Patty Larkin & Lucy Kaplansky
Celebrate Mother’s Day with two heroic women of folk at Alberta Rose. Patty Larkin is a visionary of sound and wonder, a real-deal version of artistry made of equal parts guitar wizardry, vocals shot through with soul and inventive lyrics that ripple across the terrain of the heart. Described as “riveting” (Chicago Tribune), “hypnotic” (Entertainment Weekly), and a “drop-dead brilliant” performer (Performing Songwriter), Patty has captured audiences for over thirty years with an imagination, enchantment, and technical artistry that has redefined the boundaries of the guitar driven singer songwriter. With eleven studio albums and two live recordings under her belt, Patty mines the intersections of poetry and song with her innovative 14th release, Bird in a Cage, released on her own Road Narrows Records. Bird in a Cage puts poems from ten notable poets to song, including US Poet Laureates William Carlos Williams, Stanley Kunitz, Kay Ryan, Robert Pinsky and Billy Collins, for a new and haunting collection that pulses with the magic of lyricism. Poems are made to be shared aloud, and with Bird, Patty takes up that tradition and sets it aglow: her extraordinary musical shadings make each poem a star. ______________________________________________ She started out singing in Chicago folk music clubs as a teenager. Then, barely out of high school, Lucy Kaplansky took off for New York City. There she found a fertile community of songwriters and performers—Suzanne Vega, Steve Forbert, The Roches, and others. With a beautiful flair for harmony, Lucy was everyone’s favorite singing partner, but most often she found herself singing as a duo with Shawn Colvin. People envisioned big things for them; in fact, The New York Times said it was “easy to predict stardom for her.” Lucy’s second album, Flesh and Bone (1996), emphasized her development as a gifted songsmith. Then Lucy’s success took flight with back-to-back hit albums Ten Year Night (1999) and Every Single Day (2001). Both received the AFIM award (Association For Independent Music) for Best Pop Album of the year. Lucy also contributed her story to a unique book, SOLO: Women Singer- Songwriters in Their Own Words, which includes some of the best known women on the music scene today: Ani DiFranco, Shawn Colvin, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Sarah McLachlan and others. Lucy continues to tour and receive airplay both nationally and internationally. Her CD Ten Year Night is the #1 selling album of all time at Red House Records. Minors ok with parent/guardian Review our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
RIZO: Cult-ish with special guest Andrea Algieri
RIZO Cult-ish.Close enough to feel it. A deeply reassuring night about charisma, community, and absolutely nothing to worry about. Rizo invites you into her lush room—lights low, music tempting, everyone unusually confident about what’s happening. Relax into the thrill of being told exactly what to do as your gracious leader Rizo, the high priestess of the cabaret (self-appointed) guides you through belief-curious songs, experiments, and stories. Audience members may experience lingering confidence, sweet confusion, and an unexpected urge to bring a friend next time. “SENSATIONAL… A fierce but kindhearted fusion of comedy, burlesque, performance art and rock ‘n’ roll”—The New York Times “kooky, sexy, brilliant” ★★★★—The Scotsman http://instagram.com/rizo.love https://facebook.com/rizo.loves https://twitter.com/rizoloves Andrea Algieri, best known as the band leader of Mbrascatu, steps into the spotlight for an intimate solo performance to open the show. In this acoustic set, he revisits the music at the heart of his artistic journey, blending original compositions with stripped-down versions of Mbrascatu songs. With raw vocals and minimal instrumentation, Andrea offers a more personal and expressive take on his work, creating a warm and immersive atmosphere that brings the stories behind the music to life. Minors ok with parent/guardianReview our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS
Morgan James with special guest Christopher Worth
Morgan James is a Juilliard trained singer, songwriter, actress and recording artist in New York City. Morgan is currently on tour supporting her 6th studio album, “Soul Remains the Same”: a concept album of heavy rock tunes from the 80s and 90s through a feminine soul lens. She independently released her studio albums of original soul music, entitled Nobody’s Fool, Memphis Magnetic, and A Very Magnetic Christmas recorded to analog tape in Memphis, Tennessee. Other albums include “Reckless Abandon”, which prompted the Huffington Post to call MJ the “Brightest Breakout Artist of the Year”. In addition to her original music, Morgan co-produced and starred in an all-female concept recording of “Jesus Christ Superstar”. Morgan has taken on full album covers of the Beatles’ iconic ‘White Album’, Joni Mitchell’s “Blue”, Jeff Buckley’s “Grace”, and many more. Morgan recorded two full-length albums with Epic Records: “Hunter”and “Morgan James Live, a celebration of Nina Simone“. All of her music can be found on all streaming platforms, and hard copies on her website or at shows. On Broadway, Morgan was in five back-to-back original companies: The Addams Family (starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth), Wonderland, Godspell and Motown: The Musical, and as a guest at Kristin Chenoweth’s For The Girls. With viral sensation Postmodern Jukebox and with her own YouTube channel, Morgan’s music videos have accumulated more than 300 million views (and climbing). For more information, please visit www.morganjamesonline.com. @morganajames SALES ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THE VIP EXPERIENCE VIP Experiences include: -Early entrance at 6 PM and crowd-free merchandise shopping -A commemorative piece of merchandise-Individual photo opportunity with Morgan James-Autograph session with Morgan James-Group question and answer session with Morgan James — ask your most burning question!-Private performance by Morgan James Fantastic Portland singer/songwriter Christopher Worth opens the show. Minors OK with Parent/Guardian Review our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
Paul Thorn with special guest Will Hoge
When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn, who’s spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop. Maybe he learned the power of minimalism from his years as a pro boxer; maybe it just comes naturally. But whether he’s targeting heads, hearts, hips or the occasional funny bone, he somehow manages to condense large nuggets of wisdom into tight little mantras, the kind embroiderers stitched onto pillows before internet memes existed. Thorn’s new album, Life is Just A Vapor, contains some beauties: “Life is a vapor, let’s live it while we can”; “tough times don’t last, but tough people do” (from “Tough Times Don’t Last”); “any mountain up ahead is just a hill” (from “Old Melodies”). They’re words of advice, comfort, support, encouragement, often meant to uplift, especially in times of struggle. “I like for people to be touched by music and get something from it, something that they can take with them throughout the day,” Thorn says. “Every song on this album, there’s a message in it of some sort about how to live life.” Minors ok with parent/guardianReview our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS
Whiskey River – A Tribute to Willie Nelson by The Adrian Martin Septet feat. James Low
James Low sings the timeless songs of Willie Nelson as a member of the nimble septet led by guitarist Adrian Martin Live Stream tickets are available for those who cannot make it in person. Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianReview our venue FAQ here
Ruthie Foster with special guest Adam Gabriel
Ruthie Foster’s musical journey is as eclectic and vibrant as her soulful voice. Born into a family steeped in gospel tradition, Ruthie’s earliest influences were the voices of her mother, grandmother, and the gospel singers she grew up listening to — artists like the Gospel Keynotes and the Blind Boys of Alabama. However, her path to becoming a solo artist wasn’t a straightforward one. Despite a deep love for music, Ruthie initially shied away from the spotlight, preferring to play guitar, piano, and write songs for others. Growing up in the rich musical tapestry of Gause, Texas, Ruthie found herself drawn to the diverse sounds and arrangements of local gospel choirs and musicians. Despite her reluctance to take center stage, Ruthie’s talent was undeniable, and her mother encouraged her to step up and sing out. She stood out as a young black girl with a guitar in a choir scene dominated by pianos, but with her grandmother’s vocal coaching and encouragement from her mother and the church community, she recognized her own power — as a songwriter, a musician, and as a captivating singer. Now, with five Grammy nominations to her name, Ruthie Foster has achieved a long-awaited milestone: her very first Grammy win. Her latest album, Mileage, released on the legendary Sun Records, won Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards — a triumph not only for Foster, but also a historic first-ever Grammy win for Sun Records. The recognition underscores the power of Foster’s artistry and the enduring legacy of a label that continues to champion timeless voices. With soulful melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and unwavering commitment to her craft, Foster continues to carve out a path that is uniquely her own — inspiring audiences and fellow musicians alike. Georgia born singer-songwriter Adam Gabriel opens the show with his masterful blend of Folk-Rock, Southern Blues and rich, soulful vocals. Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Review our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS
Seffarine
“Seffarine’s music can melt the coldest hearts”-Chicago Reader At a momentous first meeting at a coffee shop in Fez, Moroccan vocalist Lamiae Naki and multi-instrumentalist Nat Hulskamp composed their first song and decided to get married. Brought together by their deep knowledge of the music of both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar — Spanish flamenco and Moroccan Arabic music — they created Seffarine. Seffarine takes its name from the ancient metalworking square in Fez, which is famous for the complex rhythms that ring out from the blacksmiths’ hammers, and where Lamiae’s family is well known as masters of the tradition. Seffarine’s music embraces and extends Morocco’s musical collision between Arabic, Iberian and West African cultures, forging vibrant original music deeply rooted in their backgrounds in flamenco guitar, oud and Arab Andalusian music. Nat and Lamiae built an international quintet bringing in all star musicians from Iran, the US and Spain, who infuse the sound with textured instrumentation and inspired improvisation. Sweeping kamancheh (Persian spike-fiddle) ornamentation plays off gritty bass grooves and explosive flamenco footwork, with Lamiae’s fluidly riveting voice at the center, sending up sheets of cascading Andalusi melodies punctuated by the catchy hooks of North African Chaabi, sung in her native Moroccan Arabic. Their sound has taken them around the world, from touring Australia and Europe to receiving grants to study Ottoman singing in Turkey, to the Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo, to recording with top flamenco musicians in Spain such as Diego del Morao and Latin Grammy winner Antonio Rey. Minors ok with parent/guardian Review our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
Christopher Worth – LEVITY Album Release Show with special guest David Jacobs-Strain
Christopher Worth returns to the Alberta Rose for the release of his long awaited next album, ‘Levity.’ Backed by the all star recording band with both a string and horn section, Christopher will be playing the new record in its entirety as composed. David Jacobs-Strain (who co-produced and mixed the album) opens the night and will be sitting in with the band throughout. Featuring: Peter KnudsenCharlie Brown IIICory LimuacoJared MayJenni and Amanda of The AMWil KinkyPatti & Kyleen King w/ Anna Fritz (strings)Anthony Meade w/ Ryan Cheng, Paul Theodore Chandler, and Morgan Quinn (horns) With a special appearance by Phil Bondy Visuals by Sean Sisson Christopher Worth has become known for his unique style of bohemian blues which he developed as a street performer traveling across the US and Europe. Following the conclusion of his concept trilogy epic – The Identity Triptych – Christopher spent several years out working on and releasing Rhududu Sessions Vols. I & II with David Jacobs-Strain and, subsequently, the Sliver (EP) with The AM. Through the pandemic, he and David continued building out their home studio while composing/recording/mixing their first full length release as Worth & Strain (Xavanadu, March 2025) and beginning pre-production for Christopher’s next full album. Levity was tracked live at the Rhududu (Portland, OR) in just 3 days with no rehearsals, charts/demos sent out, and minimal overdubs. Pulling together an all-star crew of west coast musicians, Levity is Christopher’s most ambitious and vital record to date. Minors ok with parent/guardian Review our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
Gabriel Kahane & Friends: only light can do that
With only light can do that, a new set of songs commissioned by 92Y, Gabriel Kahane performs his first full band shows in a decade. This new batch of tunes runs the emotional gamut, reflecting on overlapping political crises, the vicissitudes of parenting, the public utterances of brainworm-addled politicians, and the possibility of loving one’s enemies. Featuring a dozen-and-a-half songs filled out by string quartet and rhythm section, this concert offers audiences a first look at new work written by one of our keenest observers of modern life. “One of the finest, most searching songwriters of the day.” — The New Yorker Gabriel Kahane, voice, piano, guitars, electronicsAndrew Jones, bassMatt Mayhall, drumsGreg Ewer and Ling Ling Huang, violinsAmanda Grimm, violaMarilyn De Oliveira, violoncello Minors ok with parent/guardian Review our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
National Guitar – The Music of Paul Simon with Jenner Fox Band
National Guitar features Pacific Northwest all star musicians from Polecat, Gregory Alan Isakov, Petty or Not, and the Jenner Fox Band. The ensemble was formed on a fateful election night when they found themselves listening to “American Tune” and discovered a mutual reverence for Paul Simon. National Guitar performs a range of Simon’s music from Garfunkel to Graceland and everywhere in between. Come prepared to sing along, groove, and celebrate some of the finest music from a true American original. The five piece band features piano, electric guitar, bass, dobro, acoustic guitar, and layered vocal harmony. With decades of arranging and touring under their belts, National Guitar brings new life to Simon’s beloved catalog. National Guitar Website The Bellingham, WA based Jenner Fox Band, will open the night with a short set of their critically acclaimed original music. “Jenner Fox Band invite us to sit still, to breathe, and to notice what we’ve been missing. Intimate, present, and unadorned.” – Atwood Magazine “Jenner is a modern original who is deeply rooted in tradition, and that tension makes him an urgently needed voice in today’s songwriting.” – Mike Errico (Author “Music, Lyrics, and Life”) Jenner Fox Website Minors ok with parent/guardian Review our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.