SAVE THE DATE: On Wednesday night, Feb. 15th, we’ll be holding a special launch party for SoKing Internet Radio, our new, locally-driven radio station, rockin’ the Tin Theater in Olde Burien from 5:30-7 p.m.!

The radio station will “go live” on the air in the theater at 6 p.m. sharp, so please arrive before then for the best experience – we’ll all gather around a computer, say a few words, acknowledge some peeps, perhaps do some weird chanting, then click a button and the station will magically come alive.

All our Readers and Advertisers are invited to this free event, which should be a blast – we’ve been working hard behind-the-scenes building this new media venture, setting up servers, learning new software, collecting and programming local music and beta testing the stream. So far everything’s working great, so we think it’s time to actually go live!

If you’re a local band/musician and want to be featured on our new station, please email music@sokinginternetradio.com. Attach any MP3s, or include a link to any online (we’ll also accept CDs – see our station’s Contact page for our snailmail address), with metadata on your songs, bio info, artwork and anything else you think we can use to help promote you.

Some interesting anecdotes about this project:

• Far as we know, we’ll be the first local blog in the Northwest (perhaps the entire U.S.?) to have its own internet radio station! We’re doing this for a variety of reasons – because we love music, because we want to help local musician types, because nobody else is really doing it right, because we think it’s a great community service, and because it’s really flippin’ COOL to run your own radio station!!
• It’ll be available over the internet only, which means you can only listen to it through your computer, phone or mobile device. However, this also means that anyone anywhere in the world can listen. And just you wait – there will be a day not too far from now that you’ll have wi-fi internet in your car!
• It will feature all local music from area bands, musicians and songwriters like:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Castbound, a group of 15-year old guys from Normandy Park and West Seattle:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Jordan Biggs, another local singer/songwriter:

Click here to view the embedded video.

BenniB, a B-Town boy turned rapper:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Treehouse Dreamers, which includes King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg (yes, that’s him singing in the video below):

Click here to view the embedded video.

KT & HOOPS, a local folk duo:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Trip Like Animals, a psychedelic/grunge band featuring Michael Molner, a bartender at The Tin Room:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Boomerang Summer, headed by Trevor Ras, a Highline High grad:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Noah Gundersen, another great Seattle songwriter:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lark vs Owl, an amazingly talented Seattle pop duo:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Pacific Nomadic, a Seattle Indie rock band:

Click here to view the embedded video.

But wait…there’s more!

• DUI Joe, a Burien-based DUI Attorney that we bet you didn’t know could sing. Or be an on-air talent – he’ll also be doing a talk show for us shortly!
• Kyle R. Andrews, a pop acoustic local singer
• Tupelo, a local, classic country rock band that has played Yo’s Bistro
• Morris Can Fly, a power-pop trio from Seattle
• The Thoughts, a thoughtful small band from Seattle
• Two Buck Chuck, a kitschy cover band with two brothers that plays Mick Kelly’s often
• Dirty Malkovich, aka Luke Krom, formerly of Skwish
• The Pink Torpedoes, which includes local Yellow VAN Handyman Roger Gee
• Manooghi Hi, a Seattle band that collides Indian music with Grunge
• Sly Mr. Y, a pop-influenced power singer aka Chris Yates
• Beau Robinson, another local songwriter/singer
• Classic northwest 80s music from The Heaters, The Cowboys (R.I.P. Ian Fisher), The Eagertones and even one of Scott’s personal faves – the late great Billy Rancher and the Unreal Gods (now out of print)!
• And there’s much much more, with new tracks being added every day!
• We’ll also feature regular “shows,” but when we launch it will be a mix of just great local music.
• We’re going to tie our six local blogs into it as well, so we’ll feature local news from our sites, and we’ll also feature local music on our blogs. That’s what the big media boys like to call synergy.
• The station will be fully ASCAP/BMI/SESAC/Soundexchange licensed through Streamlicensing.com, which means that we’ll be paying out royalties to affiliated artists.
• Listeners will be able to rate songs as they listen to them. We’ll also have a Top 20 chart of the highest-rated songs.
• We’ll do occasional newscasts, mostly when news warrants it. We’ll also do fun stuff like play computer-voiced versions of the best Comments from our blogs, just because we think that’d be a pretty fun thing to hear.
• We are planning on doing a Kickstarter fundraiser campaign to help us build a small radio studio in Burien where we can do interviews and perhaps even record live music. If you’ve got some spare audio studio gear to donate, or know where we can get some, please email us!
• This project was the brainchild of Publisher Scott Schaefer, who, upon seeing several great local bands at Burien’s Wild Strawberry Festival, thought that the area could use a “truly local” radio station that showcases local talent. He then ran this past his resident tech guru, who foolishly said “sure, sounds fun…why not…?”
• The station would not exist if it wasn’t for the expertise of said guru – Michael Brunk – who has spent countless hours setting up things, learning software, finding music and helping program it!
• Another shout-out is in order for biz partners Todd Christensen and Wendy Quesinberry of design firm Quesinberry & Associates, for designing the logo and helping find music.
• And even more shout-outs to the rest of our team, all of whom you’ll soon hear “on the air”:
• Joy Steele, Columnist/Sales Manager
• Ralph Nichols, Senior Writer
• Jack Mayne, Associate Publisher
• Mark Neuman, Writer/Sales
• Bryan Charles, Intern Animator

So there ya go – the brief history of SoKing Internet Radio in a nice bullet point presentation, complete with videos!

Oh, and be sure to “Like” SoKing Internet Radio on Facebook here.

We look forward to rocking out with you at the party! And thanks in advance for your support!

Burien’s ChoralSounds Northwest will host two open community “Sings” on Tuesday, Aug. 17th and Tuesday, Aug. 24th, from 7pm – 8:30pm at St. Bernadette’s, located at 1028 SW 128th.

ChoralSounds is also introducing their new Artistic Director, Cathy Bleecker, who has an extensive background in choral music and musical theatre. In the early 90s, she served as an assistant professor of music at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, where she directed the University Chorale, University Singers and the “Park Avenue” vocal jazz ensembles. She left PLU to return to teaching high school (Central Kitsap and Bellevue) and then took a short break in her teaching career to study psychology (traditional, transpersonal and organizational) at Antioch University… just for fun! She has served as a guest conductor and adjudicator for music festivals across the U.S. and Canada, working with traditional choral and vocal jazz groups alike, and currently is also the director of music activities at The Evergreen School in Shoreline.

Here’s more from an email:

These fun evenings are designed for ChoralSounds members past and present to reconnect with friends, get singing voices going again, and to meet our new Artistic Director Cathy Bleecker.

But these “Sings” aren’t only for members. Friends, associates, family members and any other singers who might like to come out for an evening of fun singing are welcome! Come for one or come for both…but please join us for some no-pressure, no-cost, no-commitment — but definitely FUN — music-making!!

New Artistic Director Cathy Bleecker.

We will start each “Sing” with a warm-up, spend about an hour learning one or two pieces from one of the upcoming season’s shows. There will be time for some socializing — and we will end each evening “performing” the songs we have rehearsed!

ChoralSounds’ dynamic new Artistic Director, Cathy Bleecker has an extensive background in choral music and musical theatre. In the early 90s, she served as an assistant professor of music at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, where she directed the University Chorale, University Singers and the “Park Avenue” vocal jazz ensembles. She left PLU to return to teaching high school (Central Kitsap and Bellevue) and then took a short break in her teaching career to study psychology (traditional, transpersonal and organizational) at Antioch University… just for fun! She has served as a guest conductor and adjudicator for music festivals across the U.S. and Canada, working with traditional choral and vocal jazz groups alike, and currently is also the director of music activities at The Evergreen School in Shoreline.

Cathy’s theatre experience includes serving as director/music director for more than 30 full-scale musicals; writing, directing, and producing numerous staged choral revues; as well as acting, singing, and dancing. She served as music director for the highly acclaimed Woodinville High School theatre department for six years and was nominated twice as “Outstanding Music Director” by the 5th Avenue Theatre High School Musical Awards judges. Recently, she has served as music director for the Second Story Repertory Theatre in Redmond, and is currently in production with the new, north Seattle-based youth theatre group, CORE Theatrics.

Come meet Cathy at one of two CSN community “Sings” on August 17th and August 24th, from 7 until 8:30pm at St. Bernadette’s, and see for yourself why we are so thrilled about her leading ChoralSounds Northwest! More information available at www.nwassociatedarts.org or by calling 206.246.6040.

Burien’s KidSounds, YouthSounds & TeenSounds are joining forces to present “The Night Before Christmas” holiday concert on Friday, Dec. 11th at 7pm at the Highline Performing Arts Center.

Here are the details:

WHAT: KidSounds, YouthSounds & TeenSounds join forces to present “The Night Before Christmas” holiday concert.

WHEN: Friday Dec. 11th beginning at 7pm

WHERE: Highline Performing Arts Center, next door to Highline High School in Burien

COST:  $10-$15 (17 & under free with a paid adult ticket). Tickets can be purchased online here or via phone: 206-246-6040.

INFO: From their press release:

Under the direction of Paula Hawkins, KidSounds, YouthSounds and TeenSounds Northwest will join forces with a fun-filled program designed just for families.

“The Night Before Christmas” combines colorful costumes and creative sets with traditional holiday favorites like “Silent Night” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” Popular newer gems such as “We Need a Little Christmas” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” are included to showcase the budding musical talents of even the youngest 8-, 9- and 10-year old singers.

Families hunting for affordable entertainment will delight and parents looking for a risk-free way to introduce their children to the joys of choral music can rest easy because Northwest Associated Arts youth ticket program lets young people 17 and under in free with a paid adult ticket.

YouthSounds & TeenSounds Northwest demonstrate Northwest Associated Arts’ commitment to providing musical education and performance opportunity for young people from grades 3 through 12 in South King County. Each year the three choruses perform together for two mainstage concerts at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien. In a time of radical funding cuts to music programs in the schools, these ensembles provide an important and life-changing opportunity for students to learn through the discipline of music. Along the way, audiences are delighted with the entertaining performances of these dedicated young singers. The goal of KidSounds, YouthSounds & TeenSounds Northwest is to foster a love of singing by engaging a wide variety of music repertoire. Proper vocal technique, theory and artistry are emphasized with an eye towards developing well-rounded young musicians.

The NWAA young people’s music education program is funded, in part, by the generous support of:

• Lucky 7 Foundation
• Glaser Foundation
• Norcliffe Foundation
• City of Burien
• JR Mailing Services, Inc.
• Many individuals & families throughout our community

For more information, visit their website here.

Here are the details:

Some believe that hip-hop is dead.

According to Northwest based hip-hop group, Blue Scholars, “it’s not, it’s just malnourished and underfed.” True story. Hip-hop music and culture is continuously thriving and evolving. Since its inception, each day has been a stepping stone for this multifaceted channel of expression.

On February 26 and 27, 2009, Highline Community College presents “The Hip-Hop Summit.” A two day long event showcasing a culture defined by creativity, diversity, knowledge and evolution.

Help us gain strength in our movement and spread the word. Hip-hop don’t stop!

WHAT: Hip Hop Summit, to be held over two days:

WHEN:

THURSDAY, FEB. 26th:

• 9:00am-9:50am: The History & Evolution of Hip-Hop with King Khazm (founder of Zulu Nation-Seattle Chapter, Hip Hop emcee & activist) in Mt. Constance Room
• 10:00am-11:30am: Keynote: Hip Hop Politics with Dr. Tricia Rose of Brown University in Mt. Constance Room
• 12:00pm-1:30pm: Panel Discussion: Misconceptions of Hip-Hop in Mt. Constance Room

FRIDAY, FEB. 27th:

• 10:00am-10:50am: Art Showcase in Mt. Constance Room
• 11:00am-12:00pm: ICC – Poetry Lounge and Open Mic in Mt. Constance Room
• 7pm: Doors Open at Mt. Townsend Room Stage: 2 v. 2 Break Battle, With Performances by:
  • So HyDef
  • Nam
  • Khingz
  • Gabriel Teodros
  • The Parker Brothers
  • Common Market

WHERE: Highline Community College Student Union (Building 8), located at 2400 S. 240th St, Des Moines, WA 98198 (map below)

COST: Highline Students $5, General Admission $10

INFO: Highline Community College Events Calendar or on MySpace


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Aside from making airplanes and being blasted by Sir Richard Branson, Boeing has a collection of talented musicians who make up the Boeing Orchestra of Flight.

They’re seeking more musicians, and here’s some info from their press release:

The Boeing Orchestra of flight is a volunteer ,community orchestra open to all adult instrumentalists, including musicians not affiliated with Boeing. We have been performing in the Puget Sound area since 1983.

We strive to provide a fun, non-competitive and improvement-oriented experience for our members. Our music includes works from the Baroque and classical to contemporary Broadway and Hollywood film scores.

We would particularly like to invite string players, double reed players, and percussionists to join us.

There are no auditions required. Musicians who perhaps have not played for some time are definitely encouraged to return to their instrument and lend their talents to the group. We strive to provide a fun, non-competitive and improvement oriented organization.

Musicians young and old are welcome with the following qualifications:

You should be able to:

• Read music for your instrument
• Play at a high school level or better
• Be willing to commit to the rehearsal and concert schedules
• Be able to get to and from rehearsals and concerts

Dues are $70 for the season (September to June), or $35 for the combined Fall and Christmas series or $35 for the combined Winter and Spring series of concerts. You are welcome to come play with us for a rehearsal, or just listen, before you join the orchestra.

Rehearsals are Mondays from 7:30 to 9:30 P.M. and are held in Boeing’s South Park Cafeteria, the 15-35 Bldg. The first rehearsal of the Fall Series is in September on the first Monday after Labor Day. Rehearsals continue weekly (except during the Christmas break) through the end of the season, usually in June.

The South Park facility can be seen from the air in Google Maps.

For more information, e-mail Paul at pandmo@msn.com.

You can learn more about us at http://www/flightorchestra.org

12/19/08 UPDATE: THIS CONCERT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO SATURDAY, JAN. 3rd; David sent us this email:

This year’s Christmas Concert has been postponed to Saturday night, January 3rd.  Same place, same time.  For more info, go to www.davidtempleton.com and click on “Calendar”.

Burien resident David Templeton, an amazingly-talented classical/jazz pianist who’s released five albums, will be performing an evening of Christmas music at the Landmark on the Sound on Saturday, Dec. 20th starting at 7pm Saturday, Jan. 3rd!

This venue is a chateau-like castle built in the 1920s overlooking Puget Sound. Located in Des Moines, this theater harkens back to the romantic days of the Grand Hotel featured in the movie “Somewhere In Time.”

We met with Mr. Templeton recently, and found him to be a charming, engaging, intelligent artist who knows the Burien area quite well. In fact, he’s lived in the Three Tree Point neighborhood since 1987, where he has his own music studio.

He even loaned us a CD called “The Crossing,” with permission to include some tracks – so if you haven’t yet heard his music, click on the “Play” buttons below:

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Here’s his website bio:

I began playing the piano at the age of three, before I could even reach the pedals. I have never been able to read or write music, I just hear it in my head and then play it. People often ask me how I come up with the ideas for my songs. The source of my inspiration varies from people I’ve known to places I’ve been, to those that I dream of knowing. Sometimes I get inspired by walks along the beach around Seattle and spending time in Washington State’s beautiful San Juan Islands.

I always hear music in my head, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I listen for the best ideas and work them into songs, refining them until I say only what I need to say in the most elegant way possible. Then I record them at home in my studio. The piano I play and record on is called a Bosendorfer, a hand made instrument, which some say is the finest in the world. Take a look at some photos of the Bosendorfer in the image gallery. It takes seven years from start to finish to build and the one I play has 92 keys instead of the usual 88. Having such a wonderful piano to practice and record on inspires and motivates me to create better and higher caliber music.

WHAT: David Templeton’s Christmas Concert

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 20th at 7pm. SATURDAY, JAN, 3rd. Refreshments will be served.

WHERE: Landmark on the Sound is located at 23660 Marine View Drive South, Des Moines (map below)

COST: Advance ticket price is $25. Night of event, $30. To order tickets, click here.

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Total Experience Gospel Choir with President-Elect Barack Obama during the Summer of 2007.

Seattle’s internationally-famous Total Experience Gospel Choir is bringing its collective spiritual voice to Burien on Sunday, Dec. 7th at 9:30am, when they sing at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church.

Here’s a video to prep you for this experience, which is truly impressive:

Click here to view the embedded video.

WHAT: Total Experience Gospel Choir performs

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 7 at 9:30am

WHERE: Lake Burien Presbyterian Church, located at 15003 14th Avenue SW in Burien (map below)

INFO: The Messenger’s Perspective Seattle’s legendary Total Experience Gospel Choir will lead worship at Lake Burien Presbyterian with infectiously joyful selections from their Intiman Theatre show, Black Nativity. A popular Northwest holiday tradition, Black Nativity is a mix of gospel music, dance, poetry and a re-telling of the Christmas story like you’ve never seen before. Don’t miss this chance to preview musical portions of the 2008 show right here at Lake Burien Presbyterian!

From the Total Experience Gospel Choir website:

The Total Experience Gospel Choir bursts with love, joy and enthusiasm – humanity! It is hailed as one of the Pacific Northwest’s finest soulful ensembles. Pastor Patrinell Staten Wright started the group as a gospel music class at Seattle’s Franklin High School in 1973. Since then the choir has grown to become a nationally and internationally known gospel singing group.

Another interesting anecdote about Total Experience Gospel Choir is that in January they teamed up with Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron and a host of other talented musicians to record this song called “Fired Up, Ready To Go”:

Click here to view the embedded video.

To learn more about Total Experience Gospel Choir:

http://www.totalexperiencegospelchoir.org/

For tickets and information on the Intiman Theatre’s Black Nativity:

http://www.intiman.org/2008Season/bn.html

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Hosted by Scott Rogney on drums, the regular jammin’ lineup also includes award-winning guitarist Rod Cook and Ken “Bernie Nitro” Lacombe on bass.

The music is mostly blues, older rock, country, jazz, and yes, there is a dance floor.

We’ve never been but we think it’s worth checkin’ out.

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We had a booth outside Jay Lauris Jewelry and met quite a few friendly neighbors, then managed to find time to sneak away to enjoy a few of the festivities ourselves.

Hours of video were shot, dozens of photos taken, all of which will be edited and doled out over the next several days here, so be sure to check back often.

Some of our fave moments of the day included:

• Stumbling upon an acrobat rehearsal in the parking lot of Karuna Yoga
• Writing messages on the glass to the artists living inside the storefront windows
• Seeing autistic artist Chris Stiles’ original paintings up close at Sterling Savings Bank
• Seeing children dance the night away during the first-ever BlogstockAPalooza Music Fest
• Gathering new “slogan ideas” for Burien and reading them aloud between bands at BlogstockAPalooza (which we’ll be revealing over the next several days so stay tuned…)
• Watching great local bands with distinctly different original styles
• Happening upon the Ballard Ave Jug Busters, who played good ol’ boy honkytonk music on the sidewalk outside the Continuing Education office on SW 15nd:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Seattle band Sonando will be grooving their jazzy latin rhythms live at Dottie Harper Park this Sat. Sun. Aug. 10th, from 4-6pm, for FREE!

Here’s a bio from their website:

Sonando was founded in 1990 by Fred Hoadley and Lary Barilleau to explore new directions in the blending of Afro-Cuban rhythms and Jazz.

For over a decade, Sonando has performed original Latin Jazz at festivals, clubs & concerts throughout the Northwest.

Our first two recordings, Sonando (1995) & La Rumba Esta Buena (1998), received airplay and critical acclaim throughout the country. Our third, Sonando Tres, was released May 16, 2006 on the Origin Arts label, and is currently being aired around the country.

Sonando‘s repertoire includes traditional & modern interpretations of Afro-Cuban styles such as Son, Changui, Bata & Rumba, as well as our signature Latin Jazz. We perform on folkloric instruments such as bata, marimbula, tres, congas, & shekere, as well as modern jazz instruments including flute, sax, trombone, piano, bass, & drumset.

And here’s a taste of what kind of music to expect (for fun, after listening to each song on its own, try playing them all at once!):

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