Free All Day Festival planned for September 17th!
Seattle Folklore Society will commemorate 50 years of promoting music, dance, and traditional arts in Seattle this Fall! From the very first concert (Nov. 15, 1966 – when founding members John Ullman, Irene Namkung and Phil and Vivian Williams presented blues players Mississippi Fred McDowell and Mance Lipscomb at the University Friends Center) to the many dances, concerts, songcircles, and camps that continue to happen year round, we have a lot to celebrate!
On Saturday, September 17th, there will be a whole day of music, dancing, singing, storytelling and workshops, for all ages at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, followed by a special evening Showcase Concert.
From 11AM – 5PM, the emphasis is on participation. Bring your instrument and join a jam, or try a free workshop. There will be 6 hours of participatory dance (A Family Dance - especially for kids 2-10 with friends and families, New England Contra dance, old-time squares, Scandinavian couple dance, English & Scottish Country, and more). There will be hosted jams in many genres, from an inclusive traditional Irish session to Brazilian choro. (There will even be a special beginner-friendly session, following music teacher Betsy Alexander’s “Fiddling-from-scratch” workshop, with both adult and child-sized violins available to borrow.) Participatory song sessions include Show Tunes, Sea Shanties, and all kinds of harmony singing.
Daytime listening spaces incude acoustic music organized by Far West Folk Alliance, and a story telling session currated by “Auntmama” (KBCS DJ and Seattle Storytellers Guild president Mary Ann Moorman).
From 7-10PM, there will be a 4-act Showcase Concert. The wonderful duo, Squirrel Butter has been confirmed – watch the Seattle Folklore Society website for additions! In additon, there will be a couple of rooms open for jamming and more singing.
In addition to support from Seattle Folkore Society, this festival is made possible by contributions from the Phinney Neighborhood Association, Skandia Folk Dance Society, and the help of many, many volunteers.
See the updated schedule at www.seafolklore.org
To get more involved, please e-mail volunteer@seafolklore.org.
