With a successful season last year and numerous sold-out concerts, Kirkland Performance Center (KPC) officials hope to capitalize during the upcoming 16th season, along with recent interior and exterior renovations.
One of the things they’re emphasizing for the upcoming season are Seattle indie groups, according to Executive Director Jeff Lockhart, who were responsible for many of the sellout performances last year, when Lockhart first came on as executive director.
“I’d say the spirit of our programming changed last year,” he said. “It was really important to reflect the community’s choices. We have a great board here and a great relationship with the city. So we took a step back and rolled up our sleeves and said ‘How do we really service the community and reflect their choices?’”
Along with 15,000 new patrons attending performances at the KPC for the first time, the Center also experienced several sellouts, one of which occurred early in the season for a performance by Richard Thompson, a British folk guitar player, with Vaudeville Etiquette as the opening act.
“Tickets flew off the shelves,” Lockhart said. “The place was packed out. People were on their feet the whole show. I sat in the back and said ‘We’re onto something here.’”
The next six shows following Thompson, Lockhart said, were also sellout performances.
While KPC’s a smaller theater, Lockhart said that it actually holds strong appeal for fans who prefer a more intimate performance from their musicians and bands.
“That show was the first real supernova,” he said. “It was ‘Okay, that’s what it should feel like.’”
In addition to indie groups Prom Queen and Vaudeville Etiquette, next season’s schedule also includes Chris Thile Seattle Rock Orchestra, Jet City Improv’s Twisted Flicks, and several Grammy Award winning artists such as Macy Gray, Dianne Reeves, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
The selections, Lockhart said, give more variety and appeal.
“This year we’re more poignant,” Lockhart said. “It’s very intentional. It was important to our team we bring the Seattle indie scene to the Eastside.”
With the new season also comes renovations to the Center, including a revamped marquee and carpet in the lobby. Whereas the original design was a modern art deco, the new red, copper and black facade has a more aggressive feel to it, Lockhart said.
“It was a total change in the style,” he said. “The front should be more vibrant that way. I think it’s more inviting and reflective of the programming we’re doing inside.”
The renovations were possible thanks to a grant from the city of Kirkland, according to Lockhart.
“We just wanted to be a better partner for the neighborhood and downtown business and have a more vibrant look,” he said. “ I feel the best venues sell themselves. You want to go to the venues because the venue’s cool. We really want to be the first choice for live stage entertainment in Kirkland and the Eastside. We want it to be an outstanding experience from the time you get out of your car until you leave.”
Another new feature in the Center is the Kirk Club VIP lounge, located under the stage. The lounge accommodates 30-40 people and provides them with a higher level of service, intended for donors and rental events.
“We did a beta test and it was a huge hit,” Lockhart said, adding that there are also plans to improve service for regular patrons when it comes to concessions.
The KPC is also offering new season ticket packages where patrons can create their own five-show schedule at a 20 percent discount and choose a staff-curated group of three shows built around a similar genre.
“We wanted to offer cost-effective ways for patrons to see favorites but also try artists similar to acts they already like,” KPC Marketing and Communications Manager Skye Stoury said in a press release statement.
All season and single tickets are available at kpcenter.org.
