Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater-Yelm-Rainier - American Roots Concert Series
American Roots Concert Series
Details:
Come tap your toes and enjoy the fun at one of Washington's most beloved and beautiful state parks. Time: All concerts are 7-8 p.m. Location: All concerts are held at North Beach Amphitheater at Deception Pass State Park. Price: All concerts are free. A Discover Pass is required to park. More info: parks.wa.gov/get-involved/folk-and-traditional-arts-events/concert-series/american-roots-concert-series Sponsors and funders: Many thanks to: Deception Pass Park Foundation, Island County, Early Music Seattle, Celtic Arts Foundation, ArtsWA, National Endowment for the Arts, Dwayne Lane's Skagit Subaru, Washington State Parks Foundation and the Washington State Parks Specialty License Plate Fund. Shifty Sailors | July 11 The Shifty Sailors hail from Whidbey Island. Their music celebrates the maritime history of the Puget Sound. The Sailors have worked to preserve the heritage of sailing ships, folklore, and songs of the sea for over 30 years. Their music captures the essence of island and seafaring life, blending rich harmonies with storytelling. Finlay MacDonald Duo | July 18 Finlay MacDonald has been at the cutting edge of bagpiping, teaching and composing for over 20 years, gaining an international reputation as a highly skilled performer and an inspirational leader in this field. With four recorded albums, two books of music published along, touring experience across four continents with a variety of traditional music groups and competing with Scottish Power Pipe Band, he has extensive knowledge of the world of piping. The Finlay Macdonald Duo features guitarist/piper Ali Hutton (Ross & Ali, Old Blind Dogs, Treacherous Orchestra, Tryst). SurLlajta | July 25 SurLlajta presents vibrant Andean music, celebrating the living traditions of the South American Andes through engaging performances. The ensemble features traditional instruments such as guitar, charango, zampoña (panpipes), quena (flute), bombo, and bass, blended with keyboard and vocals in Spanish and Quechua. Formed by five musicians from Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, and China, SurLlajta brings a rich cross-cultural perspective to traditional and festive repertoire, inviting audiences to experience the rhythms, stories, and heritage of the Andes.
The Angel Gadzhev Folk Band is led by arranger, and gadulka performer Angel Gadzhev. The Folk Band plays authentic Bulgarian folk songs from five regions including solo vocal performances demonstrating Bulgarian ornamental singing techniques, and instrumental pieces performed on traditional Bulgarian instruments, including gaida (bagpipe), kaval (flute), gadulka (bowed instrument), and tupan (drum). Performers wear traditional Bulgarian folk costumes specific to their regional styles. Between pieces, ensemble members share cultural context, explain the significance of each dance and song, and, as part of the workshop component, invite audience members to learn basic steps of selected horo dances.
Boka Kouyaté & the Djeliyah Band | Aug. 8
Boka Kouyaté is a singer and multi-instrumentalist (balafón, guitar, djembe) from Guinea. He is a member of West Africa’s most famous family of Mande hereditary musicians, also referred to as griots or djelys. After moving to the United States in early 2014, Boka Kouyaté co-founded Kouyaté Arts, an interactive performance company of drummers, dancers and singers. He is the lead vocalist, composer and founder of the Djeliyah Band. The Djeliyah Band presents West African Music & Dance, fusing traditional Griot and Djeli music with Afro-Beat and the modern music of Guinea to share the energetic Highlife sound.
Queen’s Bluegrass | Aug. 15
Queen’s Bluegrass plays hard driving, traditional bluegrass with roots reaching back to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Ernest Queen, the band’s founder, was born and raised in North Carolina. As a young man, he moved to Sedro Woolley, WA bringing with him the music he heard and played throughout his youth. For thirty years, Ernie and his band entertained audiences throughout Washington and British Columbia. Ernie passed away in 2015 and left the bandmembers in charge of playing the music that he so loved. Queen's Bluegrass is now based in Lynden, WA and plays throughout Northwest Washington.
Dream Goats | Aug. 22
Dream Goats play American old-time, Celtic, and original fiddle tunes with some country and folk songs thrown in the mix. Celine, Stuart, Rosie and Claire are multi-instrumentalists who combine fiddles, guitars, banjos, cellos, (and sometimes more) in their interpretations of traditional music.
Duende Libre | Aug. 29
Duende Libre is a dynamic and uplifting quartet that blends elements of Afro-Cuban jazz with Brazilian samba, American funk, and traditional West African music into a unique sound of their own. Duende Libre features longtime collaborators Alex Chadsey (piano, keyboards & compositions), Farko Dosumov (electric bass), and Jeff “Bongo” Busch (drums & percussion), and Frank Anderson, a dynamic and engaging vocalist, drummer, and dancer.
