Little Big Show Benefit Concert Series to Rock Seattle Non-Profit Arts Organizations

Published on Thursday, 26 January 2012 19:10 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

SEATTLE-( Business Wire )-

Today Starbucks, KEXP and Seattle Theatre Group (STG) launch the Little Big Show, a new quarterly benefit concert series that helps Pacific Northwest citizens make a difference in the community as music fans. The face value of tickets (excluding possible fees and/or service charges) will be donated to local non-profit organizations in support of arts-based programming.

The inaugural Little Big Show concert is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16, at 8:00 p.m. at the Neptune Theatre. The total face value of ticket sales will benefit Arts Corps (artscorps.org), an arts education organization for disenfranchised youth. This February, the Little Big Show series will be kicked off by hometown favorites Pickwick, with electro-soul duo Fly Moon Royalty as special guests.

“Starbucks is committed to helping communities thrive, and by providing direct access to arts programs we’re helping build a stronger, more vibrant Seattle culture,” said Rodney Hines, director of Community Investments, Starbucks. “We’re honored to team up with stalwarts KEXP and STG to host Little Big Show, to inspire our neighbors to get involved and create positive change in our neighborhoods, while celebrating Seattle’s musical heritage.”

“Last year, 12 percent of middle and high school students in Seattle reported that Arts Corps programs were their first-ever arts classes,” said Andrea Fullerton, Development Director, Arts Corps. “Little Big Show proceeds will help sponsor at least two after-school classes for an entire year, or give approximately 120 youth the opportunity to take an arts class. We applaud Starbucks, STG and KEXP for making such a generous commitment to provide necessary resources to our students."

In addition to championing local arts programs through STG, over the past 40 years Starbucks has helped celebrate and support many other hometown traditions, including Bumbershoot, the Family 4th at Lake Union Celebration and Hot Java Cool Jazz at the Paramount. Starbucks commitment to Seattle also includes grants to support critical local human services, arts programming, and ongoing community service by Starbucks partners (employees).

2012 CALENDAR – LITTLE BIG SHOW CONCERT SERIES

Concerts will be held quarterly at Seattle’s Neptune Theatre. Performances are open to all ages, showcasing various breakout musicians as well as emerging local talent. The face value of the ticket price will be donated to a different and designated non-profit beneficiary each time. Featured videos of performances from Little Big Show concerts will be available on the Starbucks Digital Network in more than 6,600 select Starbucks store locations across the U.S. shortly after each concert date. Following is a list of concerts and headliners scheduled for 2012:

• April 20 – Little Big Show, featuring Real Estate (surf-influenced indie-pop)
• July – Little Big Show, date and headliner to be announced
• Oct – Little Big Show, date and headliner to be announced

“This is the little show with a big effect,” said Tom Mara, KEXP’s Executive Director. “We’re incredibly proud to showcase the Seattle music scene by connecting emerging musicians with audiences at the iconic Neptune, and to amplify the good work of local non-profit organizations.”

Little Big Show tickets will be available for $15 each and sold exclusively through STG online or by phone (877-784-4849). To see Pickwick perform and make a difference by attending the inaugural show this February, get tickets at http://stgpresents.org/artists/?artist=1831.

To keep posted on upcoming acts and announcements, check out footage from previous concerts, and learn more about Little Big Show concerts and non-profit beneficiaries, please visit: http://starbucks.com/seattle, http://kexp.org, and http://stgpresents.org.

About Arts Corps

Arts Corps (www.artscorps.org) is a leading, non-profit arts education organization in the greater Seattle area. Its classes reach 2,000 children a year and build higher-level thinking skills: critical thinking, imagination, reflection, courage and risk-taking, and persistence. Arts Corps partners with schools and community centers to bring high-quality, arts and music education opportunities to disenfranchised youth.

About KEXP

KEXP is an influential, non-commercial radio station based in Seattle and supported through financial contributions from listeners and businesses worldwide. Over the last three decades, KEXP has built a reputation as a champion of new and emerging artists and musical forms. Today, KEXP programs a rare mix of music spanning multiple genres and the station brings listeners more than 500 live, in-studio performances each year. KEXP has a mission to enrich people’s lives by providing a wide array of music and by exploring, developing and applying relevant technology to deepen and extend musical experiences. Listeners enjoy KEXP at 90.3 FM in Seattle and around the world at KEXP.org.

About STG

STG is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount, Moore and Neptune Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region’s cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest-quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.

StarbucksEvan Pham, 206-318-7100press@starbucks.comorKEXPAndrew Corey, 206-520-5827andrew@kexp.orgorSTGAntonio Hicks, 206-467-5510 (ext. 1164)antonioh@stgpresents.orgorArts CorpsAndrea Fullerton, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.