Northwest Folklife

Northwest Folklife Festival Partners with Tully’s Coffee for Festival Preview Concerts

On Friday, May 14th and Saturday, May 15th Tully’s Coffee hosted two free preview concerts for Memorial Day weekend’s Northwest Folklife Festival. While the Festival takes place at Seattle Center and welcomes around 275,000 visitors, these two shows took place at Tully’s stores in Wallingford and Ballard. Much smaller than the Folklife Festival itself—these coffee shop preview shows are designed to reflect the small, low-key areas of the Festival where you can discover your new favorite musician.

The May 14th show at Tully’s Coffee in Wallingford (2100 N 45th St.) featured two singer/songwriters; Seattleite Sam Russell and Olivia De La Cruz, from Chelan, WA. On the following night, May 15th, the Ballard Tully’s (2060 NW Market St.) welcomed Mark Ward, a versatile musician who plays the guitar and kick drum and singer/songwriter, Tamara Power-Drutis.

About the Artists

Sam Russell: Sam Russell, a Seattle-based singer/songwriter, describes his sound as a rock-n-roll casserole. Since 2005 Russell continues to record a series of eight albums called The Blue Moon Bible. The project is a melting pot of musical styles primarily based in American roots-music and attempts to tell a story through song in new way, outside the traditional ‘rock opera’. This summer, Russell will perform around the Pacific Northwest with his band The Harborrats.

Olivia De La Cruz:The 20 year-old Chelan native, is a passionate singer and guitarist. After writing her first song at the age of 18, Cruz’s music reflects her life experiences of love and loss. With her old-soul demeanor, Cruz attracts audiences with her clarity of voice and wisdom of lyrics. Cruz’s songs continue to evolve from charming and pleasant to poetic and intriguing.

Mark Ward:Spokane-based Mark Ward surprises audiences with his magnetic voice and melodic lines all while playing the guitar and kick drum. Wards’ folksy acoustic sound is sweetened with his well-written, soul-driven lyrics. In 2008, Ward was a finalist in the Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival’s national songwriting competition. Little Lights, his debut album was released later that year.

Tamara Power-Drutis:Seattleite Tamara Power-Drutis, brings her unique voice to the Pacific Northwest and writes songs of bruised egos and the vicious cycles of foolish love. Her self-titled debut CD was produced at London Bridge Studios in Seattle; the same studio where platinum albums by Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden were recorded. A world traveler, her international experiences give her a fresh take on her favorite songwriting subjects: boys, bedrooms and big questions.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Here's what's coming up:

August 21: Family Days - West African 1-3PM at the EMP - FREE
November 13: 2nd Annual A Night for Folklife, a benefit for Northwest Folklife

This calendar is reserved for events hosted, presented, or sponsored by Northwest Folklife or events that benefit our organization. To post community events please visit our Forums.