It is with deep sadness and a great sense of loss that we share the news that Ginger Parker passed away in January 2021. We share our sympathies with all her family and friends.
Ginger Parker, the founder and driving force behind KAC Coffeehouse passed away on January 13, 2021.
Ginger at the 50th birthday for the Kirkland Art Center in December, 2010
“Music gives a soul to the Universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything … it leads to all that is good and just and beautiful.”
Ginger brought her passion for folk music to bear when she launched the KAC Coffeehouse series in the early 1980s, and she was the driving force behind the nationally recognized KAC Coffeehouse for decades.
A former KAC Board member and a staunch supporter of all things KAC, Ginger was an amazing person who brought joy to so many through all her great work in bringing excellent folk musicians from far and wide to our community. She and her partner, Karen Christensen, who passed away in 2016, also hosted many of the musicians in their home and forged friendships with them and with many concert goers. We share so many treasured memories of Ginger through the years — Ginger as our wonderful emcee for all those great gigs, Ginger announcing the winning raffle ticket, Ginger sitting on the stage steps to chat during the intermission, and Ginger introducing Joan Baez or The Burns Sisters or Beppe Gambetta or Cheryl Wheeler or Arlo Guthrie or Alison Kraus or The Gibson Brothers ... and so many more. May Ginger’s beautiful soul rest in peace.
“Volunteer likes ‘making other people happy”
