Join Steve in support of Panama Hotel Jazz Educational and Performance Extension

Steve

45 from 2 donors 1 update 300 goal
Why is Panama Hotel Jazz important?
The Panama Hotel Jazz program offers an educational, entertaining and artistic representation of the Seattle Japanese American WWII experience by connecting history and tangible artifacts to the greater community. Discrimination, unjust treatment by government, irrational behavior during war and citizenship remain important issues today and the Japanese American experience offers vivid and vital lessons for future generations.
How was Panama Hotel Jazz created?
The program was created with a $15,000 4Culture Historic Site Specific grant, presented at seven free concerts at the Panama Hotel Tea Room and recorded on CD for commercial release. Source material is posted at panamahoteljazz.blogspot.com.
What is the performance like?
Five of Seattle’s best jazz musicians (Steve Griggs – saxophone, Jay Thomas – trumpet, Susan Pascal – vibraphones, Milo Petersen – guitar, Phil Sparks – bass) perform 10 original compositions and an arrangement of the Japanese National Anthem as musical scenes set up by brief historical narratives.

Jamie Ford reads in Seattle

I met Jamie Ford at the Wing Luke Museum last weekend when he read from his new book “Songs of Willow Frost.” He signed “Songs” and his first novel “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” for me. I am teaching “Hotel” at Puget Sound Community School. I take the class to locations in the book. Today we went to the Chinese Room atop the Smith Tower where two of the characters in the book kiss on their first date. It is such a joy to share the story and history with students. That’s what supporting this project is all about!