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Musical History of Tacoma
Silong Chhun and The 2nd Language: Hip-Hop, Refugee Storytelling, and Tacoma’s Voice
-- by Kailey Lawless Tacoma’s music history is often associated with rock, jazz, and grunge, yet another vital part of the city’s cultural sound emerges from hip-hop and the voices of immigrant and refugee communities. One artist who represents this history is Silong Chhun, a Cambodian American artist, music producer, community storyteller, and advocate whose... Continue Reading →
Long Hair, Loud Nights, and a Moose Head: Tacoma’s Last Chance Tavern
-- by Jenn Anthony If you walk near Jefferson Avenue and 15th street today, there’s no sign that one of Tacoma’s most eclectic 1970s music spots once stood there. The Last Chance Tavern has disappeared from the city’s physical landscape and almost its collective memory. No neon sign survived. No building remains. Even the address... Continue Reading →
Tacoma’s 80’s Grunge Gals
-- by Magdalene Seelhoff Angsty, gritty, edgy, dirty, ugly—these are just a few words one might use to describe the grunge genre, yet all of them together couldn’t fully capture the quality of the grunge sound, which rebelliously eludes the limits of definition. Known for its punk rock, garage rock, and heavy metal influences, a... Continue Reading →
From Garage Rock to Brutal Death Metal: The Evolution of Tacoma’s Heavy Music Scene
-- by Kaylah Wright Tacoma, Washington has historically existed in the shadow of Seattle when it comes to discussions surrounding music in the Pacific Northwest. However, the city has played a vital role in shaping the sound of the region, producing influential artists, and nurturing an underground music culture that continues to flourish today. From... Continue Reading →
From Seoul To The Sound: The Rise Of K-pop At The Tacoma Dome
-- by Valeria Bedolla-Mendoza In today's world almost everyone around the globe has definitely heard the term K-pop whether it's the impact of one of the biggest bands BTS or major success of girl group Blackpink or even cultural phenomenon like the film KPop Demon Hunters. The “Hallyu” or Korean Wave of K-pop culture has... Continue Reading →
Tacoma Porchfest: Music as a Vehicle to Foster Community
-- by Ella Tao In 2007, the very first Porchfest came to life in Ithaca, New York. What started as twenty bands performing on porches in the city eventually became over 200 bands today. Since its beginning, Porchfest has expanded to about 230 other locations around the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. ... Continue Reading →
An Unsung Hero of Jazz Music in Tacoma
--by Mason Seay Jazz music still floats throughout the streets and neighborhoods of Tacoma. While Jazzbones and Bob's Java Jive remain popular, The Spar Tavern is a hidden gem in Old Town. Let’s go back 110 years to 1916 when The Spar was built. The $7,500 building stands on the corner of North 30th Street... Continue Reading →
A Sound for All: The 1946 USO Music Festival at Point Defiance
--by Jaymin Yu On July 28, 1946, the Point Defiance Park natural amphitheater in Tacoma, Washington, resounded with patriotic songs, jazz, and orchestra. The event was the second USO Music Festival; it attracted more than 7,000 people for a community-oriented celebration of unity and hope for the postwar era. Though the event is a largely... Continue Reading →
Symphony Tacoma: 79 years of Community-Led Classical Music
--by Elizabeth Culp For almost eight decades now, there has been a symphony right in the heart of Tacoma that is composed of members of our community. That’s right - those we see at the grocery store, walking their dogs, driving the streets of downtown Tacoma - are people who play in the Symphony! Changing... Continue Reading →
Carlo Sperati & Musical Institutions of Early Tacoma
-- by Emily Gormley A former professor of what is now Pacific Lutheran University, a musical director for Tacoma Theatre productions, and a Lutheran pastor; Carlo Alberto Sperati (1860-1945) made his mark upon Tacoma through community in equal part to music. Sperati was born in Christiania, Norway (now known as Oslo, Norway) on December 29,... Continue Reading →
Tacoma Music History 