Experience Music Project’s family concert series continues in the 600-seat performance space of the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame.
Performing at the Sunday concerts will be Art Alexakis, lead singer of Everclear, on Sunday; Eddie Spaghetti (Sapsuckers) and Baby Gramps on Aug. 29; and Hell’s Belles on Sept. 26.
The musicians are toning it down a bit to draw in families.
Behind Alexakis, the alt-rock band Everclear has done well since 1995’s “Sparkle and Fade,” turning out hits that include “Santa Monica,” “Heartspark Dollarsign” and “Everything to Everyone.”
Alexakis is now a father, so he has a bit of empathy for the family-friendly concept.
Patti Smith: The punk-rock poet laureate continues to follow her own muse, translating her unconventional take on life into a signature body of work. She performs Sunday in Seattle. A night with Smith will remind you of what rock music could be when it’s not packaged to death.
Gurdas Mann: His lyrics are poetry, his style is Punjabi folk and robust bhangra, his inspiration is Sufi music and the love stories of Punjab. By the end of the show, you may be dancing. Mann performs Saturday in Seattle.
Paula Maya: Stretch a bit with the singer/songwriter and classically trained pianist at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Port Gardner Landing on the Everett waterfront. The bilingual Maya, originally from Brazil, redefines eclectic, rearranging her roots in a package of rock, pop, Eastern melodies and electronica. The concert is part of Everett’s Music in the Parks Summer Concert Series.
Twelve Girls Band: Traditional instruments with modern harmonies create magic for the ensemble from the People’s Republic of China, performing Tuesday in Seattle. Each woman is conservatory-trained and a multi-instrumentalist, with influences ranging from jazz to classical Chinese music. TGB was the International Artist of the Year at the 2004 Japan Golden Disc Award ceremonies, following in the footsteps of Madonna, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.
Yerbabuena: Seattle’s 11-piece Cuban charanga band performs big-band dance music Wednesday in Duvall. The band was named after the mint used in a mojito, a drink made with rum and sugar. Yerbabuena plays traditional Cuban dance music, including son, danzon, cha-cha-cha, and salsa.
Where to hear it
Art Alexakis: 1 p.m. Sunday, EMP/Science Fiction Museum, Seattle Center; $10 adults, $7 children, or family rate of $25 for two adults and children under 18 living at the same address; 877-454-7836.
Patti Smith. 8 p.m. Sunday, Moore Theater, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle; $20-29; 206-628-0888.
Paula Maya: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Port Gardner Landing, Everett waterfront; free, 425-257-8322.
Gurdas Mann: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Paramount, 911 Pine St., Seattle; $45-55; 206-628-0888.
Twelve Girls Band: 8 p.m. Aug. 17, Moore Theater, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle; $26; 206-628-0888.
Yerbabuena: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, McCormick Park, Duvall; free; 425-788-2983.
Dave Alvin: Grammy winner and roots-music guitar legend brings back that dirty electric blues sounds. 9 tonight, Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle; $16; 800-965-4827.
Lil’ Ed &the Blues Imperials: They’ll rock the house with electric-powered blues, rompin’ and stompin’ through the play list. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle; $12; 206-838-4333.
Eddie Palmieri: Seven-time Grammy winner and Latin jazz pianist turns out the classics and fuses his heritage with R&B, pop, and rock. Various times Tuesday-Aug. 22, Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $18, $22; 206-628-0888.
Gladys Knight: Grammy-winning R&B singer performs her classics, including “Midnight Train to Georgia.” 8 p.m. Sunday, Skagit Valley Casino in Bow; $40-55; 877-275-2448.
Robert Cray, Buddy Guy: Cray, one of the Northwest’s own Grammy-winning R&B/rock players, is joined by another Grammy winner, Chicago bluesman Guy. 7 p.m. Saturday, Pier 56/57, Seattle; $39; 206-628-0888.
David Byrne: The former Talking Heads frontman, film director and composer of ballet music says he wants to make people dance and cry. 7 p.m. Sunday, Pier 56/57, Seattle; $32; 206-628-0888.
Smokey Robinson: Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famer and Motown treasure will deliver his famous falsetto on romantic pop hits, including “Tracks of My Tears” and “I Second That Emotion.” 7 p.m. Sunday, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville; $39.50, $59.50; 206-628-0888.
Julia Fordham: British singer/songwriter, now living in California, sings from a new album, “That’s Life,” with her four-octave alto. 8 p.m. Monday, Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle; $16; 800-965-4827.
David Lanz: The smooth jazz pianist offers a one-nighter 8 p.m. Monday, Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $18,50, $20,50; 206-441-9729.
Bakra Bata: The Afro-Caribbean steel drums and performance art group has performed for 20 years. The band performs at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Forest Park in Everett (free). Bakra Bata has blended elements of traditional African, Brazilian and Caribbean music.
Quimbara. Get into the salsa groove with three trombones, congos, timbals, bongos, piano, bass and singers at a free concert 7 p.m. Wednesday at Richmond Beach Community Park in Shoreline.
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