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WELCOME
Visit
NWFolklife.org/Festivalfor the most current schedule information.
WELCOME TO THE 46TH ANNUAL NORTHWEST FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
PRESENTED BY SEATTLE CANCER CARE ALLIANCE
Here we are again — for the 46th consecutive time — reunited on the grounds of Seattle
Center to celebrate, share and participate in the amazing arts and cultures of the
incomparable Pacific Northwest. This four-day festival is a time for joyous expression and
joyous experience.
We invite you to come back every day and enjoy music, dance, storytelling, crafts and the
special food you secretly crave all year, as well as the Discovery Zone for our children and
everything else that is unique and wonderful about the Northwest Folklife Festival.
We are so grateful to everyone who makes this happen — it is not by magic — it takes
an amazing amount of work to pull it off. So thank you to everyone: the performers, the
crews, the volunteers, our funders and sponsors, and our partners at the Seattle Center.
And thank you to the staff, the Board and the Community Coordinators who work all year
to make this possible. You are all wonderful.
So enjoy these four days. Have fun. Make memories. Explore new arts and cultures.
Revisit the traditions that mean so much to you. It’s all here. It’s all now. It’s all yours.
CONTENTS
General Information ................................................. 2
Cultural Focus: Festál Turns 20. .......................... 4–6
Co-Curated Festival................................................... 7
Dance at the Festival................................................. 8
Visual Arts at Folklife................................................ 9
Family Fun............................................................... 10
Folklife Programs..................................................... 11
Festival Schedule................................................12–19
Festival Vendors...................................................... 21
Thank You & Sponsors.......................................22–23
Grounds Map............................................................ 24
NEW THIS YEAR AT THE FESTIVAL!
Narrative and Cultural Cuisine Stage
The Narrative Stage at Folklife has moved to a new
location: the Armory Lobby. From Saturday through
Monday, this area will host a collection of food
demonstrations highlighting the cultures and cuisines
that are represented in the Festál communities, as
well as continue the conversations and panels of our
Narrative Stage. Located at #19 on the map.
Charlotte Martin Theatre
Experience a world of cultural programming in a new
location this year at the Charlotte Martin Theatre on
Saturday and Sunday of the Festival. Located at #27 on
the map.
NW Craft Beer Festival in the Northwest Court
We at Northwest Folklife realize that a significant part
of our culture is related to the artisan craft breweries
that make some of the nations most renowned beers.
We brought together some of the best Craft Beer made
in the Northwest for you to sample at this special
tasting event. Saturday and Sunday in the Northwest
Court, adjacent to the Back Porch Stage. Located at #9
on the map.
The KEXP Gathering Space
Join us in the KEXP Gathering Space this Festival for
one-of-a-kind programming curated in collaboration
with Folklife’s neighbors, KEXP. Located at #7 on the
map.
The Festival will not have programming in the Bagley
Wright Theatre or MoPOP (formerly known as the EMP
Museum).
GENERAL INFORMATION
Accessibility and Assistance
All buildings in Seattle Center are wheelchair accessible.
Disabled parking is available at all lots (check with the
attendant if spaces are full).
Emergencies
• Go to any Festival Donation
and Information Station and ask
for assistance
• Ask for help from a radio-equipped
Festival or Seattle Center staff member
• Dial 9-1-1
• Go to First Aid on the north side of the
Armory (red-cross symbol on back cover
map), staffed by Seattle Fire Department
paramedics
Lost and Found
Found items are turned over to Seattle Center Customer
Service, on the second floor of the Armory.
Phone: 206-684-7200.
Public Checkroom
A public checkroom is available for your convenience in
the Fisher Pavilion Roadhouse. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10
p.m. Friday through Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday.
The cost is $2 for a one-time check and $5 for unlimited
daily access.
Performer Recordings
Performers with recordings will be selling CDs at their
stages during and after their performances. Look for the
round umbrellas next to outdoor stages, or next to tables
at indoor venues.
Street Performing
Please check our website,
nwfolklife.org/street-performing, for a full list of guidelines. Street Performer
Coordinators will help you get placed and convey the rules
and regulations.
Pets
Please leave all pets except service animals at home.
Exotic animals are not allowed on Seattle Center grounds.
Smoking
We encourage attendees to abide by all laws and
regulations, and we remind you that smoking, vaping or
consuming marijuana in public is illegal. Smoking tobacco
within 25 feet of buildings, vendors or people in lines also
is prohibited.
Videography
All video recording, beyond hand-held devices within the
confines of a general-venue seat, must be pre-approved
by both the performer and the Festival. In accordance
with the City of Seattle legal department, indoor facilities
are not a part of the public discourse; therefore, First
Amendment rights do not have precedence in these
venues.
More Information
Please check in at the Donation and Information Stations,
located around the grounds, for any further information.
Transportation
Ride Public Transportation. King County Metro Transit has
a great trip planner to aid in your transportation to and
from the Festival.
Visit:
metro.kingcounty.gov/trip-planner
Ride Your Bike
There are bike racks at most major entrances to the
Festival. Please lock your bikes at these locations. Please
refrain from locking bikes to fences or other objects that
are not designed for bikes; some of these objects need to
move at night, and attached bikes will be cut off.
Mark Crawford
Interim Executive Director
Rafael Maslan
President, Board of Directors
Sunshine from Polynesia.
Photo by Christopher Nelson
Photo credit: Christopher Nelson
Photo credit: Christopher Nelson