Author Archives: parker

Bill Thorness – Greenwood Senior Center  –  October 21, 2025 Author Thorness was promoting his book, “All Roads Lead to Rome”, in which he visits Italy to retrace his father’s steps during World War 2.  It alternately recounts his father’s … Continue reading →

Sustainable Ballard Festival  – Loyal Heights Community Center, Seattle  –   September 27, 2025 The title says it all, and music was only one facet of the overall festivities.  Mimosa String Quartet played a lot of arrangements of modern pop songs.  … Continue reading →

Indigifolk Music Festival  –  Victor Steinbrueck Park, Seattle  –  August 29, 2025 This event, MC-ed by local radio personality DJ Big Rez, was a showcase for Indigenous performers.  A number had travelled many hours to get here, so I was … Continue reading →

Jose “Juicy” Gonzalez Trio  – Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle  –  August 20, 2025 Gonzales splits his mental real estate between being a musician and working as a gardener at the Arboretum’s Japanese Garden.  Every now and then the metaphorical parallels … Continue reading →

Americana Sax Quartet – Chittenden Locks, Seattle  –  August 17, 2025 Much to my surprise/displeasure, there was a second unadvertised combo on the bill, following the headliners.  So the slot for ASQ was cut short; sketch time unexpectedly truncated.  Oh … Continue reading →

Kahil El’Zabar Ethnic Heritage Ensemble – 1200 Broadway, Seattle  –  July 30, 2025 The venue is an outdoor plaza at what was formerly known as the IBM Building.  Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is a trio, with leader El’Zabar rotating through cajon … Continue reading →

Shaina Shepherd – Seattle Center  –  July 25, 2025 Music took place as part of the weekend-long “Bite of Seattle” food festival at Settle Center.  The layout of SC continues to baffle my navigational mojo.  Does a sign, “Fisher Pavillion”, … Continue reading →

Phinney Ridge Steel Band  –  Ballard Seafood Fest  –  July 13, 2025 It was a tossup whether I was going to stick around for the PRSB after my Sunday farmer’s market shopping.  But the timing was good – no waiting … Continue reading →

Busking Seattle (Jared Elmore) – Ballard Farmers Market  –  July 13, 2025 Elmore, a newly-arrived busker in town, was tucked inside the entrance of a closed-for-the-day storefront.  Instead of a tip jar he used a cowboy boot.

Tutti Flutti  –  Chittenden Locks  –  July 12  2025 Making a commitment to sketch in watercolor is always a tricky choice.  For Chittenden Locks, I at least can be assured of spacious seating for my chair environs, and that the … Continue reading →