Rollins. Peter has played on festival, concert, and club stages all over the world since the early 90's.

He has appeared on over 300 recordings with these musicians and many of his contemporaries as well as 14 records under his own name. These recordings have featured many of his own compositions and musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth among others.

His latest recording on the Smoke Sessions label is "Better Angels", and features Brad Mehldau, Vicente Archer, and Al Foster.

Lineup: Peter Bernstein (guitar), Tony Foster (piano), Michael Glynn (bass), Matt Jorgensen (drums)

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase Advance Tickets

Website: www.peterbernsteinmusic.com

Contact: Steve Jones

Since she burst on the jazz scene in 2013, the award-winning, Seattle-based vocalist, composer, producer, and legacy activist Eugenie Jones has been one of our time's most evocative and evolving artists.

NEA Jazz Master and bassist Reggie Workman described Jones as "an extraordinary singer, songwriter, and a source of light we're fortunate to experience." Thomas Staudter of The Gazette/New York lauded Jones for her "tremendous talent, tireless energy, and buoyant spirit," and Mark Holston of Jazziz praised Jones for her "…keen sense of phrasing, [which] makes her extremely persuasive. Like a veteran horn soloist, she slides effortlessly from one octave to the next, always landing on the right, pitch-perfect note."

Lineup: Eugenie Jones (vocals), tbd

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase Advance Tickets

Website: www.eugeniejones.com

Contact: Steve Jones

Kareem Kandi is a highly sought-after saxophonist, composer, and educator from the Pacific Northwest, known for his warm and versatile sound deeply rooted in jazz, blues, classical, and funk traditions. He performs extensively across the U.S. and internationally, both as a bandleader with The Kareem Kandi Band and as a sideman, having shared stages with renowned artists like Patti LaBelle, The Temptations, and Ali Jackson.

A graduate of Cornish College of the Arts, Kandi's musical foundation was shaped by studying with and performing alongside Pacific Northwest jazz legends. Beyond performing, he is a dedicated educator, teaching at the Tacoma School of the Arts, leading private lessons and jazz classes, and directing The Kareem Kandi World Orchestra (trio) and The Tacoma Jazz Association. Kandi is also a performing artist and clinician for Conn-Selmer and D'addario Woodwinds.

Lineup: Kareem Kandi (saxophone), Greg Feingold (bass), Jacques Willis (drums)

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase Advance Tickets

Website: www.kkworldorchestra.org

Contact: Steve Jones

Duende Libre is an award-winning jazz trio whose original music combines jazz virtuosity with roots rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, and West Africa into a “strikingly authentic blend.” Each having apprenticed with direct descendants and master musicians of these traditions, they consider themselves disciples of their teachers. The result: A euphoric new jazz that honors its historical roots, pushing open the boundaries of genre to invoke a powerful sonic freedom.

Comprising core members Alex Chadsey (bandleader and keys), Jeff Busch (percussion), and Farko Dosumov (bass), Duende Libre is collectively influenced by the trio’s direct connections with master musicians including Clinton Fearon, Dudley Nesbitt, Dave Hassel, Jesse Bannister, Chucho Valdés, Carlos Santana, Martha Gonzalez, Quetzal Flores, and Joe Santiago

Lineup: Alex Chadsey (piano), Farko Dusumov (bass), Jeff Busch (drums), Pedro Vargas (percussion)

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase Advance Tickets

Website: www.duendelibre.com

Contact: Steve Jones