Pink Martini is coming to town
Originally published on The JOLT News on December 30, 2025
"You better watch out, You better not cry, You better not pout, I’m telling you why" — Pink Martini is coming to town!
The band Pink Martini is always the talk of town once they announce they are coming here. No joke, I was at a "Nutcracker" performance and I heard someone talk about getting tickets to Pink Martini in January. The hype fully lives up to the reality. Actually, Pink Martini might deserve even more hype and celebration! Read their bio and check out their music to see what I mean.
In December, I had the opportunity to speak with current lead singer, Storm Large about music, life, and everything Pink Martini. In chatting with Large, I learned that she is someone who is beautiful inside and out, who has a strength, gumption, kindness, and genuine personality alongside an incredible voice and talent. You will witness all of that alongside me in my upcoming column, “Conversation with Storm Large.”
Until then, I invite you to turn on a Pink Martini CD, sit back, and let your imagination be filled with color and light, as I talk about “the little orchestra” and the big impact they make on our world.
'The little orchestra'
I love that when Pink Martini originally came together in 1994 that they kind of referred to themselves as “the little orchestra.” Their band bio explains it best:
"In his hometown of Portland, Oregon, Thomas Lauderdale was working in politics, with the intention of eventually running for office. Like other eager politicians-in-training, he went to every political fundraiser under the sun … but was dismayed to find the music at these events underwhelming, lackluster, loud and un-neighborly. Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world — crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop — and hoping to appeal to conservatives and liberals alike, he founded the ‘little orchestra’ Pink Martini in 1994 (to) provide more beautiful and inclusive musical soundtracks for political fundraisers for causes such as civil rights, affordable housing, funding for libraries, public broadcasting, education and parks."
Pink Martini is the perfect cocktail of music, adding humor, charm, a splash of nostalgia, and worldly flavors to all their music. The band has performed songs in over 25 languages, and every song is intriguing, reminding us all that art can be absolutely fabulous in every language. I really think we need that reminder now more than ever. Their bio continues:
"One year later, Lauderdale called China Forbes and asked her to join Pink Martini. They began to write songs together. Their first song — ‘Sympathique’ (Je ne veus pas travailler) — became an overnight sensation in France, was nominated for ‘Song of the Year’ at France’s Victoires de la Musique Awards, and to this day remains a mantra (‘Je ne veux pas travailler’ or ‘I don’t want to work’) for striking French workers. Says Lauderdale, ‘We’re very much an American band, but we spend a lot of time abroad and therefore have the incredible diplomatic opportunity to represent a broader, more inclusive America … the America which remains the most heterogeneously populated country in the world … composed of people of every country, every language, every religion. Except for Native Americans, all of us are immigrants from every country, of every language, of every religion.'"
The fact that Pink Martini is coming to town in January is perfect because they will come at the exact moment we need a cure for the winter blues or perhaps have a travel bug for warmer climates. No passport needed, you can travel the world from your seat at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Olympia, but beware that you may not be sitting in your seat the whole time. Come see what I mean.
The impact of Pink Martini
After one of my dear friends, Cynthia Farrar, saw her first Pink Martini concert, the experience changed the way she saw music, enjoyed it, and how she utilized her free time. Becoming one of their number one fans, Farrar now goes to every “local” concert possible and even road trips across Washington and Oregon to see them.
“In going to Pink Martini concerts, I have discovered new venues and places that I would never have seen otherwise, and I love it," she said.
Personally, Pink Martini has helped me through a lot of phases over the last couple years: heartbreak, senior year of college, cancer diagnosis, and has brightened even the sunniest of days.
Whether Pink Martini adds pizazz to your playlist or enhances your life in a deeper way, they offer something that is irresistible, hope filled, and is making the world a better place one song at time.
Get your tickets here.
https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/pinkmartini-iscoming-to-town,27571?