Kirkland business spotlight: talent manager Danny Marie outlines concerts, comedy shows and arts grants

Danny Marie, a Kirkland resident who runs Danny Marie LLC as a talent manager, marketer and event producer, described a slate of upcoming performances and arts initiatives during the March 13 episode of the city’s This Week in Kirkland podcast.

“I was born to serve people, and I know that there's other ways in which to do that,” Danny Marie said, explaining the business’s evolution from local live-music nights to a multifaceted company that manages talent, produces events and supports local businesses.

The guest highlighted several near-term items: - Kalimba (described as “the spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire”) will perform at the Kirkland Performance Center on April 19; Danny Marie said the show will emphasize the founder Maurice White’s legacy and that she is also organizing a spin-off event featuring original Earth, Wind & Fire members. - A series of local comedy shows and showcases: examples named on the episode included a Side Hustle Taproom show (host Jackie Turgessin), a March 18 show at Savage Brewing, and a Father’s Day-themed comedy show featuring Jeff Lott with multiple local comedians. - Pop-up retail and fashion collaborations: Danny said she organized a pop-up for designer Lily Yang at a space on Lake Street and praised the collaboration. - Nonprofit arts support: Danny is on the board of Open Gates Washington, which offers artist grants; she said the nonprofit recently awarded grants to a comedy show and a film and that applications are open (opengateswashington.com). She also said she would discuss the program on Fox 13 on April 3.

Why it matters: the activity supports local arts and small businesses, brings nationally recognized performers to Kirkland venues, and provides grant funding for local artists.

What was not provided: ticket prices, box-office capacity, specific grant award amounts and procurement or permitting details for large events such as suggested drone shows or waterfront spectacles. Danny repeatedly positioned her work as combining “visionary” ideas with integrator logistics — marketing, booking and operations — and encouraged local businesses to apply for the city’s Shop Local Kirkland program to be featured.

Quotes and context: the profile is based on a first-person interview on the city podcast; direct quotes below are attributed to Danny Marie and to the podcast hosts who introduced her work.

For event details, tickets and grant-application links the podcast directed listeners to show notes and the Open Gates Washington website.