Newsletter January ’23

 

Joy In the New Year!

Once upon a time on Capitol Hill...

Once upon a time there was a crafty boy named Peter, a benevolent queen with a terrible tummy ache, and a dragon who behaved like a cat! Join us for an inspired storytellers’ concert filled with classic nursery rhymes and fantastical fables from Sergei Prokofiev, Mogens Andresen, and a very special arrangement by our very own Caleb Gomes!

This programmatic presentation is the second installment of "Play On!" -  the Rainbow City Concert Band's 25th Anniversary Concert Season. Concert date is January 28, 2023. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the program starting at 7:00 p.m. at Broadway Performance Hall on Capitol Hill, the heart of Seattle's LGBTQIA+ community. You won’t want to miss this magical concert experience and our special guest Alexa Manila!

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Put on your dancing shoes!

Join the Rainbow City Orchestra in the historic Broadway Performance Hall as we celebrate dance music throughout history. From baroque to R&B, experience the orchestra in new ways as you move your bodies and sing-along to some of your favorite tunes by artists such as Gloria Estefan, Bruno Mars, Journey, and Lady Gaga! The evening will culminate with a collaborative performance with The Guild Dance company, choregraphed by renowned local dancer, Alex Ung. This will be an event you do not want to miss. Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to join in the celebration on Saturday, February 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Broadway Performance Hall.

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You Can't Stop the Beat!
Rainbow City Drumline
Drumline is open to anyone! We welcome newcomers who have always wanted to give drums a try. We have openings on bass drum, snare, and cymbals. Drumline performs at OL Reign home games and in marching band parades. The only requirements are that you can read music and attend occasional drumline-only rehearsals on some Saturdays. Music does not need to be memorized. We are accepting new full-time members until the Reign season begins. Additionally, if you are a wind player in Riot who wants to play bass drum during the games, that opportunity is available again this year. First rehearsal is Feb. 4 at University Congregational United Church of Christ from 12:00- 3:00 pm. Contact John at [email protected] for more information on participating in Drumline.

Drumline Information
Drumline Guidelines

Reign City Riot
Spend the summer performing at Lumen field for thousands of OL Reign soccer fans. We perform at all Riot home games with 20-minute sets before and after the games, and also occasionally during games! The 2023 season begins in March and runs through November. We're looking for saxes, tubas, mellophones, euphoniums, trombones and trumpets.

More information on Riot

Riot Season Kick-off!

Come join us for a welcome back party and get to know your fellow bandmates, especially if you’re joining us for the first time! It’s the kickoff for our 2023 OL Reign Riot season!

Our welcome back party is a casual, drop-by affair for anyone interested in playing with the Riot — and a great opportunity for current and returning Riot members to see friendly and familiar faces before we start rehearsals. Introduce yourselves to fellow musicians. Meet our leaders. Get pumped for a great season of soccer!
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, February 8th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. (Location TBD)

Can’t make it to the social? Join us for our first rehearsal on Saturday February 15th at 10:00 a.m. at Lumen Field Club House, Seattle.

Rainbow City Color Guard
SpinOUT is RCPA’s Colorguard, a group of passionate folks who put on a visual show at the head of the band in parades, or front-and-center at festivals to accompany the band's music. SpinOUT welcomes people of all skill levels! We have experienced guard members, people with a couple years' experience under their belts, and people who are new but enthusiastic about learning. Early in the season we will work on developing skills and then focus on developing and memorizing choreography in preparation for the summer performance season. You should join us if you’re looking to have a fun time with awesome people and are curious about spinning! We are hosting a flag clinic where you can learn some basic skills to get a taste for what it’s like before you decide if you’d like to join the ensemble. All equipment is provided so all you need to come with is a desire to learn and have fun!  First rehearsal will be Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at University Congregational United Church of Christ.

More information on SpinOUT

Marching Band
The marching band was Rainbow City Performing Arts' first ensemble and this year marks it's 25th Anniversary! Whether you're experienced or new to marching band, join us as we get ready to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community through music and marching.  First rehearsal is April 24. More information to come.

Information on Marching Band

Concert Band
Whether you've been playing for years, you've just picked up your instrument again, or you're learning a new instrument, join RCCB at our open rehearsal for our Spring term on Feb. 6 at University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle.
Orchestra

The first rehearsal for Spring term is open to all string players - all experience levels are welcome. Basses, cellos, violins, and violas - join us on Feb. 13 for an open rehearsal at 7:00 p.m. at University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle.

We can't wait to meet you! Any question? Contact us at [email protected].

If you're interested in joining any of our ensembles, please contact [email protected]. We can't wait to meet you!

Membership Questions?

RCPA Scholarship Fund
Help us support LGBTQIA+ students in our community!

RCB President Shelly Siegfried and member Betsy Smith hold the check that was presented to the Pride Foundation at the fall concert, October 16, 2010.

In October 2010, Rainbow City Band (now Rainbow City Performing Arts) was able to endow a $25,000 scholarship through the Pride Foundation known as The Rainbow City Band Scholarship for students pursuing degrees in music or music education.  It took RCPA more than 5 years to raise enough funds for the scholarship.  Many generous donors over that period of time made it happen.  The first scholarship was granted in 2012. The fund now as 11 alumni!

The Pride Foundation provides essential financial resources and community support to LGBTQ+ student leaders across the Northwest.  They have awarded more than $7 million to more than 2,200 students in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington after awarding their first scholarship in 1993.

Receiving a Pride Foundation Scholarship connects students to a growing community of support, providing important affirmation, encouragement, and resources to realize their dreams. RCPA is proud to be in partnership with the Pride Foundation for this worthy cause.

With your contribution, we can offer this scholarship to even more young musicians.

Donate!

It's Time to Celebrate!
Mark your calendar for the Rainbow Ball

Mark your calendars now for RCPA’s Gala Fundraiser “Rainbow Ball... March Fo(u)rth” at Seattle Renaissance Hotel on March 4, 2023 (which is also International Marching Band Day!) Tickets go on sale January 2023. Be assured, we will be celebrating more than marching bands! All of the RCPA ensembles will be On Parade in various ways.  If you have items or experiences to donate for the fundraiser email [email protected].

Donate

Upcoming Concerts 
Rainbow City Concert Band
Once!
Jan. 28, 2023 – Join us for a storyteller’s concert filled with nursery rhymes and fables.  This is the second installment of "Play On!”
Broadway Performance Hall (Seattle) - 7:00 pm
Justice for All: Generations Connected
April 15, 2023 – Join us for a diverse selection of music from LGBTQIA+ composers throughout history, connecting past and present.  This is the third and final installment of “Play On!”
Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center - 7:00 pm
Rainbow City Orchestra
If the Shoe Fits - Dancing Shoes
Feb. 4, 2023 – Join the RCO for an evening of music in your "dancing shoes." This concert will explore the concept of dance.
Broadway Performance Hall (Seattle) - 7:00 pmIf the Shoe Fits - Glass Slipper
May 6, 2023 – Join RCO for a magical evening celebrating music inspired by the classic tale, Cinderella, and the ways that we bring the wonder of fairy tales to life.
Bastyr University Chapel (Kenmore) - 7:00 pm

Small Ensembles
Let Freedom Ring!
Jun. 16, 2023 – Join Rainbow City Performing Arts for an evening celebrating Black music and composers leading up to Juneteenth.
University Congregational United Church of Christ (Seattle) – 7:00 pm

Rainbow City Performing Arts
Rainbow Ball... March Fo(u)rth Gala Fundraiser 

March 4, 2023 – Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of RCPA and join us for an evening of music, food, and fundraising.
Renaissance Hotel (Seattle) - Time TBD