(Thanks Wes Weddell for this guest post! See the full schedule of workshops and participatory jams at www.nwfolklife.org/festival.) For the fifth consecutive year now, Folklife will offer the opportunity for anyone at the Festival to share an original song with listeners and fellow songwriters in the Emerald City Songwriter Circles.  The circles have become a celebration of originality, creativity, and [...]

Northwest Folklife is thrilled to present, for the first time, a Festival showcase dedicated to sharing the talented musicians of Vashon Island. “Voices of Vashon Island,” coordinated in partnership with Pete Welch, takes place Sunday, May 26 from 1:00-3:30pm on the Alki Court Stage, and features artists Gregg Curry, Cami Lundeen, Kiki Means, and Allison Shirk. “Vashon Island is just [...]

You are invited to the greatest show of talent in the Northwest! Be part of the 42nd Northwest Folklife Festival this May 24-27 in Seattle Center. Enjoy and participate in your traditions! And experience other cultures by listening to their music, trying out their dances, and hearing their stories. And it’s all FREE. The 42nd Festival features a special focus [...]

Don’t be overwhelmed! Here’s just a few of the many great things in this year’s schedule. Leave a comment and tell us what you’re looking forward to! See the full schedule at www.nwfolklife.org/festival.  28 THINGS TO SEE AT FOLKLIFE THIS YEAR  FRIDAY Groove Train: *New!* Kick off the first night of the festival dancing under the stars with Luc and [...]

(Thanks to Carolyn for this guest post! You can read more about all our performers at the Festival website, www.nwfolklife.org/festival.) From performing in Europe amongst musicians, jugglers, comedians, one-man bands, mimes, and contortionists, to traveling the circus like Renaissance Fair circuit, to recording and co-producing with Billy Oskay (founding member of the Windham Hill recording and touring ensemble Nightnoise and producer [...]

(Thanks to Rob Witte for this guest blog! You can see the complete list of 2013 Festival performers at our website, www.nwfolklife.org/festival.)  The Chance Brothers Band’s story begins with The Outriders, a critically acclaimed country/cowboy band that performed in several iterations until 2008. Bruce and Rob were both original members of the band.  The Outriders played a lot and grew [...]

(Thanks to Sue Isely for this guest post! The full 2013 Northwest Folklife Festival schedule is now online and available for PDF download at www.nwfolklife.org/festival.) The colorful costume pictured here will be worn by the bride in the Hungarian Showcase: A Turning-point in Village Life: the Hungarian Wedding. When Kathryn Isely, a member of Kisbetyárok,  visited a friend in Mezőkövesd, [...]

Our good friends at SIFF offer some truly tempting counter-programming during the Folklife Festival. Here’s a few movies we think are particularly interesting for the Folklife community…most of which don’t even conflict with coming to the Festival!   A Tribute to the Music of Muscle Shoals with Patterson and David Hood Thursday, May 30 Triple Door: Doors 6:00 p.m., 7:00 [...]

Plan Your 2013 Festival Now! The 2013 Northwest Folklife Festival schedule is now live on our website! Browse the offerings that take place over four days across more than 24 venues and stages. Design your ideal personal schedule using our handy tools, then share your calendar to Facebook or Twitter, or email to a friend. View the Schedule Now Read [...]

Sometimes it can just be too good to be true, so you have to double-check. Laura asks, “Is Folklife free?” Yes, the Northwest Folklife Festival is free to the public! Wait, how is this possible? It is Folklife’s mission to provide opportunities for everyone to celebrate and participate in the arts & traditions of the Northwest. However, in order to [...]

(Thanks to guest blogger MaryLee Lykes for this post! You can see the full schedule for the 2013 Northwest Folklife Festival online at www.nwfolklife.org/festival beginning May 1.)  Cajun & Zydeco of the Pacific Northwesst Seattle is home to strong and vibrant Cajun and Zydeco communities that regularly gather to dance, play music and celebrate Louisiana culture. Cajun and Zydeco music [...]

(Thanks to Trisha Tubbs for this special guest blog post! The full schedule for the 2013 Northwest Folklife Festival will be available at nwfolklife.org/festival beginning May 1) Hot Acoustic Roots Music from the Exciting World of Bluegrass!! Sponsored by TheSunBreak.com Saturday May 25, 2013 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Xfinity Mural Amphitheatre Stage Experience virtuoso musicianship, hard-driving music that will [...]