During Kirkland Performance Center’s opening week in 1998, we felt it was important to have an open house — not just an opportunity to come in and check the place out, but a chance to experience the variety of performances the KPC had to offer. To make this happen, we undertook the huge task of presenting seven, one-hour long free performances in a single day. It was our Community Open House.
We did this both as an introduction to the venue and as a huge thank you to the hundreds of community members who worked for a decade to bring this dream to life. More than 2,700 people experienced KPC for the first time that day.
Now, a decade later, after more than 2,500 events and 700,000 attendees, we think another “thank you” is in order. So, on Sunday, June 8, the KPC will again offer the community a day of free performances in a broad range of genres selected to appeal to all tastes. We hope you enjoy and appreciate the wealth of talent we are able to offer from many of the Northwest’s finest artists. Our program for the day will include:
11 a.m.
Book-It Repertory Theatre begins the day with an adaptation of Jon Sciezscka’s “True Story of the Three Little Pigs” – great fun for the whole family.
1 p.m.
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra follows with an all-star group of players presenting a special selection of pieces from the classic 1949 Miles Davis “Birth of the Cool” recording.
3 p.m.
Keith Highlander’s Pipe Band brings a special blend of traditional Scottish piping, drumming and dancing. The band has traveled extensively bringing the pageantry and passion of piping to audiences across the globe. KPC has been the home of their annual fall show since the theatre opened in 1998.
5 p.m.
The husband and wife team of Spencer and Traci Hoveskeland have been performing as the Bottom Line Duo since 1996. Best described as light humor with serious music, the Bottom Line explores the most intimate relationship in music, the duo. The Bottom Line Duo performs a range of pieces from Mozart to Duke Ellington. Join the duo as they perform on their professionally mastered Cello and Bass.
7 p.m.
Showtunes! Theatre Company will participate in KPC’s 10th anniversary with a selection of fabulous showtunes heard in their various “Musicals in Concert” since the company’s inception in 2000. Many favorite performers from such popular shows as Anyone Can Whistle, Do I Hear A Waltz?, Rodgers &…, Promises, Promises, Fiorello!, 110 in the Shade, It’s Superman!, Flora the Red Menace and Sail Away will revisit their favorite tunes, and we may have a surprise or two from our upcoming 2008-2009 season, which marks our 4th at KPC.
9 p.m.
Our Community celebration tops off with the improvised horror of Blood Squad.
Blood Squad has terrified audiences since 2005. They ask the audience to provide a title for the show and take off in full force. The show is non-stop action that will have people squirming in their seats and laughing their guts out.
Please join us at KPC on June 8 as we extend a big “thank you” to the community of Kirkland for all their support. All shows are free, but reservations are recommended. You may make reservations at www.kpcenter.org or (425) 893-9900.
Stephanie Farhood is the media director at the Kirkland Performance Center.
