Free online festival events Memorial Day weekend.
It’s the 50th anniversary of the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle and you’re invited!
In honor of the anniversary, May 28, 2021 has been proclaimed Northwest Folklife 50th Anniversary Day by King County Executive, Dow Constantine.
This virtual event showcases cultural performers from the past, the present, and the future.
The organizers invite participants to look back at their roots and honor the legacies that were the foundation of the Folklife Festival organization.
Interviews, podcasts, and static displays of memorabilia celebrate festivals of the past, through the years to today.
Online hosted conversations and interactive town hall spaces will be created to allow members of the Seattle community to talk about their heritage, identity, and culture.
They will also shine a light on youth partners and culture bearers who are an important part of bringing this Festival into the future.
We encourage youth by showcasing their performances on the Festival Premiere channel.
Here is a small selection of the events planned for the weekend.
Folklife Premiere Events
This channel features music, dance, and storytelling performances from Pacific Northwest artists.
From Hip Hop to Peruvian Dance, there is a local artist waiting to showcase their talents this weekend.
For exact times and artist activities, go to the website.
Saturday
- Wes Weddell presented by the Acoustic Lounge Show
- Bonglang Ruam Jai is a group that performs vibrant and lively Southeast Asian music on a variety of instruments.
- Third World United presented by SAMA features Akhi Abu Bakr, a Muslim spoken word poet that is not to be missed.
- 206 Zulu presents Cypher Queenz. This is a Seattle-based community organization, that uses Hip Hop culture and the arts as platforms for community service, education, and empowerment.
- The Pandemic Ukulele Orchestra is a Skagit Valley group that used to play in person but formed an online group during the past year.
- At 6:40 pm, a variety of Morris dance teams perform this English folk dance usually accompanied by music. It is based on rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers, usually wearing bell pads on their shins.
- TusuyPeru
- Reggie Garrett & the SnakeOil Peddlers
- Japanese Koto Club
- Killdeer String Band
- Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira
- Balkanarama is a band that plays party music from Eastern Europe.
Sunday
- Brother Quill and The Gospel Roadhouse Band
- Debbie Miller, presented by the Indie Roots Show
- Siam Smile Thai Classical and Folk Dance
- Mika Semke
- Rowan Fae Irish Dance
- Kermet Apio
- Diya
- Anisha Gururaj
- SCARF Core Dance Company
- Chinmayi Bhavanishankar
Wintergrass is a family-friendly music festival in Bellevue with concerts and dances at multiple stages. At 7:15 pm, a selection of performers presented by Wintergrass will perform.
- Pat Chessell
- ‘Fox and Rooster’ by Eva Abram
- Filipinas Performing Arts of WA State
- 45th St Brass presented by KNKX
Gathering Room
For exact times and artist activities, go to the website.
Saturday
Fiber Arts — Pounding Flowers
- This artist engages children in creating art without a lot of special tools and materials. -
The Québécois Jam
- Here is a fun open jam session for all musicians, including those who enjoy French-Canadian tunes.
50 Years of Folklife Games — various sessions throughout the weekend.
- Longtime Folklife volunteers and emcees review and discuss Folklife events from the past.
Rick Harlan: “Sing Like Pete Seeger Liked!”
- A dozen fellow folksingers lead an hour of songs, come sing your heart out.
Emerald City Songwriter Circles
- Anyone is welcome to join the circle & share an ORIGINAL song or listen in on the fun.
Sunday
Music Together @ Music Center of the Northwest
- Our youngest musicians have a blast bonding and creating lasting memories through musical play.
Jim Boneau — The Rhythm Tent
- Community building using drumming circles. Jim believes that everyone has rhythm inside, waiting to be shared.
Seattle Song Circle
- Join this popular singalong.
New Voices of Color Authors in the Gathering Room
- Writers and performers of color share their latest work in 2021 with the Folklife community.
Chantey Sing with Strikes A Bell & Friends
- Fun with catchy sea chanteys and maritime songs.
Monday
Beginning clogging workshop with the Eclectic Cloggers
- You can’t resist this Seattle dance group that performs a high-energy traditional Appalachian step dancing to live Old-Time music.
- Interactive drumming fun!
This Festival has grown over the years and is now the largest festival of its kind in North America. Northwest Folklife now provides year-round programming.
“In 1999, Northwest Folklife was selected as a Local Legacy by the Library of Congress in celebration of the Library of Congress’ 200th Anniversary.” NWFolkLife website
It’s 50 Years of Northwest FolkLife. A Look Back, A Look Ahead.