Nine chances to see Eartha Kitt in Seattle

There are quality performers, and then there is Eartha Kitt, who deserves the word spelled with a capital Q.

Kitt is an international star with credits in music, cabaret, television, theater and film. She’s still performing at 78, this time in her annual nine-show, six-day performance in Seattle, starting Tuesday.

The infamous Catwoman (TV series “Batman”) plays to the widest audience, from long-time fans long-retired from work to young kids who have heard her as Yzma, the villain, in Disney’s animated feature “The Emperor’s New Groove.” She won a 2001 Annie Award for best vocal performance as Yzma.

She’s been nominated for Emmy, Tony and Grammy awards; been featured in major magazines; starred in a national tour of “The Wizard of Oz”; and was the Fairy Godmother in the New York City Opera Production of “Cinderella.”

On Valentine’s Day, she’ll stick to singing.

Tiller’s Folly: A free performance Thursday by the high-energy Celtic-rock-bluegrass band kicks off Everett Community College’s Artist and Lecture Series. The band’s fifth album (“Buchan Bluegrass”), which explores the relationship of bluegrass with its roots in Scottish ballad-and-fiddle music, comes out this month.

Sanctus Real: The Christian pop-and-rock band is touring with music from its third album, “The Face of Love.” The quartet performs today in Lake Stevens, featuring songs about struggling against pop culture’s negative messages and maintaining spiritual integrity. CCM magazine named the band Best New Artist in 2003; the Gospel Music Association awarded them two Dove awards; and a cover of U-2’s “Beautiful Day” provided the band’s first No. 1 hit.

Lnasa: The in-demand Irish quintet has molded traditional elements of Irish music with rhythmic enthusiasm and jazz-rock bass lines. Lnasa performs Sunday in Seattle. Expect bass, fiddles, whistles, flutes, guitar, bodhran and uillean pipes.

Bob Mould: Yes, it’s true, the punk-rock guitarist was (briefly) a scriptwriter for professional wrestling, but he’s best known for his work with Husker Du and Sugar. Mould performs Wednesday in Seattle with Brendan Canty (Fugazi), David Barbe (Sugar), Matt Hammon (Bob Mould Band), and Amy Domingues (Garland of Hours).

Zing Go the Strings: Turkish oud master Munir Beken, virtuoso flamenco guitarist Marcos Carmona, and a young Seattle bluegrass band, Captain Gravel, are part of the Global Rhythms series. They perform Monday in Seattle. Beken plays Ottoman classical music. Carmona and his wife, dancer Rubina, are central figures in Seattle’s flamenco movement.

Josh Gracin: Two years ago, the former “American Idol” contestant (he finished fourth) released his debut album and became the highest-debuting male country artist in 12 years. The Marine performs Thursday in Bow. Gracin’s first three singles, including “I Want to Live” and “Stay with Me,” hit the top five in Billboard’s country singles chart.

Aerosmith: The rock-era songwriting combo of Joe Perry and Steven Tyler (think Mick Jagger and Keith Richards) continue to keep the band fresh despite its longevity. Aerosmith performs Wednesday in Tacoma. Cut through the overpowering special effects and find the great melodies behind those terrific guitar riffs by musicians carrying on the Stones and Led Zeppelin traditions.