Mayor Announces New Leader for Seattle Office of Arts & Culture
After an extensive national search, Mayor Harrell recently announced his appointment of award-winning interdisciplinary artist and creative economy leader Gülgün Kayim as the next permanent director of the Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS). A multi-disciplinary artist and former Stanford Arts Institute Creative Cities Fellow with decades of experience in public art administration, Kayim will begin the new role with the City on July 19. Of the 16-member search committee representing diverse creative disciplines, Steven Severin, co-owner of Neumos said, “From our iconic music scene and venues to cultural organizations doing work in the community, Seattle’s arts ecosystem is fearlessly unique and an essential part of our city’s economy. We are excited to have the new director bring their expertise and passion to this critical leadership position at the City and look forward to partnering with them on efforts to revitalize our creative economy and support our workers.” Read the full press release at artbeat.seattle.gov/2023/06/14/artsdirectorannouncement/.
Sara Gazarek to Design and Lead New Jazz Voice Program
Eastman School of Music, of the University of Rochester, announced the appointment of Sara Gazarek as the associate professor of jazz voice of the newly conceived track in the undergraduate Jazz and Contemporary Media (JCM) degree program. With this launch, Eastman is creating a track for jazz singers within the existing program that challenges the typical divide between jazz vocalists and instrumentalists. “It’s incredibly exciting to be given permission to examine the ways in which music academia might not currently serve today’s collegiate vocal jazz community,” shares Gazarek. After a 12-year tenure at the Thornton School of Music, of the University of Southern California, the two-time Grammy-nominated vocalist has performed and/or recorded with internationally acclaimed artists including Fred Hersch, Kurt Elling, Terri Lyne Carrington, Billy Childs, John Beasley’s MONK’estra, and is a founding member of the Grammy-nominated vocal supergroup, säje. She has been a clinician, adjudicator, and performer at universities, jazz camps, and jazz festivals throughout the United States and Canada.
Endurance Artist Grants, Deadline July 17
Artist Trust’s Endurance Grants (END) are unrestricted emergency need-based grants of $2,500 to artists working in all disciplines across Washington state to assist with an unforeseen emergency, crisis, or catastrophic event. These 40 grants will fund artists who identify with one or more of the following communities: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and/or Native, LGBTQIA+, immunocompromised, with immigrant status, have or are living with a disability, residing outside King County, and/or low income. For complete guidelines and to apply visit artisttrust.org/grants/endurance-grants/.
NW Summer Music Festivals & Series
Summer Series at the Amphitheater 2023
July 13-August 17
The Volunteer Park Trust presents Summer Series at the Amphitheater, six free shows and performances on Thursday evenings, 6-8:30pm. Come celebrate all summer long! Bring a picnic, blanket, and your friends and family to enjoy the show. Food trucks will also be available at every event. Artists include Khu.éex’ with Preston Singletary, Massive Monkees, Northwest Tap Connection, Sara Gazarek, Thomas Marriott, and more! Admission is free and open to the public. Full lineup, tickets, and volunteer opportunities available at volunteerparktrust.org/summer-series-2023/.
Bellhaven Jazz Festival
August 19 (Everson, WA)
The Jazz Project presents the 12th annual Bellhaven Jazz Festival at Samson Estates Winery, for a jam-packed day of brilliant local talent on August 19. From 1-7pm, four bands perform at this year’s festival including the Bill Anschell Standards Trio, Blues Union, Brian Cunningham Quartet, and Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto. Beer and wine available for purchase; outside food permitted. Seating is provided at the pavilion, or feel free to bring a blanket and chairs and stretch out on the winery grounds to enjoy a full day of jazz, blues, and Latin music! With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and generous sponsors, the festival is free to Jazz Project members, $20 for a day pass, $10 for students. Details at
jazzproject.org/bellhaven-jazz-festival.
THING August 25-27 (Port Townsend, WA)
The eclectic and intimate three-day, all-ages music and arts festival set against the majestic backdrop of the Salish Sea at historic Fort Worden in Port Townsend, WA, returns for a third year. Produced by Seattle Theatre Group (STG) and Adam Zacks, THING celebrates a diverse lineup of international and local musical acts including Fleet Foxes, Digable Planets, Y La Bamba, Kassa Overall, High Pulp, King Tuff, and King Youngblood. The festival also showcases various speakers, comedians, podcasts, food, community workshops, and more. THING is an all-ages festival (children 12 and under are free) with opportunities for the entire family to play, celebrate, and enjoy time together. Visit thingnw.org for the complete festival schedule and tickets.
