Kirkland PAC Announce 2013 Season Lineup

"Puff the Magic Dragon" singer-songwriter Peter Yarrow and Pulitzer Prize winning musicians eighth blackbird both perform in the next two weeks at the Kirkland Performance Center. There's also a world premier new work by Seattle-based Khambatta Dance Co. and hilarious political commentary with Mark Russell. There wouldn't be John Stewart and Stephen Colbert without Mark Russell! VIP Tickets are available for Mark Russell on January 24 are $75. Quantities are limited and VIP patrons receive prime seating and the opportunity to meet the artists after the show. A complete list of shows for the remainder of the season is available at www.kpcenter.org. Tickets are available over the phone at (425) 893-9900 or at the KPC Box Office Noon - 6pm Tues - Sat and until curtain on show days (hours are subject to change seasonally). The Box Office is located at 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland WA.

eighth blackbird January 22, 7:30pm - Tickets $40

eighth blackbird lives dangerously. The Chicago-based, two-time GRAMMY Award-winning sextet combines the finesse of a string quartet with the energy of a rock band and the audacity of a storefront theater company. Its musical aerobatics delight, provoke and entertain audiences around the world. eighth blackbirds' program for KPC includes Double Sextet, the 2009 Pulitzer prize winning piece written by Steve Reich, commissioned by eighth blackbird, wherein the ensemble will play the 12 instrument work by performing live playing 6 parts against a recording of them playing the other 6 parts. The sextet will also perform works by: Derek Bermel, Tied Shifts(2003); Philip Glass, Einstein on the Beach, Knee Play 2 (1975); Tom Johnson, Counting Duets; Gyorgy Ligeti, Etudes (1985/arr. 2012) and Andy Akiho, Erase (2012).

Campaign season may be over, but the laughs keep on coming. Long before Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert, there was Mark Russell, daring to joke and sing of the often absurd political process This beloved piano-playing political satirist comes to KPC with material ripped from today's headlines. Known for skewering Democrats and Republicans alike, Russell's unique brand of comedy earned him the Mark Twain Award for political comedy and has made him a popular favorite on PBS.

Solas January 26, 8:00pm - Tickets $24

Solas is an Irish-American and Irish band that "is grounded in the fast-fingered jigs and reels of Irish tradition, and plays with unbridled vitality" (New York Times). Known for incorporating country sounds into their music, they'll perform selections from their latest CD Shamrock City, inspired by the history of a mining community in Butte, Montana.

Peter Yarrow February 3, 7:00pm - Tickets $35

Legendary musician, songwriter, and children's author Peter Yarrow is perhaps best known for his career as part of the beloved trio Peter, Paul & Mary; yet he is also a spirited activist who has committed his time and musical talents to promoting many worthy causes from civil rights, gender equality, and environmental issues to educating children about treating each other with kindness and respect through his non-profit, Operation Respect. In this family-oriented performance, Yarrow performs heartwarming renditions of the iconic songs we all know and love, such as "If I Had a Hammer," "Puff the Magic Dragon," "Blowin' in the Wind," "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and many more.

With a soothing blend of folk, country and jazz, Jonathan Kingham must be doing something right. His live performances are not only winning him fans and accolades, but the release of his fourth independent album 'Smooth Out the Lines' finds him comfortably straddling the folk and country worlds with lush string arrangements and deft storytelling.

Born and raised in Hawai'i, Makana is an internationally acclaimed Slack Key guitarist, singer, composer, philosopher, activist and one of Hawaii's cultural ambassadors to the world. He is considered the youngest authority on his art form and recognized as one of the top guitarists in the US (Guitar Player Magazine 2008). His music was featured in the George Cloony film, The Descendants. The NY Times calls him "A dynamic force within the style" of slack key and National Geographic Society says Makana is "Charting a new sonic frontier with deep ties to tradition".

Khambatta Dance February 22, 7:30 - Tickets $25

The five-member Seattle based company, led by Artistic Director Cyrus Khambatta, contrasts rigorous partnering and athletic movement with authentic human content to create an emotionally moving dance, which is both visually beautiful and physically demanding. The company will perform three pieces: A Moment Repeated, Ashutosh, and the world-premiere of Truth & Betrayal.

Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas February 23, 8:00 - Tickets $25

Master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, long regarded as one of his country's premier musical ambassadors, presents the songs of his homeland with unsurpassed eloquence, passion and energy. In this special duo concert, he links bows with vibrant young cellist Natalie Haas in an exciting wave of rocking, reeling rhythms, poignant melodies and exquisite musicianship. This remarkable combo has created a major buzz among Celtic music lovers and has been featured on nationally broadcast radio programs, including Thistle and Shamrock and Mountain Stage.

KPC provides cultural enrichment by offering a home for the presentation, support and promotion of the performing arts. Located in downtown Kirkland, this 402-seat theatre hosts an average of 300 music, theatre and family-oriented performances a year from acclaimed regional, national and International Artists. With an annual operating budget of $1.2 million KPC serves more than 70,000 patrons and over 20,000 students each year. Since opening in 1998 over 800,000 patrons have walked through KPC's doors. In addition to presenting performing arts, KPC conducts a variety of educational and community outreach programs at area schools. These are designed to bring visiting artists into the classrooms for in-depth workshops. KPC also grants students the opportunity to perform in a professional setting on the KPC stage.