Festival Artist Directory
Northwest Folklife would like to recognize the artists, musicians, storytellers, leaders, and culture bearers who were initially slated to perform at the 49th Annual Northwest Folklife Festival. Although we are not able to gather together at this time, we encourage you to continue to show your support for these artists and the work that they do.
@MARIBASED1
BJ&J ENT Presents: @MARIBASED1
MariBased1 is the next generation of Seattle music. Maribased1 comes from the inner city of Seattle Washington. He won numerous awards the “Best Mixtape” award from the Seattle Sound Music Awards in 2018 “Breakout Artist” for the West Coast Hip-Hop Awards in 2018 and “Top 20 Movers N Shakers” in Seattle’s Best of the Best Crane City Award coming in at #8. MariBased1 received an award from his Label BJ&J ENT. for achieving 1 million views on Facebook for his single “Ripping & Running” off his mixtape “Mariotto Mixtape Vol 1”. He has 2 videos in rotation on BET
http://www.instagram.com/Maribased11000 Cellos
Karen Fardal
Whether you are a cello student, a cello teacher, a member of a community orchestra, a member of the Seattle Symphony, Yo Yo Ma or a cellist without a formal affiliation, you are invited to join this exciting one-time event bringing together Seattle cellists to perform in a Northwest Folklife Festival Cello Orchestra! We will play a number of well-known cello ensemble pieces.
A Legacy of Laughter
Anne Rutherford, Norm Brecke
Anne Rutherford has been a featured teller at the National Storytelling Festival,Teller in Residence at the International Storytelling Center and five-time winner of Northwest Folklife’s Liars Contest. Her CD “The Habit of Joy” is an Award winner. Before becoming a full-time professional storyteller Norm was an award-winning teacher. He’s told stories from Oregon to South Carolina, L.A. to B.C. This is his 12th year as a performer at the NW Folklife. Festival. Anne & Norm often perform and lead workshops as a duo, and love introducing people to the surprising power of good storytelling.
https://youtu.be/GGG0JIHiP3oAaron Semer
A troubadour for our troubled times.
“With Cape Disappointment, Semer deserves a seat at the table alongside Jeff Tweedy, Steve Earle, Warren Zevon, and John Prine. He's that good." - PopMatters | The songs you grew up with on the radio. The dusty back roads. The grimy alleys. Hobos. Hipsters. Intellectuals. Farmers. Your mulleted cousin. These characters, melodies, and stories effortlessly infuse themselves into Semer’s songs. It’s America itself, in all its glory and horror. Or as The Stranger put it; “A listener feels as if these songs have always been there, waiting for someone to discover them.”
https://aaronsemer.bandcamp.com/Actionesse
Post-horncore punk for all!
Grounded in blistering punk roots, Actionesse blends twisting, zany brass with anxious, aggressive post-hardcore. The result is both a recorded and live experience that has been described as "a more nuanced level of rock brutality" and "one of the best live shows in Seattle right now". Barreling forth with rejuvenated vigor, 2019 sees Actionesse in their boldest mode yet - after their third tour of the West Coast and Southwest, 2019 festival bookings (including Capitol Hill Block Party), coverage on NPR, and the release of their debut full-length LP 'The Deep Bright Below', post-horncore has made its mark on Seattle.
http://www.instagram.com/mightyactionesseAFROSONICS
Explosive Afro Indie music
Afrosonics - a fusion of guitars, drums, percussion, keyboards, electronic soundscapes, vocals, dance and chants. With African and American rhythms, the music incorporates eclectic sounds and the root of each member intermingles to create something both classic and unique they call Afro Indie
https://afrosonics.bandcamp.com/AK-47
Where Fans Comes First
AK-47 aka Ray Jackson born and raised in California but originally from Port Townsend, WA. I called my business BIGHMW official which is called as Heavy Metal Warrior and called my fans, "Legions of Warrior Nation." Ray enjoys listening to 1960s and 70's classic and acid-trip/hippie/groovy/psychedelic rock, plus rap/hiphop, R&B/funk/groove, punk/hardcore, speed/thrash/death and classic metal, and also classic and smooth jazz during his spare time. He went to high school with Cindy Margolis I like to rap old school and performed various places in Port Townsend, Bremerton, and most likely Seattle.
https://www.facebook.com/bighmwAleili & The Veils of the Nile
Lively Nile Folkloric Dances!
Aleili & The Veils of the Nile have been performing teaching and studying the Art of the Belly Dance for many decades. Aleili has been recognized as one of Seattle’s most influential instructors and performers. Her inspiration started the North Bend “Alternative Hafla’s” to help her students become more confident and empowered to step onto a stage. Her dance name translates into “A high peak a gathering place and a source of inspiration”. Aleili passionate desire to inspire others through dance has been a life-long commitment. To dance is to live your highest expression of your life story and community.
http://www.aleili.comAlex Dunn
Folk/Americana - Singer/Songwriter
Reformed commercial fisherman Alex Dunn stakes his claim as the latest in a long line of hard-worn men and women making Americana music in the Great Northwest. On his debut LP "Scattered Poems " Dunn explores his reflections on the many lives he's led from his youth along the border of Colorado and Wyoming to the quiet moments on a commercial fishing vessel in remote Alaskan waters where much of the album itself was written. Scattered Poems is an elegant and timeless debut graced by the talents of northwest Folk luminaries Anna Tivel, Eli West, and Birch Pereira among others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kHSlbgCEHUAlexandra Blakely with Amora
Social Change Spiritual Inquiry
Alexandra Blakely is a singer-songwriter, storyteller, solutionary walking a path of ancestral healing, the reclaiming of lost cultural practices and gathering information for becoming an elder. You may have discovered her lyrics via Amora which is an umbrella of collaborative projects with the artist Alexandra Blakely. Amora is rooted in the Spanish verb Amor which means to LOVE. She lives between Duwamish Territory (Seattle WA) and Tenochtitlán (Mexico City). She dedicates her life in service to healing and searches to fill intergenerational holes with rooting. These are the journey's that are braided into her music.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJiuxVf4FhGSkYT4K0zpGyA/videos?view=0&sort=p&flow=gridAllspice International Folkdance Band
International Folkdance music
Allspice has been playing for International Folkdancing since the late 1970's. We enjoy the variety of rhythms and the lovely melodies. We play many tunes written or transcribed by past band members. We also enjoy playing for listening and are available for parties as well as dances.
https://www.facebook.com/Allspice-490750927773140Amber Sweeney
Listen With Your Heart
Seattle recording artist Amber Sweeney is a highly sought after performer and songwriter whose often been compared to the likes of Allen Stone Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow. Her distinctive voice and stage presence demand attention and make her the darling of every bill. She draws her fans into the stories with lyrics and music long remembered. She is accessible on stage unlike other artists and fans feel as if they’ve made a new friend in Amber. “Amber Sweeney possesses one of the most powerful voices around the northwest" ~Northwest Music News
https://www.youtube.com/user/theambersweeneyAn American Forrest
Western Music
An American Forrest is the words and music of Forrest VanTuyl; packer, poet, cowboy, and songwriter from Wallowa County, Oregon.
http://americanforrest.bandcamp.com/Ana Montes and Flamenco Danzarte
Flamenco Dance and Percussion
Ana Montes has been dancing since she was 5 years old studying classical ballet, then found her destiny with the art of Flamenco. She studied under many flamenco masters in Madrid and Sevilla Spain, then has performed professionally in Flamenco Troupes ever since. She performed in Spain, Europe the U.S. and Mexico. She is known for her charismatic stage presence, her powerful percussive footwork & clapping, her beautiful arm and hand movements, her beautiful choreography, and her ability to transmit and evoke deep emotion and her joy of dance. She teaches adults and children at her Seattle studio, Flamenco Danzarte.
https://youtu.be/Kbryj0nyDPoAnadolu Turkish Folk Dance Group
TURKISH SHOWCASE: CEREMONIOUS MOMENTS
Anadolu Turkish Folk Dance Group has been performing authentic folk dances at NW Folklife since 1980. Since 2012, the group has performed only at the Turkish Showcase, which is every other year. Showcase dance performances are theme-centered and intermingled with pre-recorded/live music and stories. The group's repertoire includes dances from all parts of Turkey, including some neighboring countries such as Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Balkans.
Anadolu Youth Dancers
TURKISH SHOWCASE: CEREMONIOUS MOMENTS
We are a youth Turkish folk dance group in Seattle. We've been performing since 2009. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for children to experience Turkish cultural heritage through performing arts. Folk dancing is a wonderful way to build leadership, teamwork and dedication. Although most members of our group are children of Turkish American descent, our group welcomes all children who are interested in folk dancing. our performances We regularly perform at International Children's Friendship Festival, TurkFest and Northwest FolkLife. We also do additional performances at other events, local schools, retirement communities and cultural foundations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjk8nRRReK0Anatolian Melodies
TURKISH SHOWCASE: CEREMONIOUS MOMENTS
Recently, we gathered to perform as a Turkish music choir in order to support a charity event. This experience showed us that Turkish music is so rich and powerful and the music is one of the best ways to cultivate friendship, share experiences and inspire each other. Since then, we would like to gather and sing "Anatolian Melodies".
Anga Kala Kathak Academy
Indian Classical Dance -Kathak
Anga Kala Kathak Academy is one of premiere school of Kathak (North Indian Classical Dance) specializing in the Lucknow gharana (school of Kathak) under the artistic direction of Antara Datta. It has branches in Seattle, WA, Cleveland, OH, Columbus, OH and Pittsburgh,PA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vihKlI63WqAAnne Rutherford
Good Stories, Well Told
Award-winning storyteller Anne Rutherford delights audiences nationwide with funny, touching performances that include tales of personal adventure, Pacific Northwest folklore and prize-winning tall tales. However, she is also five-time first place winner of the Northwest Folklife Liar’s Contest, — so don’t believe everything she tells you.
https://youtu.be/IqKr33PtFfcAnzanga Marimba Ensemble
Infectious African marimba music
Anzanga is celebrating 33 years of performance history including an inaugural performance on the Mural Stage at Foklife. The group under the direction of Sheree Seretse, has toured extensively throughout the country and has performed abroad in China and South Africa. Anzanga, all-time favorite place to perform is Folklife. The group has produced 5 recordings to which the last two are available today.
http://www.anzangamarimba.bandAppalachian Flatfooting
Charmaine Slaven
Originally from Western Montana, Charmaine is a professional musician & dance instructor, specializing in traditional American roots music and square dances. She loves sharing her love of music with people of all-ages, and performs with her musical projects Squirrel Butter, The Tallboys, The Lucky Shots, and The Piney Gals. At home, her baby girl and two dogs keep her busy hiking, gardening, and creating art. More at charmaineslaven.com
https://youtu.be/BALVCWmn9o8Aradhya Dance Academy
A Kuchipudi Dance Recital
Aradhya Dance Academy, a Kuchipudi style Indian classical dance school was founded by Smt. Bhavana Kudikala. The school has been dedicated to promoting the art form in the Seattle area for the past 15 years.
http://www.aradhyadance.comAraless
Soulful Crooner w/hiphop flavor
Araless is an emcee, singer/songwriter, and animator based out of the Pacific Northwest. He's the co-founder of the beat collective Filthy Fingers United and the artist collective Black Magic Noize.When Araless raps, he interweaves sociopolitical, counter-cultural commentary with grimy boom bap production - his execution is like no other. When he sings, he croons smoothly about love and life with more soul than he has any right to.
https://www.facebook.com/araless/videos/1456670214469370/ART: American Radio Theater
Radio Theater performed live
American Radio Theater (A.R.T.) is a group of classic-radio enthusiasts, dedicated to bringing lost old-time radio shows back to life, along with new plays written and performed in the classic style.
http://www.AmericanRadioTheater.orgAtlas Stringband with Tony Mates, Caller
High octane dance tunes
We are Seattle generated. Our genesis was a Folklife performance almost 15 years ago. Without the opportunities that Folklife offers, we may never have become who we are today .... as performers on the Old Time scene.
http://atlasstringband.comAurora Quadrille Band with Laura Me Smith, Caller
Oregon 19th century dance
The Aurora Quadrille was formed to record music from the music manuscripts left by members of the Aurora Colony, a 19th century religious commune in Oregon. Typical ballroom dances in the 19th century included both square dances (called quadrilles) and couple dances. We are re-creating this style of dance music, based on the manuscripts as well as authentic style arrangements created by Toby Hanson. Members of the band are all experienced musicians with a wealth of knowledge of music and dance.
Autoharping Styles: Old-Time, Celtic, Country, Blues, and Pop
Cathy Britell
Cathy took up the autoharp when she heard Bryan Bowers at Northwest Folklife in 1988. She went on to win the International Autoharp Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival in 2005. She wrote the popular beginner’s book “It’s An Autoharp!” in paper and digital form, and also Autoharp for Kids. Cathy is the 2012 inductee into the Autoharp Hall of Fame. She plays Celtic, Scandinavian, and American traditional music, modern folk, blues, and rock.
http://larkpoint.comBachata Seattle
Latin dance performances
Bachata Seattle represents the salsa and bachata community of Seattle. Our aim is to spread the love of this latin dance, bring talent to train dancers and make social events accessible to everyone!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrf05W4rrfEBackpack Chris
DJ & Great Guy
My name is Christopher Smith aka Chris Zapata. I am a local comedian. I have only been on the stand up comedy scene for 7 years.
Bad News Botanists
Instrumental funk-soul experiment
The birth of the Botanists started by our saxophonist Frank Vitolo Their diversified styles show extended knowledge of both modern popular music 90's hip-hop R&B Seattle grunge to multiple eras of jazz bebop and soul. Their debut album Venomous Nightshade is available on every major music streaming platform.Though Bad News Botanists is cataloged as Jazz this album sows the seeds of millennial music right into their sound. Fans have compared their music to such bands like: Lettuce Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. After the release they received praise from all corners of the Seattle community including two nominations Earshot Jazz.
https://badnewsbotanists.bandcamp.com/releasesBahia In Motion
Bahia In Motion
Bahia In Motion teaches Brazilian dance, Capoeira (Brazilian martial art) and Zumba in Seattle and runs yearly tours to Bahia, Brazil. Their work is rooted in the Brazilian cultural traditions of Northeast Brazil, but also includes dance forms from Rio de Janeiro and other parts of Brazil. Bahia In Motion collaborates with local organizations to provide educational workshops and performances. Past collaborations include Seattle Theater Group, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Spectrum Dance Theater and Fremont Arts Council. Bahia in Motion values the importance of building community and creating awareness around health, wellness, culture and the healing arts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ThjiJE_WNEBailadores De Bronce
Mexican regional folk dance
In 1972 a group of students at the University of Washington led by Josefina Jaramillo Alvarez united in a common goal to demonstrate their pride in their Mexican heritage through music and dance. In many ways it was a product of the Civil Rights and Chicano movements. The group was chosen as the representative of the Washington State Hispanic community in the 1986 World's Fair in Vancouver B.C. All dancers instructors and the Board of Directors volunteer their time energy and efforts to ensure that Bailadores de Bronce continues to thrive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egr6B8VsMxoBalkan Sing-Along
Dina Trageser
Dina Trageser is the founder and director of Dunava Balkan women's choir, and Mike Gordon is the band leader for long-time Balkan party band Balkanarama. They share a passion for the intricate rhythms and harmonies of the music in the Balkan countries, and love to introduce new audiences to the genre. This will be their third Balkan sing-along at Folklife.
https://www.facebook.com/dina.trageser/videos/vb.577444086/10156063512759087Balkanarama
Southeast European Party Music
Balkanarama plays popular songs of the '70s, '80s and '90s from southeastern Europe, including songs of the Rom (don’t call them “Gypsy”) people who migrated from India to Europe almost a thousand years ago. The Seattle quintet plays instruments popular at weddings in the Balkans today – alto sax, clarinet, keyboard, bass and drums – with four voices singing in eight languages. Balkanarama has performed at festivals, weddings, dance parties and concerts in the Pacific Northwest since 1997 and has released three CDs. Follow them at facebook.com/balkanaramausa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gj7u_sr8Q4Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band
Ya Sousa, You Betcha
First there was Sousa, then there was Elvis… The Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band, Seattle’s own non-marching march band, plays the greatest hits of marching band music by John Philip Sousa, Henry Fillmore and more. This spirited 30-piece brass and wind band comes with a splendid collection of band uniforms, appearances by the Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band Drill Team, and the World’s Finest Sedentary Majorette, who performs thrilling feats of seated baton twirling. The band’s sparkling good will never fails to make people smile.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq2jbzsetZwBallet Folklorico De Mi Tierra
Mexican traditional folk dances
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70MXu-yWohQBanda La Mejor
Mexican Regional Banda
Banda La Mejor came together with musicians who trained in Mexico but now live in the Northwest and have the same love of Norteno style music called Banda. Come with your dancing shoes on, because we're going to get your body up and moving to the high energy music!
Bandwidth with Rich Goss calling
Full spectrum contra music
Bandwidth brings together three of Portland’s contra dance music veterans, Gordy Euler (fiddle, whistle, piano), Keith Moe (fiddle), and Carl Thor (piano, mandolin) in a new configuration. Their list of band affiliations reads like a “Who’s Who” of the Portland folk music scene, including: Hands4, Full Moon, The Steeltones, Shanghaied on the Willamette, Stepwise, Cascade Crossing, Celtinalia, Tunestruck, and, of course, the bodacious Portland Megaband. Be ready for an exciting, full spectrum of contra dance music when these gents take to the stage.
http://www.TalismanMusic.comBarvinok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
Ukrainian Folk Dance
Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble was founded in 2004. Currently we are the only dance school that offers Ukrainian Folk Dance classes in Washington State. Over the past decade our students have performed for various audiences, at cultural festivals and private events, and participated in many competitions. Our main goal is to turn dancing into a passion and spread knowledge about Ukraine's vibrant culture to our local community. Each of our dances originates from a specific region in Ukraine, and the choreography, costumes, and music represent that region’s uniqueness.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQNRFSSoMO02V-6EKvSI4QQBeaconettes
Topical satire sung acapella!
The Beaconettes are an all-female acapella singing group from Seattle. We sing familiar tunes to which we write our own satirical Seattle-centric lyrics. We have put on a workshop in the Cornish Courtyard at Folklife for a number of years. We performed with the Seattle Symphony at the Holiday Pops concert series in 2017 and 2018.
Beats 2 The Rhyme
206 Zulu Hip Hop Legacy
http://www.206zulu.org/programs/beats-to-the-rhyme/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKHOipzk1N8BEGINNING BONES PLAYING
RICK FOGEL
I have been performing on bones for 45 years. I first learned to make and play bones from Hank Tenenbaum and Percy Danforth.
http://www.whamdiddle.comBEGINNING HAMMER DULCIMER
Rick Fogel
In 1975, Rick first learned to build and play the dulcimer in Charlottesville, Virginia, after receiving a masters degree in nuclear physics. He has since founded the Whamdiddle Dulcimer Company, built hundreds of dulcimers, performed and taught workshops at the Augusta Heritage Center in West Virginia, the Wisconsin Stringalong, Northwest Folklife in Washington, and collaborated with the Seattle Symphony on a movie score and recording. Rick was featured in a TV documentary for PBS and NHK Japan on the “Craftsmen of the World” series.
http://www.whamdiddle.comBelfast Bandits
Celtic infused folk rock
The Belfast Bandits are a Celtic folk rock band formed in Seattle in 2013 by founding members Ian Henderson (drums), Josh Johnson (bass guitar and backing vocals), Chris Cass (guitar and backing vocals), and Tim Kariel (lead vocals, Irish whistles, and harmonica). The band has followed an inspiration over the years for performing Celtic rock versions of traditional Irish/Celtic songs, Irish reels and jigs, and covers of Celtic-influenced modern songs. The band has developed a fan base performing at many smaller music venues around the Seattle area.
http://www.belfastbandits.com/music-samples.htmlBella Jovan
Bella Jovan International Dancer
Bella Jovan is a professional international award winning dance artist and choreographer renowned for her energetic enticing and vibrant style. Bella is extremely passionate about modern Egyptian and American style belly dance. Bella is known for her dynamic style of belly dance which has mesmerized audiences all over the world such as Egypt, China, Turkey, India, France, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Hawaii,Arizona, California,Costa Rica, Florida and more! Bella has had an exhilarating and engaging year so far and looks forward to more international travel shows and classes. Please visit Bella Jovan's website for more information www.bellajovan.com
https://www.youtube.com/bellajovanBelladonna Border Morris
Beautiful Yet Deadly
We are an all women’s border Morris dancing side. This type of dancing comes from ancient English Morris traditional dancing.
https://www.facebook.com/MossybackMorrisMen/videos/10156290625265011/Benjamin Hunter
Funky, Folky, Futuristic, Fiddle
Ben is an award winning multi-instrumentalist—violin mandolin guitar percussion voice—whose interests lie in roots music from around the world. Born in Lesotho raised predominantly in Phoenix with stints in Seattle and Zimbabwe Ben was raised classically on violin but now plays a variety of styles—roots folk jazz blues gospel world. In 2017 Ben composed music for a dance piece Black Bois that has received critical acclaim and most recently played at The Moore Theater in February 2020 and is currently an artist-in-residence for
http://www.benjaminhuntermusic.comBess Hepner
folk/RnB/neo-soul
Bess Hepner is a multi-genre musician who has collaborated with hip hop artists, circus performers, and folk singer-songwriters. From ages 15-20, Bess played in the Western Massachusetts-based multi-genre dance band Who’da Funk It? She studied classical guitar at Smith College with Phillip De Fremery 2012-2016. In 2016 Bess moved to Seattle and began pursuing her solo project. In April 2019 she released her debut solo album 17-24. Bess was involved with Bess and Amber, a neo-soul Seattle duo 2018-2020. She plays bass for Erika Lundahl, guitar for jazz vocalist Alina and guitar for A Frayed Knot’scircus production “The Vivarium.”
www.besshepner.comBharatanatyam Duet Performance
Rhythm Gestures Expressions Storytelling
Neha Venkatesh and Shradha Shankar, both high school sophomores, have been passionately learning Bharatanatyam from Smt. Vidyalakshmi Vinod for the last 10 years. The dancers have both completed their Arangetram or dance graduation and also performed at various dance productions and festivals in Seattle as well as India. Shradha and Neha were chosen to be part of the Raga Labs in Advance category, representing Washington. Neha is a Judge's Special Mention award winner in the Cleveland Aradhana Dance Competition and is now continuing her learning of the art form with Smt. Shweta Prachande.
Billbillies with Joe Micheals, Caller
Billacious Contras
All members have played old-time and Bluegrass music for many years, and have played in many bands. Some members appear on commercially available recordings. One member has played on the Grand Ol Opry.
Blue Flags and Black Grass
Viper Jazz Jug Band
Blue Flags & Black Grass is a combination of many flavors of acoustic American Roots Music. With the instrumentation of Banjo, Res-o-phonic Guitar, Fiddle, Washboard, Kazoo and Upright Bass, Blue Flags emulates the String Bands of the 1920s and ‘30s. Their typical gig will blend Ragtime, Viper Jazz, Country Blues, Old-Time, Jug Band and Bluegrass.
https://blueflagsandblackgrass.bandcamp.com/Bollywood Traditional Dance style
Nalini Bollywood dance instructor
Nalini is a professional dancer choreographer and teacher in the greater Seattle area. She is known for captivating audiences with her technical skill emotionally expressive performances and compelling choreographies. Her repertoire includes Belly Dance Bollywood and Russian Gypsy dance. Nalini is the founder and director of the Blue Lotus Dance Company a professional company that performs throughout the region. Under her direction Blue Lotus has become an award-winning company receiving 1st Place in “La Danse Orientale Belly Dance Competition” and “Belly Dancer USA” in 2010.
https://www.facebook.com/NaliniBollyDance/videos/899266383440312/Bonnie Dundee
Ancient, Modern, Scottish Dance
We are a group of dancers from Seattle and points north to Bellingham; some of us are founder members (1992). We perform Scottish dances from the 1700s to the present day and enjoy both ancient and modern music and dance. We like to give historical context with costume and props and we try to provide the atmosphere of dancing in Scotland whether in Village Hall or at a Highland Ball. We focus mainly on 2 of the Scottish dance traditions social country dancing and solo step dancing. We have performed at many venues and love what we do.
https://www.facebook.com/gladys.h.gilbert/videos/10150091569610255/Boom-Boom Diggy
Seattle Hand Drummers
Our mission is to enhance our communities through positive connections using the experience and power of rhythm and group drumming. SHD and its members are dedicated to giving back and serving the needs of others in our greater Seattle area. Community Engagement by way of learning, loving, teaching and sharing is our main goal and directive.
http://www.seattlehanddrummers.orgBran MacGuffin with Caller, Isaac Banner
Suspenseful and nutritious
Yet another combination of local contra dance musicians who really enjoy playing together. Counting only other contra dance bands: Amy also plays with Wake Up Robin, the Free Raisins, and The Waxwings. Brandon plays with the End Effects and Contra Sutra. Dave plays with KGB, Contra Sutra, Bag o'Tricks, and more bands than he can easily count.
Breakers Yard with Woody Lane, Caller
Hoedown meets wow.
Breakers Yard is the Willamette Valley’s most eclectic acoustic band. Sampling from ragtime, country blues, jug band, hot jazz, and delta blues traditions, we do everything from Lindy Hop dances to cowboy ballads to bootie-shakin’ dance parties. You can find our most recent albums I Don’t Hurt Anymore and Tried and Untrue at shows, on Spotify, and on CD Baby, or you can pay us a visit at www.breakersyardmusic.com. Break it down!
https://breakersyard.bandcamp.com/Brett Habenicht
Singer-Songwriter
Brett Habenicht is a singer-songwriter from Ravensdale, Washington. He draws from his love of our natural environment and the history surrounding his family story here in Western Washington. Influenced by blues, roots rock, americana, country and bluegrass/folk, Brett writes with a passion and feeling that evokes thoughtfulness from the listener. Brett has been a part of the local music scene for many years .
http://soundcloud.com/user-984075487Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies
Big songs for wee-folk
Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies play creative and interactive music the whole family can enjoy! Led by rambler, early childhood music educator, and smile provider B. Vogan, the Good Buddies specialize in dance inducing grooves with the catchiest melodies this side of Sunday! As and educator, Brian's decade of work with "at risk" children around the NW was championed by Chris Cornell who graciously funded Vogan's music program and children's music recordings throughout the years. With help from rock producer Barrett Jones (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, etc.) the Good Buddies have released 7 albums of original songs for rock kiddos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT6rtAcV3KoBriar
Vintage Jazz and Blues
Both Briar and Joe Seamons grew up in tiny Pacific Northwest communities where their fathers worked in local paper mills. They met in 2014 at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival where they began to bond over a shared love of Bessie Smith dancing and banjos. In 2016 the duo now a couple began performing jazz blues and folk songs throughout the Northwest. Together in 2017 they began bringing teenaged musicians from South Seattle to join them at the annual PT Blues festival so that more youth and especially students of African American ancestry could connect with their cultural heritage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsnE56ngF_4Brivele
Antifascist Yiddish Folk-Punk
Brivele is a Seattle-based anti-fascist klezmer folk-punk trio, who braid together oral history, Yiddish language, contemporary and old-country musical genres, American vaudeville, and visual arts. Brivele — Yiddish for "a little letter" — sing songs that have become letters to us; ancestors' voices that speak clearly and uncompromisingly, sometimes sweetly, to our present moment. These songs have traveled through time and over borders, picking up dirt, aromas, fingerprints. They’ve been stolen, censored, and salvaged. Brivele sings a bisl Yiddish, because sometimes Yiddish says it best, tasting familiar and unfamiliar at once.
http://www.brivele.bandcamp.comBulgarian Voices of Seattle Women's Choir
Bulgarian Women's Folk Choir
Bulgarian Voices of Seattle is a women's choir, formed in 2011 by founding director Mary Sherhart, now directed by Michael Lawson, and sponsored by the Bulgarian Cultural and Heritage Center of Seattle. All of the singers were born in Bulgaria and range in age from 18 to 85. The choir sings traditional and arranged folk songs from Bulgaria. The choir provides a musical bridge into Bulgarian heritage for the Bulgarian community and the general public through performances at Bulgarian and other community events.
https://vimeo.com/327310724Bunny Holiday and the Highball Boys
Vintage swing for dancers
The Highball Boys coalesced around the effervescent personality of Bunny Holiday, accomplished jazz singer with an affinity for all things antiquated. While she brings the long-forgotten verses of jazz standards back to life, the band reanimates the tunes with their hot licks and wild rides. It all adds up to a swinging, slinging, singing good time for listeners and dancers alike.
https://www.facebook.com/Photo.Flora.Holly/videos/10152939983098348/UzpfSTEwNDgyOTE4OTg1MzM3NTM6MTA1MzkxMDkyMTMwNTE4NA/Ca Gaze
Vintage jazz for dancers.
Members of Ca Gaze met as students at Jazz Night School in Columbia City. They've developed an affection for the music of Django Rheinhardt and other artists of the swing era. Ca Gaze especially enjoys playing for dancers.
https://www.facebook.com/cagaze/Caitlin Jemma
Soul, Country, Mystical Folk
To experience a Caitlin Jemma performance is to witness an artist blossoming in real time. Her sound fills the room with an assertion that remains open to all that it encounters and each song is a living growing entity that reflects the melding of a myriad of influences. Her versatility emerges through an honest exploration of her art and her identity remains steady as she traverses the musical spectrum of soul country and mystical folk.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/caitlin-jemma-the-goodness/1161666351Caixa
Samba / bossa nova
Caixa performs traditional Brazilian bossas and sambas with an acoustic sound.
http://www.facebook.com/caixa.seattleCamp Songs & Rounds
With Rita and Micki
Micki Perry is a founding member of 3 Rivers Folklife Society in the Tri-Cities of Eastern WA. She has been producing concert there for over 30 years and Tumbleweed Music Festival for 23 years. She has attended Rainy camp for 5 years and her Camp Songs workshop has been popular there. This is her 36th year performing at Folklife.
Cape Disapppointment
Local Indie Americana
Cape Disappointment is the moniker for Seattle-based songwriter, Jeffrey P. Martin. He writes “raw, honest, stripped-down” songs about places, loss, love, and life. He’s been playing all over the country for the past decade—everywhere from New York to Seattle. Formerly as Jeffrey Martin, now as Cape Disappointment. The first release from songwriter Jeffrey P. Martin under the moniker Cape Disappointment.
https://capedisappointmentmusic.bandcamp.com/Capoeira Angola
International Capoeira Angola Foundation
International Capoeira Angola Foundation it is a non- profit-organization founded in 1997. Our mission is offer Capoeira Angola class for kids and adults as a way to promote healing and create a strong and vibrant community. Our studio is located in Seattle, international district, and we also host classes in Afro-Brazilian dance, West African dance, Bomba and Orisha dance.We provide also lectures, performances for colleges, schools and community centers to present and discuss the cultural arts from the African Diaspora.
http://FICA SEATTLECAPRICCIO
Modern Street Piano Instrumentals
Capriccio is a multimedia art project centered around recording instrumental compositions within the the natural backdrop of Seattle's green spaces. Headed by pianists Noel Pelland and Josh Alexander, the Capriccio project celebrates the role our natural environment plays in our collective upbringing. Capriccio explores the interplay between planned compositions and urban unpredictability - the contrast between the order of the cityscape and the serene parks, ravines, and forgotten pockets that quietly but inexorably infuse the landscape. This performance includes musical highlights of the project, which is set to debut as an audiovisual album in 2020.
https://vimeo.com/236037341Captain Awesome Sauce
Fun, family-friendly, interactive music.
Captain Awesome Sauce (aka Dan Metteer) plays fun and interactive music for the whole family. He has been playing music for kids for more than 15 years. He and his wife, Rebekah, especially enjoy singing and dancing with their own three kids, Julia, Katie, and Andrew.
http://www.facebook.com/captainawesomesaucemusicCarl Christensen & The Sobbing Rainbows
Orchestral Indie Rock
Carl Christensen graduated music school with a degree in music composition & for a senior project he recorded and released an album, Double Decades, that blurs the lines between classical and rock music. While the music features bold orchestral arrangements the songs themselves maintain a core of storytelling through lyricism. Think Bruce Springsteen & E Street band meets a full orchestra. Song topics range from rushing into an ill-advised romance, to expressing gratitude to your closest friends, to depression & therapy dogs. Double Decades is currently enjoyed by a small but extremely dedicated fan base, which expands with every show.
https://that1carlkid.bandcamp.com/album/double-decadesCarolyn Cruso
Adventurous Dulcimer, Story Songs
Carolyn grew up in the culturally rich Hudson River Valley, home of Pete Seeger and the river sloop Clearwater. Playing music since the age of ten starting with flute then guitar in her teens and hammered dulcimer in her early twenties. Carolyn came to the northwest after graduating from University of New Hampshire with a degree in Environmental Conservation. She spent three years as a wandering minstrel in Europe in the late 80's and has been traveling the northwest and the nation ever since performing at festivals, folk clubs, coffeehouses and churches. She's recorded nine albums.
http://www.reverbnation.com/carolyncrusoCarroll-Henderson School of Irish Dance
Irish Experience in America
The Carroll-Henderson school seeks to provide an Irish experience in America for each and every student that walks into our studio, and we hope to create the same for each audience member that watches us perform. The school aims to create a community environment fostering friendships, confidence, and discipline while teaching the traditional, artistic, and competitive style of Irish dancing. Students of the Carroll-Henderson School of Irish dancing develop a strong technical foundation alongside artistic movements, and, moreover, they learn to share their art form with community.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RGkwZLcqpwP9X-a9tERUtwDudF8mDbKq/view?usp=sharingCastletown
Traditional and Contemporary Celtic
Portland, OR based "Castletown" was formed in 2012 and has a sound best described as "AmeriCeltic," blending the heart and soul of traditional Irish reels with modern folk, blues, jazz and country influences. The band is spearheaded by Singer/Songwriter Guitarist Robert Richter. Talented Singer/Songwriter Heidi Beth Sadler joins him on fiddle. Known for their engaging live performances they perform as both a duo and with their full band. Castletown’s new CD titled “Traditions” features 15 songs from the band.
http://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/castletownmusicCavort
High-kicking Celtic music
Goat, strings, and flutey things make this Celtic band! Our energetic songs will launch you straight out of your seat and propel you to Ireland.
https://youtu.be/sR8zJSGQXlECedar Revolt
indie rock originals
A band that is connected through parenting and music, and dedicated to developing original material.
Cello eXperiment
An eXperiment in Cello.
The Cello eXperiment, aka “Cello X” was founded in 2010 by Peter featuring his highest-level students. They have recorded an album at Jack Straw Studios and performed at the Seattle Mariners, Triple Door, the Moore Theatre and elsewhere. As comfortable performing Metallica as they are performing Bach, their mission is to push the boundaries of cello playing.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UColX_WHTwYLAe_BbMo8NoyA?view_as=subscriberChaoPraya Ensemble
Thai Traditional Music/Dance
ChaoPraya Ensemble members consist of Thai immigrants and Americans living in and around the Puget Sound area that come together to perform and teach Thai traditional music and dance. Our ensemble performs Thai classical and folk music on traditional Thai instruments as well as a wide range of dances, from lively regional folk dances to the graceful and stylish court dances. Our mission is to help preserve, protect, promote and share our Thai cultural heritage, particularly in traditional music and dance with all people, especially with younger generations.
https://youtu.be/peyc9Yrh1M0Chaotic Noise Marching Corps
Renegade punkrock street band
A Seattle based renegade marching band that's bringing the party to pacific northwest streets, bars, clubs and beyond.
https://youtu.be/tL2AcR4ZcnQChennai Beats
Gramiya Nadanam is a deep South Indian folk dance form. This is performed especially during harvest festivals where the entire community gets together to rejoice.
Chennai Beats was the manifestation of Valli's love for dance. Chennai Beats believes dancing helps one relax and is an outlet to emotions hidden deep within. The patrons together explore Bollywood, Kuthu, classical, fusion and various other dance forms. They have consistently grown every year with increased participation in competitions in Seattle area and humbly accepted awards at few events as well! Chennai Beats' aim is to spread joy in the community through dancing.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0UkEhMIW-t_buyLpXiNAAChinmayi Bhavanishankar
Bharatanatyam, Shiva & Peace
Chinmayi Bhavanishankar is an Indian classical dancer, amateur photographer and marketer. She started learning Bharatanatyam in India when she was 8 and it has been a continuing journey as she steps into her thirties. After a decade of learning in India she moved to Los Angeles and was part of the Angahara dance ensemble with guru Ramaa Bharadvaj and performed in and around California. While she was doing her graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon University she gave a talk at TEDxCMU in 2013. Chinmayi continues to learn and perform in Seattle along with her career in marketing at Microsoft.
Chris Barnes & Patrick McMonagle
Tricky Zwiefacher Dance Rhythms
Chris Barnes - regular travel to Alpine areas, othen chasing new Zwiefacher tunesPatrick McMonagle - dance leader at Folklife since 1972
https://www.youtube.com/&v=nf-uecjlkcAChris Klimecky
Melodic Acoustic Singer-Songwriter
25 years after the release of his first record, Chris Klimecky has performed across the US and settled in Seattle as a regular contributor to the NW Singer-Songwriter scene. His brand new 6th album, 2020's Crystal Monkey Project, features melodic band arrangements with both acoustic and electric stylings. Chris is also Executive Director of the non-profit organization Songwriters in Seattle, which has over 3,800 members and runs more than 10 events every month.
https://www.youtube.com/user/ChrisKlimeckyChris Spengler
Explore, Dance, Grow!
Chris was born in Brooklyn, raised in Queens, and came to Seattle for the good weather. Chris has an affinity for things that start with 'S' like storytelling, square dancing, and sumo wrestling. Currently looking for a girlfriend, preferably a Sandra, Susan, or Sophia, but will make an exception for the right person. Chris has been storytelling at Fresh Ground Stories for the last 5 or 6 years. She tells at Under the Rainbow in Edmonds, and occasionally at The Moth in Fremont Abbey.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v82dpvqs7s24nwm/AACX7gs-H7XVOXsF-X_6-l6pa?dl=0Christopher Frick
Folkrock Fingerstyle guitar
Seattle folkrock fingerstyle guitarist challenged by the current times hoping only to play with power and sing truth and hope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xNUlRzw9gYCircular Reasoning
Logical Psychedelic Funk
Circular Reasoning is an unconventional retrofitting of R&B and funk from the fertile grounds of the Seattle music scene, overlaying psychedelic, jazzy audacity over old-school stone grooves for a sound that can be described as… logical. Materialized in the U-District by arranger/keyboardist Mikko Nynäs, CR has been romping around the area since 2011, and released their second full-length album in early 2020.
https://soundcloud.com/circularreasoningCireșarii
Exuberant, Intense, Fun, Entertaining
The Ciresarii cultural experience was founded in the spring of 2017 By Andrei Rusu and Smaranda Abaco at Saint Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church in Portland. With the help of the Romanian community, Ciresarii was able to grow through talented and dedicated youth, who have worked countless hours in preserving the traditional Romanian dances from varies areas of Romania.
https://vimeo.com/376626104/133c077ecdClallam County
Woody, Pete, Kingston Trio
Clallam County, "Seattle's Slowest Rising Folk Group", formed in 1980 as a collaboration between Pat McIntyre and Peter McKee, when Peter was living in Port Angeles, Washington - the county seat of Clallam County. A couple of years later, Peter's wife, Judy Oerkvitz, joined the duo, as did Pat's wife, Kristi. In 1990, Jim Douglas joined the band on bass. As of 2018, the band continues playing shows around the Seattle area with current original band members Pat McIntyre, Peter McKee, and Judy Oerkvitz. Our music is inspired by Woody, Pete, Kingston Trio and many others.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC97PWLpOSwQBNXIxPX0NghQClave Gringa
Lively Cuban Jazz
CLAVE GRINGA is a Seattle-based Latin jazz ensemble showcasing the compositions of Ann Reynolds. The music is Cuban-flavored, makes you want to move. Their concerts are varied, dynamic and engaging. The repertoire draws on traditional Cuban styles - from the European influenced danzón and chá to the Afro based rumba and 6/8 folkloric rhythms – with an infusion of jazz. The band was formed in 2008 and released a second CD, Joy in 2019. Bandleader Ann Reynolds has traveled to Cuba many times to immerse herself in this music and present it in the states.
https://www.clavegringa.comCliff Perry and Laurel Bliss
Ageless Old Time Duets
Cliff Perry and Laurel Bliss began as a singing duo in the late 80’s and are now recognized veterans in the bluegrass and old-time music communities. Respected by their peers and beloved by their fans Cliff and Laurel always deliver a wonderful collection of old-time country duets. You can tell they are greatly influenced by the Carter Family however they’ve also internalized and taken their own approach to the material. Old-time country music encompasses a myriad of styles and Perry and Bliss opt for a composed straightforward approach that like the Carters’ music, suggests an earlier era.
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann
Traditional Irish Set Dancing
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann promotes traditional Irish culture in the form of music, dancing, and language. Jim Belcher, the caller, leads Irish set dancing ceilis twice a month in the Seattle area, he has been teaching and calling traditional Irish Set dancing since the mid 1990's. The Pride of Bothell ceili band plays traditional celtic music for these set dancing ceilis. Susan Burke, Joan Maybank and the other members of band are great practitioners of the music tradition, and have many years of experience playing Irish and Scottish music, keeping the tradition of reels, jigs and polkas alive.
http://Seattle Irish Set DancersCornerstone Studio
More than just dance!
We offer top-notch dance training for youth, and our students are encouraged to think, create, and grow so they leave every class learning more about dance and themselves. We foster self-confidence in our students through the art and discipline of dance and our teaching style is supportive encouraging and fun! We are currently accepting new enrollments into our beginner-level online dance classes and up to an intermediate level for kids who have previous dance experience. Our Virtual Learning platform delivers pre-recorded classes to your inbox featuring unique content & training each week!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOoJWq7QmFUkI_DATUE6UwwCountercurrent
Fiery transatlantic fiddle/guitar duo
Brian and Alex have been friends and bandmates for over ten years. They got their start as freshmen at Oberlin College in Ohio, where they formed the contra dance band Gallimaufry. In 2014 they moved to western Washington, where they have emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the contra dance and folk music scenes. Brian's darting fiddle, Alex's powerhouse guitar, and the duo's constant creativity and willingness to push boundaries create a sound that is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and movement to your feet.
http://www.countercurrentmusic.comCowboy Andy and The Salamanders
Family friendly rock-n-roll!
Cowboy Andy and the Salamanders are a high-energy, family-friendly, all-original, rock-and-roll, hyphen-using band from Missoula, Montana! The group brings movements, sing-alongs, and their whacky bright energy to every stage. Excellent fun for all ages, especially those with whimsy in their heart and a desire to dance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLbRuHRO9n8Cowboy Camp Sing-Along
Rich Hinrichsen
The cowboy camp sing-along performers have led sing-alongs all over the northwest, included songs of social justice and cowboy songs of the open range. Hinrichsen led the Cowboy Camp Sing-Along at Bellingham Folk Festival earlier this year (2019), which was quite popular and led to the book "Sing Along Cowboy," now available on Amazon books. Hinrichsen will bring the book for participants to use. Info on the book may be found at https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Hinrichsen/e/B07QGGMJQV%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share.
https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Hinrichsen/e/B07QGGMJQV%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_shareCowgirl's Dream
Western swing and hillbilly.
Cowgirl’s Dream is the dream of singer/bass guitarist Kristi Nebel. The band specializes in western swing interspersed with the Americana songs of her husband, Steve Nebel, and an occasional cowboy song thrown in. As well a polka pops up now and then and a number of songs from the Texas Playboys are in the band repertoire. Kristi’s first solo CD has been nominated by the Academy of Western Artists for both best song and best female artist of 2014. Their recording of “Swingin’ In Tucson”,has has been #1 on the Swingin’ West radio show out of Seymour, Texas.
http://cowgirlsdream.sknebel.com/home/Craig Wolfe
Practically Perfectly Paired Dances
Craig has been calling dances in the Seattle area for about 7 years now and this will be his 5th time calling at Folklife.
Crankie Showcase
Magical Moving Panoramas!
The Crankie Showcase features a collection of Northwest artists, musicians, and storytellers spinning yarns and singing songs, all accompanied by illustrated scrolls, or moving panoramas, called "crankies." Crankies are a once-traditional folk art form in resurgence - a charming, flexible artistic format that lends itself to the telling of stories both old and new.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfA273E-4HcCulture Shakti
American Tribal Style® Bellydance
Katrina Ji & Culture Shakti is a Seattle dance company specializing in Bollywood, Bhangra, Rajasthani Folk, and ATS® Belly Dance. Led by owner and director Katrina Ji they have performed locally at Key Arena, NW Folklife Festival, Microsoft, Democrats of Washington, the Boeing Diversity Fair, and the World Rhythm Festival. Katrina Ji also tours internationally with the Rajasthani Gypsy Caravan. Come join us for classes in the Seattle Center Armory or find us at www.CultureShakti.com for more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgPudxKUgisD. Mikey
Smooth and Smokey
The sour smell of cannabis hits your nose haze streaks the space between you and your friends like smoky galaxies the vibe is bona fide and the music? Well reach for any of D. Mikey's releases. Timeless—that’s Mikey’s one word describing what he wants his music to be. You’ll find most of his music is about smoking— make sure to ask him to roll you one because seeing is believing—but in reality the lyrics are dipped in double entendres laced with emotion and filled with feeling.
http://facebook.com/dmikeymusicDa Oddah Guyz
Auntie's Backyard, Hilo, 1950
We've been jamming together for the last 12 years. We have played at the Roeder House in Bellingham, the Seattle Slack Key Festival, the Lalama Heritage Festival and private parties in the Puget Sound area
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbsF4tjeHZsDabuli
Nepalese Traditional/Folk Music
Dabuli aim to advance deeper understanding and strengthening of rich music, arts & cultural heritage of Nepal and the Himalayan region to build strong intercultural communities. We facilitate music and culture workshops; offer lectures and residencies; collaborate and perform music, arts and cultural heritage of Nepal and Himalayan region with those from other communities.
http://www.youtube.com/jwajalapaDale Russ
Traditional Irish Fiddle Music
Dale Russ has been playing Irish fiddle for 45 years. He has performed and taught at festivals, ceilis and feiseanna throughout the U.S. and Canada, including many years at the Lark in the Morning camp in Mendocino, California. In 1990 he was invited to perform as one of the 16 finest Irish fiddle players in the U.S. at the first Boston College Irish Music Festival, “My Love is in America”. He has many recordings to his credit and has been featured in Fiddler magazine. He has also performed as far west as Japan yearly since 1996.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1uQlOsv8s0Dalrymple MacAlpin
Irish Illumination Tales
Dalrymple MacAlpin is a professional composer playwright puppeteer storyteller and poet. He has been writing preforming and touring with his characteristically offbeat repertoire for over two decades and has recorded and produced seven albums of original material. When it comes to storytelling MacAlpin has a particular fondness for myths legends fairy tales and riddles from Ireland Scotland and Wales. A Bard by his very nature he accompanies his stories with a distinctive lyrical tenor and sprightly harp accompaniment. MacAlpin is also a visionary scholar culling together a cohesive and exhaustively researched program of artistry which both delights and informs.
https://www.facebook.com/DalrympleMacAlpin/Dance Masti
Bollywood Dancing
Bollywood Dance group, We perform very ethenic dances, which showcases Indian culture. Dance Masti is a group of high energy performers age ranging from 5 years to adults. We have been performing in NWFL for past 2 years and very excited to perform again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXLZWKuQ8TADance with Dora
Brazilian fusion from Piauí!
Seattle-based Dora Oliveira, a native of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, has been performing and teaching Brazilian dance to adults and kids for decades. She is an esteemed dance instructor and beloved by her diverse community of students and audiences alike. Her choreography encompasses dance styles and rhythms from all over Brazil, including all flavors of samba, funk, modern, and orixa dance. Her style is constantly evolving, and her creative energy is endless. In a word, Dora is captivating - a natural born star performer not to be missed!
https://www.youtube.com/user/DanceWithDoraDance-O-Rama with Sean "Gator Boy" Donovan
Northwest Dance Network
Sean Donovan combines passion for music and dance with his great love of teaching to provide joyful, exciting lessons for all skill levels. Sean is a creative and highly effective communicator, focused on the vital power of dance to delight and transform us. He began teaching in 1999 and has been on faculty at Northwest Dance Network since 2004. A professional DJ as well, Sean hosts dances, provides music and private lessons for special events (through his company Gator Boy Productions), and loves to help get the party jumping!
http://www.nwdance.net or www.gatorboyproductions.comDances of Universal Peace
Sing/Dance for Peace
Elizabeth Dequine, Hayrafatah and Hassan Swanson are certified leaders and mentors of Dances of Universal Peace and have led dances and retreats world-wide. Dances of Universal Peace are simple multi-cultural circle dances that use phrases music and movements from many traditions of the earth. Building on the work begun by Samuel L. Lewis in the 1960s they promote peace within individuals and understanding and connection within groups worldwide. During the Pandemic, we our holding our Wednesday night dances via Zoom. The link and details are at our website, listed below.
http://seattledancesofuniversalpeace.orgDante and Eros Faulk
Innovative Cello/Fiddle Duo
Dante and Eros Faulk have been playing music their whole lives, both picked up a string instrument at the age of 3. Today, at 18 and 15, they are both multi-instrumentalists. In addition to cello and fiddle, they play guitar, bodhran (Irish drum), banjo, cajon, among other instruments. Performing, recording, and arranging are some of their favorite things to do! Their unique sound blends old traditional Celtic music with new and exciting arrangements. As of November 2019, they are working on a new album of dynamic original music, produced by renowned fiddler Ryan McKasson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Yi47EinloDave and the Dalmatian
European Men's Folk Acappella
Dave and the Dalmatians started and still enjoy singing the songs of the klapa tradition which originates along the Dalmatian coast and islands in the Adriatic Sea. Celebrating their 26th year, the guys sing multi-part a cappella songs from Croatia and the Balkans, various Mediterranean islands, Italy, Wales, Russia, Armenia, and Georgia. They have released three CDs and are recording a fourth.
David Guilbault
Heartfelt Americana
Seattle singer-songwriter writes, records and performs soulful music of life, love and loss - heartfelt Americana songs that live in the truth. A former journalist devoted to reporting the objective truth, David is now free to present a subjective view of our times.
https://davidguilbault.bandcamp.comDavid Maloney
Venerated northwest songwriter performer
David Maloney as one half of the legendary songwriting duo, Reilly and Maloney. He has recently released his thirteenth solo album, "Reflections" to go along with the eleven Reilly and Maloney albums. David is one of the founders of the west coast folk roots movement. From the Seattle Weekly: Throughout his long, nourishing career, David Maloney has fine- tuned his craft as a visionary songwriter and affecting storyteller…David’s intuitive and personal delivery is something fans everywhere have come to cherish.
http://David Maloney - singerDear Crow
Sweet harmonies, twin fiddles.
Penka Jane began playing fiddle as a child and has been singing since she first heard the radio. After discovering a love of traditional Irish music, she found Old-time, Bluegrass, and Quebecois along the way. Brian Lindsay was a Mid-Atlantic champion Irish fiddler by age 16, but his love of contra dancing brought him to other flavors of fiddle tunes including Old Time. Dear Crow was formed on a roadtrip in the summer of 2019; they're looking forward to many tunes to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHJFBHPYf6EDeb Seymour
Martian chicken colonoscopy songs
Funny lady Deb Seymour's songs will take you on a wild ride with hitch-hiking chickens, tango-dancing Martians and maybe a miscreant alley cat or two. She'll pause to re-fuel with a jazz-infused torch song, then resume the rollicking journey with her musings on the absurdities of day-to -day life. Seymour's influences include Christine Lavin, Chuck Brodsky, Weird Al Yankovic...and nearly every Broadway show ever written. Prepare to have your imagination tickled and your heart strings pulled!
http://www.reverbnation.com/DebSeymourMusicDebbie Miller
Indie-folk story-telling
Seattle songwriter Debbie Miller is like a tantalizing book of short stories. In fact there are few musicians who work as diligently as she to be as narratively engaging. Often described as Joan Baez meets Sarah Silverman, Miller weaves honesty humor and melodic prowess into a one of a kind performance. Miller, who has played prominent Northwest festivals like Timbrrr! and Upstream, also appeared on PBS’s “The Great American Read ” which highlighted her song “Queen of Hearts.” Following that the musician released an anticipated 7-inch vinyl called 'Two Sides,' which features songs inspired by literary works.
https://www.instagram.com/thedebbiemiller/Debbie Wooten
Humor Nurse
Comedian Debbie Wooten is an expert on overcoming adversity. Debbie has suffered adversity. Born with Spina Bifida Debbie contracted Polio when she was only five months old. Because of her skin color the white kids wouldn't play with her and the black kids didn't accept her because she was different. Her adult life wasn't much easier. She had two marriages that ended one because of suicide one because of abuse. But fortunately for her audiences she's taken her problems and faced them with strength grace and a lot of humor.
Deep Roots Dance
Tribal Folkloric Fusion Bellydance
Deep Roots Dance is an ATS®-based tribal fusion bellydance company in Seattle, with a focus on joyful expression and strong technique. We offer classes and workshops for dancers of all levels, from bare beginners to ongoing students wishing to hone their technique. For almost 20 years we have been known for our excellent instruction and welcoming and supportive environment, which nurtures the whole student as a valued member of our creative community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-solRnMtLmEDejha
Sultry, powerful, soulful rocker
Dejha is a Northwest rock icon by way of Brooklyn. Performing all over the world, she is widely recognized for her powerhouse vocals and incandescent performances. With influences as diverse as David Bowie, Prince, the Kills and PJ Harvey, Dejha’s evocative work has become crucial listening for any fan of soulful rock and roll.
http://dejha.nycDiatonic Button Accordion
With Kory Tideman
Kory Tideman has been playing diatonic accordion for 45 years. He has lead a workshop at the Leavenworth Accordion Celebration and is thrilled to host a workshop at the Northwest Folklife Festival. Come join this workshop for an overview of the diatonic accordion, history, styles, discussion and demonstration of Cajun, Tejano, Scandinavian, Alpine and British Isles.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgLJ0fALxEYzUZOEaut-eNQDirty Cello
Cello blues and bluegrass!
From China to Italy and all over the U.S. Dirty Cello brings the world a high energy and unique spin on blues and bluegrass. Led by vivacious cross-over cellist Rebecca Roudman Dirty Cello is cello like you’ve never heard before. From down home blues with a wailing cello to virtuosic stompin’ bluegrass Dirty Cello is a band that gets your heart thumping and your toes tapping!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K16hf1yWO7UDon Jenkins & Friends
John Denver Sing Along
Don Jenkins is a vocalist/guitarist performing primarily in the Puget Sound area covering folk and pop artists. His friends, Charlie Torres, Paul Withington, and Bruce Hanson accompany Don on ukulele, banjo, mandolin, percussion, and bass guitar.
singingdon@hotmail.comDréos
New music, traditional tools.
Dréos is a Celtic ensemble of performing composers who create new music and reimagine old music using a traditional vocabulary. Combining the blazing piping of Eliot Grasso virtuosic fiddling of Brandon Vance and powerhouse accompaniment of Glen Waddell Dréos offers listeners exciting handcrafted music in a living tradition and brings audiences and students into a centuries-old cultural-artistic dialogue. Dréos has been engaging listeners in North America and in Europe since its inception.
https://youtu.be/bpCDO8sglNQDub Lounge International Featuring- Adrian Xavier and Stingshark
Championing Rootz Reggae Dub
https://www.facebook.com/dubloungeintl/Dunava
Balkan women's choir
Dunava ("the Danube") is Seattle's premier Balkan women's choir. They have been delighting and moving audiences with folk songs from Eastern Europe for 15 years. Dunava’s repertoire spans the vast range of vocal traditions from the Balkans and beyond featuring lush harmonies and strident dissonance dance tunes and mournful ballads. The expressive music speaks for itself and communicates with listeners all over the world across language boundaries.
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/dunava2Eckstein Middle School Jazz Band
Eckstein MS Jazz Band
Eckstein MIddle School Senior Jazz band has been performing for over 28 years, and is part of a long tradition of jazz in Seattle. Currently, there are 1100 students at Eckstein, and there are multiple ensembles for students to choose from: 3 jazz bands, 4 concert bands, 2 vocal jazz ensembles, 3 orchestras, 2 choirs, and drumline. Band director Moc Escobedo has led the North End bands since 1994.
Eckstein Middle School Wind Ensemble
Eckstein MS Wind Ensemble
Eckstein MIddle School Wind Ensemble has been performing since 1950. There are 1100 6th, 7th and 8th graders. We perform music from around the world. We have 3 orchestras, 3 jazz bands, 4 concert bands, 2 choirs, 2 vocal jazz ensembles and a drumline.
Eclectic Cloggers with Moonshine and Turpentine
Clogging to Old-Time Music
The Eclectic Cloggers is a Seattle dance group that performs a high energy style of traditional Appalachian step dancing to live Old-Time music. This percussive dance form comes from the eastern mountain region of the United States, where it began as a mix of Irish, Scottish and English step dances with African and Native American influences. Since 1982, the Eclectic Cloggers have performed at festivals and community events throughout the Northwest.
https://youtu.be/naqmSRGUgA8Ed D'Alessandro
Ragtime Bluesy Contemporary Folk
I've playing guitar and singing since I was a teenager over (gulp) 50 years ago. I learned, played, and taught finger style guitar for many years. I cut my teeth on traditional folk blues and ragtime guitar songs. I have lately focused on my own songwriting, often incorporating my background in the folk blues and finger style into my songs.
https://eddalessandro.bandcamp.com/releasesEduardo Mendonça & Show Brazil!
Brazilian Music
Eduardo Mendonça Last name pronunciation: (menDONsa) Eduardo Mendonça a native of Brazil throughout his travels in the US Canada Nepal and Brazil the talented musician composer-arranger and musical director has explored the many and varied genres of Brazilian popular music entertaining such notable personalities as the 14th Dalai Lama Pope John Paul II and former South Africa President Nelson Mandela. Mendonça appeared in the PBS “American Masters” documentary: “Paul Simon: Born at the Right Time”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liwvEaDsIRoEléré
Salsa Con Jazz
Eléré are a new Latin jazz group on the Seattle music scene. Led by conguero Danny Mendoza, they bring you the sounds of jazz, salsa, Afro Latin folklore, bossanova and more to move your body and soul.
https://www.facebook.com/elerelatinjazz/videos/1410965202388205/Eli Rosenblatt
Beats! Songs! Stories!
Eli Rosenblatt brings beats, songs and stories from the heart for humans of all ages. World roots guitar stylings, beatbox, and lyrics that focus on connection to self, nature and other humans create space for singing, dancing, connection and celebration of life!
http://www.elirosenblatt.usEli West
Deep songs, honest delivery.
Eli West is a Seattle-based acoustic musician. Known for his solo work and collaborations with Norwegian fiddler Olav Mjelva Cahalen Morrison and more the singer and multi-instrumentalist oozes understated talent. ‘Making music the world needs’ – Tim O’Brien ‘West is an artist overflowing with ideas and music’ – Green Man Review ‘Eli West is an exceptional singer guitar player and musician really deep stuff’ – Martin Simpson "I had such a wonderful time playing music with Eli West and am so happy our first notes together are documented here on this beautiful recording.” - Bill Frisell
http://eliwest.fyiElisha
Seattle based singer-songwriter
Coming all the way from Miami, FL, singer-songwriter Elisha brings a funky, jazzy, groovy style to the Seattle music scene. With silky-smooth vocals and a swing in her strum, she aims to raise awareness and combat mental illness while spreading love and joy to all. Norah Jones, India Arie, and Tracy Chapman are primary influences. She released her debut EP titled "Blue" in November of 2019.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3S1c8cP1YxjmwaBbRx2q7MElla-Bella Bee & the Pollinators
Bee Concert Musical!
EllaBella Bee received support from 4culture KC and the Seattle Public Libraries. Twelve shows this year have allowed Composer/Writer/Performers Janet Rayor & Clayton Murray, who met as members of French acoustic band Rouge, to develop this musical. Rayor is an avid gardener and concerned environmentalist. Her songs and recordings have been on radio, in films, plays, and even CBS! Pianist Clayton Murray, has performed in Australia, Japan, and around the Northwest including Moisture Festival, PantoTheatre, and as a solo jazz-variety player. A life-long full-time musician, he also plays the bandoneon, accordion, tuba, organ, and euphonium--a small tuba.
https://youtu.be/kuFYy2v6YHQElliott Bay Blues Band
Classic Electric Blues Rock
The Elliott Bay Blues Band is fairly new on the Seattle blues scene and is playing Folklife for just the second time. But although the band is new, most of its members have years of experience performing in other bands, from folk to bluegrass to rock - even country western and dance bands. They span the ages, so to speak, and hail from all around the US, and even Europe. They love living right here in the great Northwest and are excited to bring you some great blues tunes.
https://elliottbaybluesband.bandcamp.com/releasesElspeth Tremblay
Australian singer-songwriter
Elspeth Tremblay is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician, known for her pared-down songwriting style in the folk music genre. Following the success of her debut release Return (2014), Elspeth toured the U.S, Australia, and Canada, where she now calls home. Elspeth is currently recording a new album, set for release in early 2020.
https://elspethtremblaymusic.bandcamp.com/Emerald Ballet Theatre
Classical Ballet Character Dance
Founded in 2007 and led by former Bolshoi ballerina Viktoria Titova, Emerald Ballet Theatre (EBT) is dedicated to advancing the arts through education performance outreach and collaboration with other arts organizations. EBT’s company allows young dancers to perform with regional and international professionals in classical and original contemporary ballets staged by EBT. EBT’s outreach takes dance into the schools and the broader community and provides support for those not usually exposed to the arts. Emerald Ballet Theatre aspires to challenge celebrate and inspire setting the standard for dance performance on the Eastside and beyond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA_fVVPj2AYEmerald City Songwriter Circles
ANYONE at the festival can share an original song
Folklife's celebration of original music. 11th-annual, open-to all circles where ANYONE at the festival can join the circle to share an *original* song! Listeners welcome, too.
Enzian Schuhplatter
Bavarian Folk Dancing
Enzian Schuhplattler is dedicated to the promotion of Bavarian folk dancing culture and costumes. The club was founded in 1965 by German and Austrian immigrants in Seattle Washington (USA). Enzian Schuhplattler has performed at a variety of events around the Pacific Northwest including the Northwest Folklife Festival, Leavenworth's Maifest and Oktoberfest, Oktoberfest Northwest at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup, and a multitude of other regional events.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr8uvH_n3JJl5xkWXYy5R9gEstonian Dancers
Seattle, Portland, Vancouver Estonians
Estonians formed dance groups in the West Coast towns of Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles after WWII. These dancers are members of the Vancouver, Seattle and Portland dancers who are part of that West Coast Estonian lineage. Many of these dancers were in Estonia last summer for the song and dance festival there. All of them performed last summer in Portland for the West Coast Estonian Days. They will be performing in Seattle for the West Coast Estonian Days in summer 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9ihZRT24OIExploring Brazilian Choro’s History Through Forgotten Songs
Eclipsed music tradition revived
Lifelong musicians Karen Tsao and Paul Korsmo have been immersed in Brazilian choro, studying and performing as Chorando na Chuva (Singing in the Rain), for the past decade. To research the importance of song in choro, Karen was driven to pursue a Masters in World Music Studies and has developed presentations and workshops to share this knowledge. Though they play flute and guitar as well, Karen and Paul are foremost singers, giving expression to the emotions of both lyrics and melody.
https://www.facebook.com/SeattleFolkloreSociety/videos/2767933486553245/Family Worship Center
Probably a cult.
Behold, May you find joy in the following message as I have found joy in you! We are but one collective 9 member VIBE forever rotating throughout time, space and consciousness.
https://soundcloud.com/foundsounds420/sets/fwc/s-lPWO5Fantasy A
Be Positive Be Inspired
Fantasy A aka Alexander Hubbard is an autistic rapper, songwriter, self-promoter, & beat maker who was born and raised in Seattle, WA on May 23rd, 1993. He started his rap career in 2014 after he started posting flyers to promote himself, his music, and social media platforms that gets recognized by hundreds of people in Seattle. He joined Strawberry, Lizette Love, & Jenna on KUBE's The Wake Up Show to be a special guest in July 2019.
http://www.fantasya1.bandcamp.comFerry Bound
Fiddle tunes from everywhere.
JJ and Andy have been scratching out tunes on fiddle and guitar for decades. Over the years they have explored an eclectic range of tunes from around the world.
Festival Sundiata presents "All those Originals" with Funk E Fusion, Mach X, Lizzie Sunchine, Zhanea June, Shelby Poole, April Shantae, Grady & More
Black Arts: Original Style
Zhanea June: Young and talented has four Original Songs Shelby Poole: Neo Smooth has two original Songs. Lizzie Sunchine Powerful Gospel Driven,April Shantae: Sultry,Jazzy (In a Breast Cancer Battle) Grady: Pure Gospel. Mariah: 14 years Old Gospel Driven Funk E Fusion: They play it all Etta James to Bruno Mars. Mach X: Young they play the new R & B
Fiber Arts
Jill Green
I have knit 12 years. Teacher by trade. Bus driver by day. Knitter all the time!
Fiber Arts Booth
Folklife Festival
Born in the Chicago area in 1950. Raised a strict conservative Lutheran and became a free-thinking atheist. 4 years as a medic in the US Air Force. 34 years as an RN. Retired.
http://warrenmunzel.comFiber arts demonstration - weaving
Fiber arts: Jill Green
I do handweaving on everything from tiny looms to big looms.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/sGoayAjeLCBXcSJN7Fiddle Footed Cummings
Scottish Gaelic Family Band
Our daughters Flora and Elinor have been around Scottish and Gaelic music and language all their lives. They have been studying violin and learning Scottish and Gaelic tunes and songs for the past 9 years During that time they have also been studying Scottish Highland Dance with Karen Shelton and have green competing in the northwest and in Scotland. Judith is originally from Glasgow Scotland where she played harp and sang with the Whistlebinkies for 17 years. Judith teaches harp and is a fluent Scottish Gaidhlig (Gal-Like) speaker. Dale sings mostly Scots songs. Our family band started in 2012.
Filipino Community of Seattle - Kalahi
Philippines Traditional Dances-Music
The Filipino Community of Seattle Kalahi Philippines Dance Company or also known as “FCS - Kalahi ” is a cultural dance group whose members are made up of Filipino parents grand parents children and grand children. The group’s primary goal is to encourage family participation and involvement in the Filipino Community events and activities, and also to promote Filipino culture through dance and music. FCS-Kalahi Philippines Dance Company is under the leadership of , Relations Manager, Arlene Perez and Dance Teacher/Choreographer, Juliet OmliCawas Cheatle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rV6aeFh-lYFilthy FemCorps
All women/non-binary brass band
We are an all women and non binary brass band who fosters a nurturing environment where all types of women are empowered to freely express their creative talents, push boundaries joyously, fiercely and unapologetically through high energy music and movement developing both as individuals and as a sisterhood of musical warriors.
https://filthyfemcorps.bandcamp.com/releasesFire & Ice Irish Dance Company
Irish Ensemble Choreography
It’s the fire of the feet and the icy stillness of the upper body that makes Irish dance mesmerizing to watch an even more fun to do. Fire & Ice Irish Dance Company began in 2001 in order to give performing opportunities to dancers of all ages and skill levels. We hope you enjoy our show.
https://vimeo.com/album/5200241Five Nordic Dances, One Easy Step
Use these dances at tonight’s Scandinavian Dance in the Armory.
Kathi and Don have been dancing and teaching together for 30 years. They have taught Scandinavian dance workshops several times at Folklife, as well as regular sessions in Seattle with the Skandia Folkdance Society, and guest teaching gigs in several other states, Canada, and London, England. Their approach is to help people appreciate the joy of Scandinavian dance and music through clear and enthusiastic teaching. They have trained and competed in Sweden & Norway. They have been awarded medals by the Swedish Organization for Culture for their proficiency.
Folichon
Southwest Lousiana Dance Music
We all have individually been playing the dance music of Southwest Louisiana for over 20 years. We have played together either in band form or at jams for almost as long. We have all made numerous trips to Louisiana to study with the masters and to enjoy the dancing, food and music there. This music is our passion and our favorite thing is to play for a room full of dancers.
Folk Voice Band
International Folk Dance Music
Staring in 1988 in California, moved to the PNC in 1990... Philip native of Holland, Birgit from Germany met at an International Halloween party in Long Beach, CA. Performers at Cultural Crossroads, Swedish Club and Midsomar Festivals.
https://youtu.be/Q5uqX7tuUzUFolklore Mexicano Tonantzin
Youth dance group
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009057223600Forgatós Hungarian Folk Dance Ensemble
Hungarian Folk Dance
Forgatós Hungarian Folk Dance Ensemble (former Kisbetyárok) preserves and share the treasures of Hungarian folk dance culture. Supported by the Hungarian American Association of Washington, practices are held weekly at the Overlake Christian Church. The children and adult groups learn the improvisational village dances progressively. The group performs regularly from Seattle to San Francisco.
https://www.facebook.com/forgatosneptanc/Free Range Folk Choir
Worldwide Acappella with Soul
Welcoming singers of diverse ages, backgrounds and musical experience the choir celebrates the ways that music from around the world can lift the spirit and cultivate community. Founded in 2008 the Free Range Folk Choir has grown to include 60-80 members each season. Under the direction of Shane Jewell the choir goes to the roots of folk tradition -- audience members at choir concerts often find themselves drawn into the music, learning to sing along or clap gospel-style. Come join us in song!
https://youtu.be/FAKeh8oYQxg?t=50Frozen Charlotte
Crankie Box Story Songs
Alex Ramirez and Erin Elliott, best friends of over a decade, make up Frozen Charlotte and this is their first artistic collaboration together. Alex is a well known wedding cake designer and artist in PDX and Erin is a singer in the Portland folk band The Saying and the Said. Alex brings otherworldly visions to accompany Erin's sonorous singing voice creating stories made of paper, light, and shadows using the Crankie box to share both Erin's original songs and resurrected long buried treasures.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/C8ykmUpBg9w?fbclid=IwAR3n0RZO50wygxMVZv5dgOmbpoTFwxPRVX3S4mK9obmhG-VByUtROwJaYy8Fun tango steps for all levels
With Ilana Rubin Tony Fan
Tony Fan and Ilana Rubin have been dancing the Argentine tango together for more than 25 years. The beauty of their movement and instruction comes from their maturity in the dance, strong connection and deep respect for the music. Their tango program offers weekly group lessons on Tuesday nights in the Greenwood area and Thursday nights in the Capitol Hill area. Tony and Ilana also host a popular weekly social dance on Saturday nights at their beautiful dance studio, Dance Underground, on Capitol Hill, promoting a verity of dance and fitness programs. For more detail please visit their website: www.seattletango.com.
http://seattletango.comGinny Reilly
My Own Songs
I sang harmony and lead as part of the duo Reilly and Maloney. We performed at the Northwest Folklife Festival for many years and recorded 11 albums on our own independent label in Seattle. We performed at the Philadelphia Folk Festival the Cellar Door in Washington DC Passim in Cambridge MA and the Earl of Old Town in Chicago. We retired in 2016; our final show was at Seattle Town Hall. Since then I have performing by myself. I have written several songs that were audience favorites such as "Did Beethoven Do The Dishes?" and "Wild Man" .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX8nmG0e5scGlass Beaches
Folksy, bluesy, alternative, indie-rock.
Glass Beaches is an indie-rock band from Seattle, WA, combining elements of alternative rock, blues and folk music. Formed in 2017 in the guts of post-industrial Georgetown in South Seattle, Glass Beaches' self-titled debut album was released in 2018. Songwriter Nick Gendreaux grew up in the epicenter of the Northwest indie-music indie culture of the 90's and 00's, inspired by bands like Nirvana, Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie. Nick's writing is very lyrically focused and features a rag-tag symphony of instruments. Glass Beaches gets both loud and sensitive, like good Northwest indie-rock should be.
https://glassbeaches.bandcamp.com/releasesGrae Violett
Indie-pop, singer-songwriter
Grae Violett is a singer-songwriter and poet living in Olympia WA. Having traveled a lot growing up, she has encountered many different people, which has given her a very diverse perspective on life and human emotion that she works to incorporate in her art. Performances include Hugo House for a Bushwick Book Club performance and various open mics. Recently accepted into Cornish College of the Arts, she plans to pursue a degree in music and share her heartfelt lyrics with as many people as she can. You can find her on Instagram @graedreamer and Soundcloud at Grae Violett.
Great American Trainwreck
Americana/Bluegrass
Based out of Seattle, Washington, Great American Trainwreck blends southern rock, bluegrass, and classic country. Lyric-driven songs combined with melodic riffs and heavenly harmonies help to define their progressive approach to traditional genres.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdHzuWg58RYj8DddYy4WshwGreat Gambian Griots- Jali Bakary Konteh and Pa Bobo Jobarteh
Kora Masters from Gambia
TBD
https://vimeo.com/379505391Group Asi Somos
Venezuelan Latin Folk Music
Asi-Somos was established in Vancouver April 2014. The diverse performers of Asi-Somos have played/performed regularly since1998 in Latin folk groups and for West Coast audiences, the members Carlos Cortes from Chile (cuatro and base) Ricardo Ascanio from Venezuela (drum) Richard Villalobos from Venezuela(drum) Jose Villaroel from Venezuela(shakers and vocal) Elizabeth Baena from Venezuela (cuatro and vocal) and Norman from Colombia(congas) . Asi Somos mainly performs songs and music taken from the vast Venezuelan folk traditions that encompass Spanish, natives caribbean and African influences providing a style of music that is engaging yet unpredictable and haunting.
https://www.facebook.com/grupo-asisomos-1597741223810185/Grupo Folklorico Citlali
Mexican Youth Dance Group
We are a youth traditional mexican folkorico dance group from Burien, WA. The group was founded in 2012 by their director, Lauren Robles. Their dancers range from the age of 4-22. Their goal is to not only share their passion of dance but to build friendships and teamwork.
https://www.facebook.com/GrupoFolkloricoCitlaliWA/Grupo Folklorico Nuestras Raíces
Somos Cultura y tradición
- We are a group that started activities in October 2015, composed of young people with roots and Mexican traditions, with the intention of keeping our culture alive, we have a passion for folk music and dance and motivated to have our young generations related to the folklore of our country. Our mission Make an extension and dissemination of our culture and make demonstration of our folk dances, inculcating the taste to keep alive our traditions.
https://www.facebook.com/grupofolkloriconuestrasraiceseverett/Halau Hula O Napualani
Hula Music and Dance
Halau Hula O Napualani, under the direction of Kumu Gloria Nahalea, has been performing and teaching hula for over 40 years, in the Pacific Northwest. Live music is provided by Napua and Friends.
http://halauhulaonapualani.comHālau Hula Pulamahiaikalikolehua
Traditional Hawaiian Dance
Halau Hula Pulamahiaikalikolehua is a traditional hula school located in Kent, WA. Our goal is to preserve and perpetuate the art of Hula through the teachings and stylings of Ma’iki Aiu Lake.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b9pLUgGBfgHands4 with Chris Page, Caller
Not usual contra tunes.
Since 2004 Hands4 has delivered its high-energy music to dance halls throughout the Pacific Northwest. Combining mostly original tunes by band members with lesser-heard modern and traditional tunes Hands4 offers a unique blend ofmusic that is definitely not your usual contra tunes. With their carefully-constructed tune sets varied instrumentation and well-crafted harmonies and arrangements Hands4 brings a fresh flavor and excitement to the dance hall wherever they play. Chris Page: I started contra dancing in Philadelphia in 2001 and quickly got hooked. By early 2003 I started calling and I moved to San Diego in 2005. I also
http://talismanmusic.com/hands4.html#demoHandsome and Gretyl
Upbeat acoustic folk duo.
Handsome and Gretyl is a husband and wife duo from the PNW. They have released 4 albums, toured the US and Canada, had major TV and commercial placements, and have accrued more than 10 million streams of their songs. This duo draws from real life, delivering optimistic though realistic lyrics, seasoned with the chill of snow, the sea breeze, and the hope of tomorrow’s sunrise.
https://handsomeandgretyl.bandcamp.comHarmony Singing
John Palmes
A folk musician from Juneau Alaska, John Palmes sings and plays mouthbow, guitar and fiddle. John is featured on National Public Radio for his songwriting and playing the Appalachian mouthbow and is a regular performer at the Alaska Folk Festival, Northwest Folklife Festival and the Fisher Poet’s Gathering, in Astoria, Oregon where he sings about thinking like a fish. “I try to be topical and put new light on traditional folksongs. Otherwise I write songs like Go Lemmings Go and We Don’t Sing No Kumbaya No More.” He teaches workshops on Harmony Singing, Fiddle Chords, and Songwriting.
Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar
With Kory Tideman
Kory Tideman has been playing Slack Key since 1979- his first real foray into finger-styles. He has played at various Hawaiian festivals in the Pacific Northwest and have played with Led Kaapama. Ozzie Kotani and others. Come join this workshop for an overview of the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar (Ki Ho'alu), brief history, tuning, fingering and a demonstration.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgLJ0fALxEYzUZOEaut-eNQHazzan Isaac Azose
Hazzan Isaac Azose was born in Seattle, WA on July 14, 1930 to parents reared in Turkey. Early on he attended Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation (one of Seattle's two Sephardic synagogues); he became Hazzan at Ezra Bessaroth Congregation in 1966.
Ike Azose is the former Hazzan at Congregation Ezra Bessaroth, Seattle WA. www.isaacazose.com Asher Hashash is a Jewish Educator and song leader in the Pacific Northwest Jewish community.
http://www.isaacazose.comHelene Eriksen & ANAR DANA
Dances from North Africa to Central Asia
Helene is a dance ethnologist, teacher, performer and choreographer of traditional dances of the Balkans and Islamic Orient. ANAR DANA is her international intensive women's training program in traditional dance theater.
http://www.helene-eriksen.deHjärta Herring
Scandinavian Songs and Tunes
We met at a Scandinavian jam a number of years ago, and found that our instruments worked very well together, we loved the same songs and tunes, and we had a whole bunch of fun playing and singing together. We have the only autoharp in a Scandinavian band in Seattle, our twin fiddle sound is unique, and our vocal harmonies are pretty awesome if we do say so ourselves.
http://hjartaherring.comHoller & Glen (part of the Crankie Showcase)
Trad fiddle, bagpipes, crankies.
Traditional music from Scotland and Ireland, blended with American old time. Tracing the journey of traditional music from the british isles to the united states. Kevin Auld on bagpipes, whistle, and vocals, Melanie Brauner on fiddle, and Emily Logan on guitar and vocals. Tunes, songs, and crankies.
Holy Pistola
Hip-Hop, Soul, and Funk
Formed in the fall of 2014 Holy Pistola is a well rehearsed 8 piece band that seamlessly blends elements of Soul Funk & Hip Hop. Our musical direction reflects a wide array of inspirations across those same genres. Inspired by everything from 70’s Soul & Funk pioneers like Mother Father Sister Brother, Sly & The Family Stone to golden era hip hop artist such as The Fugees, Nas, &The Roots to contemporary artists like Robert Glasper Experiment & Kendrick Lamar. Our #1 mission is to Move The Crowd! No matter the color, sex, creed or background…Everybody needs some soul!
https://www.holypistola.com/Hopa Trop Folk Ensemble
Keeping Bulgarian traditions alive
Hopa Trop Folk Ensemble performs Bulgarian dances and songs since 2013 when it was founded by the Daniela Makedonska - master choreographer of Bulgarian dance. Our hearts are dedicated to preserving Bulgarian culture and traditions here among our community in the Greater Seattle area. We strive to make sure each one of our performances conveys our deep respect to our ancestors, and portray the Bulgarian proud and freedom-loving spirit through the fascinating world of rich traditions and customs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHt2g_jN5V4House of Tarab Arabic Music Ensemble
Traditional Arabic Music
House of Tarab aka "H.O.T" performs vintage Arabic Music often accompanied by World Class Belly Dancers
https://youtu.be/Aum3y04MB6kHow to play Native American flute
Peter Ali
Peter Ali has inspired and comforted many through his music and sharing for more than a decade. Hearing the call of a Native American Style flute on the wind at a low point in his own life, Peter found his way towards healing through purchasing and teaching himself to play his first flute.Peter has shared his gifts with many through performances and workshops. He was also a featured performer for the Dalia Lama during Children's Day,Seeds of Compassion Tour in Seattle,
https://youtu.be/0cZXUFnp1PIHungarian Folk Dances
Flora Carlile-Kovacs, Tibor Horvath
Founded in 2016, the goal of Seattle Tánchaz (Dance House) is to provide an opportunity for recreational Hungarian folk dancing in the Puget Sound area. In our regular events "Dance Houses" start with authentic games and kids dances. It is followed by a dance circle where a dance of a village is taught during each semester, and a party follows with open dancing, singing and games. Occasionally, the Forrás Band provides live music.
https://www.facebook.com/SeattleTanchaz/Huong Viet Performing Arts Group
Vietnamese traditional music
Hướng Việt Performing Arts Group is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by Dr. Hong with the goal to study promote preserve and popularize Vietnamese traditional music and arts. we focuses on the musical techniques and traditions of our ancestral Vietnam. TSince 2001 Hướng Việt has performed throughout the United States and around the world such as Canada France Australia and regularly provides educational opportunities through lectures exhibits and workshops on Vietnamese culture at universities community colleges elementary schools and libraries. On February 22 2018 Huong Viet Performing was invited to perform at the White House.
https://youtu.be/tCdqQ3Q5NVAHYWAYS
Cosmic-Country
HYWAYS is the new Seattle project led by singer-songwriter Mike Giacolino featuring an all-star line up with members of Son Volt, Sera Cahoone and Rose Windows. Their new self-titled debut album pushes the boundaries of genres by seamlessly mixing country and psychedelia with indie rock, folk and prog rock. HYWAYS nebula formed three years ago when Nils Petersen and Pat Schowe of Rose Windows reconnected with troubadour Mike Giacolino and pedal steel guitar wiz Jay Kardong. “Space is no longer the final frontier. HYWAYS are the new cosmos.” Sean Jewell – AMERICAN STANDARD TIME
https://youtu.be/1Wy7zB_IU7A?t=1013iBuildBridges
Building Bridges, No Walls
IBuildBridges use music and storytelling to inspire individuals to actively build relationships with people of different backgrounds.
https://youtu.be/TJJ0RB8EoqMImproper with Tom Wimmer, Calelr
Sax, violins, oh my!
Melissa, Sean, Nick, and Julie have been dancing and playing for contras for a combined total of several decades. They feel very grateful for having been able to learn from some of the greats of the contra dance scene, and find great joy in being able to contribute back to the contra dance community with their music.
In Folkmotion Cloggers
Family Cloggers
IN FOLKMOTION CLOGGERS are all students at Shoreline Spartan Recreation Center in Shoreline and Edmonds Senior Center in Edmonds. Classes are family oriented and all members of a family are encouraged to participate together as we believe this encourages a unity for the family and because we believe music and dance makes for a happier world and environment. Some dancers are fairly new to clogging while others have been dancing for 3 years. As well as traditional Appalachian music we include dances performed to other ethnic tunes, for example "Korobushka" from Russia & "Alla en el Rancho Grande" from Mexico.
Indigo
Professional BellyDancer
Indigo is a professional BellyDancer and Yoga instructor whom is constantly drawn to ancient movement. She has studied Turkish, Egyptian and Folkloric BellyDance to bring fun and awe to audiences all over.
https://youtu.be/_hyHorgWyLAInner-City Medicine Show
20's/30's Country Blues/Rags&Jazz
We are a group of Seattle musicians/friends that came together in 2016 to play our favorite tunes from the 20's and 30's. We have recorded 1 full length album 1 EP and are just finishing up our 2nd full length. We can be found playing venues in and around the Seattle area. We play consistently at the Pike Place Market because we love being a part of what makes Seattle such a great city and meeting/interacting with people from all over. We have busked Folklife the past 3 years and would love to have some stage time this year!
https://inner-citymedicineshow.bandcamp.com/International Folk Dance
Susan Wickett-Ford
Susan Wickett-Ford is a lifelong dancer and dance teacher. She began her career focused on choreography and performance and founded a modern dance company. In the 90's her focus shifted to dance education for every student. She was trained by Anne Green Gilbert in a concept-based approach, and developed a specialty in folk dance. Wickett-Ford taught for 17 years at The Northwest School in Seattle. She has been a guest teacher at schools throughout Seattle, and presented numerous teacher trainings.
http://www.nwfolkdancers.orgIntroduction to Balkan Party Dance
E. John Doubt
We are a group of recreational folk dancers, many who have danced for decades, who started dancing at the Russian Community Center on Capitol Hill in 2010. We dance every Friday evening from 7:30 to 10:30. Often there is teaching the first hour. We have live music on average every six weeks depending on availability of various bands. We dance dances primarily from the Balkans and welcome new participants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evOrFCSoXY8&feature=youtu.beIPAP Seattle Childrens Ensemble
Indian Music Youth Ensemble
IPAP Seattle organization was founded with the sole purpose of promoting Indian classical arts and artists in the greater Seattle area. IPAP Seattle provides a platform to local artists of all ages and experience levels to share their art with the local community. IPAP Seattle youth ensemble provides a unique opportunity for local young students of music to come together and apply their education to present songs and compositions based on Indian classical music.
https://youtu.be/Oe60VWfHD7wIreland Bridge with Laurel Thomas, Caller
High-energy trad Irish
Ireland Bridge shows off the tight, danceable rhythms and melodies of traditional Irish dance music.
Ivan-da-Mar'ya
Russian Folk Dances
“Ivan-da-Mar’ya” Folk Dance Ensemble was created in 2008 by choreographer Maria Levochkina. Both children and adults actively participate in the ensemble, making the performances interesting for all age groups. The purpose of this ensemble is to introduce the Greater Seattle Area with Eastern European culture. Our ethnically diverse repertoire consists of Russian, Moldavian, Ukrainian, Jewish, Gypsy, and Kazakh dances.
https://www.youtube.com/user/ivandamaryadanceIzumi and Black Sea Horon Group
Turkish Showcase: Ceremonious Moments
Izumi Fairbanks studies and plays the music of Turkey, Caucasus and the Balkans.
Jack Straw Writers Program 2020
Northwest poetry and prose
The Jack Straw Writers Program was created in 1997 to introduce local writers to the medium of recorded audio; to develop their presentation skills for both live and recorded readings; to encourage the creation of new literary work; to present the writers and their work in live readings an anthology on the web and on the radio; and to build community among writers. Each year twelve writers/writing teams are selected by a curator out of dozens of applicants based on artistic excellence diversity of literary genres and a cohesive grouping of writers. The 2020 Writers Program curator is Anastacia-Renee.
http://www.jackstraw.org/blogJacques C Migeon
That's not Bluegrass!
We have been playing around Seattle for over ten years including multiple performances at Folklife. We play a variety of different types of music adapted to our string band instrumentation, often nestling traditional fiddle tunes into the middle of Beatles or Grateful Dead songs. Our music benefits from the easy comradeship of old friends who have played and sung together for many years. We are all seasoned vocalist and layer harmonies into nearly every song we play.
http://www.tangletownstringband.com/music.htmlJam Session with Strum: Seattle's Totally Relaxed Ukulele Musician
Spreading Happiness in Ukulele!
STRUM was started just over 7 years ago by Chontel Klobas and Uncle Rod at the Ballard locks. We got permission to play there for 6 weeks Six years later we have only grown to over 100 members and performing various 4 to 20 players all over the Sound and beyond. The relationship with the Ballard locks is wonderful as we play every Wednesday the in the Summer, and in their concert series.We meet twice a week , and have grown to be a true STRUM ukulele O:hana. spreading happiness in ukulele!
https://www.facebook.com/STRUMthatuke/Jamie Hascall
Clawhammer Banjo Tone Poems
Jamie Hascall has been playing clawhammer banjo for square dances for over 40 years. Jamie and Fiddler Betsy Brown have lead the square dance band Victory Chicken for over 10 years and have played dances from Albuquerque New Mexico to Seattle's Folklife Festival.
JamtownLive Howdy Band
Join the Howdy Band!
Bio (170 words/800 characters) John leads toddler music classes and facilitates school business and community events featuring hands-on participation with rhythm instruments. He is a pioneer in the field of accessible music programming for all ages and skill levels. His workshops have delivered in-the-moment musical excitement throughout the Northwest including the Alki Summer Fest, Bellevue Movies in the Park, Experience Music Project (MOPOP) Bumbershoot, NWFolklife, and WOMAD Music Festivals He currently teaches adult hand drum, leads Tots Music classes and is waiting to hear from you to lead your next
http://www.jamtownlive.comJanice Alexander
stories crafted incorporating songs
Janice Alexander, a kindly grandmother, lived alone in the woods for such a long time that she forgot how to speak. However after a fortuitous encounter with the local goat woman and her many entrancing goat stories Janice regained her ability to talk and has been telling tales ever since. A retired schoolteacher who continues to find pleasure in creating with story and also with clay. Janice joined the Portland Storytellers Guild about 4 years ago, has performed on stage at the Clinton St.Theater in 3 shows, and is is still having a really good time!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtSzF1sbCJM&list=PLD09uUZUot_bIgDw_NA_fexEE3sgfY5un&index=5Japanese Koto Club
Japanese koto music.
Mirei is a native Japanese who plays traditional koto music, modern songs and church songs. She has taken lessons in Tokyo and Seattle. She has played at local international festivals, museums, schools, parties, political campaigns and wedding receptions. She is working hard to introduce the history and the beautiful sound of koto music to new people. She also performs a concert once a year in Japan and sings as a R&B singer in addtion to her koto performances. Contact her at japanesekotoclub@gmail.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_1nPnx85uy7fRyrD807jewJAZZ UNDERGROUND
Contemporary Big Band Jazz
Jazz Underground is a Seattle-based ensemble that plays contemporary big band jazz. Their repertoire includes a wide variety music from the libraries of Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Snarky Puppy, Stan Kenton, Blood, Sweat and Tears, and Charles Mingus, as well as music by jazz greats like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Parker. In addition, the group performs music by local composers and arrangers, including original tunes by members of the band.
https://www.youtube.com/user/SeaJazzUndergroundJe Ka Jo
Afropop dance music
Je Ka Jo is a 11 member big band that plays a variety of urban African dance styles- highlife, Afro-beat, soukous, Congolese rumba, with a three member horn section and lots of African percussion. The band is re-uniting after 30 years at Folklife this year, having played its very first time at the 1986 folklife festival and throughout the rest of the 80's. Eight of the original members will be getting back together, adding some special guests. The group formed at the UW ethnomusicology department and includes two former program directors of Folklife.
Jessie Thoreson and the Crown Fire
Pacific Northwest Folk-rock
Jessie Thoreson and the Crown Fire is a kind, upbeat, folk-rock group. We are driven by spunky fiddle and lyrical melodies.
http://www.jessiethoreson.comJim Hanna
original blue-country folk-rock
Jim lends his smooth, tenor vocals and strong flatpicking guitar work to a variety of catchy original songs and cover tunes. A veteran performer, he has spent most of his life as a hobbyist musician, playing in bands ranging from folk-rock to bluegrass to solo singer-songwriter performances. Jim also plays in Ryegrass, a Seattle based bluegrass band, and is a member of Songwriters in Seattle. He formerly hosted an open mic at the Creative Arts Center in Maple Valley.
http://www.jimhannamusic.comJim Page
Folk Music With Teeth
Jim Page was named by Seattle Metropolitan Magazine as “One Of The 50 Most Influential Musicians In Seattle History.” He has recorded 23 albums over the course of a 50-plus year career and written a mountain of songs. He has toured in 13 countries including the US, Canada, Ireland, the UK, and Taiwan. Lyricist Robert Hunter said, “If Jim Page ain’t the bastard son of Woody Guthrie I’m T-Bone Walker.” Bonnie Raitt says, “I'm a longtime admirer.” The late Utah Phillips said it best: “If you’re ever going to get the message, this is the messenger to get it from.”
https://jimpage.bandcamp.com/Jo Walter, Storyteller
There and Back Again
Jo has combined storytelling for kids and adults in teaching and social justice work for more than 20 years. Her teaching mission is to inspire imaginations through the spoken word. "In our culture where images arrive fast and furious from television screens, our imaginations blossom when we are invited to make up our own pictures by listening to the words in a well told tale!" Her social justice mission is to help us imagine and believe in the possibility of a world that will sustain us all for the next seven generations and beyond..
http://jowalter.orgJoe and Jess
Country/Western Duets
Joe Ellingson (of The Warren G Hardings) and Jess Jarris (of Old Country Rose) met playing bluegrass together at jams and house parties in Seattle and Portland. While enjoying the hard-driving bluegrass music scene, Joe and Jess wanted an opportunity to slow things down a bit and sing some country duets. Their set will include classic duets from some of their favorites with guitar and mandolin.
Join a Neighborhood Sing-Along!
Ming K Chen
This group has been building musical fellowship in their community with monthly sing-alongs since 1986. We started as a family-friendly alternative to the SFS weekly song circles, and have evolved into a place where singers of any age and any ability can gather in a supportive, easy-going environment for the simple pleasure of singing along with others. Greenwood Family Sing has been sharing the neighborhood group singing experience with Northwest Folklife audiences for over 25 years.
https://vimeo.com/79592353JON BARTLETT & RIKA RUEBSAAT
TRADITIONAL NORTHWEST SONGS
Honorary life members of Vancouver Folk Song SocietyBoth Past Presidents of Canadian Society for Traditional MusicFounders of Princeton Traditional Music FestivalPast editors of VFSS Three Quarter Times, Come All Ye, Canada Folk Bulletin, Canadian Folk Music Society BulletinAuthors of many articles, scholarly & otherwise, on traditional musicSinging together since 1975Attended and sang at every Folklife Festival since 1975Seven CDs of traditional song, two books
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o0DOmaOM1g&list=PLWh0FOqhZC-QoT5DVb4FWDERTaiIdCoOf&index=7&t=0sJori Chisholm and Friends
Bagpipe music that rocks!
Jori Chisholm is one of the world's top bagpipers and a NW Folklife Favorite. He's played bagpipes around the world, including at some of the top competitions in Scotland. He's a four-time US National Champion. Today, Jori is joined by some of his friends on guitar, bass, and drums.
Joy Mills Band
Americana rock and country
Joy Mills Band is a 5-piece Seattle band that brings together roots music, lyrical ballads and soulful country songs, all set against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. They have a new album Echolocator that came out at the beginning of 2020. They've previously released four albums, have toured nationally and to Europe several times. “Organic country…both delicate and edgy… For the lo-fi country enthusiast.” – Maverick Magazine
https://joymills.bandcamp.com/Joyas Mestizas
Joyas Mestizas dance group
Joyas Mestizas is a youth folkloric dance group whose main goal is to help preserve and promote the rich culture and diversity of Mexico. Since 1988, Joyas has delighted audiences across the Puget Sound with colorful performances that celebrate music, tradition and regional costuming. Co-instructors, Deleana Guerrero and Luna Garcia teach dance classes every Saturday at South Park Community Center.
https://www.joyasmestizas.org/index.htmlJSIS Club Folklorico Mexicano
Kids Mexican Folk Dance
It all started with the dream of beginning kids' mexican folklorico dance groups all over Puget Sound to feed into the professional Bailadores de Bronce company so that a nearly 50-year tradition of celebrating our music, dance and heritage would grow roots in the Pacific NW and never die. JSIS Club Folklorico Mexicano was founded in 2018 by Professor Julian Perez for this vision. Celebrating Mexican culture is in line with the school's mission of preparing our students to be international citizens with fluency in a second language.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9hhgmtw7fxo5qul/1080p.mov?dl=0Jules Esquire
Your neighborhood NeoFunkSoul singer.
Imagine if Neil Diamond David Bowie and Nate Dogg were able to create a love child who and what would you get? Jules Esquire is an unrivaled baritone crooner and songwriter with a melodious and soulful sound. His sleek vocal style captivates your senses by paying homage to the past yet ushering in present and future funk vibes to create a style all his own. Jules has performed in front of a host of audiences gracing many stages.
https://soundcloud.com/jules-esquire/sets/sucka-4-love-demos/s-YhmepJulia Francis
Roots-rock vocal powerhouse and her band.
Julia and her band harken to the formation days of rock ‘n’ roll and soulful blues music. With mind clearing guitar solos and pronounced rhythmic strolls the music like a bursting cloud washes out the gutters of one’s own mind time and time again. And while it’s nearly impossible not to picture the great Janis Joplin when you hear Francis tear into a mic there is more than sweet homage embedded in the songs and epic vocal performances. There is relationship and pain bridges and waves sunsets and daydreams in the front woman’s tone. www.juliafrancis.com
https://www.instagram.com/juliafrancis.pix/Juliana & PAVA
Ancient Russian Folk Songs
Juliana & PAVA was founded in 2008 by a Russian folk singer and an ethnomusicologist Juliana Svetlitchnaia with the goal of preserving and promoting Russian folk songs gathered in expeditions to Russian villages where they existed for centuries and were passed down through generations only by oral tradition. The ensemble is on 4Culture Touring Arts Roster and frequently performs at major multicultural festivals throughout Northwest and beyond. Juliana & PAVA has recorded 2 CDs and received grants from 4Culture, Artist Trust and Jack Straw.
https://www.youtube.com/user/EthnoRussia/videosJune Apple with Truman Price, Caller
Old-time Dance Caller
Truman Price has called over a hundred evenings of old time square dances for adult or mixed dancers, including many groups of lively teenagers. He also taught in Oregon's Artist-in-Schools program for two years, teaching approximately 14,000 kids, grades 1 through 6, at least five dances each. For the final all-school presentations at each school he fiddled several of the dances solo while calling them. He will be joined here by his son Adam on banjo, and two close friends who are regulars of the Seattle scene.
http://www.trumanprice.comJust Us Singers
Sing Together for Justice!
We are life-long musicians and song-writers who've sung with Seattle Peace, Labor, and Community Choruses at rallies, vigils, and fundraisers. We met singing in the Rainier Valley UU Choir. Our day jobs include bus driving, public service, writing and social action. We delight in sharing classic folk songs and new, original songs about immigration, climate, racial and social justice. We believe singing together about our joys and concerns can help us all create a more just, peaceful world.
http://www.facebook.com/JustUsSingersKaba Seattle
Rhodope dance music
We have been dancing and playing Bulgarian music for 30+ years and performing music from the Bulgarian Rhodope mountains for 20+ years. The gajda (bagpipe) speaks to us.
Kabuki Academy
Shamisen music, Japanese dance
Mary Mariko Ohno, Director of the Kabuki Academy, born in Japan, has been teaching traditional Japanese dance & shamisen music for the past 40 years in Seattle/Tacoma area, as well as all over in USA and Italy & Singapore on Skype. Most of her students are non-Japanese ---- American, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Italian, Japanese-American. Age are 3 yrs old ~ 84 years old.
http://www.kabukiacademy.orgKalaAlaya School of Dance
Classical Indian Dance performance
KalaAlaya School of dance was founded by Ms.Preetha Babu. Ms.Preetha has over 30 years of experience learning and teaching dance. The school was established on the east side several years ago to teach kids the classical Indian dance form. The kids of KalaAlaya school have performed in various events around Seattle and the east side like Ananda Mela, Festival lights , navrathri events in the temple, Lakewood festival etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcQkaViUUmkKapka Cooperative Primary School
please copy last years
Kapka Cooperative School was established in 1989 and is celebrating its 30th Year! Jamie Shilling has been an Art and Music teacher at Kapka since it began. Art, Music, Environmental studies, and Service Learning are integrated into the academic curriculum. Please see the web site.
Karen Iglitzin's Teen String Chamber Orchestra All-Stars
Classical and Folk Orchestra
Karen Iglitzin is the former first violinist of the Philadelphia String Quartet, and has served as a chamber music expert in Washington schools since 1982. Karen has been an ambassador between the classical and folk worlds, and has led the students in explorations of folk-inspired classical masterpieces. Students in this ensemble are top orchestra students from a variety of schools, including Inglemoor HS in Kenmore and Kamiak HS in Mukilteo. Beyond Folklife activities, Karen teaches violin, viola, chamber orchestra, and improvisation. In addition, Karen does college counseling for high school kids. :-)
http://www.kareniglitzin.comKarusellen
Skandia Gammal Dance Music
Karusellen is a group put together to bring musicians together in hopes to broaden the exposure of this great music and dance. It's our way to inspire more to bring musical talents to a genre they might otherwise have not been able to realize before. Karusellen aspires to be inclusive of any interested in the world of Scandinavian music and dance. Some of our performances include Midsummer at St. Edwards Park in Kenmore the Nordic Museum's Julefest in Ballard, Seattle's Swedish Club and Soos Creek Boranical Garden in Auburn. We look forward to playing today. Thank you and enjoy!
Karvans Dance Troup
Arabic and Persian dance
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3zzrcBSygLTXXlmRqyFntA/videosKathak Dance of North India: footwork, compositions, pryers and stories
With Annie Penta and Dancers
Our teacher, Urmila Nagar, known as Didi, comes each year to teach for several months. At that time we present our annual student concert. After she returns to India, we continue to practice weekly and perform in area events like the Children's International Friendship Festival and Cultural Crossroads. We welcome everyone to join us; all ages, all levels.
Katie Jane Band
Fiery Hot Celtic Fiddling!
The Katie Jane Band is all about spreading the joy of Celtic music to their listeners. The talented group has a fiery energy that is only rivaled by their unmistakable on-stage chemistry. Not only do these talented musicians perform original arrangements of high-speed AmeriCeltic fiddle tunes and heart-warming original songs but their dynamic performance gets toes tapping and dancers dancing in every venue they attend. The Katie Jane Band brings to life the Celtic melodies that remind us of home with a fiery twist that ignites the fires of a deepened love for fiddle music.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxfZwV6MTtexoQ-KOTcDGpgKatie Kuffel
Lyrically driven soul/folk
Katie Kuffel is a tongue-in-cheek Seattle-based musician smashing the piano in a manner that's not quite blues not quite folk and not quite like anything you've heard before. With songwriting that is both innovative and thoughtful she explores community feminism and her personal experiences as an advocate against sexism and violence with a contemporary sound that supports turbulent poetic lyrics.
http://Instagram.com/katiekuffelKe Liko A'e O Lei Lehua E Kapuaokalani
Traditional Hawaiian Dance
Originally from Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, my mom started teaching hula and Tahitian dancing and drumming in 1974 in the Seattle and South King County area. She studied under Kuulei Punua and Joseph Kahaulelio. She stressed basics in both hula and Tahitian, just as I do. I am carrying on her legacy with the support of my father Clifford, my brother Kahanu, and my family. Her wish was that her children would continue to perpetuate our Hawaiian and Tahitian culture for many years to come.
Kef
Balkan brass band
Kef plays dance music of Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, Albania and Greece in the style of the great Macedonian brass bands of the '60s and '70s. Hailing from Eugene, Oregon, the group formed in 2006 and has been playing for dancers and listening audiences throughout the Pacific Northwest ever since.
https://www.youtube.com/user/KefBalkanEnsemble/Kelsey Sprague Band
Dream Folk Bedroom Pop
Kelsey Sprague, backed by an all-star band, manages to convey something beautiful and simultaneously desperate. Through dreamy melodies and irresistible pop hooks drenched in rich harmonies, reverb and nostalgia, Kelsey tells stories of the many facets of the heart, deep and bittersweet, light and romantic, lulling and full are all ways to describe this Dreamfolk Bedroom Pop delight. Influences range from more retro sounds like Connie Francis, The Beatles and Patsy Cline to more contemporary artists like Neko Case, Rilo Kiley, and Brandie Carlisle.
https://kelseyspraguemusic.bandcamp.com/album/two-weeksKeltoi
Soulful harmonies, foot-stompin' tunes!
Keltoi has a long history of performing in the Northwest, having produced two albums, Drunk With Autumn, and Far Memory. After a long hiatus, the band is back, with some new members and fresh repertoire! Over the past two years, Keltoi has performed for Folklife, and put on multiple House Concerts in the region, including a recent appearance at Doug Plummer's. Keltoi has also been hard at work in the studio, and is excited to have just released a brand-new album, which is available for purchase!
https://youtu.be/bpCDO8sglNQKermet Apio
Comedian
Kermet Apio is a past winner of the Seattle Comedy Competition as well as the Great American Comedy Festival. He is a regular on Sirius/XM radio.
http://kermetapioKesselgarden
Authentic Klezmer Music
Carl Shutoff and Laurie Andres constitute the Kesselgarden Klezmer Duo in Seattle where we have been playing for the last 16 years. Our name comes from the way Yiddish-speaking Jews pronounced "Castle Garden", the facility on the southern tip of Manhattan where Jewish immigrants entered this country prior to the opening of Ellis Island in 1892.The term Kesselgarden was eventually generalized to mean any situation that was noisy and chaotic. We are a traditional band playing Eastern European instrumental Jewish music of the 19th and 20th centuries with original, joyful arrangements which are neither noisy nor confusing.
https://kesselgarden.bandcamp.com/album/kesselgardenKGB with Michael Karcher, Caller
No collusion, just dancing
Seattle band KGB (it's our initials!) has been playing innovative contra and other dance music for 25 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPGIAJ3Bz6QKidd Fresh
Music is my life!
It has been an amazing road for Kidd Fresh as she per-sues her dream. Her dream to become a worldwide known artist who does rap/ R&B hip hop. Kidd Fresh credits her siblings for the start in music as she tagged along with them in every aspect from writing their music to the stage performances. She quickly knew that she also wanted to have a music career. Since those tender years she has developed her voice and writing style into a music machine. Her latest single “Attitude” has an added feature with Omar Gooding Jr. is available for streaming online.
https://kiddfreshsosadity.bandcamp.com/album/soul-over-painKiddus Fecto
Melodic Sampled Hip hop
Kiddus Fecto is a local producer, songwriter, rapper, vocalist and performer who plans to reach and inspire millions of people in the future. He's currently apart of totem star and was a member of The Residency. He started producing in high school after completing a hip hop project in his piano class. He'll be releasing a new album this year titiled Feels Good To Be on Juneau which talks about his experiences as a youth.
https://soundcloud.com/kiddusfectoKiérah
Celtic Fiddle Sensation
Kiérah is an award-winning Celtic fiddler from White Rock BC. She has completed her A.R.C.T. with the Royal Conservatory of Music receiving one of the highest marks ever given. With an Irish/Scottish heritage, however, Kiérah’s passion is composing and performing traditional and contemporary Celtic fiddle music. Kiérah captivates her audiences by taking fiddling to a completely different level demonstrating her mastery of the instrument and radiating her love of the music. Kierah's third album “Stonemason's Daughter” won a Canadian Folk Music Award and she has also written BC's first book of all original fiddle tunes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmExd3RrjEkKilldeer String Band
Eclectic acoustic string band
Formed in foothills of central Washington in the Summer of 2016 the Killdeer String Band are making a name for themselves regionally and beyond with their signature brand of energetic acoustic music. Performing at farmer’s markets, ale houses, folk festivals and other cultural events the Killdeer String Band is best described as a refreshing blend of European and Eastern folk styles ranging from Nordic to Celtic to Turkish. The four-piece weaves NW indie, progressive rock, and classic metal into their sonic fabric.
https://killdeerstringband.bandcamp.com/releasesKimya Dawson
Acoustic singer-songwriter
Kimya Dawson is a celebrated writer and singer of songs and an all-purpose force for good in the world. First making her artistic mark as half of the antifolk duo the Moldy Peaches Kimya soon turned to solo work where the twisted punchline poetry of the Peaches was deployed in the service of Dawson's gem-like personal narratives. Kimya has created 7 solo albums, numerous collaborations, and earned a 2009 Grammy for her work on the platinum selling soundtrack for the movie Juno.
https://youtu.be/OlMaqVAiTMMKlez Chaos
Lively Klezmer community orchestra
Klez Chaos is a community klezmer orchestra playing Jewish music originally from the old countries such as Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania. People emigrated and brought their music to America from the turn of the last century into the 1910's, 20's, 30's and beyond. Klezmer music has enjoyed a tremendous revival starting in the 1980's. Klez Chaos draws its members from an open monthly klezmer jam held in Seattle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvnRafEhBMwKlezkidz
Intergenerational Klezmer ensemble
Klezkidz was started 1997 as intergenerational Klezmer ensemble. It is supported by Temple Beth Am.Klezkidz has throughout the Seattle area. It is open to anyone who wants to play klezmer in an ensemble setting.
https://soundcloud.com/northwestfolklifefestival/klez-kids-live-2019Kochleffel Syndrome
Stirring up in-the-moment klezmer
Martin Morgenbesser: Klezmer Accordionist Andrew Ehrlich: Klezmer Violinist
Kofi Anang
Anansi The Spider Stories
Kofi Anang and Ocheami has been in the NW for 40 years performing Stories From his Native land Ghana. Anansi the Spider is a trickster and famous to children growing up in Ghana and beyond. Enjoy stories, live music, singing and drums from Ghana West Africa.
Koshanin
Balkan and Mediterranean Fusion
Koshanin, a pianist and composer from Serbia, transforms piano into a modern-day folk instrument with his unique interpretations of traditional Balkan folk songs and music from all over the Mediterranean, featuring an abundance of odd time signatures, delicate sound & minimalist style. By blending the sounds of the Old World with the contemporary Western music Koshanin places these folk songs into a non-traditional context to create subtle musical tales that take the audiences to a journey – from Portugal & Spain to the Balkan lands of Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and beyond…
https://www.facebook.com/KoshaninKosher Red Hots
Inland Empire Klezmer
“More fun than a barrel of pickles. Best thing since sliced bagels.” The Kosher Red Hots from Spokane, Washington embrace a timeless world-café of folk songs and whirlwind klezmer music from Eastern Europe, Judeo-Spanish romances from the eastern Mediterranean, and the songs and swing of New York’s Yiddish theater. The musicians are an adventurous vocalist who sings in Yiddish, Ladino, and English, and three master players on clarinet, violin, bass and guitar.
http://www.kosherredhots.comKUOW's RadioActive Youth Media
Teen audio storytelling showcase.
We will have five youth performers who have not been selected yet. RadioActive Youth Media is the youth journalism program at KUOW Public Radio. RadioActive is where young people discover public radio journalism and gain access to the skills, community and institutional resources that spur their growth as media makers. Through their stories, listeners of all ages gain a deeper understanding of young people whose voices are rarely heard by the greater public.
https://soundcloud.com/northwestfolklifefestival/radiostorytellingbyteenslive2019La (FKA Language Arts)
Nine Six and forever
Emcee La officially established himself as one of the best rappers in the city. He plays it cooler than on his proper solo debut Roll With The Winners but that’s because the music requires him to. Gravity stands firmly to the side of Seattle’s so-called “Third Wave hip-hop ” a position that’s especially important to the purist set. All the current innovation in local rap is a great thing but so is the creation of more traditional forms like Gravity. - 206up.com
https://youtu.be/MwFhiE8CkowLa Famille Léger
Acadian + French-Canadian Traditions
Born of a time when family and friends would gather in the warmth of the kitchens of Québec and New Brunswick to play and dance time-honoured tunes together La Famille Léger keeps that rich tradition vitally alive. The Légers play the dancing music of French Canada - the music handed down through generations in the New World the music of back porches and kitchen parties. Patriarch Louis Léger leads the band on the one-row melodeon (a type of button accordion) son Devon plays fiddle Devon's mom Barbara plays guitar and his wife Dejah is on piano.
https://lafamilleleger.bandcamp.com/album/letoile-du-nordLa-Bonyo
Fushion dance of Bengal
All our performers identify ourselves as Bengali immigrants. Our cultural roots are deep, and far away from the land we come from we still like to nurture our passion for dance. We specialize in semi-classical, rabindrik and folk dances of India. Our productions also include drama along with dances. We have collaborated with other groups and local talents for various productions. We have performed in many places in the Washington state, and also in Vancouver, Canada. Our goal is to create new ideas through dance and excel at every performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjXtl8jnmA4Lady of the Lake Family Gathering
Susan Michaels
Susan Michaels is a well known contra caller and storyteller. Originally from L.A., Susan now lives on Vashon Island and is on staff at the Lady of the Lake Family Music and Dance camp in North Idaho. Ryan McKasson grew up in a musical family and has played for contra dances and camps from California to Alaska. Ryan lives in Tacoma, WA. Seth and Graham Richards are members of the contradance band Intentcity which has performed across the US. They are currently building a family homestead in Sandpoint, Idaho and traveling to dances throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Larry Hohm
Stories with an Edge
Larry Hohm tells stories with an edge--compelling works of fiction written by accomplished authors. His repertoire includes stories by H.G. Wells, Joel Chandler Harris, Joyce Carol Oates, Mark Twain, Ray Bradbury, Roald Dahl, and Ursula K. Le Guin. He performs frequently at the Northwest Folklife Festival, the Pocket Theater, and the Swedish Club, all in Seattle. He is on the Board of the Seattle Storytellers Guild, and manages the Guild's website.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSYWIFR_bPA&feature=youtu.beLaurel Thomas, Caller
Top flight contra calling.
I have been calling contra dances since 2008. I've called up and down the West Coast and also in North Carolina, Florida and Vermont. I'm known for clear teaching, calm demeanor and well-crafted programs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpPp9XuTvVY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR07YkuAJu820egh0Z9CkjlBEOzioKCKDZ9nxCGZDWbaxth99Tf__1rClVgLauren Napier
Poetic Punk Folk
nspired by all forms of energy and art, lauren.napier takes comfort in the written word and in creative performance. With this latest musical incarnation, she hopes that you feel as though you are sitting next to her, surrounded by candles and the pull of the moon. Most sounds were written on her guitar, Görli, with productive tears, new addresses, and a few sips of whiskey.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2137Ql2QHqKrUa0zcrEfpJ?si=0g_Qie4bTiW-G1efMDGvEALearn a Tune: Chinese Breakdown
Steve Akerman Mimi Geibel
While in a swing band, Steve and Mimi decided to give in to their desire to have a group that would center on fiddle tunes, Celtic music, and other great melodies Some songs were even so beautiful, they just had to fall in love and get married. They've been leading workshops all over WA for 10 years. Mimi is an autoharp teacher and leads autoharp workshops at various festivals. They now live in Seattle and are owned by 2 cats.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb5NceQ8OGgLeela Kathak
Kathak Dance of India
Our original teacher, Prabha Rustagi, passed away in 1994. We asked her teacher, Urmila Nagar, if she would come to teach and she has been coming from India for 23 years! Urmila-ji comes for several months, teaches and presents our annual concert. The rest of the year we practice weekly. All ages, all abilities are welcome to join us.
Left Turn on Blue
Layin’ Down the Groove
Left Turn on Blue, An 11 piece Ballard/Seattle band with horns two stellar lead vocalists, and rhythm section - “Layin’ Down the Groove”. This band fills the house with driving blues and soul music that gets people off their seats and onto the dance floor. Playing a mix of blues, swing, funk and soul. Featured at the 2020 Seattle Center’s New Years Eve celebration, we've packed the house at the Bite of Seattle, Taste of Tacoma, Peddler Brewing Co, Pono Ranch, Crossroads Mall, Hilliards Brewing Company, 192 Brewing Company, Third Place Books, Magnolia Fall Fest/Wine Walk and more.
http://www.leftturnonblue.comLes Fabulous Girls du Ouest Coast with LauraMe' Smith, Caller
Lively ladies, lively contras
We are a group of women who enjoy sharing our love of contra dancing and music. We met through contra dancing and most of us are often found on the dance floor.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qtdifoxvcrhm1me/20140724%20Fab%20Girls%201.mp3?dl=0Les Gens des Chutes with Suzanne Girardot
Rollicking Dances from Québec
Les Gens des Chutes (People of the Falls) hails from South Puget Sound - Olympia Lacey and Tumwater. When French Canadian fur trappers came to our area in the early 1840s they encountered the water falls at Tumwater and called out - "Des chutes" which means water falls in French. When we formed our band in 2013 we decided to name ourselves from this historical reference. Today the Deschutes River runs through our area as does Deschutes Parkway alongside the river. All band members frequent the lively French Canadian jam sessions held each month in Olympia.
Liars Contest: 8 Minutes to Glory
Sign up outside of the Center Theater at 4:45pm to share a story! Stories are limited to 8 minutes and must be told without notes.
Lietutis Lithuanian Folk Dance Ensemble
Lithuanian Folk Dance Ensemble
Lietutis is celebrating its 39th year. We're either of Lithuanian heritage, or have earned our "stripes" the hard way, through marriage and friendship. Our small community embraces folk dancing as an exciting way of celebrating our heritage. We look forward to sharing the joy of our culture with others in and around Seattle. We're proud to have been performing continuously at Folklife since 1983. We've also performed in Vancouver, Chicago, Toronto, LA, Boston, and Baltimore, with over 140 performances on our resume. Lietutis binds us together and is considered the unofficial goodwill ambassador of Seattle's Lithuanian American Community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gayE4CLrS68Lindbergh's Laundry
Family String Band
Lindbergh's Laundry is a multi-family string band. Born out of recent years at Fiddle Tunes Festival of American Fiddle tunes three families have combined for a nine piece string ensemble. The "Laundry List" includes Old Time Celtic and Americana interspersed with a few swing classics and a couple of jokes. The parent portion of the band consists of veteran Seattle players from various projects including The Debaucherauntes Touloulou Zazou Pearl Django Hot Club Sandwich and SuperSones. The kids, ages 10-13 have cut their teeth at Fiddle Tunes and the group has developed a fun repertoire sure to please all ages.
Living Room Kirtan
Chanting the Hindu Spirit
Living Room Kirtan are many Hindu practitioners who gather in living rooms and yoga studios to sing in the spirit. Though these gatherings are informal, the music is excellent, as previous Folklife audiences have confirmed. We all love each other and it comes through.
Lone Wolf & Kub
Father/Son conscious rap duo.
An aging and embattled ronin searching for his final fight discovers a sense of direction through travels with his son, a vicious micsmith . He is Shao Sosa, his son is Nobi. Together they are Lone Wolf & Kub. Hailing from Tri-Cities Washington the duo cut stanzas fit for battle and reflection alike with verses and beats filled with undertones of hope and redemption as a master who has spent his life in rebellion passes on the lessons and trials that come with the never-ending quest to preserve honor in a world consumed by material and vanity.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA4kVdR32vfTKXygk0zFATgLong Odds with Heather Webster, Caller
sprightly and graceful
Long Odds from Vancouver BC gives "a spring to the step" for English Country Dances. Serene, graceful, and at the same time vigourous and driving.. Oh, and occasionally rambunctious.
Los Rebeldes de la Cueca
Chilean Folklore traditional dances
Los Rebeldes de la Cueca are the natural heirs of various Chilean folk groups who have been present in the Northwest since 1978. We love sharing and showing our culture with the local community at cultural events, universities and community centers. Our main objective is to contribute to the richness of multiculturalism in the Seattle community. We perform dances from different areas of Chile. A lot of them have Spanish influence, while others are inspired by the pre-Columbian cultures and their interaction with the Spanish conquerors.
https://www.facebook.com/losreveldesdelacueca/videos/451989655590703/Lounge on Fire
Rockin' Sexadelic Freak Funk
A 7-deep battalion with a brass section fused from the ashes of indie rock seductive soul and sexadellic funk Lounge on Fire is a cacophony of formidable freaks. Rapid and percussive vocals often combine with dark and hypnotic grooves reinforcing a boisterously brassy fanfare to create a unique coalescence of rock soul jazz latin disco hip hop and funk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=19&v=s3xvRlnh23U&feature=emb_logoLow Hums
Blissful timeless garage-beat experience.
Low Hums began in 2009 and sounds like they were minted back in the day of golden LPs you could play forever (despite having to flip over every twenty minutes). There’s mystery, killer hooks, an alien allure to the fuzzy, good-time danceable vibes, and a lot of fun insights and midnight confessions found in the layers of lyrics beneath the astral energy of each song. Low Hums is Jonas Haskins, Miles Panto, Mike Bayer, John Faryar and Leland Corley. We live in Seattle and perform around the greater pacific Northwest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jRhRZzg3sULyric Divine
Conscious Hip Hop Artist
Lyric Divine is a seasoned rapper who has rock stages from the east coast to the West Coast. Is Cher the stage with members of Wu-Tang, Nappy Roots, and Sean Price, to name a few. Is music ranges from Jazzy, to trap to old school boom-bap. His first album, Black & Mild, has been met with great reviews, leading to anticipation for his upcoming album, Auras.
https://lyricdivine.bandcamp.com/releasesMadcap Pusher
Seattle Rock Goth-tafarian
Seattle Based Rock Pop
https://madcappusher.bandcamp.com/releasesMahonyera Mbira Ensemble
Traditional Zimbabwean mbira music
The Seattle-based ensemble Mahonyera performs traditional mbira music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Three to four mbira players perform complex interlocking patterns on the 22-24 key mbira dza vadzimu and are accompanied by hosho (gourd shakers) and vocals. Mahonyera members, most of whom have spent time studying in Zimbabwe, are: Claire Jones, Kevin Ugarte, Sheree Seretse, Phillip Page and Sooja Kelsey. *Mahonyera, in the chiShona language, is a style of low-pitched syllabic singing. It also refers to “the sound of distant voices.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV0Hc47WQdQ&t=34sMalcolm Rebel
Seattle's stoner trap rapper.
Born and raised in the CD, Malcolm's musical influences have evolved at a breakneck pace. Raised on mo-town, a genre his lineage helped to define, Malcolm has embraced the boom-bap style of his father Vitamin D. Bringing to his craft a unique and incomparable energy, flow and lyricism Malcolm is poised to be Seattle's most sought after export in the years to come.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oRcsOthJoMIEkbOxioiJDMaplewood Middle School Orchestra
Eclectic, energetic, orchestra strings.
The Maplewood Middle School Orchestra is a a mixed group of 7th and 8th Grade students from Maplewood parent Co-operative school in Edmonds, Washington. Maplewood Parent Co-operative school is a K-8 school and all students start learning an instrument in 5th Grade. Northwest Folklife Festival is our favorite performance event of the year and we are always so excited to come and be part of this special Seattle event.
Maritime Beer Garden Sing with Jon Bartlett
Sea Chanteys and Beer
Jon Bartlett has been singing maritime, mining, and folk songs for over 40 years and has been a major influence in the maritime scene for all of those years. His booming voice needs no amplification and has phrasing makes it seem like your are on deck beside him at sea.
Marshall Family Band
Funky Fiddle Family Folk
The Marshall Family band has been playing together for over 10 years. They are a real family and manage to get along and communicate well enough to pull off performing in a band together. Chrissie and Roy- the mom and dad- met at Folklife in 1980. The Marshall Family Band performs in clubs and breweries in Columbia City. They are also involved with Community Arts Create and have performed at the Hillman City Collaboratory and The Southend Heritage Festival.
http://MarshallfamilybandMarshall Law Band
Seattle's Home Team Band
Marshall Law Band is a collective of musicians who use their platform to uplift and inspire other’s. Creators of local events like Summer Splash Fest, Culture Fest and The Emerald City Gala the MLB know how to have a food time. This year they will embark on national tour which will be capped off by an epic performance at Folklife!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX-mN8GmBPkMassive Monkees Presents Massive Break Challenge Championship
Youth Breaking (Breakdance) Championship
Seattle's largest regional Breaking (Breakdance) battle for middle & high school students! This dynamic finale event is a partnership between Northwest Folklife Festival, Scott Oki Foundation & Extraordinary Futures a nonprofit affiliate of the Massive Monkees. Massive Break Challenge has supported students from nearly 20 schools around Washington state to compete in the ultimate championship at the Cornish Playhouse. Hundreds of people show up every year to witness the students participate in this high-energy competition as they challenge each other’s skills in front of a live audience.
https://youtu.be/WG7xEIcfgvEMcKenzie Briar
Celtic Ladies Gone Wild
"McKenzie Briar" are two lively ladies singing and playing Celtic songs, including Celtic inspired originals. Guitars are their main instruments, complemented by ukulele, concertina, chimes and the occasional drum. Their music ranges from medieval ballads to contemporary, plus originals. This delightful duo consists of Kathi McKenzie and Donni Briar; their award winning performing and recording experience collectively spanning several decades and continents, and ranging from collaborations with sea shanty groups, renaissance fairs, rock bands, indie-acoustic bands and Belgian film-composers, to being featured at highland-games, SCA events, medieval fairs, pubs and private parties.
https://www.facebook.com/mckenziebriarmusic/videos/329754887884951/McPage & Powell
Inane & intense
Mary McPage & Jevon Powell have been making music together since 2003. McPage & Powell is just plain good! Purely acoustic music. No place to hide… electric guitars no drums. Great songs rich harmonies entertaining and captivating! Their original compositions fuse Roots & Blues with Pop sensibilities. Their Cover songs have been deconstructed reassembled & remade entirely their own. McPage & Powell are not your typical duo… They are the core of a sometimes five piece full on always acoustic band. Incorporating harmonica acoustic bass backing vocals & percussion. Mary is a WBS BB performer of the year 2009
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gqwf63glnk5az00/AADmCccpCFyoUVBuO31Ef799a?dl=0Medejin
Seattle dreamwave quartet
Medejin is a Seattle based dreamwave quartet led by songwriter Jenn Taranto. Taranto’s expressive vocals often soaked in delay weave in and out of drifting guitar melodies and sparse-but-punchy rhythms. With Matthew Cooke on drums Rebecca Gutterman on guitar and Ramsey Troxel on bass their live sound is both nostalgic and euphoric with a disarming intimacy that tends to leave audiences quietly beautifully devastated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86ZqBlqc-EgMEDENA PITKA Children’s Folklore Group
Bulgarian folk performance
MEDENA PITKA Children’s Folklore Group is a program of The Bulgarian Cultural and Heritage Center of Seattle (BCHCS). It was established in September 2013. The overall aim of our program is to stimulate children’s growth by providing a cultural environment where they will learn to sing in Bulgarian, dance the Bulgarian way, laugh to Bulgarian jokes, and hopefully create their own folklore. Traditional arts workshops are organized every month. We appear at the Bulgarian Christmas show and other community events. Since 2015 Medena Pitka regularly performs at NW Folklife Festival and since 2016 – at the International Children’s Friendship Festival.
https://www.facebook.com/BCHCSeattle/Meera Krishna (amOha Dance Company)
Bharatanatyam Dance
Meera Krishna has been a bharatnatyam dance performer for 20 years in the PNW and her dance company has been around for many years as well. She has performed any times as the Northwest folklife festival and has conducted many workshops for them as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV47QTCuSNkMegan Heavlin Ochoa
bluesy singer/songwriter sensual looping
Singer/songwriter for over 13 years, I have lived, fronted bands and performed in Austin, LA, SF and now Seattle. My songs are love songs really, crafted from my own experiences but stretch across other's as well which I've been told, resonates. I use an electric guitar to loop and provide depth, and a bit of a unique performance from a female artist that's often...unexpected. :)
http://www.youtube.com/heavlin1Melanie Dekker
A voice like chocolate
A voice like chocolate. Musical diversity. Soulfulness. A vivacious entertainer who has created fantastic award-winning songs and played 1000’s of shows worldwide. Dekker hails from Vancouver, Canada, and when a singer at her high-school fired up her heart, she decided she would do the same…for life! Her sentimental love songs and world class percussive guitar style created radio hits, delighted charity events, released 7 albums, and opened for Bryan Adams, Faith Hill & Russell Peters. Her popular youtube videos include the Polar Bear Swim, her Wisdom tooth removal, an Afghanistan Christmas and a romantic run-in with a mannequin.
http://www.facebook.com/meldekkerMelody Institute
Chinese traditional/modern/ethnic dances
Melody Institute is dedicated to teaching & understanding of Chinese language culture and dance in the Puget Sound region. We believe that learning should be a positive and memorable experience. Fun and school should go hand in hand! We strive to tailor our classes around students’ needs skills and interests. Melody Institute Inc. offers Chinese dance and language classes in the Seattle area to students of all ages. Melody Dance Group made up of students in the dance classes has been performing Chinese folk traditional modern and ethnic dances around the Pacific Northwest for more than two decade.
http://www.melodyinstitute.orgMermelada
Argentine Tango Dance Music
Mermelada is a performing ensemble dedicated to Argentine tango music. We started six years ago as a small group of four musicians who would jam on tango tunes once a month. Over the years the group has grown to 11 members and two years a we decided to transition from the Seattle Tango Jam into Mermelada, Seattle's own tango orchestra. We've developed into a regular band with expanded repertoire, more standardized arrangements, and we perform regularly at milongas throughout the greater Seattle area.
Michael Guthrie
A thought provoking “Songster”
I have been a featured performer at: Florence, Oregon “Winter Folk Festival”, “Juan de Fuca Festival”, “North Coast Folk Festival”, “Tumbleweed Music Festival”, “Pike Market Buskers Festival”, “The Lavender Festival”, “Festival of Fools” (Astoria,OR), “Yakima Folk Festival”, Portland Folk Music Society “Concert Series”, Featured on “River City Folk”, KBCS “Lunch With Folks”, Kootenay Co-op radio “Make Room For The Blues” (Nelson, BC), KMUN “Troll Radio Revue” in Astoria, “Lakewood, WA International Festival”, Three Rivers Folk Society “Coffee House Series”, The Langham Society’s 40th Celebration Concert/dance (Kaslo, BC).
http://moorafa.comMichelle Lang and Imago Dei Gospel Choir
Vibrant, Soul-Stirring Goodness
This choir turns the whole park into a party! Come have a good time with the choir and its guests who bring a vibrant and soul-stirring sound and feeling to the festival. Sure to be an unforgettable good time!
Micstro
Smoothest Hip-Hop out Now
Micstro’s newest EP “Six” is one of the most epic put together projects of 2019 and for years to come. Micstro is bringing all types of great vibes with a fun type of flow. The “Six” EP was produced by Vitamin D, Kuddie Fresh and recorded at the Balance Of Concepts Studios with Intylekt. This combination of Seattle artist comes with a heavy unique sound. Six Ep is dedicated to Rickey Allen
https://album.link/i/1485169299Milner Family Fiddles
Texas and Old-Time fiddle
Milner Family Fiddles started out over 30 years ago when Aaron started playing in public (when Starbucks used to have live music and at other venues.) Alisa and Jacob joined him at fiddle contests and at performances. Pete Martin was their teacher and they have played with the guitar players and good pals on stage for years. Special guest with us is Ian McFeron of the Ian McFeron Band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlmT_CVFLMAMirabai Kukathas
indie folk singer/songwriter
Mirabai Kukathas is a storyteller. A playwright, spirited conversationalist, and (most importantly) a singer/songwriter, she loves nothing more than telling an absurd story with an honest emotional core. Mirabai’s music is an act of healing; a confusing celebration of her culture, identity, and life. With lots of love, effort, and community, she works to create her own unique sound to tell her own unique story.
https://www.instagram.com/mirabai.kukathas/MISTA CHATMAN
Urban Reggae Fusion
With a vocal style inspired by 90's era Reggae Dancehall toasters out of Jamaica & NYC, Seattle based MISTA CHATMAN continues to hold a place on the global Reggae fusion scene with his lyrical versatility. And since 2018, he has restarted his "ChatAttak Productions" and is back to releasing his own music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eiy3cvSkDasMohammed Shaibu and Soyaya
African music
Soyaya play African highlife music. For more information please go to my website www.mohammedshaibu.com
http://NoneMontgomery Rose
Classic country/Americana
It doesn’t get more high and lonesome than Montgomery Rose, with deep cuts of old classic country to Appalachia to bluegrass with soaring harmonies sure to get you right in the feels. Hailing from Portland Oregon the group is comprised of singer/songwriter Rose Gerber a Portland music scene veteran who also is the front person for the alt/country band Rose Gerber and Sweet Relief John Montgomery a stellar flat picker hailing from Arkansas with dulcet country pipes and Seth Wiggins who honed his banjo chops in the heart of West Virginia where he played on the traditional
https://soundcloud.com/user-269560292MossyBack Morris Men
40 Years Dancing Together
The MossyBack Morris Men dance an English tradition of dance known as morris dancing. This type of dance was well known in Shakespeare’s times and has been danced every year in England for last 400 years. The MossyBacks are introducing the next generation of Morris Dancers comprised of sons and friends of sons. This type of dancing has traditionally been passed on from father to son in England with some teams spanning three generations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7D_9nQHCm8Moved By Words
Intergenerational Poets of Color
Moved By Words presents Intergenerational Voices of Color hosted by Skyler Reed featuring NW Native Writers Circle curator Sara Marie Ortiz, Jack Straw fellow Robert Lashley, Winner of the Washington Book Award Laura Da, from New Poets of Native Nations and Poetry Magazine author Trevino Brings-Plenty, and author of 'Naked' Nastasia Minto. Intergenerational Voices of Color presents a platform for new voices of People of Color in the Pacific Northwest. Interested in Workshops? Visit www.movedbywords.org for full schedule of workshops by these writers during NW Folklife
http://www.movedbywords.orgMoved By Words
POC Myths & Fairytales
Michelle Ruiz Keil's a recipient of a 2020 Literary Lions Award from The King County Library System, her debut novel All of Us With Wings was called "...a transcendent journey" by the NYTimes. Trevino Brings-Plenty's work has appeared in New Poets of Native Nations and in three collections, explores the American Indian identity in American culture and how it has through genealogical history affected indigenous peoples in the 21st century. Dawn Pichon Barron is a writer and the Director of the Native Pathways Program at the Evergreen State College, and "Future History: Indigenous Speculative Fiction"
https://www.instagram.com/michelleruizkeil/MTV
Transnational Dance Performance
Maysun, Tiphany, and Victoria formed the group MTV for a special Star Wars themed performance of Queen Amilada and her handmaidens. They performed this number for a Star Wars themed showcase and it went over so well they are bringing it to Folklife.
Music Magic,the magical Language of Music
Birgit Ages pianist Accordionist Leade
Ages Closet pianist turned folkdancer and later converted to accordion under protest. Loving the international sound, I soon learned to appreciate the accordion for its versatility and adaptability. Although german by birth, the haunting sounds of both slavic and finnish music keep me fascinated
Music Together @ Music Center of the Northwest
Monica Allen
Music Together @ Music Center is celebrating over 20 years of making music with our youngest of musicians! Our dedication to providing high quality early childhood music education to our entire community is paramount to our success! As a non-profit, we value bringing together students from all backgrounds and abilities. Come celebrate Music Together with us!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5Rr7MLgasY&t=16sNa Hilahila Boys
Traditional Hawaiian music
Na Hilahila Boys have been playing traditional Hawaiian music in the Seattle area for almost 20 years. We love the beautiful Hawaiian language, but also perform hapa haole and novelty songs.
https://www.facebook.com/Na-Hilahila-Boys-234542193286530/Nadira
Middle Eastern RaqsSharki Dance
Nadira is an internationally acclaimed Belly Dancer, holding 7 national titles and is a professional performer, instructor and choreographer. Currently, Nadira performs and instructs throughout the United States and abroad, but calls Seattle home. Nadira has also been featured on several performance and instructional DVDs, and has a solo instructional DVD out. For more info and class information, please visit www.nadira.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/NadiraSeattleNajaesBeats
Eargasmic Hip Hop-Soul Fusion
Their is a astounding soulful renaissance brewing in South King County and one of the leaders of the next generation of Hip Hop and R&B producers and performers is NajaesBeats. NajaesBeats is an award winning producer having won Zulu Nations Beat Makers Championship of 2018, and is broadly sought after for her Unique style of Soulful Hip Hop production. NajaesBeats is also a performing artist herself able to sing or rap with equal dexterity and as a young rising star (age 21) she will be a force in the Northwest music scence for many years to come.
https://soundcloud.com/jaee-beatsNalini and The Blue Lotus Dance Co
Bollywood Indian dance style
The Blue Lotus Dance Company under the direction of master performer choreographer and teacher Nalini brings together performers from diverse dance backgrounds to showcase Bollywood Belly Dance and Russian Gypsy Dance. They have performed in many venues from local festivals and private parties to large-stage productions.
https://www.youtube.com/user/bluelotusdanceNalini Dance
Bollywood Indian Traditional Dance
Nalini is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher in the greater Seattle area. She is known for captivating audiences with her technical skill, emotionally expressive performances, and compelling choreographies. Her repertoire includes Belly Dance, Bollywood, and Russian Gypsy dance. Nalini is the founder and director of the Blue Lotus Dance Company, a professional company that performs throughout the region.
https://www.youtube.com/user/NaliniDanceNalini's Jewels Of FIre Bellydance group
Belly Dance Oriental dance
Jewels Of Fire is Nalini's Belly Dance performance group. Under the teaching and direction of master performer, choreographer and teacher Nalini the group has been performing at local festivals, restaurant shows and many other events in Seattle area since 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmqVHXBDSZMNalini's Romani Soul
Russian Roma Dance
Romani Soul is Nalini's Gypsy Dance group based in Bellevue WA, and performs the Ruassian Roma dance style with big colorful skirts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynbIgzbLoVENaomi Baltuck
I'M GONNA TELL!
Naomi grew up in Detroit, packed her diploma in the saddlebag of her bicycle and headed west to seek her fortune. In Seattle she was a teacher and puppeteer, then a storyteller and author. Her books and recordings have earned the Anne Izard Storytellers’™ Choice, three Storytelling World Awards, and a Parents’™ Choice Gold. Her novel, The Keeper of the Crystal Spring, was a Book of the Month Club selection. Through her writing, telling and teaching, Naomi celebrates the powerful connections to our past, our future, and to each other, created through the simple act of sharing a story.
http://www.naomibaltuck.comNarrow Tarot
Witchy Beachy Surf Rock
Narrow Tarot is an Everett based Rock n Roll group. Drenched in the world of the mystic, they balance the line of in your face abrasion and mysteriously laid back music. Always a pleasure to hear.
http://soundcloud.com/narrowtarotNathan Hale Jazz Band
Big Band Swing Music
Nathan Hale Jazz Band is part of the Nathan Hale High School Music Department. The jazz band performs at many concerts and festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest. It is a before school class that meets five days a week. It includes freshman through seniors as its members. The Nathan Hale Music Department includes: Chamber Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz and Piano Lab.
https://youtu.be/_cNZV31B6OoNelson Wright
Americana Singer-Songwriter
Nelson came of age in rural upstate New York, and he’s been picking, writing, and gigging ever since. His guitar style has been compared to Mississippi John Hurt and Dave Van Ronk, and his writing to early Bob Dylan and John Prine. Nelson’s recent album, Orphans & Relics, is a Roots Music Report Top 100 Folk Album for 2014. He is currently Seattle-based, and his current drug of choice is caffeine.
http://www.nelsonwright.comNick Vigarino
Lightnin' Slide Boogie Blues
Nick took 2016’s "Best Of The Blues" Award for Slide Guitar and has been placed in the Washington Blues Society’s Hall of Fame. “Nick plays from the heart with high energy it’s definitely THE blues” – Lee Oscar “That slide is naaasty!!” - Bo Diddley “You shouldn’t miss this experience. It’s cut and dried…this guy kicks ass.” - Musician Magazine (NY NY) “Nick took to dismantling what was left of all sensibility with the skill of a surgeon and the impact of a wrecking ball. We were promised that this guy smoked but even that’s putting things lightly.”- The Bluesletter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdH-ZX2FNMoNimbus with Frannie Marr, Caller
Fiddle tunes without reservation
Nimbus sees Brian Lindsay and Alex Sturbaum of Countercurrent join forces with Vermont fiddler Cedar Stanistreet (Nor'easter, Cloud Ten, Maivish). Adding Cedar's lyrical fiddle to Countercurrent's trademark power, Nimbus makes contra dance music with verve, soul, and energy that's guaranteed to get you moving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2Bjxz3AEiINonesuch
Elegant and exuberant English
Nonesuch was founded in 1988 as a way to entice people into participating in English Country Dance and to delight audiences with the beauty of the dances. Dances are staged to present a variety of patterns, meters, and moods, flowing magically from one formation to the next and ranging from lyric elegance to noisy exuberance and playful flirtatiousness. The group occupies a special place as the only performing group of English Country Dance in the Northwest. Performances have been given at festivals, nursing homes, senior centers, schools, and Jane Austen events. Victoria Bestock is the Artistic Director.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3LWATaM37UNorm Brecke
Story & Song
Before becoming a full-time professional storyteller, Norm was an award-winning teacher who told stories daily in his classroom and taught storytelling skills to students after school. He’s told stories all across the United States. He’s been a featured teller at the Powellswood (2012), Art of the Story (2017), Stone Soup (2018), The Ark (2020), and Village by the Sea (2020), Storytelling Festivals. Norm’s proud to have narrated for the Seattle Symphony (2012), told at Seattle Art Museum (2014), National Storytelling Summit (2017&18), and Northlands Storytelling Confabulation (2020). Norm tells traditional stories, personal narratives, historical tales, and stories in song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-u7dQ3AAA4North by Northwest Morris
Northwest Clog Morris
Northwest Clog Morris is from Northwest of England It has its origins in the 19th century industrial towns Lancashire and North Cheshire. The dances involve much stepping, the clogs add to the rhythm provided by the band which generally plays tunes from the 19th century
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFCQskBY098NORTH BY WEST
SHNATY GROUP EXTRAORDINAIRE
North by West has been performing for over twenty years. They introduced shanties to Folklife at the 1975 Festival. They enjoy singing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKZLjMERCTQNot For Sissies with Jonelle Mejica, Caller
New Tunes, Unusual Sources!
Drawing on material from various sources: Canadian, Métis, Midwest, old tunebooks, 19th century pioneer manuscripts, original compositions—as well as standard contra dance repertoire Not For Sissies is… Vivian Williams: Current US Senior fiddle champion; Northwest tune historian and fiddle tune composer; genuine Northwest treasure. Contra bands include Small Pleasures, Pleasures of Home. Sono Hashisaki: Talented multi-genre fiddler. Bands include Montana Shorty, Les Pieds Chaud Jay Finkelstein: Quarter-century experience playing rhythm guitar. Contra dance bands include The Contra Quartet, Grey Owl Jonelle Mejica (caller): Joyous dancer, emerging caller from east of the mountains
https://www.voyagerrecords.com/catvp.htmNotable Exceptions
Western Folk Music
Notable Exceptions is a bundle of energy, experience, talent, and musical joy. The Notable Exceptions sound is western folk music, delivered with finely crafted vocal harmony. Their original tunes are lighthearted and conversational. This delightful pair has been recognized by the International Western Music Association with the 2017 Marilyn Tuttle “Best of the Best” Harmony Award, and the 2015 Harmony Duo of the Year Award. Notable Exceptions is driven by a commitment to spreading joy and laughter through song. Follow their adventures on Facebook, and be sure to catch them live when they tour through your town.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC431mwje2AEepPadESJ2lmgNritya with Romi (Indian Dance School)
Kathak, Bharatnatyam inspired BollyDance
Romi is an Indian Classical Dance Teacher and Choreographer with a passion for promoting the art. She enjoys teaching to those who shares her love for dance. Nritya students can train in Bharatanatyam or Kathak and gets opportunities in performing at various events. The students go through the basics to advanced trainings. There are exams half yearly and annually.
https://www.facebook.com/seattlemm/videos/772857703178647/NW Tap Connection
Connecting Dance and Community
Northwest Tap Connection is a distinctive urban dance studio specializing in Rhythm Tap. The studio's philosophy is that dance enriches the lives of the students, while developing self-discipline, instilling self-confidence, and encouraging achievement and goal setting.
Old Country Rose
Country duets and originals
Old Country Rose set roots in Seattle in 2018. Since then, Jess and Country Dave have been swooning audiences with classic country duets and originals about living, loving and losing. Sometimes performing as a duo and other times with a full band, you can count on these two blending old favorites with just enough of new to capture a sound that feels timeless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwxF1j5ziCUOlga Kalata
Russian folk Russian Roma
I grew up in Russian Far East and always enjoyed folk dancing. After I moved to Seattle 20 years ago I was involved since at the Russian community center of Seattle performing at the events such as Bazaar, Maslenitza and various festivals in Seattle area and Portland. I had been performing with Russian folk groups as well as solo. I love big colorful skirts and shawls, they help me to express rich Russian and Russian Roma style music!
onefourfive
Caucasus Georgian Polyphonic FolkSongs
onefourfive is a 10-member mixed voice ensemble singing (mostly) a cappella folk songs from the Republic of Georgia. The group formally started in 2010 upon acceptance to Seattle’s Northwest Folklife Festival singing exclusively Georgian folk songs. onefourfive has continued since then with members of the group traveling to Caucasus Georgia to learn songs technique styles and of course Georgian language and culture. They were featured at the Table Songs Festival in 2018 and 2019 where songs were sung in the traditional way -- at the table!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFPAbTVPpdLKp19_eEHrcyQOpen Irish Traditional Music Session
Ming K Chen
I have been playing Appalachian old time, New England contra-dance and Irish traditional music for over 35 years. For the past 15 years I have concentrated almost exclusively on playing the flute in Irish music. I am the host of an on-going Irish session at Couth Buzzard Books in Seattle, and regularly play at local pub sessions as well. I also sit in on sessions in the San Francisco Bay area, and have played in sessions across Ireland from Dublin to Galway.
https://vimeo.com/302527275Orkestar RTW
Balkan Dance Music
Orkestar RTW has been playing Balkan music in the Pacific Northwest for the last 30 years and is a favorite of regional recreational dance groups. Featured for years as one of the house bands for the Radost Folk Ensemble, members of Orkestar RTW have worked with musicians from the Balkans, primarily Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Serbia.
https://www.orkestarrtw.com/Orkestyr Farfeleh
Klezmers play classic Israel dances
A radiologist, a music theorist and a spiritual philospher walk into a bar... and play klezmer. Orkestyr Farfeleh, the winsome concoction of Harvey Niebulski, Marianne Tatom and Thaddeus Spae, is a portable feast for lovers of Jewish music, replete with frelachs, Eastern European folk tunes, Yiddishkayt and hats of overwhelming personality. Performing on accordion, clarinet, trombone, guitarron and vocals, they present their diverse material with sharp ears, quick fingers and irrepressible humor, in a program sure to delight young and old alike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDYO5HtoUG8&feature=youtu.beOsem i Devet
Balkan Folk Dance Band
Osem i Devet is Michael "Awesome" Lawson and and David "Devet" Bilides, the accordion and tapan duo, that began playing for folk dance parties in 2015. Tonight we are featuring vocalist Dina Trageser, director of the balkan women's choir, Dunava.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BkZDZeqt0UPanama Folklore Seattle
Colorful, eye catching fun
Panama Foklore is a non profit organization thats is mission is to promote, celebrate and cultivate Panamanian traditions and customs in the Pacific Northwest.
Pandora
Tribal fusion belly dance
Pandora has studied several forms of movement training: tribal fusion, cabaret, ITS, Tahitian, Aikido, etc. It all blends into her dance. She has been a producer of the monthly show “Skinny Dip” and a regular performer in Seattle for over a decade.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4E0E3D65DB3CEF6CPAPALAPAP! Puppet & Story Theater
QUIXOTE! Puppet Story Theater
Max Eberhard Eichner, was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1953. Living now in Bellingham, WA, along the shores of the Salish Sea, he pedals on his bicycle to audiences here, there and everywhere. His puppetry re-works and mixes memories of puppet and mask theaters that have been puzzling and awing his thoughts till today. Raised by a murder of crows, Shae Uisna flew before she could walk, and sang before she could speak. Snatching imagery from her most beautiful night visions, Shae "spirals out through center, dancing the dream into day" using masks, puppets, music, and shadows.
https://youtu.be/S6uySSX0klkPath with Art Veterans
PwA Veterans Choir
Path with Art transforms the lives of people recovering from homelessness, addiction, and other trauma by harnessing the power of creative engagement as a bridge to community and a path to stability. In partnership with the Seattle Opera, the Path with Art Veterans come together with shared experience and a creative voice to tap into and share human expression and healing.
Paul Chiyokten Wagner
Coast Salish Storyteller flutist
International performing, Award winning Native American flutist & Coast Salish- WSANEC’ (Saanich) Nation Storyteller Paul Chiyokten Wagner shares the spirit & voice of the Coast Salish lands and sea, his songs have come to him with visions of healing and prayer for all relations (tree people, animal people and human people). Chiyokten's debut Native flute CD "Journey of the Spirit" has been honored with the "Best Native American Album of 2009" JPF Award, a CD-Baby-affiliated international award. Chiyokten has shared the stage & collaborated with many prominent artists such as Eyvind Kang, Bill Frisell, Kitaro & Seattle Symphony Orchestra.
https://youtu.be/1iz38WLny9sPaul Silveria
Old-Time banjo songs
Paul Silveria is a musician and community organizer who has connection at the heart of his work. Paul has spent 15 years developing his repertoire of folk songs, instrumentals, and vintage-styled originals - played on the banjo and presented with the stories behind the music. Paul is also a renowned square dance caller who has performed at festivals, written a dance calling guide, and taught square dancing at over 200 school performances.
https://youtu.be/PrWsIL52dg4Payge Turner
Alt Rock Soul
Payge Turner, a Seattle musician, originally started her career in Kansas City, is taking the Seattle scene by storm. Her alt rock/soul/progressive vibe is very unique to listen to. Bending and meshing genres isn’t something she’s afraid of. With a sound so bold and rich, Turner still finds a way to make you feel every emotion, by bringing authentic lyrical content to all her fast and slow songs. Her live performances are something you’ll never forget; you’ll leave more emotional and sweaty than when you came in.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIZ_faF-i52-PF7z_K64Z9w?view_as=subscriberPeace Building with Music
musician and community activist
Barbara Dunn PhD LICSW MT-BC is a professional musician and social worker/music therapist. Her doctoral work focused on Transforming Conflict w. Music. She currently has a private psychotherapy/music therapy practice in Seattle. She has recorded 4 albums and engages in musical performances throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond. www.barbaradunn.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIHLsFV54_0Percy Hilo + Friends
Original Americana and Sing-a-long!
We are four friends who met through music, parties, and mutual friends. We share belief systems, a love of music, and enjoy just getting together. Our music is just plain fun and also meaningful and appropriate for adults and families.
Pete Seeger Sing-Along
Annual Pete Seeger Sing-Along
For the past 6 years Peter McKee and other members of this group have gathered to lead a large Folklife audience in celebrating the songs and life of Pete Seeger. Come join us again this year!
https://youtu.be/oZQ_NgqPAdcPeter B. Lewis (formerly Uncle Peter)
True and Magical Stories!
Peter B. Lewis is an inspirational storyteller. His stories are as ancient as the craft itself from Aesop to the Brothers Grimm to native tribes of North America and the universal teaching stories of our great great grandmothers. His storytelling style includes original sound effects and music, like going to the movies with the picture in your mind. Peter’s audiences range from children in pre-school and kindergarten to adults who seek to be inspired and uplifted – Peter is here to entertain – the learnings come later as you recall his stories days later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHZJahoWZQMPeter Spencer
fingerpicking guitar, original songs
Peter Spencer is one of this country's premier folk guitarists. He taught for years at Dusty Strings and currently teaches guitar and voice at the Seattle Guitar Store. He was a founding member of the Fast Folk songwriters collective in Greenwich Village, NY and those recordings are now part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian. He has released six albums of original songs, a live album of acoustic blues, and an instrumental album of Christmas music for solo guitar. In 1982 he won the first annual Greenwich Village Bob Dylan Imitators Contest.
http://peterspencer.comPetunia, Jan Peters & Devin Champlin
Honky-Tonk Old Time Country
All this provided by Robert Blake for the Stringboard Jamboree Stage. We more info found our site links: https://petuniaandthevipers.com/photo-video/, https://www.jansongsproductions.com/, https://devinchamplin.bandcamp.com Stage Plot Left to Right: Harmonica mic, acoustic guitar mic/vocal mic, mandolin/fiddle mic/vocal mic
https://petuniaandthevipers.com/photo-video/Pinniped
High Energy Fiddle Tunes
Bill raised Sarah on Irish music, and then Sarah found Erik. Now they play mostly-Irish music around the South Puget Sound, with some French Canadian, Klezmer, and modern contra tunes thrown in.
https://pinnipedmusic.com/Play the Didgeridoo!
Doug Bridges/Ted Hunter
Doug Bridges is a NW artist and musician who has been performing and teaching about the Didgeridoo for over 25 years. He has shared about the muse, techniques and even therapeutic possibilities as a listener and player of the Didgeridoo and has collaborated with vocalists, instrumentalists and performance artists including clinical therapists. Ted Hunter is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who has been co-facilitating Play the Didgeridoo workshops with Doug Bridges for over 25 years. Both Doug and Ted have taught and performed at a multitude of festivals and venues through out the Pacific NW and Alaska.
PODORYTHMIE
Canadian steps and tunes.
The word PODORYTHMIE is Quebecois for "foot rhythms". It is also the name of a a five member group hailing from the U.S., France and Canada. They are known for their high energy and good time performances of French Canadian music and dance. Fiddle, accordion, songs and lots of hard shoe step dancing interspersed with crankie (moving panorama) shows makes their performances unique.
http://PODORYTHMIE.comPortage Bay Big Band
Keep on Swingin'
Portage Bay Big Band’s Annual Events include the University Street Fair, the Wallingford Wurst Festival, Freeway Park Dancing Til Dusk, Salmon Days, Strawberry Festival and multiple concerts and dances at Bellevue’s Music at the Market Stage, and Third Place Commons in Lake Forest Park. The Portage Bay Big Band also performed the Issaquah Concert on the Green Series and weddings at Seattle’s Downtown Sculpture Park and Four Seasons Hotel.
http://portagebaybigband.com/Practical, professional guide to a successful performance for solo voice and guitar
David Maloney veteran performer
Tips, encouragement and savvy advice from this longtime, veteran songwriter and performer.
PRIMOE
Energetic Groovy Good time
PRIMOE, Is a rapper from Burien WA, He hopes for his music to inspire the kids from his neighborhood and he is not afraid to show where hes from.
https://soundcloud.com/vegas777Puddletown Squares NW
modern western squaredancing
Puddletown Squares established 35 yrs age to support Modern Square Dancing. We offer classes, workshops and public dances open to all, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Our membership is comprised of dancers who participate in all programs
https://puddletownsquares.org/Qabila Folkdance Company
Arabic Folk Dance
The award winning Qabila Folkdance Company was created in the fall of 2011 under the direction of Aubre Hill. Dedicated to sharing the joy of Arabic folkdance, Qabila performs at a variety of festivals, theatres, and events as well as teaches workshops, lectures, and classes for schools and other organizations representing folk dances from across the Arab World and beyond. Our work centers on a strong belief that art can build bridges of understanding across cultures, ages, gender,s ideologies ,and backgrounds and allows us all to belong. Be a part of the Arabic folk dance revolution!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skUGAt89B34R E P O S A D O
TequilaFunk Latin Funk Afro Dance
Play to honor our past, present, and embody our future. Music is a gift that is meant to be shared. It is our weapon against fear. Our purpose is not just to play music, but use it. We offer ourselves and honor this power with respect and celebration
http://www.reposadomusic.comRadost Folk Ensemble
PNW's premiere Balkan ensemble
Radost has been performing the dance and music folklore of the Balkans and Eastern Europe since 1976. Several members are second generation Radost dancers who grew up in the "village" of the ensemble, embodying the idea of "legacy". A number of our members are immigrants from, or have heritage from Eastern Europe and carry the traditions of their ancestors forward to future generations. Radost performs at festivals and schools around the Northwest. Our youth group welcomes new members.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOzvNLy7a7sRaising Hazel
Powerful songwriting, intricate harmonies
Raising Hazel are Avery Hill (Portland), Jaspar Lepak (Seattle), and Mandy Troxel (Orcas Island). Formed in the spirit of friendship and a love of musical craft, these multitasking mamas have their recipe down: powerful songwriting, intricate harmonies, and a healthy pinch of attitude. Performing songs with the intimacy and authenticity of stories passed down through the ages (usually around a kitchen table), Raising Hazel represents what women have always known: there is a lot one can do on her own but the richest experiences are the ones we share together.
https://www.raisinghazel.com/book-usRajiv Bharadwaja and Team
Bamboozled!!
Rajiv began taking lessons at a young age from Sri. S. A. Shashidhar in Bangalore. He also trained for a brief period under vocalist Sri. C. M. Venkatachalam in San Diego CA and then for a few years from Sri. Ashok Kumara in Bellevue WA. Vocal has helped him refine his fingering techniques on the flute and appreciate the finer aspects of shruthi and laya. Rajiv resides in Redmond WA and is a software engineer at Google. When he’s not working or listening to music he enjoys analyzing the various ways in which the cosmos and music are intertwined.
https://soundcloud.com/northwestfolklifefestival/rajivbharadwajalive2019RakasaFit - Core Fitness Belly Dance
Suzanna Davis
Suzanna is a professional belly dance artist and event host, performing and teaching for over 15 years and assimilating her diverse background in African, jazz, contemporary, ballet, theatre, fitness, and more. Through RakasaFit™ she makes belly dance accessible to all and engages it as a movement practice for improved muscle tone, posture, stamina, fluidity, and strength to support all activities. Her RakasaFit™ classes have been running nonstop since 2017 and there are now multiple instructors and locations throughout the region and beyond. Suzanna also hosts the popular Belly Dance Off, one of the region's biggest belly dance events since 2010!
https://youtu.be/BsyBvpNlcugRaks Maleka
Dynamic Belly Dance Troupe
Raks Maleka hails from the University YMCA Belly Dance class, taught by Katia Sahar. They meet every Monday night to dance and to come together as friends. They have been dancing together for over 12 years, and are known in the dance community for their fun, upbeat, and dynamic performances.
https://youtu.be/OaBXM-tMFok?t=16Ralph Porter
What It Do!
As seen on Kevin Hart's Comedy Central series "Hart Of The City2" in 2017 Ralph got his start doing stand-up comedy becoming the first local comic to win the Anchorage Laugh Off Comedy Competition three years straight. Back in Washington Ralph became a presence in the local comedy scene. Winning the Best Local Comic in Tacoma Washington 2010 and The King5 Best of Western Washington Funniest Local Comedian 2010 and 2015 Ralph claims to be "Almost Famous." He's still working on that title. Ralph is known to make you laugh and laughter is the best medicine so add laughter to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsieLJtcEGA&t=37sRalph Reign
Psychedelic Jazz/Funk Infused Hip-Hop.
Rapper. Producer. Astral Traveler. Soul Seeker. Originally from NYC, now living, loving, and creating in the PNW. Ralph Reign ducks out the astral plane to helm a jazz and funk-infused hiphop realm , woven with conscious and delicately crafted lyrics.
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCDoCdGzmcQi3bn-t8YOZCZgReaLife
Music with a message/soul.
*attached to email along w/ stage plot
http://Www.ReaLife253.BandCamp.ComRecess Monkey
Three teachers who rock!
Drew, Jack and Korum are three GRAMMY-nominated Seattle teachers who have been making music for family audiences for 15 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XebcRdEkxU4&frags=pl%2CwnRed Crow with Maureen Collier, Caller
Interesting Contras. Smiles! Groove...
THIS GROUP WAS STARTED IN 2002 BY CHUCK PLISKE AND SUSAN BURKE. CHUCK PASSED AWAY LAST FALL AND WE ARE LOVINGLY DEDICATING OUR MUSIC TO HIS MEMORY.
Renegade Rose Morris
Fun dances, great tunes!
Renegade Rose Morris was founded in 2002 in Portland, Oregon. Our performances feature dances and songs in both traditional and contemporary English and American Morris traditions, played on accordion, whistle, and drum. Over time, we have added new dances, including some original dances composed by Linda, our Foreman, and songs in unison and harmony. Our motto is “Fun dances to great music.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PNwnHyHAA4Rhythms Of India Dance School
Folk Dance
To get everyone excited about the high energy of our culture and performing arts of India. For the Indians - to get inspired by the rich and vibrant nature of our dances..... for Non-Indians... to give them a first hand glimpse of our culture through the dance art-form. Get our children involved... as they become familiar with dances and performing arts of Indian heritage, and develop self-confidence and self-esteem.
http://www.rhythmsofindia.netRiff Raff with Eric Curl, Caller
Rapscallions and Ragamuffins
Riff Raff has been playing contra dances in the Pacific Northwest for over 30 years! The membership of the band has changed over time but the unifying principles of roguery and hooliganism have endured from the very beginning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb1e5RGpq4IRik Wright's Fundamental Forces
Like jazz, but not.
Rik Wright is an innovative modern progressive jazz guitarist who is known for his genre-bending performances - world beat one minute, rock the next, a touch of jam band and back to the core of jazz. Blending forward thinking arrangements with a solid groove that listeners can tap their toe to, his Fundamental Forces quartet has an undeniable allure that has propelled him all the way to the top of the jazz radio charts.
https://www.facebook.com/RikWrightGuitar/Rise Up! Action Band
Political street music, ahoy!
We, Rise Up! Action Band, bring emotion, empowerment, validation, and solidarity to encourage political activism. We do this by gathering together to play music and create artistic spectacle at political events. We are an open membership band, so if you play brass, woodwinds or drums you can join us at any time. Just come talk to one of us after the show.
https://www.facebook.com/riseupactionband/Robert Deeble
Philosophical Folk Pop
Robert Deeble is an American singer-songwriter based in Seattle. His recordings have been noted for their orchestrated arrangements a subtle minimalist style of production and lyrical content. Robert's first album released in 1994 with folk heroine Victoria Williams. Subsequent recordings included music industry veterans such as Rachel Blumberg (The Decemberists) Aand Stephen Hodges (Mavis Staples). His 2012 release Heart Like Feathers received critical aclaim and regular rotation on XM Satelight's The Loft. His most recent release BELOVED (2018) is a very personal account of the adoption of his daughter which which has also received critical acclaim.
https://robertdeeble.bandcamp.comRobert Sarazin Blake
Bellingham Song & Story
For 20+ years Blake has performed all over the US, Ireland & Germany. His 2017 double Album ‘Recitative received an A- from legendary Rock Critic Christgau who wrote ‘'Chants that riff on the titles WORK, COUPLES, and SINGLE WOMEN are as instantly indelible as the Springsteen, Weill, Reed, and Van Morrison lifts woven in’.
http://robertsarazinblake.bandcamp.comRocais
Tribal Fusion Bellydance
Rocais is a Tribal Fusion Bellydance troupe from Duval Washington. Members are Shelby Alexander, Coila Craig and Martina Crowe-Hewett.Its our 6th year here at Folklife and every year Rocais is proud to be apart of this special Seattle show! Rocais performs all of the Seattle area and you can catch more of their shenanigans at www.bellyfringebellydance.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImaKVQ7zau4Rowan Fae Irish Dance
Modern/Traditional Irish Dance
Rowan Fae Irish Dance is a small, recreational, Irish Dance school based out of Renton. We accept dancers of all ages and backgrounds. We dance at local festivals around the state such as the Washington State Fair, Seattle Irish Festival, Winterfest and Renton Multicultural Festival.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AqlqKPkDbqSsoq0u151_hT4ZBTjgIQRowdy Mountain
Authentic Fresh Original Mountainmusic
Portland, OR based Rowdy Mountain performs traditional and original bluegrass. Their music is not only rooted, but relevant and entertaining. Watch their show and you will laugh, you will dance and you will be moved.
http://www.rowdymountain.bandcamp.comRoyal Scottish Country Dance Society, Seattle Branch
Learn Scottish Country Dancing
Cynthia West has been dancing since the age of three. After graduating college, she wished to continue dancing. Through her Scottish roots, she found Scottish Country Dancing. During ceilidhs (parties), groups will dance their favorite dances. Scottish country dances have been recorded as early as the 1600's. In 1923, the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) was founded to promote dancing. Today, RSCDS has branches around the world. The RSCDS Seattle branch has multiple weekly dance sessions around the city. Cynthia earned her teaching certificate in 2012 and joined the Seattle branch in 2018.
https://www.facebook.com/rscdsseattle/Rumbles & Rhythms
Jim Boneau
Jim leads Rhythm Events with Purpose to invigorate human spirit and nurture community growth. Jim’s passion for drum circle facilitation shows in his commitment to community drumming in his hometown of Seattle WA. For the past 15 years Jim has been a leader in the growth of the recreational drumming community as Chair of the World Rhythm Festival, Organizer and session facilitator at the Folklife Rhythm Tent, and sponsor of drum circle facilitator training from Village Music Circles and Jamtown. Jim is also uses rhythm in his professional practice of leadership coaching and organizational development.
http://therumblegroup.comRunes of Neptune
PNW Funky Medicine Music
We have all gathered from around the Seattle area with a couple similar loves, Nature and Music. We all have different musical backgrounds and came together to create a fusion of musical medicine. We have a classically trained Saxophone and keyboard player, a Funky bass player that’s been playing over 10 years in the Seattle Scene. A world traveling drummer, and two front men vocalist that have been playing music separately most of they’re life. Once they came together it’s been pure magic since. We sing healing music laced with free flow improvised vibes for the soul body and mind.
https://m.soundcloud.com/runesofneptune/rhythm-of-the-rainRuss.Le
LETS RAGE
I'm a singer, rapper, producer, mixer, and overall a guy that jus wants to make good music
https://soundcloud.com/russxoRyegrass
Seattle Bluegrass
Ryegrass has been a Bluegrass band in the Seattle area since 2001. John Burke picked with core revivalist folkies of the ‘60’s and helped bring fiddlers Benny Thomasson and Mark O’Connor into the limelight. Steve Marx on banjo is a musical grandson of both Groucho himself and Gus Kahn of Tin Pan Alley fame. Jim Hanna and Paul Michel are old Ohio boys; Jim honed his guitar chops in and around L.A. in the ‘70’s; Paul haunted traditional masters in Appalachia, New England, and County Clare. Gray, the newest member of the band, holds the band together.
Saeed Abbas & GyeNyamé Music
Traditional Ghanaian Dance Music
Saeed Abbas has performed and taught traditional West African percussion since he was 16. After acceptance into Ghana's prestigious National Dance Ensemble, he performed the rich indigenous rhythms of his county in many parts of the world. He was invited to the US to teach at a disabled school in 2002 and decided to stay performing on both coasts. His credits include Berklee College of Music, Dartmouth and the Kennedy Center.Passionate about Ghanaian music, Abbas shares his fire with audiences!!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Rs0UHG7n-rpQGZDiRr02Q/videosSamba Olywa
Groovin' Community Samba Band
Samba OlyWa is an amateur percussion and dance group dedicated to building community through learning and sharing of samba and other rhythms and dance. Samba OlyWa is community-based, providing opportunity for anyone to join and learn. The group formed in 1994 and has been going strong ever since, performing in a variety of festivals and parades around the Puget Sound region.
Samba Reggae
Daniel Nery dos Santos
Bahia In Motion teaches Brazilian dance, Capoeira (Brazilian martial art) and Zumba in Seattle and runs yearly tours to Bahia, Brazil. Their work is rooted in the Brazilian cultural traditions of Northeast Brazil, but also includes dance forms from Rio de Janeiro and other parts of Brazil. Bahia In Motion collaborates with local organizations to provide educational workshops and performances. Past collaborations include Seattle Theater Group, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Spectrum Dance Theater and Fremont Arts Council. Bahia in Motion values the importance of building community and creating awareness around health, wellness, culture and the healing arts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5REFgodslwSandi Fernandez
Indie folk rock
Sandi Fernandez is a singer songwriter currently based in Seattle WA. Her powerful raw voice and catchy melodies deliver toe tapping grooves to her audiences. Their style is reminiscent of artists such as The Decembrists, First Aid Kit, and Neutral Milk Hotel. She draws upon the deep connection with her family to write music that reflects the love and challenges that come from these formative relationships. Her music explores the pain of loss the beauty of love and the importance of home. She wraps it all up into a melody driven belting style of Americana folk music.
https://sandifernandezandthebeaconhillbillies.bandcamp.comSanta Poco
Pedal Steel Honky Tonk
With songs about rough and tumble characters mixed with emptying whiskey glasses, Santa Poco offers the type of slide guitar-emboldened tunes that float throughout a dusty roadhouse or romping dance hall. Thorough storytelling mixes with mean electric leads that inspire folks to don their ten-gallons, pull the boots up over their denim blue jeans, and hit the town for beer swills and swing dances 'til dawn. They put out their first record July 26, 2019. You can hear it digitally on Spotify and Apple Music and via purchase through this website on 7" Vinyl and CD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bybCn34mIW4Sarah Comer
Stories old and new.
A gifted storyteller, Sarah has brought new life to old tales at the annual Bonfires Beaver Pelts and Boogeymen Halloween storytelling event, Pioneer Days, and most recently her one-woman show Telling Stories, where she explored common themes in folktales and the ways storytelling has changed – and in other ways stayed the same – across the centuries.
https://youtu.be/R3WvdM1VdFw?t=2146Sarah Jane Scouten
Traditional-original Canadian folksong
Three-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee, Sarah Jane Scouten's music delivers a signature mix of vintage folk and country, with modern sounds and subjects. Sarah Jane is steeped in North American and British folk music from years of finding folk music at its source, from the folklorists of Vancouver Island to all-night old time jams in West Virginia, Sacred Harp singing in Kentucky, the song craft of Nashville, two-stepping in Louisiana and her Glasgow roots. Touring throughout North America and Europe, this seasoned performer boasts a top-notch live show and considerable acclaim for her last three full length albums.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3DmMeUze95MQ3iscyzziXfSaunjay
Future crystals
Father BeanOne producer hip hop for 20+ years for many locals and some national acts , son Saunjay 17 picked up music a few years back and they now great music together bridging the gap between old hip hop and new hip hop
https://soundcloud.com/lilsaunjaySavannah Demers
Unapologetic fusion
Savannah demers is a fusion performer based out of renton washington.
http://Facebook.com/savannah.demersSaving Daylight with Jesse Partridge
Lose an hour dancing!
Saving Daylight melds two powerhouse rhythm players and accordionists with one of the Northwest's finest fiddlers. Brian Lindsay, Amy Englesberg, and Alex Sturbaum have been playing together in various configurations for many years, but dancers agree that there's something special in the air when they combine as Saving Daylight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dmAhGbZETYSavoy Swing Club Performance Troupe
Lindy Hop Jazz Dance
Savoy Swing Club is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to American vernacular dances of the early 20th century, most notably Lindy Hop, Swing, Charleston, and vintage jazz dance. We began in 1993 and have made over 450 appearances up and down the west coast. Our organization teaches classes, has a youth outreach program, and sponsors dances and events open to the public. Please visit savoyswing.org for more information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6H15ufHJCsSCARF Socially Conscious Artists Foundation
First generation immigrant struggles
The mission of SCARF is to "Create and foster art that brings awareness around social issues to galvanize change". We created this org to use the artistic voice of passionate artists for the greater good of the community. We hope to shine a light on social issues that may otherwise be glossed over and forgotten as mere statistics. With our work, we intend to strike an emotional chord in the audience.
https://scarf.global/School of Rock Seattle House Band
High Caliber Youth Musicians
School of Rock Seattle House Band is a group of talented young musicians that perform regularly all over the greater Seattle area and beyond. These students are not only among the most proficient musicians at the school, they are leaders and mentors to their peers and ambassadors to School of Rock. They’ve had the opportunity to perform at notable events and festivals such as Capitol Hill Block Party, Summerfest, Bumbershoot, Live on KEXP, Ballard Seafood Fest, and NW Folklife Festival to name a few. They are a high caliber family friendly cover band sure to entertain and impress any audience!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUEH_SFbtEdagRsxESwrfzQScratchdog Stringband
Darker hue of bluegrass
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Scratchdog Stringband is a rag tag group of singer songwriters hailing from the four corners of the United States. Over the past five years they've released sveral albums, toured the country and even Russia. They're looking forward to taking their innovative brand of high-energybot stomping bluegrass to the masses with the release of their new album: Fire, Fumes and Smoke.
https://scratchdogstringband.bandcamp.com/SCRiBE The Verbalist
Alchemical, Hip-hop, Edutainment, Arts
In ancient times the SCRiBE was trusted with the knowledge of the ages. This he transposed upon scrolls and tablets in the language of his people so that they would remain as a testament of that which has been and that which is yet to come. Verbalist spoke the words of the SCRiBE to all the people. He spoke to those who could have read them but would not and he spoke to the illiterate who could only listen.From humble beginnings in The Bronx Estates and secondarily Kings County comes one trained in BOTH disciplines SCRiBE The Verbalist.
http://SCRiBE.Bandcamp.comSeaStar
Award Winning Celtic Folk
Over the last 12 years, SeaStar has played bars, coffeehouses, train stations, hardware stores, video arcades, house concerts, big auditoriums, festivals, and has toured in eight countries! They are noted as sounding “authentic” and “timeless” with their tangle of dusty dreams, salty seas, and rays of hope. They are a unique fusion of Celtic, Folk, Maritime, Americana, and Bluegrass, with echos of psychedelic and rock. SeaStar doesn't fit into one genre. They love it all. Just honest, hardworking folks who love a good gathering of people to commune in music. Music is medicine in a broken world. Let's come together.
https://seastar1.bandcamp.com/Seattle Cheta
Bulgarian Folk Performance
Seattle Cheta: performing Bulgarian folk traditions. We sing, dance, collect traditional costumes, and breathe love into them. Seattle Cheta - the performance group at the Bulgarian Cultural and Heritage Center of Seattle (BCHCS) was established in April, 2014, for participation in Verea Bulgarian Festival in Chicago. The name is a combination of “seattlecheta” – people from Seattle and “Seattle Cheta” – a band with connotation to the heroic Bulgarian Enlightenment. Seattle Cheta attends community events and festivals such as Bulgarian Christmas celebrations, Verea-Chicago Folk Festival, NW Folklife Festival, Antika Bulgaria Festival (San Francisco), International Night at Bellevue College, and others.
https://www.facebook.com/BCHCSeattle/Seattle Jewish Chorale
Historical/modern Jewish music
Founded in 2008 the Seattle Jewish Chorale is a volunteer non-profit multigenerational mixed auditioned community choir. Our mission is to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds with the beauty and diversity of the Jewish experience by performing works from across the spectrum of the Jewish choral repertoire. We believe that music can unite people and bring about “tikkun olam” (a healing of the world). Our repertoire includes songs in Hebrew English Yiddish and Ladino in a wide variety of styles and genres: sacred and secular; a cappella and accompanied; classical jazz folk and pop.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Tsp5qpBXhuNjh9bP0lbFwSeattle Kokon Taiko
Rhythm, Movement, Spirit
Taiko is a dynamic synthesis of rhythm, movement and spirit originating in Japan and evolving as a folk art over the last several hundred years. In Seattle Kokon Taiko, we try to combine the ancient with the modern; our repertoire is a mix of traditional pieces and contemporary compositions.Through taiko, we hope to contribute to the development of a uniquely Japanese American art form –Japanese in origin, American in expression– that weaves threads of continuity between generations and builds bridges of understanding among people of all nationalities and walks of life.
https://youtu.be/f93fv-5t6PYSeattle Mandolin Orchestra
Mandolin-based community ensemble
Since 1983 the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra has dedicated itself to preserving, promoting and extending America's mandolin ensemble tradition, New members always welcome!
http://seattlemandolin.org/SEATTLE PEACE CHORUS
MOZART REQUIEM SINGALONG
Since its founding in 1985 Seattle Peace Chorus has acted on its mission to communicate through music the desire for a just and peaceful world. Through musical citizen diplomacy the chorus builds bridges with people in countries where our governments have become alienated. While international tensions and political struggles between governments threaten our future and heighten anxiety the chorus reaches out to ordinary citizens through music to soothe fear and inspire harmonious relationships.
http://www.seattlepeacechorus.orgSeattle Raging Grannies
Social commentary/political satire
We are enraged about the poor conditions that many people are forced to endure in their lives and about the condition of the earth that we will leave to our precious grandchildren. We sing out to gain respect for all persons and encourage everyone to grow above their prejudices. We rage against "corporate greed" and sing for a world in which JUSTICE is evident everywhere and PEACE reigns. We are wisdom minstrels!
Seattle Skandia Spelmanslag
Big Sound from Scandinavia
We are an “open membership” group. Anyone who shares our interest in playing traditional Scandinavian folkdance music is welcome to join. All instruments are acoustic and include mostly violins and rhythm instruments such as accordion acoustic bass and guitar. We meet at the Swedish Club 1920 Dexter Ave. No. Seattle. The group practices most Sunday evenings from 7:00‐9:00 p.m. The spelmanslag will play approximately ten to fifteen public performances each year including Skandia Folkdance Society's Third Friday dances, The Swedish Club pancake breakfasts, and the Nordic Museum.
Seattle Song Circle
Bring your vocal chords
Seattle Song Circle started at the Second Folklife Festival when early folk singers thought it good to meet every week instead of annually. We gather to trade material, sing along or play along as the turn goes around the circle.
http://www.seafolklore.org/wp/about-sfs/seattle-song-circle/Seattle Songpa Sandae Nori and Wave Dance Group
Korean Traditional Performing Arts
Kevin Okcheon Shim is the founder and leader of the Seattle Songpa Sandae Nori group. He has been learning, practicing performing and teaching Songpa Sandae Nori for 43 years. He is the only master of this intangible cultural asset in Washington state and is the reason for its existence and growth in the local area. He regularly travels around the world to perform and give workshops and returns to Korea yearly. Jean Sook Yang founder of Wave Dance Group holds a major and masters degree in traditional Korean performing arts and has been performing and teaching for 22 years.
https://youtu.be/HHcIOnl6nBgSeattle Sound Music Awards
#SSMAs2020 @ Folklife
The Seattle Sound Music Awards continues to forge inclusitivity between Seattle's grunge and hip hop community. Established in 2014, we're committed to breaking indie artists from the PNW worldwide.
http://www.seattlesoundmusicawards.comSeattle Theater Group
Dance Performance & Workshop
DANCE This provides young artist training and performance opportunities in cross cultural and contemporary dance. Each year the DANCE This production brings together hundreds of young artists and community members from diverse backgrounds to share their culture through the art of dance. Guest artists have included Napoleon & Tabitha from So You Think You Can Dance, Savion Glover, Joffrey Ballet, Mark Morris Dance Group as well as Broadway professionals. Classes for high school youth are available through the DANCE This Intensive and the DANCE This Camp at Centrum during the summer.
https://www.stgpresents.org/education/dance-thisSeattle Twerkshop
New Orleans Twerk Performance
Seattle Twerkshop brings the best of New Orleans Bounce, Soca, Afrobeats and Twerk and the spirit of Mardi Gras in performances and Dance Fitness classes. Twerkshop is the brainchild of Daughter of New Orleans Tricia Diamond and infuses the African Diaspora beats of its members. Choreographers Tricia, Jkela, Micki, Cliff bring their soca, bounce, twerk, afrobeats and dancehall roots to every performance and look forward to transporting you to the wards of New Orleans in this performance that has to be seen! Seattletwerkshop.com
http://www.seattletwerkshop.comSeattle Twerkshop: New Orleans Bounce and Twerk Workshop Mardi Gras Style
Seattle Twerkshop: Tricia Diamond
From the wards of New Orleans to Seattle Center, join us as we bring you a dance experience where you will learn or perfect your New Orleans Bounce, Mardi Gras March and twerk with Seattle Twerkshop's Boss Twerk (Tricia Diamond) in a fun workshop that will have you letting the Good Times Roll to music from Big Freedia to the 79ers gang and hip hop music and more
http://seattletwerkshop.comSeattle Waldorf High School World Rhythm Orchestra
Lagos to New Orleans
Gordy Ryan leads this World Music Orchestra at the Seattle Waldorf High School. He performed with Babatunde Olatunji for 30 years and has recorded with Santana David Sanborne Nile Rodgers and many more as well playing on many film soundtracks with Eddie Murphy Spike Lee Bruce Langhorne and many more. He has conducted World Rhythm workshops in North America Europe and South America for decades including 20 years at Esalen in Big Sur and 20 years at Hollyhock in B.C. He has played on Grammy winning albums. Gordy loves the 'generation pass down' in musical education.
Seattle Youth Poet Laureate / Writer in the Schools
Youth Poet Laureate Finalists
https://lectures.org/youth-programs/youth-poet-laureate/Seirm
Scottish Gaelic Songs &Tunes
Seirm is a céilidh band of singers and musicians who create traditional and innovative Scottish Gaelic music together. The main musical program of Slighe nan Gaidheal Washington's Gaelic language and cultural society Seirm performs at various community events to promote interest and awareness of the Scottish Gaelic language music and song tradition. Originally formed as a 4-part a cappella choir in 1996 to participate in the Gaelic singing competition known as Mòd Vancouver Seirm transitioned to the current format following the conclusion of Mòd Vancouver in 2007. Seirm will compete in the Royal National Mòd in Scotland in October 2020.
https://www.slighe.orgSera Cahoone
Hi Devon
Americana singer-songwriter Sera Cahoone grew up in the Colorado foothills. The daughter of a dynamite salesman she played her first gigs on drums in a dive bar's open blues jams at 12. A young adult she moved to Seattle where she played drums with the adored indie rock group Carissa’s Wierd and later Band of Horses. She then went on to release four solo records two with Sub Pop. In 2019 Cahoone received a Gold Record for her work with Band of Horses.
http://www.seracahoone.comServants of the Rich
Irish acoustic folk music
Servants of the Rich began in 2001 in Seattle performing Irish folk music at local pubs, including Kells, Molly Maguire's, Fado, and The Harp. Two part harmonies, guitar based music with a mandolin and fiddle.
http://www.servantsoftherich.com/Shahrazad Dance Ensemble of Seattle
Folkloric Dances Middle East
Shahrazad Dance Ensemble, founded in 1978 in Seattle, performs folkloric and fusion dances at cultural festivals, showcases, and other events. Troupe members have taken classes from leading dance ethnologists Helene Ericksen, Morocco of New York, Dr. Kay Hardy Campbell, Nadia Hamdi, Leila Haddad, Hadia of Calgary, and others. In a colorful, lively performance, the troupe presents original folkloric versions of Egyptian Saidi dances, Moroccan dance, Gulf States dance choreography by Dr. Campbell, and American 1970s cabaret dance.
http://www.shahrazadensemble.com/wp/video/Shanghaied on the Willamette
Plundered Sea Songs
With vocal harmonies and a fleet of acoustic instruments, Shanghaied on the Willamette performs songs plundered from land and sea. Their lively music reaches back into maritime traditions, to fishing, paddling, sailing, and to the early days of Portland, Oregon. Fiddle, banjo, harmonica, bodhran, guitar and mandola blend with voices to tell you a story, make your foot tap, and bring a smile to your face.
https://www.facebook.com/ShanghaiedBand/Shanties Sung Aboard Video Games
Wayne A Palsson
Strikes A Bell sings familiar and catchy sea songs guaranteed to get all members of the audience joining in on the chorus. The group met at Northwest Seaport’s Monthly Chantey Sing where sea chanteys and other maritime music are sung aboard historic vessels and in other maritime venues.
https://www.facebook.com/Strikes-A-Bell-1124175947702971/Shapenote Singing Demonstration
Powerful American Roots Music
First and foremost, we're not a choir. We're a group of singers who are passionate about the tradition of shape note music. We sing for ourselves with no director, no rehearsals, no auditions, and no accompaniment. The tradition we sing from is as old as the United States itself, and is a living tradition that's been continuously practiced since its inception centuries ago. There has been a group of us in Seattle in some form or another since the 70s. This is what we look like now! If you like what you hear, come join us!
http://www.pnwshs.orgShapenote Singing Mini-Convention
There has been a shape note singing group in some form or other in Seattle since the mid-1970s. The tradition of shape note singing is as old as the United States itself. We sing for ourselves and for each other, with no director, rehearsals, and conductors. We don't aim to sound pretty, but we put our passion and energy into every note and have a ton of fun!The convention format, which this workshop takes, is how shape note music is meant to be experienced: not by being part of an audience, but by SINGING!
http://www.pnwshs.orgSharyn Lee and The Sundowners
5-piece Western Swing Band
we have been performing country western swing for about 25 years. We showcase for www.NWWSMS.com and have been nominated many times with Academy of Western Artists Awards, winning in 2014. We play a 1940's retro sound. and we love Folklife!
http://www.thesundownersband.comSIAM SMILE THAI CLASSICAL AND FOLK DANCE
Thai Classical, Folk Dance
We're from Thai community in Washington State. We would like to promote Thai culture with Thai Classical and Folk Dance. We are volunteer performers to perform with other festivals and communities.
Side of the Tide Morris Dancers
Oregon Coast's Border Morris
Side of the Tide is a Border Morris dance team from Oregon’s south coast. Enthusiastic musicians provide the lively tunes as the troupe performs high energy dances with knacking staves and ringing bells. Side of the Tide embraces an ancient English dance tradition while keeping it fresh for today’s audiences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3htXKKfR_Y&t=4sSistas Rock the Arts
Multigenerational musicians and performers
SRTA’s provide a place for people of color (specifically people of African descent) to feel welcomed acknowledged and heard. SRTA’s created a community of people who dance sing laugh and have a good time together. For many it is like therapy for some it's like a work out on stage and others its opportunity to move/exercise on the dance floor. We provide a multigenerational stage and opportunity for artist collaborations. Our platform is social justice focused and uses art to raise the consciousness of our provides a space for community members who have been displaced by gentrification to return home.
https://www.facebook.com/sistasrockthearts/Sitar Ensemble by Pacific School of Indian Music
Indian Classical Sitar Ensemble
This is an Indian Classical Music Sitar performance by the students of Pacific School of Indian Music. Pacific School of Indian Music is run by Sampada Bhalerao. She has given many solo sitar performances at Northwest Folklife Festival and at many other venues in Pacific Northwest area. She started learning sitar with her mother at very young age in India. She continued learning and performing sitar after she moved to Seattle in 1992. She lives in Sammamish WA and teaches sitar as well as vocal music to children and adults.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4ZKD70ptNI&list=UUzy3O3XCcctQGsP1ZcgUpMASiyaVend
Turkish Music Delights 4All
SiyaVend is a group of local musicians from Seattle area. We play music from Anatolia, Balkans and the Middle East, using acoustic instruments native to those lands. All our songs are authentic pieces passed on from generation to generation. We strive for a connection with the audience where both the performers and the audience have an uplifting experience.
https://soundcloud.com/northwestfolklifefestival/turkish-showcase-live-2016Sky Blue
Heavenly Dance Music
Sky Blue provides a panoramic vista of musical environments. They choose their material from the Great American Songbook of Jazz Standards. Their repertoire includes soulful blues, playful swing tunes, and lush waltzes. Smooth vocals and tasteful instrumental arrangements provide rhythm and content for dancer and listener alike. One fan says, “Listening to Sky Blue both stimulates and soothes my senses. It's like having a strong cup of coffee with a piece of French silk pie.” They have played for many dance events in the Seattle area since 2006.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yof0iUslafUSky Valley Prairie Band
Toe-tapping Cajun/Creole Dance Music
Living in the Sky Valley area of Washington state and bringing you the toe tapping sounds of authentic Cajun and Creole style music of Southwest Louisiana. We enjoy playing the old style Cajun twin fiddling to the ever popular Zydeco. Repeated trips to Louisiana have provided us with years of study and practice with the masters of this genre. We play this music out of our deep love and respect for the music, the culture, and the people who create it. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
https://skyvalleyprairieba.wixsite.com/skyvalleyprairiebandSmall Pleasures with Jay Finkelstein, Caller
Northwest and Yankee Music
Since 1996 Vivian Williams (scholar of NW trad dance music, currently Sr-Sr Fiddle Champion of US) and Phil Katz (contra musician since 1979, w/ musical roots in NH) have brought together the traditional musics of the Northwest and New England for contradance playing. Shelly Jenkins, born in NH, has run, played, and called a little contra dance in Yakima for over 30 yr. Our backup musicians are both callers, and our caller is a musician embedded in the Olympia contra dance community. All of us are long-time dancers.
https://www.voyagerrecords.comSmilin' Scandinavians
More than just polkas
The band coalesced around a group of talented young performers at Cornish College of the Arts in 1995. Since that time, they have become masters of the polka world, playing festival all around the western US and Canada and being nominated for prestigious awards by the Polka Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Despite all the fame and success, this plucky little band still puts the same euphoria into each polka performance. This is a band all Northwesterners should be proud of.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJWMetQfvTESmoky Mokes Ragtime Ensemble
Ragtime and traditional jazz
We all play in various bands but we get together once a year in this configuration to play at Folklife, because we love Folklife and the traditional ragtime and jazz we play. Gene Silberberg is the compiler of "Fiddle Tunes I learned at the Tractor Tavern..." book containing 565 traditional fiddle tunes. He also plays banjo in the Ain't No Heaven Jazz Band, along with clarinetist Zane Smith and tuba player Al Rustad. Glenn Dudley plays banjo and guitar in several jazz and swing bands, and John Davis is a highly sought-after guitarist.
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=smoky%20mokesSnorkmaiden
Family Fiddle Tunes
Snorkmaiden is: Stella Logan,10 years old, who has been playing fiddle tunes since age 5 and her parents who accompany her on violin, guitar and banjo. The group plays a variety of American, Celtic and European fiddle tunes and vocal music
http://ryanhoffmanmusic.comSONG RISING! All voices and people welcome
Alexandra, Brooke and Rick
Brooke, Alexandra and Rick love community singing for social and climate justice. We say: "You don't need to be a singer. Join in as one voice. Come learn and share a song!" Alexandra's website is full of varied videos, with songs in Spanish as well as English. Rick leads "Sing Like Pete Seeger Liked" sing-alongs around Seattle area. We're all three focused on that better world we know is possible, and making it happen! And, as it happens, singing together has got to be part of it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tQhf3yMAIYSongs of the Heart Native American Flute by Peter Ali
Native American flute songs
Peter Ali has inspired and comforted many through his music and sharing for more than a decade. Hearing the call of a Native American Style flute on the wind at a low point in his own life Peter found his way towards healing through purchasing and teaching himself to play his first flute. Peter comes from a unique blending of cultures. His Mother originating in Sonora Mexico is of Mayan Pima and Southern European descent. His Father is of Berber descent leaving his child hood home on the coastal region of Morocco North Africa.
https://youtu.be/X4Z8acdpJFYSongs That Live On Sing-Along
Norm Brecke, Anne Rutherford
Before becoming a full-time professional storyteller, Norm was an award-winning teacher. He’s told stories from Oregon to South Carolina, L.A. to B.C. This is his 12th year as a performer at the NW Folklife. Anne Rutherford has been a featured teller at the National Storytelling Festival, Teller in Residence at the International Storytelling Center and five-time winner of Northwest Folklife’s Liars Contest. Her CD “The Habit of Joy” is an Award winner. Festival. Anne & Norm often perform and lead workshops as a duo, and love introducing people to the surprising power of good storytelling and singing together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4CH5-PJcSg&list=PLD09uUZUot_bIgDw_NA_fexEE3sgfY5un&index=14&t=0sSongwriters in Seattle Showcase
Songwriters in Seattle Showcase
Jim lends his smooth, tenor vocals and strong flatpicking guitar work to a variety of catchy original songs and cover tunes. A veteran performer, he has spent most of his life as a hobbyist musician, playing in bands ranging from folk-rock to bluegrass to solo singer-songwriter performances. Jim currently performs both solo and with the local bluegrass band, Ryegrass.
http://www.jimhannamusic.comSound and Fury Morris
Kilted Morris With Bells!
Sound & Fury Morris & Sword have been dancing around Seattle and the rest of the west coast of North America since the waning days of last century. These are dance traditions dating back a long time, from various regions of England. Traditionally, Morris Dance is a community-based activity and a street performance tradition, with dancers showing up, often outside a pub, to perform close to their audience. When the performance is over, the dancers will retire to the pub, where their grateful, adoring audience treats them to the finest ales and ciders on tap!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrcv5zRzA6czFcoeEbYHTEz4ZmNzvWxV2Sound Crossing String Band with Amy Wimmer, Caller
Lively Oldtime Dance Music
Members of the band met 22 years ago at a jam at Northwest Folklife, found that they enjoyed playing music together. They really love playing for dances and think Amy Wimmer is an amazing caller.
http://soundcrossingband.com/Sounds Singers Japanese Choir
Building Friendship Through Music
The Sound Singers Japanese Choir was founded in 2009. We perform a wide range of music, including songs in the Japanese language and also from many other languages and cultures. Membership is not limited to Japanese people, we have members also from the United States and other countries. We perform all over the Puget Sound area and present a popular annual concert, along with our famous Japanese bake-sale! We are proud members of the Greater Seattle Choral Consortium.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acboTolg8Q0&feature=youtu.beStay Tuned with caller, Rosemary Lach
Participatory English Country Dance
Karen Iglitzin, violin, played with the Philadelphia String Quartet. They toured India and South America as well as the US. She has been fiddling since the mid-1980's. Roger Nelson, pianist, professor at Cornish college of the Arts for 40 years is a conductor and prolific composer. He and Karen taught at a university in China in 1997. Their daughter, Ariana Nelson received her MA at Julliard and started her professional cello career with the Houston Grand Opera orchestra. She has played with Yo-Yo Ma and was part of his "Silk Road" Project. They have recorded 2 CDs.
Stephanie Anne Johnson and The Hidogs
Folk, Blues, Country, Soul
After a successful stint on NBC's The Voice Stephanie Anne Johnson joined Tacoma sideman Jesse Turcotte on a series of musical walks down the back alleys of American music. True Hidogs at heart they dreamed of a field they could run and romp in that had all their favorite musics growing as one golden grass that could sustain dogs of all colors and breeds; All that swampy Chicago blues of the 50's all that Soul from the 60's all that outlaw and California country from the 70's and all that good funk and hip hop from ever since....
https://stephanieannejohnson.bandcamp.comSteve Church
Solo singer-songwriter acoustic guitarist.
Steve blends a unique combination of country-fied blues, pop sounds and alt-swing to his baritone vocal delivery. Influenced by jazz greats, blues legends and country western idols – it’s unsurprising to detect the flavors of each in the recipe of his performance. He writes and sings of lost love, found hope and the complexities of relationships – with each other, with our world and with ourselves.
http://www.stevechurchmusic.comSteve Henegar - Storyteller
Truth & Lies Forever
Mid-westerner Steven Henegar celebrates the wonderful variety of stories we use to share our lives. He calls up the everyday and the fantastic to discover feelings and experiences that connect us all. The twenty-five year veteran performer and workshop leader blends the easy conversation of his family’s storytelling with incisive imagery shaped by a decade in the theater as an actor, writer and director. Truth & Lies mined from a long life looking around.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNJh32bK8BcSTG's More Music @ The Moore
Multi-genre Teen Music Collaboration
https://www.stgpresents.org/education/more-music/mm-videosStorytellers of Anatolia
TURKISH SHOWCASE: CEREMONIOUS MOMENTS
Since 2012, we have been telling stories from Anatolia in our Turkish Showcases. These stories are about the numerous ethnic communities that make up the 80 million population of Turkey and their daily lives. The stories are presented with music (recorded or live) and dance.
Strikes A Bell
Singable Sea Chanteys!
Strikes A Bell sings familiar and catchy sea songs guaranteed to get all members of the audience joining in on the chorus. The group met at Northwest Seaport’s Monthly Chantey Sing where sea chanteys and other maritime music are sung aboard historic vessels and in other maritime venues.
https://www.facebook.com/Strikes-A-Bell-1124175947702971/Stuart Williams and His Amazing Students with Sherry Nevins, Caller
Fun tunes, everyone dance!
n I teach the music I have loved all my life. That is traditional or "old time" fiddle music. I have been fortunate to have met and learned first hand from a number of masters of this age old art fiddlers here in the Pacific Northwest who themselves learned from long lineages of fiddlers and who played for dances. I have been teaching music full time now for 20 years: private lessons group classes and workshops at camps and festivals around the Northwest. My students have been my best teachers as far as letting me know what works and doesn't.
SUPA - Seattle Ukulele Players Association
Forecast calls for UKULELE
Seattle Ukulele Players Association (SUPA) is a Washington nonprofit corporation founded in 2003 to promote fellowship, entertainment, performance and education among ukulele enthusiasts in the Puget Sound region. All styles & all skill levels are welcome at our monthly song-circles and activities.
https://youtu.be/difNtk3X5_YSurreal Storytelling with Strange Women
Storytelling with Strange Women
Inspired by strange women and surreal storytellers like Catherynne M. Valente and Aimee Bender, Kate dreamed of creating a platform to showcase voices of the peculiar. Surreal Storytelling with Strange Women was born August 2018. At each Surreal Storytelling event, four women take the stage to provide an evocative evening seeping with poetry, prose, and personal anecdotes. The setting is soft, yet severe. Demanding, magical, bewitching. Kate strives to shine the light not only on established authors but emerging writers as well.
Susan Burke/Eric Anderson
Fiery cape breton fiddle
Susan burke and eric anderson have shared decades of Cape Breton and Scottish music, in addition to active contra dance careers, since meeting at the Festival of American Fiddle tunes in the 80's.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sbygdjpfi10p487/AADONTPkuottitJKW17WXPb0a?dl=0Suzanne Girardot
Squares with Zip!
Suzanne has been calling for almost 40 years, and squares are her favorite dances to call and teach. Her teaching is clear and concise, and the combination of her calling with the music gives the dancers a driving pulse to pick their feet up off the ground!
Swamp Soul Cajun/Zydeco Band
Louisiana Dance Music
Karen Kaser and John Morris have traveled to Louisiana for many years to learn the music of Southwest Louisiana and have played in their band: Swamp Soul for 15 years. Julia Derby, Dave Grixoni, Kevin Kilmartin and Grant Steele are local Seattle musicians who enjoy and play several different styles of music but play with the band for dances and other performances.
http://www.swampsoulband.comSwedish Slängpolska - the easiest!
Bob Hamilton
We (Bob and Lisa) have been Scandinavian folk dancing for more than thirty years. Each. They have also taught for much of that time, and regularly travel to Scandinavia to experience the wonderful music and dancing in its natural setting. Our focus is to get beginners up on the floor dancing and having a good time while still being true to the form. We think you will have a lot of fun!
Swing Criollo - Costa Rican Social Dance
Swing Criollo Video Demonstrations
I spent the first 16 years of my life living in Latin American countries. Being a dancer and owner operator of several websites that track dance events I have a strong interest in collecting and demonstrating dance styles. On a trip to Costa Rica 4 years ago while participating in a "Waltz Flash Mob by Bicycle" in Costa Rica's capital San Jose I had the opportunity to learn about this wonderful Latin dance called "Swing Criollo" or to some "Tico Swing" . (Tico means Costa Rican). It changed me. I hope it changes you. Sincerely, John A Davis, Dancing Slob
http://www.lazydancer.com/FolkLife/TicoSwing.htmSwing Dancing for Everyone
Ari Levitt
Ari has been teaching and performing nationally and internationally for over 25 years. A much-loved Seattle instructor, he is well-known for both his fun, energetic, and delightful classes that can't help but inspire students with a love and passion for dance, and for his clear articulate teaching style that can make even the most complex steps easy to understand and fun to do. When not dancing Ari is a physician on faculty with Singularity University's "Exponential Medicine” and is a pioneer in the burgeoning field of "Experiential Wellness" which combines medicine with music dance & the Arts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm_8v40pjkUSwingmatism
Western Swing
Swingmatism is a western swing ensemble formed in 2016 by violinist Paul Anastasio, guitarist/vocalist Eric Madis, mandolinist/vocalist Pete Martin, bassist Greg Glassman and drummer Don Berman. After Paul's move to Louisiana in 2017, Pete, Greg and Eric continued as an acoustic trio. They reformed the quintet for the annual swing dance at the 2017 Northwest Folklife Festival with the temporary addition of violinist Paul Elliott and drummer Will Dowd. After a period of continuing with individual careers, the band reformed in 2019 with the addition of violinist/vocalist Kat Bula and steel guitarist/vocalist Orville Johnson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-MzaeGCJC0thad wenatchee
lo-fi hip-hop instrumentals
i like to make beats. i like to look at graffiti. i like folk music. i like to listen to jazz a ton. i like to write rhymes & i like to spit rhymes. i enjoy doing most of these things in my bedroom.
http://www.thadwenatchee.bandcamp.comThai Wayside Band
Modern Thai dance music
Thai Wayside band or “Khon Kang Tang” is a musical group of both musicians (Thai and American) and dancers who love music and performing arts. The band was formed in 2016 with several members of the Pong Lang Ruam Jai band and made its first debut at the University of Washington Cultural Fest. With Viroj Buraparate as the band leader, their music covers diverse arrays of styles, ranging from Thai classical, Thai Northern, Thai Northeastern styles of music to Thai modern pop and rock music. Our talented dancers come from the Siam Olympia team led by Nat-thanik Hall.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6IM41Uh1PMAnSkbN0n3PPA?view_as=subscriberThe Ballard High School Fiddlers
Fabulous youth fiddlers!
This group of fiddlers hails from Ballard High School. They play a range of fiddle styles, ranging from bluegrass to irish to swing to oldtime to country and everything in between!
The Braxmatics
Funky Seattle Dance Party
Funkin' up the place, with the Bass in your face, from outer space, with a bit of dash and a lot of Grace, to capture the flag and win this Race, to the top of the galactic Mountain of Boom, where we funk harder than an Elephant in the Room, and leave smokey clouds of danceable Plumes, on which to fly with our soul livened Crew...!
http://facebook.com/thebraxmaticsThe Burying Ground
Country Blues and Ragtime
The Burying Ground trades in authentically delivered rustic old-timey country-blues and swinging jazz-flecked folk music. The core duo Devora Laye (washboard vocals saw) and Woody Forster (guitar vocals) are known for songwriting that illuminates the human experience and reflects the modern day. It is today’s commentary on a framework of vintage music. They have been charming diverse crowds across all ages and musical tastes in large and small venues throughout Western Canada United States Netherlands Belgium Germany and Ireland. They have released three albums that have all hit radio charts. The duo are accompanied by a rotating cast of musicians.
http://www.theburyingground.bandcamp.comThe Contraries with Valerie Cohen, Caller
David Kaynor Tribute Band
We are applying as a tribute group to David Kaynor, who has been a friend, fiddle buddy, and mentor to the members of the group. Most of the tunes and some of the dances we are doing were written by him.
The Cross-Town Ramblers with Paul Silveria, Caller
Two fiddles, no waiting.
Kate, Morgan, Catherine, Tony and Carmen have played together in various combinations, and individually with Atlas String Band, The Barn Owls and Peckin' Out Dough, among others. Folklife is an excellent proving ground for new possibilities, so here we are.
The Fentons
We are a Roots/Alt.band
The Fentons began playing their own brand of Country music in a North Seattle basement in 2009. Since then they've brought their sound and songs to thousands of new fans of all ages from dark clubs to bright festival stages. In addition to their live performances the band has released five CD's "Twist In The Twine" "Little Window" "You+I+Us+Them" and "Bad Choices - Live".
http://www.FentonsTwang.com/music-videoTHE GEODUCKS
Lively tween neotraditional trio
Seattle natives Henry, Hank and Diego began playing music as soon as they could get their hands on instruments. Now moving into their teens, Hank is first a classical violinist, Henry a jazz pianist and Diego a jazz clarinetist. As The Geoducks, they find common ground in a mix of upbeat old time, bluegrass, folk, jazz, blues and a smattering of other genres. They all contribute vocals, Hank plays fiddle and mandolin, Henry piano, mandolin and drums and Diego clarinet. The Geoducks draw crowds of old and young alike at Folklife, farmers markets and neighborhood festivals.
https://www.facebook.com/thegeoducks.orgThe Gortexans
Upbeat country western swing
The Gortexans play a mix of western swing, country, swing and rockabilly. They do traditional songs from these genres but also do originals that stay true to these styles of music. Their musical heroes are Bob Wills, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Hank Williams, Asleep At The Wheel and Commander Cody. They have been regular performers at the country swing dance at NW Folklife. You can learn more about them and hear samples of their music at: facebook.com/TheGortexans.
The Hackles
Evocative songwriting, powerful harmonies.
The Hackles are Luke Ydstie and Kati Claborn. They met in 2008 at band practice and have been playing together most days since then in a variety of musical projects. As The Hackles, they focus on collaborative songwriting, evocative harmonies, & intimate arrangements for guitar and banjo. They live in Astoria, Oregon with their daughter & cat. Their sophomore album “A Dobritch Did as a Dobritch Should” was released in November 2019.
https://thehackles.bandcamp.comThe Harmonica Pocket
Acoustic Folk for Families
Silly and sweet, The Harmonica Pocket is a young at heart duo from Port Townsend Washington. They have performed for busloads of children and their grownups in theaters, schools, libraries, and festivals nationally and internationally. The Harmonica Pocket’s current groovy-green family album “Sundrops” won a Parents' Choice Gold Award and was recorded at their solar-powered home studio. Shows feature ukuleles, guitars, sweet vocal harmony, hula hoops and colorful spinning flags. They sing about bugs, vegetables, and a diaper-wearing superhero, love Dr. Seuss, and eat a lot of ice cream.
https://www.facebook.com/HarmonicaPocketThe History of Blues Music, Movement, & Dance
Ari Levitt
Ari Levitt: Ari has been teaching and performing nationally and internationally for over 25 years. A much-loved Seattle instructor, he is well-known for both his fun, energetic, and delightful classes that can't help but inspire students with a love and passion for dance, and for his clear articulate teaching style that can make even the most complex steps easy to understand and fun to do. When not dancing Ari is a physician on faculty with Singularity University's "Exponential Medicine” and is a pioneer in the burgeoning field of "Experiential Wellness" which combines medicine with music, dance, & the Arts.
http://www.rolluptherug.comThe Jack Maybe Project
Folk, Blues, Jazz
Jack Maybe was forged in the fires of the American sound. The sirens of Blues, Jazz, Folk, and Bluegrass grew nearby and he was able to learn their tunes. Through the centuries, he found different beasts who were his kin, and together they began to sing the songs of the Old Monsters who roamed the earth before they. The monsters change form and ferocity, but the songs remain the same.
http://thejackmaybeproject.bandcamp.comThe Jaydogs
Old Dogs, New Tricks
We are a mostly acoustic band featuring guitar mandolin bass harmonica and vocals. Our influences are the folk rock country and blues from the second half of the 20th century . Our first CD "Almost Live in Brian's Basement" recorded at Black Rain Sound studio; features 10 original songs by two songwriters Doug Bowes and Kieran Phelan. Jay Hollingsworth handles lead vocals on 7 tracts and Doug handles lead vocals on the 3 tracks he wrote. We both share harmonies for the other. Jack Lenior rounds out the band playing bass. The Jaydogs have been together 4 years.
https://thejaydogs.com/videoThe Jesus Chords
Garage Country
Grew up together on San Juan Island. Played in the woods together as kids, and in Band all through school. In 1999, we decided to start a Country group. Seemed revolutionary at the time. Since then we’ve written over 100 original songs—true stories, political satire, nonsense. We’ve played most of Seattle’s seedy venues (a few of which are still around) and we always pack Herbs Tavern back in Friday Harbor.
https://jesuschords.bandcamp.com/album/kelp-bongThe Jewel Box Boys
Bluegrass, Swing, Whatever Else!
Joe Ellingson and Lee Callender, guitarist and fiddler of local bluegrass band The Warren G Hardings respectively, met bass player Jonti Simon while jamming at a house party in Seattle. Jonti recently moved to Seattle from New York City where he played many genres of music, mainly jazz. The three of them enjoying nerding out on many musical styles and are excited to bring their sound to Folklife!
The m9
High Energy Romani Brass
Founded in 2013, The m9 draws inspiration from high-energy brass bands from across the globe to create a unique soundscape where East and West collide. The new global fusion sounds of the rich Balkan Romani brass tradition form the core of a repertoire which excites, invigorates, and inspires curiosity about one of Europe's most misunderstood minorities.
https://m9brass.bandcamp.com/releasesThe Moonshine Revival Tent
Fantastical Story & Song!
The Moonshine Revival Tent combines the dynamic storytelling of Bret Fetzer with the lovely vocal harmonies of Sari Breznau, Mike Gilson, Christine Longé, and Jillian Vashro. These stories-with-songs use the traditional narrative structures of fairy tales, but with a distinctly American iconography—instead of castles, cabins and coal mines; instead of potions and magic wands, liquor and cigarettes; instead of princesses and fairies, farmgirls and the Devil himself. Musical styles range from folk songs to murder ballads to 1920s hot jazz.
The Mossbacks with Sherry Nevins, Caller
Seattle's Old-Time Youngsters
The Mossbacks were formed four years ago, when Oliver, our youngest member, was only nine years old. We all had a love for old-time fiddle music, so we started playing together. Since then, we have played for many gigs and events around Seattle and at Folklife the last three years!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FJ_F_DafDIThe Mountain WIlliams with Suzanne Girardot, Caller
Old-Time Stringband
The Mountain Williams are a loose, ever changing collective of Old Time musicians that precipitates out of the old-time community whenever there is a need for fiddle tunes! In this roll of the dice, we have Eric Schweizer, Bex Winnick, and Donald Polardy, who range from Olympia to British Columbia
The Muddy Souls
Northwest Bluegrass
Bio: Born out of the belly of the acoustic music scene in Eugene, Oregon, The Muddy Souls were formed in the Fall of 2018. They combine bluegrass/traditional music with original songwriting and lively instrumentals for a memorable show that is sure to get your feet dancing and your face grinning.
https://themuddysouls.bandcamp.com/releasesThe Musical Socks Stringband with Amy Carroll, Caller
Fun tunes, fun dances!
Bonnie Zahnow became an old-time fiddler in the 1980s. For nearly 10 years she played for dances at the G-Note and New Melody Taverns, family dances and with the Mexican music ensemble "Los Chalados." She performs as a duo With her husband WB Reid, and in other groups. An accomplished fiddler, guitar accompanist, and singer, specializing in old-time country music, jugband and blues, and Mexican and Hispanic music. Bonnie Zahnow has performed and/or taught at Fiddle Tunes, Merlefest, Lark in the Morning Camp, San Diego Roots Festival, The Caspar World Music Festival,. She has toured extensively
https://soundcloud.com/wb-reid/sets/wb-bonnies-new-cd-ryestraw-sample-tracksThe Nettles with Kelsey Hartman, Caller
Funky fresh folkadelic frolic!
Folkadelic! The Nettles propel contra dances with powerful melodies, wild improvisation, and driving rhythms. With fiddle, guitar, bass, trumpet, and a phat groove, The Nettles draw from Irish and international music to American oldtime and rock, putting it all through their folkadelic kaleidoscope. Laura Brophy's powerful fiddling and Rob Birdwell's trumpet create strong, lyrical melodies and the punch of brass, lifting the dancers as the instruments take flight. The band's mighty rhythm engine is Kevin Johnsrude on guitar and Michael Proctor on bass. The Nettles' music retains the driving energy of its roots but adds new excitement to every show.
https://youtu.be/FxosGaBgOe4?t=210The New Iberians Zydeco Blues Band
Stumptown Zydeco
Emerging from the silt and runoff of the Bretz floods, the New Iberians have been terrorizing audiences from Vancouver BC to Venice Beach for nearly 22 years. Grab your foul weather gear and your dancin' shoes, it's the New iberians!
http://www.newiberians.comThe Northwest Junior Pipe Band
Northwest Junior Pipe Band
Founded in 1995 Northwest Junior Pipe Band is Washington State’s only competitive youth bagpipe band. NWJPB teaches Scottish bagpiping and drumming to kids ages 8 to18 promoting the values of excellence teamwork and community involvement. Each summer you will find the band at several local Scottish festivals including the Bellingham Highland Games Skagit Valley Highland Games and the Pacific NW Highland Games in Enumclaw.This year the band travels to Glasgow Scotland to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships. NWJPB is always looking for kids who are interested in learning Scottish bagpipes and drums. Meet the band after the show.
https://www.youtube.com/user/NWJPBTVThe OK Chorale
Real People Singing Together
We are a community of folks who love to sing with others in four-part harmony: folk, popular, Beatles, classical, holiday, Irish, Broadway. Noauditions. Rehearsals are fun and no one gets hurt.
https://www.elenalouiserichmond.com/the-ok-chorale/The Oly Mountain Boys
Northwest Flavored Bluegrass
The Oly Mountain Boys are a South Puget Sound bluegrass institution, picking and singing around Olympia, Washington since 2008. They bring a Pacific Northwest sensibility to the bluegrass sound through traditional tunes and original compositions, and showcase the power of the American bluegrass music tradition.
http://www.olymountainboys.com/The People's Echo
Participatory singing for justice
The People's Echo is a Seattle based song circle community for social and climate justice focussed folx. All people are welcome. We believe that group singing can shift the tone of the atmosphere and also within ourselves. And Seattle needs us to sing. The intention of creating this space is to infuse the streets and our movement with original songs that can be used as powerful tools for change.
https://www.facebook.com/thepeoplesecho/The Piney Gals
Old-Timey Gals Sing/Fiddle/Dance!
The Piney Gals perform traditional songs and fiddle tunes dug from the roots of American folk music. Kate Lichtenstein (the Barn Owls) and Charmaine Slaven (Squirrel Butter, The Tallboys) started singing together in 2017 on their back porches and living rooms, and found that their voices, taste in repertoire, and sense of humor meshed well together. We think you'll enjoy the music that these two ladies of old-time music have arranged.
https://www.facebook.com/pineygals/The Québécois Music Jam
Doug Plummer and Friends
The Pacific Northwest has a vibrant French-Canadian music scene of home-oriented sessions full of tunes, food and drink. You can find us in Seattle, Olympia, Bellingham, Portland and Vancouver, BC.
The Raccoon Carnival with Craig Wolfe, Caller
Wild animal craziness
The Raccoon Carnival is a large and diverse band that plays music for contra dances. Led by Sarah Comer, we meet every Thursday at the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Center. We are dedicated to making music and dance fun and accessible to all and are always happy to welcome new band members to the Carnival!
The Ragshakers
Gothic Folk Punk Collective
The Ragshakers are an ever-revolving folk punk orchestra. Sometimes a raucous three piece, sometimes a scrappy duo, the Ragshakers keep their signature sound by strummin’ fast one minute and playing slow, eerie ballads.
http://theragshakers.bandcamp.comThe Rallies
skyward-facing positivity
While the four-piece band The Rallies are based in the Pacific Northwest their sound is as American as ingenuity. The group with roots in the Seattle and Tacoma areas of Washington State is one slice Americana twang one slice surfer harmony one slice mid-west jangle and one more slice sunny coastline indie rock. Infused with skyward-facing positivity the quartet is part of the great forever-sewn quilt of the country's hopeful music.
https://therallies.bandcamp.comThe Rhapsody Project Songsters
Hear Joe Seamons and Briar perform in virtual collaboration with their students!
The Rhapsody Project Songsters explore their heritage through various styles of American Roots music. In partnership with Northwest Folklife, these students have meet every other week for over a year to study their instruments and learn from many culture bearers throughout Seattle. In addition to performances in town, the group takes a trip each summer to spend a week celebrating our American heritage at the Pt. Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival! We host various community events and concerts throughout the city, see our website to learn more!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz1H8bvqt04The Rhythm Rollers with Charlie Fenton, Caller
Traditional New England Contra
The Rhythm Rollers have been a Northwest institution for over three decades, offering hard core traditional New England Contra Dance music. The band originally formed around the late Bob McQuillen of New Hampshire, and continues on in the spirit and tradition of that great musician.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_iS-ZhRmeYThe Rouge&Noir Tango Orchestra
Argentine Tango 1920-1960's
Tango Orchestra founded in 2002 to play for Argentine Tango dancing, Folkife, and the Tango Ball. This will be our 18th performance for Folklife. Violinist may audition to play with the Orchestra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDz2bwTJjAkThe Roustabouts
Bluegrass and Americana Music
Based in Seattle, these folks play a mix of high energy bluegrass, soulful folk and some tunes that are just kind of weird. But mostly, the Roustabouts have a lot of fun making music together. Forming over 10 years ago, with an emphasis on strong vocals and harmonies, they cover songs from Gillian Welch and Danny Barnes to The Rolling Stones and Camper Van Beethoven. Having played parties and benefits everywhere from Madrona to Wallingford, these guys are ready to rock Seattle Center.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u53IxjMwjfoThe Surly Goats!!
Superpowered Irish Craic Band!!
Created by friends who wanted to enjoy each other's company while getting free drinks The Surly Goats have created a lasting impact on Irish music in their own particular way. After years working as a spy network in the Congo our heroes have settled down in the South Sound area to raise kids and spread the joy of traditional Irish instrumentals and songs to an unsuspecting audience. And possibly sell a few T-Shirts on the way to pay for snacks.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/thesurlygoatsband/videos/?ref=page_internalThe Sweethearts of Sigma Chai
Waltzes for the masses
Dina Blade is a singer and guitarist who spent her early childhood watching old cartoons with jazz soundtracks and has been enthralled with the music ever since. An effervescent performer with a devotion to the timeless songs from the 1930s and 40s Great American Songbook, Dina has has graced stages in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Cuba and Brazil. Her group today plays waltzes for dancing.
http://www.dinablade.comThe TimeZones with William Watson, Caller
Contras RexBlazer SueSonger
Rex and Sue (The TimeZones) have joined musical forces across many miles for nearly 20 years, during which time they have played numerous contra dances together.
http://www.theportlandcollection.comThe Try-Works with Phae Vaughn, Caller
Whale of a time!
The Try-Works are a new duo based in Seattle. Penka Jane and Alex bonded over a mutual obsession with trad music and Moby-Dick. Together, they bring a fresh and exciting sound to dancefloors and concert stages. Penka's sweet, old-time-influenced fiddling and Alex's powerhouse guitar and foot percussion are sure to lift your feet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXXXOBIPF3AThe Vashon Sessions
Transatlantic Collaborative Folk Project
The Vashon Sessions is a collaborative music project whose goal is to bring together some of the Pacific Northwest’s best folk musicians to create something new. Each summer a dozen or so musicians gather in a little house on Vashon Island, which has been converted overnight into a recording studio, and make an album. The Vashon Sessions incorporates Celtic, Americana, bluegrass, old-time, maritime, and other styles, and aims capture the joy that musicians feel in playing together; in short, to capture the best of contemporary folk music.
http://www.thevashonsessions.comThe Waxwings with Lindsey Dono, Caller
Smooth grooves, rockin' tunes
The Waxwings formed in 2016 for a one-off gig with Cedar Sanistreet, and chose the name "Cedar and the Waxwings" for that gig. Since then, Amy, Jesse, and Alex have been playing as a trio and occasionally a quartet, and delighting dancers all over. This Folklife, they are delighted to welcome back Cedar Sanistreet to join them once again.
https://thewaxwingscontra.bandcamp.com/The Weavils
Bluegrass, Americana, Swing
Based out of Seattle, the Weavils have been performing at concerts, festivals and private events throughout the Pacific Northwest for over 20 years. The Weavils are a group of good friends, brought together by a love for hot picking, cool tunes, and getting audiences on their feet. They have tapped into American Roots Music, including rapid fire bluegrass, folk music done right, swing tunes and even a Cajun piece now and again.
http://www.theweavils.comThird Eye Bling
beat set with crew
Third Eye Bling, is an emerging Hip-Hop producer who's catching the ears of many of Seattle's notable artists, collaborating with the likes of Gabriel Teodros, Yirim Seck, Alpha-P and Silas Black. Hie dedication to the craft resonates sonically with dirty kicks, snapping snares, infectious bass lines, instrumentation and chopped samples. He may be regarded in a similar vein as Alchemist, Pete Rock and Organized Noize. His ability to adapt to new and old music technology has provided for a range of unorthodox integration and his unique sound.
https://soundcloud.com/thirdeyebling/sets/assortmant/s-IsOc9TinnFelen Hardanger Fiddle Ensemble
Scandia Gammal Dance Music
Around 1880 an immigrant from the village of Tinn in Telemark Norway arrived in Poulsbo with a Hardanger fiddle. Passed down through the family this instrument was given to Phil Wilkinson, the leader/arranger of the group. TinnFelen began in 2003 with 2 fiddles exapnding to 4, adding woodwind and rhythm instruments for our first Folklife performance. We regularly play for Skandia dancing Nordic Museum Scandia cultural events; Sons/Daughters of Norway. We primarily play dance music but encourage individuals to study the more traditional repetoire. The group is open to all capable fiddlers. We hope you enjoy the performance!
T-Lou
Cajun Dance Music
Touloulou has been together since 2013. Current members include John Hurd on accordion, Karen England on fiddle, Steve Perry on fiddle, and Elena DeLisle on guitar. They share a love of the long tradition of Louisiana French music and dance.
http://www.touloulouband.com/TLSEA
Electric Sea Harmonies Ahoy!
TLSea is a multi-instrumental, full bore harmony mostly maritime band. Backed up by members of Emerald Fire, leader Lara Allan evokes the spirit of her mother, Teresa Morgan and family band the Cutters. TLSea embraces the ruckus of a good shanty as well as ballads of lost love with haunting harmonies. TLSea features Lara Clark on lead vocals, Kelley Kenison on Acoustic Guitar & vocals, Pamela Burdwell on Mandolin, Recorder & vocals, and Deanna Kenison on Bass Guitar & vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjwf_QAOP14Todd Christoffel
Seattle songwriter and performer
Todd Christoffel is a long time Seattle songwriter and founding member of Songwriters in Seatlle and front man and songwriter for the folk-rock group "don't ask".
https://soundcloud.com/toddchristoffelTom Humphreys
Thoughtfully rendered acoustic songs.
Tom is a longtime singer-songwriter with 35 years of words, notes and chords churning in his heart and head. He writes songs in the great, cross-pollinating traditions of Americana. Straddling blues, folk, rock and country, Tom tries to find the new twist in the old road, and to touch your heart, your mind and your funnybone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIjfY8q0ZpgTorongo - Seattle's Bangladeshi Dance Team
Bangladeshi Dance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRMcR94GijwTrio Tsuica
Romania, Hungary, and beyond
Trio Tsuica plays café and dance music from Romania, Hungary, and nearby countries. The group began in 2010 with three musicians on violin, accordion, and cimbalom—the hammered dulcimer’s extra-large, east-central European cousin. In need of a firm foundation, the ensemble eventually added a bassist. Since “Tsuica Quartet” just doesn’t roll off the tongue the same way, the ensemble became Portland’s only four-member trio. Tsuica is a traditional Romanian brandy distilled from plums.
https://www.facebook.com/anastasia.lang/videos/10218611257685872/Trish Anderson
vibrant lively funny unexpected
Trish Anderson started telling stories in 2017 to help take the edge off one particular episode in her past and to get her arms around something that didn’t fit neatly into all the other life experience categories. Well, it worked. And she discovered that stories could resonate far beyond just making you laugh. “Like any good art, stories can distract us from our daily heap of sorrow,” she says, “and sometimes even give hope and healing." In real life, Trish sorts and organizes words, ideas, images and objects as a technical writer and illustrator.
https://youtu.be/5022vAHCzbMTwo Rivers Morris
Wild Border Morris Dance
Two Rivers Morris dances border Morris in Eugene, Oregon and up and down the West Coast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4JmoSbtm58&feature=youtu.beUkestra Seattle
Ukulele joy and musicality!
Ukestra Seattle (US!), under the direction of Sunga Rose, is a group of ukulele musicians who are dedicated to bringing the joy and musicality of the ukulele to audiences everywhere. This 12-member ensemble plays a variety of music, from classical works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Brahms, to original renditions and sing-along favorites from the 1940s, ‘50s, ‘60s and beyond. Members have a variety of experience on the ukulele and other instruments and have all been brought together by their love of this 4-stringed underdog of the music world. Let US change the way you think about the ukulele.
https://www.sunrosemusic.com/ukestra-seattle.htmlUncle Pappy
Beloved irascible children's entertainer
Uncle Pappy has appeared at schools and parties across the country as well as with the New Old Time Chautauqua, and has captured the hearts and funnybones of fans young and old from coast to coast (and even in the middle!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgCgNz6r_Nk&t=2sUnited States Chinese Paining and Calligraphy Association
Chinese painting & calligraphy
The US Chinese Painting and Calligraphy coordinates seminars hold exhibitions give lectures and publishes collections of numerous Chinese paintings. As president of the US Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Association Dr Hongduan Yang is an advocate for traditional Chinese art and uses his expertise to cultivate the cultural exchange between China and the West. Today’s exhibition will highlight the years of collaboration between a master and his student. This demonstrates the high level of skill technique and artistry that is required in traditional Chinese art.
Urvasi Dance Ensemble
Odissi Indian Classical Dance
Urvasi Dance Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Ratna Roy performs classical Odissi dance in the tradition of Guru Pankaj Charan Das and the temple dancers of the Puri Temple in Odisha. The Odissi dance style is characterized by the unique sculpturesque quality, the separation of the upper torso from the lower half of the body, and in the constant juxtaposition of rhythmic strength with lyrical torso movements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_X2PRfivEUVADER TOTS
HIGH ENERGY FUN DANCE
VADER TOTS is a project stemming from fun, joy, dance, groove and melodies. Dio and Max met while busking, and shortly after Max had moved to Seattle from Hawaii. We try to aim to always love what we do, and have fun with the sonic spectrums we enjoy. We play with a fair amount of energy and really aim to get our cardio in during our shows. Max Benoit - Bass Dio Jean-Baptiste - Drums
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IKnrk9Ys2sValse Café Orchestra
Yes, Waltz Me, Please.
Seattle’s Valse Café Orchestra coalesced in 1999 with a singular goal: to win the hearts of good dancers with post-modern renditions of dance hall classics. As the ensemble evolved and its popularity grew it delved into realms of musical theater and performance art and today performs in concert as well. Size of the ensemble varies from three to a dozen musicians depending on the scope of performance and budget. The orchestra’s eclectic repertoire celebrates a romantic mélange of bygone eras and cultures: Paris in the thirties. Hapsburg Vienna. Yiddish melancholy. Gypsy romance. Sophisticated Manhattan swing (even some Bob Wills).
http://www.ValseCafeOrchestra.comVamoLá! Brazilian Drum & Dance Ensemble
Brazilian Drum & Dance
VamoLá is a Drum and Dance Ensemble from Seattle. They combine live Brazilian music with energetic dancers in stunning Brazilian costumes. They perform many types of Brazilian music and dance from around the country of Brazil. They'll even be teaching how to dance Samba Reggae (pronounced Samba Heg-gay in Brazil) so come on up and dance along! vah-moe-LAH is Portuguese for "Let's Go!" and we do just that — we get people going!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkZN-wapt-g&list=PLygwBZ-JI1WVL5YX4_rtQSkwyh-W5boKn&index=6Vancouver Fiddle Philharmonic
Large Group Fiddle Mayhem!
The Vancouver Fiddle Philharmonic is made up of string orchestras and friends from Skyview and Columbia River HS in the Vancouver (WA) school district. Sarah O'Mara and Dave Keckes-Chartrey consider themselves fortunate to get to work with them every day.
Vancouver Morris Men
Traditional English Folk Dance
We were formed in Vancouver BC Canada in 1982 to maintain English folk traditions, specifically the Morris, locally. We use our performances to celebrate the changing of the seasons throughout the year. The Spring and Summer are the seasons when we perform South Midlands morris, while Welsh Border morris and Molly are performed during the Autumn (Fall) and Winter. Most of our mummers plays are performed at the appropriate traditional seasonal time - however, we have one, modern play which we perform year round.
http://www.vancouvermorrismen.orgVawachi II
Exhilarating Zimbabwean-style marimba!
The nine-member Vawachi II Marimba Ensemble is a new-old marimba group comprised of several veterans who first met and performed with Dumisani Maraire 40+ years ago, along with a few more youthful musicians who keep us on our toes! We play some of the old Dumi songs, dip into the repertoire from the fondly-remembered Seattle groups Kutamba and Musango and have added newer mbira-oriented arrangements by leader Claire Jones. Seven marimbas plus hosho and a bit of this and that. Still rockin’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AArHxSbegIwVela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble
Croatian Music and Dance
Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble, founded in 1975, perform music and dance of Croatia. Anacortes, on Fidalgo Island, is home to Vela Luka, where 1/4 of the residents of the community are descendants from another fishing village, Vela Luka on the island of Korcula, Croatia. Our performers represent 4 generations who continue to introduce and share the extraordinary dance, music and costuming to the world. Forming a cross-cultural link between the Puget Sound region and Croatia, the ensemble strives to preserve Croatian folkways and culture for generations to come.
http://www.velaluka.orgVictoria Balkan Dancers Kariatis & Sini Balkani
Victoria's Exciting Balkan Dancers
Kariatis celebrates 40 years of dancing this year. We perform traditional dances, mostly from Bulgaria Macedonia Greece Romania and Serbia, that have been choreographed for stage. We have performed at Folklife many times over the past 20 years and enjoy the festival even when not performing. Sini Balkani, created 6 years ago, is a dance group (ages 8 - 75) that follows closely the revived interest in traditional dancing in Bulgaria and performs dances currently popular and danced at the numerous folk dance parties in Bulgaria. Five of the the dancers are in both groups which participate in community events.
https://www.facebook.com/viara.stefanova.5/videos/10214024270940928/Victory Chicken Stringband with Joanna Stodden, Caller
Crowing good dance tunes
The members of Victory Chicken have been loving old time music for decades and Joanna loves to create community, together we love bringing people to their feet to dance and move together
VIPs - VAM in Performance
Youth Dance Ensemble
VIP’s - “VAM in Performance” is a youth performance group based at VAM Studios - School of Dance in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. The VIP's are multi-talented young performers who incorporate tap dance, ballet, contemporary, jazz, and musical theater song and dance into a fun, interactive, and inspiring experience.The group has performed at numerous events including the Fremont Solstice Parade, Globetrotter's Pre-Show, The Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser "Christmas Spectacular", assisted living homes in Seattle, and the Fremont Festivus.
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=35A9256D0F3B53AB!614978&authkey=!AHkyqOp42owaVvQ&e=ynbkKmVision Distinguida
Latino guitars
We are VisionDistinguida, We play hispanic music called Musica sierreño , We have been in a group for almost 6 Months
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDraYLyIsRjokRbEanw6pmQVivian Williams
traditional northwest fiddling
Vivian has played the fiddle for 60 years and is well known for her depth of understanding of many styles of fiddle music. Not only is she a champion fiddler in many different contests in the US and Canada, she is also a composer, publisher, editor, recording artist, workshop teacher and folk music researcher, consultant and historian. She is an accomplished bluegrass and old time dance fiddler, playing regularly for contra dances in the Seattle area. She has a special love of the Pacific Northwest fiddling style and is passionate about keeping the art of fiddling alive and well.
VOLYA
Ancient Belarusian Folk Songs
VOLYA (Freedom in Belarusian) is a Belarusian folk group based in Seattle Washington (USA). It was created in 2009 with the mission of introducing the people of the Pacific Northwest to the beauty and richness of Belarusian folklore. The group’s repertoire consists of traditional songs from different regions of Belarus with a particular emphasis on ancient Belarusian songs many with roots in pre-Christian and Medieval times which performed in authentic style. The group is proud to wear original hand-made traditional folk costumes created in the late XIX century and donated to VOLYA by Belarusian villagers.
https://volya.bandcamp.com/album/forest-tweetsVox Botanica
dance of the dandelions
Rooted in belly dance, Vox Botanica delivers botanical transmissions through performance art. Esoteric, unorthodox, and heavily experimental, they also fuse spoken word and fire dance into their offerings.
Vyunok (Morning Glory in Russian)
Traditional Russian Choir
Vyunok was formed in the year of 2018 in order to perform at the Russian Community Center Bazar, the annual fundraiser. The idea of children learning the traditional Russian folk songs from their mothers and performing them on stage with their parents resonated with many families. Since then the group has been very active, performing at various festivals and functions, Seattle Children's Festival, among others.
https://youtu.be/sp088ADCBkcWaltz For Fun
Ari Levitt
Ari has been teaching and performing nationally and internationally for over 25 years. A much-loved Seattle instructor, he is well-known for both his fun, energetic, and delightful classes that can't help but inspire students with a love and passion for dance, and for his clear articulate teaching style that can make even the most complex steps easy to understand and fun to do. When not dancing Ari is a physician on faculty with Singularity University's "Exponential Medicine” and is a pioneer in the burgeoning field of "Experiential Wellness" which combines medicine with music dance & the Arts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqZkmIYLwkYWB Reid & Bonnie Zahnow
Oldtime Tunes & Songs
WB Reid & Bonnie Zahnow have been performing for decades in Seattle and throughout the country. Their shows are centered in old time country music with side trips into jazz, blues, Mexican music, and tin pan alley songs. They have performed at festivals and concerts, dances, preschools, old folks homes, farmers markets, parties, and just about any place where acoustic music is valued. As teachers, they've nurtured several generations of musicians through lessons, classes, and music camps.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1mPKYdvXWMWendy Bagnato
Hypnotic visceral alterna- folk/rock
Wendy Bagnato grew up around musicians but never imagined she would take to any stage. After moving to Seattle from LA with zero connections she spent a lot of time alone writing. Soon the first songs were born. She eventually decided to leave the house to sing them. Her performance style is based on sharing songs as as an experience and connection to not easily expressed human emotions. It's hard to peg her genre as the influences of folk, rock, alternative, new wave, and R&B she grew up with are mixed together to form her own sound.
http://YouTube.com/user/WaterToasterWes Weddell
Frontman, Sideman, Writer, Teacher
For the past twenty years, Wes Weddell has worked multiple shifts in the engine room of Seattle’s roots music scene as frontman, sideman, writer, teacher, and community-builder. “Always heartfelt and well-constructed” (Seattle Weekly), listeners have come to expect Weddell’s regionally-rooted songs to “speak for themselves” (No Depression). Weddell has been Folklife's Singer/Songwriter Community Coordinator since 2009. His 2019 album is titled "Somewhere in the Middle."
http://wesweddell.bandcamp.com/West Coast Swing with the Seattle Swing Dance Club
Seattle Swing Dance Club
Seattle Swing Dance Club is the oldest continuously running West Coast Swing Dance Club in the world since 1965. The Seattle Swing Dance Club goal is to offer opportunities to learn and dance what we think is one of the best dances in the world!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4fRV0aG3lcWHAT WOULD PETE SING? Songs Pete Seeger sang, or ones he'd love sung now!
Rick Harlan and Friends
Rick Harlan the song leader for our next workshop grew up excited by the 1960's folk music revival. He was particularly inspired hearing live recordings of Pete Seeger who seemed to have a knack for getting large numbers of people who didn't know each other to sing out together loud and long! After Pete Seeger died X years ago Rick decided to honor Pete's memory by doing like Pete did! -- helping people to get over their inhibitions and sing for justice, sing for the earth, sing for freedom, and sing for the fun of it! So let's SING!
https://vimeo.com/338622909Where Traditions Meet: Ambieca Saha and Akhilesh Vadari
Kathak VS Bharatnatyam showcase
Ambieca a prominent Kathak dancer from India is known for her captivating stage presence. An electrical engineer and finance graduate from Harvard she is one of the few Kathak artists on this side of the world. Trained in the Lucknow Gharana for 17 years under Guru Alaknanda and Guru Rani Khanam Akhi a 17-year-old professional actor dancer & choreographer, A National Young Arts Silver Medal winner. He has directed and choreographed solo and group performances for various shows. He founded House of Kala a non profit organization to promote performing arts among youth, raised $42000 for kids with special needs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Sy1qXIS5T0Whozyamama Cajun and Zydeco
WHOZYAMAMA Cajun and Zydeco
Claudette Boudreaux from Dulac Louisiana plays accordion in the Boudreaux-Allen family and friends bringing songs from south louisiana in the cajun, creole and new orleans style.
http://www.whozyamama.comYung Fuego
Hip-Hop artist, Rapper
Best known as a Seattle native, Yung Fuego has been building his solo career as a talented Hip Hop Artist since 2018. Influenced by the community, culture, and sounds of his hometown, Yung Fuego aspires to perform music that speaks to fans across the musical spectrum. His signature style has become synonymous with a diverse collection of melodies and a style unlike anything else.
https://yungfuegoffical.wixsite.com/yungfuegoZAG
Hip-Hop Poet, Emcee
A Hip-Hop Artist, Producer, Poet, and DJ orginally from Zagazig, Egypt. ZAG is a 2016-17 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador and has performed at many venues around Seattle including the Moore Theatre and MoPop's Sky Church. Discussing topics ranging from religion and spirituality, politics to braggadocious raps, ZAG always aims to speak his truth in his art and encourage others tro seek theirs.
Zakuska
Tasty Balkan Treats
Zakuska plays for Folkdancing groups in the Puget Sound area. We play and sing a wide variety of traditional dance tunes primarily from Balkan countries including: Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Greece and Turkey. One of our passions is to keep Balkan folk dance music alive in the Greater Seattle area – we love to play and sing these great tunes.
https://www.facebook.com/Zakuska-330266473687588/Zaphara's Middle Eastern Dancers
Egyptian Cabaret Bellydance!
A master instructor & entertainer in the Pacific Northwest Zaphara is one of the few belly dancers in the US of Greek heritage. She has appeared in night clubs and taught workshops throughout the Northwest and other US cities. She has appeared on local Canadian Japanese & National TV shows (ABC's 20/20). Zaphara has co-produced hosted and performed in 4 one-hour TV shows on public access; Belly Dance 101 My Big fat Greek TV show The Cairo Connection and It's Greek to me. Zaphara has traveled to Greece Egypt Turkey Bogotá Columbia & the United Arab Emirates to study/perform.