Tacoma classical concert series survives pandemic, now allows in-person audiences
A musical tradition in Tacoma is surviving the pandemic and has moved to performances indoors while observing COVID-19 safety protocols.
Classical Tuesdays in Old Town Tacoma is in its 16th season, featuring a classical performance once a month at Slavonian Hall, now with live audiences.
Last season’s series was virtual, which didn’t always work flawlessly.
“On one of the Zooms they forgot to press the record button,” series director Pamela Butler Ryker told The News Tribune.
The pandemic has become a creative influence even. In March, Tacoma Poet laureate emerita Josie Emmons Turner and composer Gregory Youtz premiered “Songs for the Spring of Waiting.” Turner’s poems in response to the pandemic shutdown were set to music.
Now, musicians are taking audiences through musical journeys in person.
The concerts have shifted to a hybrid-live version following last year’s strictly virtual settings. This season, viewers can see the performances on Facebook or YouTube at a later date, but they also can show up in person for the live show. Proof of vaccination and masks are required.
“During the pandemic we ask our audience to pre-register and to prepare to show their vaccination card and wear a mask at all times,” Ryker said. “Health mandates the number of seats in the hall be a maximum of 50.”
A photo of your vaccination card on your phone is fine, according to the series promotional materials.
Performers also stay masked up during the concert.
Other changes from prior years include no intermission and no coffee service.
In September, the Clan Gordon Pipe Band performed at four different Old Town businesses in recognition of their series’ support and to kick off this year’s live season. That traveling show took them to Connelly Law Offices, Ginkgo Winery, The Spar and Old Town Wine Skins.
According Ryker, the series organizer, the concerts began after the Old Town Business Association asked her to establish the series “to round out the district’s identify as a hub for live music with a well-established Old Town Blues Festival, The Spar’s nights of Rock and Blues, and, at that time, a Jazz & Wine Night.”
The Classical Tuesdays are supported by Old Town businesses and individuals along with the Tacoma Arts Commission and Tacoma Creates and serve as a showcase for both professional musicians and youth in the region.
“The series stretches ‘classical’ to encompass ‘world music’ or music of diverse cultures, and to explore modern sounds and to discuss the social commentary found in many works,” she told The News Tribune via email.
The concerts in the latest series, free to attendees, take place at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month, October through February (except for December), at Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St., Tacoma. Attendees are asked to register in advance by emailing classicaltuesdays@gmail.com.
Organizer ask audience members to arrive no later than 6:50 p.m. to claim a seat.
As of Monday evening, November’s registration was full.
The Dec. 14 event will be a wine and song benefit at Old St. Peter’s Church, 2910 N. Starr St., Tacoma. The concert will feature Lyle Schaefer with accordion music and a community sing-along.
The Nov. 9 performance will feature Trío Guadalevín, “for a musical journey that will travel from Spain/the Mediterranean to Veracruz, La Huasteca and the Pacific coast of Mexico,” according to the event’s release.
The trio features Abel Rocha (voice, harp, jarana, guitar, quinta) with Gus Denhard (baroque guitar, oud, jarana, theorbo and vihuela) and Antonio Gómez (panderos, cajón, teponaztli, jarana and additional percussion), according to the release. The performance will debut a new collaboration with Ke Guo, (voice, harp, dizi).
More information
▪ General information: classicaltuesdays.blogspot.com/
▪ YouTube channel for past performances: youtube.com/user/classicaltuesdays
▪ Facebook: facebook.com/classicaltues/
This story was originally published November 8, 2021 at 2:18 PM.
