Because of COVID-19, WEAVE has had to weave in concerts on Bainbridge Island as it could due to restrictions easing off then starting up again.
After turning out the lights for 18 months, WEAVE went back on stage with music in October. But when the omicron variant of the coronavirus hit, the spotlight went out again from January through March.
Gov. Jay Inslee’s recent announcement that things could mostly go back to normal had to be music to WEAVE’s ears.
They are starting up again on April 16 by bringing in Alex Dugdale, the 2020 Earshot Jazz Golden Ear NW Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year, and his FADE Quintet.
Dugdale brings his star-studded quintet to audiences in an intimate environment with impeccable sound at the Rolling Bay Hall, 10598 NE Valley Road. Doors open at 7 p.m.; the show starts at 7:30.
Dugdale is an award-winning musician, educator and tap dancer based in Seattle. He teaches music for Seattle Public Schools. He was adopted from Cali, Colombia, and raised in Seattle. At age 4, he fell in love with tap dancing after seeing Savion Glover on Sesame Street. After college, he formed FADE, his own jazz quintet, and was named the Golden Ear’s Emerging Artist of the Year in 2016. Dugdale has tap danced and played music with a wide-ranging group of artists including The Temptations and the Four Tops.
The following week there will be two concerts.
April 23 F2D (Funky 2 Death), the legendary Seamonster Lounge house band, will play its mix of gritty funk, solid soul and unstoppable grooves. The rhythm section is tight and with Melissa Montalto on vocals, you will want to dance.
Doors open at 7 p.m.; the show starts at 7:30.
On April 29, the Johnaye Kendrick Quartet will perform.
Kendrick is a Grammy-nominated vocalist, composer and educator. The internationally acclaimed jazz artist performs originals as well as fresh interpretations of beloved jazz and pop compositions. She often accompanies herself on harmonium, violin, viola and percussion.
Kendrick lives in Seattle where she is a professor of music at Cornish College of the Arts. Her album was nominated for Earshot Jazz’s NW Recording of the Year. During quarantine, Kendrick received her first Grammy nomination for “Desert Song” in the Best Arrangement Instruments and Vocals category. The quartet also received the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Award for “Wisteria” as well as its first Jazz Journalists Association Award nomination for “Best Vocal Jazz Group.”
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show starts at 7:30.
For tickets for all the shows go to weavepresents.org
WEAVE is a nonprofit performing arts and education organization. Its theme is “Engaging Our Community in the Performing Arts to Advance Social and Economic Justice.
It also offers open mic nights, music education, multi-cultural performances, cutting-edge theater and exposure to under-represented voices, its website says.
Are you a Time Weaver, Folk Weaver, Basket Weaver, Moon Weaver or a Dream Weaver? Check out weavepresents.org/weavers to find out.
