NEWS FLASH! ALYSE BLACK with NATALIE GELMAN at the TRIPLE DOOR in Seattle on Wednesday

Natalie Gelman 

I have not yet had the pleasure of hearing the acclaimed Alyse Black live, so why am I promoting her show this Wednesday night, August 6, at the Triple Door in Seattle, with Natalie Gelman opening? Of course I know it will be good, just based on videos and credentials, (read more here) but there's another reason.

If anyone reading this happened to be at the Chalet Bowl Stage at the Proctor Arts Fest in Tacoma between 4:15 p.m and 5:30 p.m. last Saturday, Aug. 2, you know why I want to spread the word about Natalie Gelman. I managed that stage, for the third year in a row, and saw a phenomenon. By late afternoon on a hot day, many festival goers are tired and starting to drift away. It can be a struggle for performers in that time slot, but it certainly was not for the young singer/songwriter I'd hired. Natalie attracted, and held, the largest audience the Chalet Bowl Stage has ever seen during the last set. That audience included not only those seated, but also people who stood outside the tent until the very end at 5:30. Then they wanted more. They didn't want her to stop singing. 

So who is Natalie Gelman? She is a great talent, a beautiful young woman with a beautiful old soul, whose original lyrics and haunting voice can mesmerize people of all ages. Not only that, she was completely charming and natural. The audience fell in love with her. Here is a little bio from Natalie's website: 

"This street performing NYC troubadour has won over hearts across the country with her music, soulful voice, and dynamic songwriting. Natalie Gelman has performed everywhere from a subway platform to Carnegie Hall, finding herself in national publications like the NY Times and Billboard magazine because of it. Often compared to Sheryl Crow, Joni Mitchell and Jewel, Natalie is an artist in her own right - called “Simply Terrific” by the NY Post and named the 'poster girl for the solo, storytelling singer/songwriter' by Music Connection Magazine."

If you can't make it to the Seattle show, click here for her schedule of upcoming shows through this weekend, in Snoqualmie, Port Townsend, Darrington, and Camas, in Washington State, followed by many more in Oregon. 

At the bottom of the schedule page, you can hear (and buy) Natalie's original song, "The Lion," one she performed at Proctor Arts Fest. Why not check it out? 

You will be glad you did. Her she is on You Tube.

Again, here's your link to the Triple Door Box Office. Don't miss this show.

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PROCTOR ARTS FEST in TACOMA AUG. 4 Offers More FREE Music Than Ever

The Proctor Arts Fest, in the Proctor business district in Tacoma, just keeps getting bigger and better each year. This year's event, on Saturday Aug. 4, tops them all with the addition of the new CHALET BOWL STAGE and many more arts and crafts vendors.

As you wander through the many attractions, be sure to head east on 26th to Washington Street, near the Wheelock Branch of the Tacoma Public Library where the new extension of the festival will be set up for your enjoyment. 

The entertainers booked for the CHALET BOWL STAGE  will make it the place to be, the hot spot of the day. And speaking of HOT, the weather forecast sounds pretty toasty, making the COVERED SEATING even more appealing.

Here are the acts for this new stage:

11:00 - 12:00

LOS FLACOS is a quartet performing traditional acoustic music from Mexico and Latin America on a variety of instruments. Among them are harp, violin, guitar, flute, and hand percussion. They will also sing. This is something truly special and different that you don't get to hear every day. Add to this delightful mix, the talents of a lovely dancer for an experience you won't forget. Violinist Tim Wetmiller is also well known for his band Hot Club Sandwich.

12:15 - 1:15

TOBY HANSON, Leader of the popular and extremely busy Smilin' Scandinavians band, master of the accordion and vocals, and an all around great entertainer, treats us to a special solo performance here. He skillfully presents traditional Scandinavian and European music, including polkas, as well as some great American Western Swing! Fun, funny, and super talented, he'll turn you into an accordion fan for sure.

1:30 - 2:30

LANCE BULLER TRIO  Lance began playing the trumpet at age 13 in Los Angeles and just kept getting better! He excelled at music all through high school and college and was playing with the best rock and jazz bands in L.A.before making a splash in Las Vegas. He played, toured, and recorded with the Beach Boys for years and formed his own band, the Monarchs. Buller has done about 25 albums and continues to grow in popularity as a jazz master all up and down the West Coast and in Canada. But the best part is, he's a proud citizen of Tacoma and lives in the Proctor District. Catch his act at Maxwell's in downtown Tacoma every Friday night!

photo by Dave Prill

2:45 - 3:45

KIMBALL AND THE FUGITIVES  This trio seems to do it all and do it extremely well, offering the truely American music you love and bringing back all those good memories of summers past. With classic rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, swing, rockabilly, country and more, Kimball Conant and the crew keep the good times rolling. Come hear why this band has been so popular throughout the Northwest for years. Don't miss them!

4:00 - 5:00

MORGAN AND GRAVES This amazing duo from Seattle is known far and wide for their performances of a variety of tunes played on guitar and fiddle, plus great vocals. Ranging from traditional mountain music to modern folk tunes, rock, jazz and captivating originals, their sound is one you will fall in love with. Be sure you take advantage of this chance to hear Morgan and Graves so you can learn why they are so much in demand.

See you at the Proctor Arts Fest, Saturday Aug. 4, in Tacoma.