It’s been a long time coming for KEXP’s new home at Seattle Center. The project was first announced by mayor Mike McGinn in December 2010. (Keep in mind, McGinn also laid out plans for Chihuly Garden and Glass during the same speech, and that Seattle Center fixture opened in May 2012.) Since then, there’s been loads of planning, an onslaught of fundraisers, and plenty of construction. KEXP’s first broadcast at the new digs took place last December, but now it’s finally time to celebrate the space with the community that made it happen.
This Saturday, April 16, KEXP hosts the public grand opening of its Seattle Center complex. The station marks the occasion by doing what it does best—serving up fantastic music. KEXP trots out a loaded lineup of its favorite musicians for a full day of free live music. Kicking off at noon and stretching until 9pm, the bill includes Bob Mould, Strand of Oaks, Hey Marseilles, David Bazan, Sera Cahoone, Deep Sea Diver, Samaris, Car Seat Headrest, and more. If you can’t make it in person, the station plans a live broadcast of all the performances.
In addition to the tunes, KEXP staffers lead tours of the building every 15 minutes. Since Saturday also happens to be Record Store Day, Easy Street Records hosts a special pop-up shop, which includes two albums issued by KEXP: The Sonics’ Live at Easy Street and KEXP Presents Raw Power – A Tribute to Iggy and the Stooges Live from the Rooftop of Pike Place Market. Microsoft also plans to unveil Inside the Music of KEXP, an interactive experience that uses its Xbox motion sensor Kinect technology to allow patrons to remix songs by some KEXP favs.
Those seeking to indulge their sense of taste in addition to hearing have options, as Redhook Brewery puts on a beer garden, Athena’s food truck serves up Greek cuisine, Molly Moon makes special Cheryl Waters Middae Sundaes, and Theo Chocolate peddles the dark chocolate of its KEXP Sound Bar.
KEXP New Home Grand Opening
Apr 16 at noon, KEXP, Free
|
|
|