Hardly Raining

Seattle music and culture blog. Features concert photos, show reviews, artist interviews, local events, and more.

President Joe Biden speaks at Green River College

President Joe Biden Visits Greater Seattle

2022-04-22 Hardly Raining U.S. President Joe Biden visited the Pacific Northwest for the first time during his presidency. After a stop in Portland yesterday, Biden continued on to Seattle to attend private fundraisers and sign an Earth Day executive order for the protection of old-growth forests. In the student union building of Green River College in Auburn, …

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Darelle Holden and Dave Holden, Sr. pose after the gig at Calluna Restaurant.

Continuing a Seattle Jazz Legacy: Dave and Darelle Holden Perform at Calluna

2022-04-14 Hardly Raining The Holden family carries a three-generation legacy in Seattle’s jazz scene. Although “Patriarch of Seattle Jazz” Oscar Holden has passed, the musical tradition continues through his descendants. Those include Oscar’s son, Dave Holden Sr., and Dave’s daughter, Darelle Holden. Both toured for decades, but they had never performed together—something Darelle regretted. That …

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People hold a large blue and yellow banner that reads, "We support Ukraine."

Seattleites March in Support of Ukraine

2022.03.05 Hardly Raining Hundreds of Seattleites marched and rallied yesterday in support of Ukraine. Sponsored by the Ukrainian Association of Washington State, the event included rallies at Seattle City Hall and Seattle Center, and a march through downtown along Fourth Avenue. At City Hall, organizers held a flash mob and called for air support in …

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Negativland and SUE-C at Clock-Out Lounge

Negativland + SUE-C (with Blevin Blectum) at Clock-Out Lounge

2021-09-23 Hardly Raining Negativland and SUE-C finally made it to the Clock-Out Lounge on September 23, 2021, a year and a half later than originally scheduled due to COVID-19. Negativland is an experimental Bay Area collective that includes founding members Mark Hosler and David Wills (AKA The Weatherman), as well as Jon Leidecker (AKA Wobbly). …

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Jazzmeia Horn through bokeh of holiday lights

Jazzmeia Horn at Jazz Alley

2021-12-07 Hardly Raining New York City-based jazz vocalist Jazzmeia Horn and her trio played two nights at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley. Personnel included Keith Brown (piano), Kristopher Funn (bass), and Russell Carter (drums). (Read a review of the show in All About Jazz.) While in town, Horn also recorded a session at Seattle’s KEXP. The set …

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Terror/Cactus at Tractor Tavern

Freakout Festival Returns to Ballard

2021-11-11 Hardly Raining The Freakout Festival returned to Seattle in November 2021, after a COVID cancellation in 2020. Held in-person at venues throughout the Ballard neighborhood, the four-day festival featured a diverse lineup of U.S. and international musicians. Seattle label Freakout Records sponsored the event, which included their own artists plus 50-ish others with complementary …

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Marina Albero at Town Hall Forum

Photographs from the 2021 Earshot Jazz Festival

2021-10-13 to 11-05 Hardly Raining After nearly a month of live jazz, the 33rd annual Earshot Jazz Festival has drawn to a close. Venues throughout Seattle hosted an array of international and resident jazz artists, from the straight-ahead to the avant garde. Photographs from 24 festival performances are featured chronologically. Click any photo to open …

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Puget Sound Mycological Society poster for their annual Wild Mushroom Show, held 23-24 October 2021

Puget Sound Mycological Society Wild Mushroom Show

2021-10-23 Hardly Raining The Puget Sound Mycological Society (PSMS) 2021 Wild Mushroom Show is taking place this weekend. Now in its 58th year, the annual event features mushroom specimens, identification, tasting, lectures, and cultivation kits. Last year’s show was held virtually because of COVID-19. Visit PSMS’s web site for further details, tickets, and the lecture …

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Earshot Jazz Festival 2021 announcement, featuring Marina Albero

The 2021 Earshot Jazz Festival Begins Tonight

2021-10-13 Hardly Raining Today marks the beginning of Seattle’s 2021 Earshot Jazz Festival. The 33rd annual event will take place at venues across the city through November 7. Due to the pandemic, the festival occurred only virtually in 2020. This year, both virtual and in-person viewing options are available. In-person attendance will require proof of …

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