2016 Folklife

This is a selection of this year’s Cultural Focus programming. View the full schedule on pages 12–19, or online at NWFolklife.org/Festival . PRESENTATION Woody Guthrie Songs from the Columbia River Hear KEXP’s Roadhouse Radio host, Greg Vandy, read from his new book “26 Songs in 30 Days” in the SIFF Film Center on Monday at 1:30 p.m. and on the Fisher Green Stage on Monday at 3 p.m. Catch an excerpt from Vandy’s new book “26 Songs in 30 Days” in the SIFF Film Center on DAY at 1:30 p.m. and on the Fisher Green Stage on Monday at 3 p.m. FILM AT SIFF FILM CENTER Catch films focusing on the importance and influence of the human voice through song, including “ This Baba: Songs of Our Families .” It tells the story of how a group of Bulgarians in Seattle have created a musical bridge to their rich heritage through song. The film will be followed by a Q&A. Another film, “ Genghis Blues ,” chronicles the journey of blind blues legend Paul Pena as he discovers the ancient art of Tuvan throat singing and participates in a national competition. Be sure to look at the full listing of films in the SIFF Film Center throughout the weekend on pages 12–19. THEATRE Our Earth Our Earth is an opera trilogy created for young audiences by the Seattle Opera . It brings together music, drama, science and nature in a creative and fun show for all ages. Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Cornish Playhouse. MUSIC PERFORMANCES The Power of the Human Voice Through Song Concert Sponsored by Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Explore the role of the human voice in this special showcase featuring The Sojourners and Khari McClelland (Gospel, Spirituals and Civil War songs), Bulgarian Voices of Seattle Women’s Choir (traditional heritage songs), The Main Attraction (a cappella, doo- wop), Sacred Cow Harmogenizers (Shapenote singing) and Southern Express (Native drumming). Saturday from 7–10 p.m. in the Bagley Wright Theatre. Greater Seattle Choral Consortium Concert The Greater Seattle Choral Consortium Concert features six choirs from around the Seattle area performing music ranging from classical treble to international to vibrant soul. Featuring Northwest Firelight (Deeji), Prima Voci (Seattle Girls), City Cantabile, Seattle Choral Company and Bellevue Chamber Chorus. Sunday from 7–10 p.m. in the Bagley Wright Theatre. Jack Straw Cultural Center Showcase Discover the human voice with a fusion of World Music, Traditional Mexican Music, Choral Music and Hand Drum Songs in the Jack Straw Cultural Center’s showcase on Sunday from 3–6 p.m. in the Cornish Playhouse. Featuring Juan Barco, Fisher Ensemble, Chenoa Egawa and Alchymeia. Seattle Symphony: Lullaby Project The Lullaby Project was designed by Carnegie Hall to offer mothers in distressed situations a unique opportunity to write a personal lullaby for their babies. See how this project has empowered these mothers both as artists and as individuals on Sunday at 2-3 p.m. in the Center Theatre. Centrum Presents: Voice Works Showcase Four duets come together in this showcase: Peter McCracken and Laurel Bliss; Squirrel Butter; Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms; and Roy and Chrissie Marshall. Hear voices in harmony on Monday at 12:30 p.m. on the Fisher Green Stage. PARTICIPATORY SINGING Choral Courtyard Join in participatory singing in the Cornish Courtyard all four days of Folklife. All ages and skill levels are welcome. There is something for everyone all weekend with barbershop, show tunes, sea chanteys, Bach, Mozart, African-American heritage and contemporary styles, just to name a few. MUSIC WORKSHOPS Yodeling with Wylie & the Wild West For more than 25 years, Wylie and his band The Wild West have performed their refreshing blend of cowboy, traditional country, folk and yodeling music worldwide. In this workshop, learn how to sing your ays, eees and ooos properly from Wylie Gustafson, who famously yodeled the signature ending to the early Yahoo! commercials. Sunday 6–6:50 p.m. in the Armory Lofts. PANEL DISCUSSIONS Seattle Sings World Lullabies With Maria Batayola, Rose Westwood, Yuri Nishiyama, Mary Garvey, Flip Freskin, Laura Martin, Juliana Svetlichnaya, Cait Callen, Gretchen Hansen, Margie Hunt, Ellen Hale, Carol Tice and curator, Masguda Shamsutdinova, Ph.D Saturday 2–3:30 p.m. in the JBL Theater. Voices in Prayer and Song from Around the World With Gina Sala, Sean Williams, Michal Waldfogel and other special guests. Sunday 2:00–3:30 p.m. in the JBL Theater. Be a FolkStarter Friend ($250 and up) to support Northwest Folklife’s year-round multi-cultural programs. CULTURAL FOCUS COMMUNITY PARTNERS Folklife partnered with many fantastic artists, organizations and prominent community members, and are excited to have such a great core of leaders to make the 2016 Cultural Focus a truly unique and powerful experience: • Mary Sherhart Bulgarian Voices of Seattle Women’s Choir • Martha Cohen Choral Courtyard • Peter McCracken Centrum’s Voice Works • Contemporary A Cappella Musicians Institution • Janet Stecher Rebel Voices • Laurie Betts Hughes Greater Seattle Choral Consortium • Wayne Palsson Northwest Seaport • Nadia Tarnawsky Vocalist/Educator • Levi Fuller Jack Straw Production Cultural Center • Scott Kovacs Seattle Choral Company, Greater Seattle Choral Consortium • Bruce Baker Seattle Folklore Society • Masguda Shamsutdinova Seattle Lullaby Project • Barbara Lynne Jamison Seattle Opera • Clinton McClung SIFF Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms The Main Attraction IN MEMORY OF JAMES ROE Jim is widely known for founding the Choral Courtyard program at the Northwest Folklife Festival. We miss him dearly. A N N O U N C I N G T H E 2 0 1 7 C U L T U R A L F O C U S Join Northwest Folklife and Seattle Center as we celebrate 20 years of Seattle Center Festál as our 2017 Cultural Focus. Experience a variety of extraordinary food, fashion, dance, music and interactive activities for the entire family as we celebrate the ethnic communities that comprise the 23 Festál cultural festivals. 6