Past Events

KPBX Kids' Concerts

0000017b-f971-ddf0-a17b-fd73f3be0000For 25 years, KPBX Kids' Concerts have brought different genres of music and performances to generations of children. These family concerts are at the heart of the station's mission to provide music awareness and entertainment to our listening region, which compliments our on-air programming.Eight free one-hour concerts are held throughout the year at rotating venues. At each concert, attendees may be treated to a mix of music and historical information. Each KPBX Kids' Concert highlights a musical style. Past concerts have featured classical, jazz, big band, folk, bluegrass, latin, calypso, reggae, klezmer, rockabilly, and lots more.ALL KPBX KIDS' CONCERTS ARE FREE.

KPBX Kids' Concert: Sourdough Songs - Music from the Alaska Klondike

Spokane Public Radio

Published April 2, 2016 at 2:00 PM PDT

instruments — Instruments included banjo, antique mandolin, harmonica, auto harp, penny whistle, and at least one guitar for each of the two performers.

Brad Keeler and Linda Parman looked for gold in 1890s-era songs at the April 2 KPBX Kids' Concert, held at 1 p.m. in the Bing Crosby Theater.

The concert gave a fun and educational glimpse into the Klondike Gold Rush Era. Songs such as “Buffalo Gals” and “The Girl I Left Behind Me” come from Klondikes, sourdoughs and stampeeders—all those in search of gold in the 1890s. Keeler and Parman also performed a few songs written in more recent times that were inspired by the Klondike Era.

Keeler and Parman first put together their Sourdough Songs program for Spokane County Library District’s “Big Read” in February 2015. Keeler (lead vocals, guitar) has played with Doc Watson and Bill Monroe and been awarded first place in flat-pick guitar, fingerstyle guitar and slide guitar at the Florida Old Time Music Championships. Parman (vocals, guitar, ukulele) has played a large variety of music in the Inland Northwest since the 1980s, performing solo and with Canned Music, Dan Thomson, Steve Simmons and more.

The Spring KPBX Kids' Concerts are free thanks to event donors Pizza Pipeline, Harvard Park Children's Learning Center North, Numerica Credit Union, and Rocket Bakery.

Goodie Bags Kids' Concert — Little Ones get special goodie bags with candy and coloring sheet after each KPBX Kids' Concert

Linda Parman and Brad Keeler sing at the April 2, 2016 KPBX Kids' Concert.

audience — Guests on both levels enjoyed the songs of the Alaska Gold Rush, including a couple who have recently moved to Spokane from Alaska!

Family with Linda Parman — Concert-goers chat with Linda Parman in the Bing Crosby Theater after the presentation.