Friday and Saturday nights, you have the chance to support local school music programs while enjoying great music from students AND big-name special guests at two events we want to remind you about:

(2013 event photo courtesy Emily)
FRIDAY – WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND @ MADISON BENEFIT: Tomorrow brings a night of music and dancing at, and benefiting, Madison Middle School:

Swing into Spring to the sounds of the amazing WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND! Free swing-dance lessons start at 6 pm. Peruse the food stands, bake sale, and raffle options while the Madison Middle School music students wow you with their musical talent. Then kick up your heels with the West Seattle Big Band!! Great fun for the whole family! 6:00-9:00 pm in Madison Middle School Commons. Admission $10 per person at the door; students and children under 18 free! All proceeds benefit Madison Music Boosters.

Madison is at 45th/Spokane.

Then on Saturday:

(Total Experience Gospel Choir at 2013 Soul Jambalaya; photo courtesy Denny IMS principal Jeff Clark)
SATURDAY – SOUL JAMBALAYA: The music programs at Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School will benefit from this event Saturday:

“Soul Jambalaya” is a fabulous concert celebrating Black History Month and the rich heritage of gospel, blues, jazz, and funk music. Student and professional musicians will gather together at Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium on Saturday, February 8, 2014 @ 7:00 pm to perform arrangements from all of these musical genres. Featured artists include the Total Experience Gospel Choir, Westside Blues, Figgins and Halbert Jazz, and our very own Denny International Middle School Jazz. Admission is free – donations will be accepted to benefit the schools’ music scholarship programs.

CSIHS is at 2600 SW Thistle. If you lose track of the reminder about these events, you’ll find both – and many more – on the calendar.