2018 Northwest Folklife Festival: Full Schedule

Welcome to the Northwest Folklife Festival 2018 schedule!

5:40pm PDT

Magical Strings

Celtic Harp and Hammer Dulcimer

Performers

Magical Strings

Philip and Pam Boulding founded Magical Strings in 1978, the same year they began the Celtic Yuletide Concerts with their family. They have performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Ireland and Japan, toured and recorded with Dan Fogelberg, appeared on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie... Read More →

Friday May 25, 2018 5:40pm - 6:15pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

6:30pm PDT

The Stumbling Fiddler

Minivan Celtic Band

Performers

The Stumbling Fiddler

What started as a few friends playing celtic music around a dinner table while sharing food and libations has turned into a vibrant performing group, The Stumbling Fiddler has played together since 2014 at Burns Night and St. Patrick's Day festivities as well as at local pubs around... Read More →

Friday May 25, 2018 6:30pm - 7:00pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Northwest Pasage

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

7:10pm PDT

Northwest Passage

High-energy Celtic Music

Performers

Northwest Passage

Northwest Passage formed in Seattle in 2016 and have been delighting audiences ever since with their fiery tunes, strong singing, and engaging performances. Their music is steeped in the Irish tradition, although they have been known to delve into Scottish, English, Canadian, maritime... Read More →

Friday May 25, 2018 7:10pm - 7:40pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Northwest Pasage

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

7:50pm PDT

The Surly Goats

Riotous Irish Bagpipe Band!

Performers

The Surly Goats

Irish traditional music played by a trio guys who most likely have an Irish ancestor way, way, way back there somewhere. Uilleann pipes and loud singers!!!

Friday May 25, 2018 7:50pm - 8:20pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Northwest Pasage

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

8:30pm PDT

the Home Rulers

Celtic: Wistful to Wild

Performers

the Home Rulers

All members of The Home Ruler conduct a busy musical life. Susan Burke contributes to Red Crow, Au Contraire,Pride of Bothell, Home Rulers, and has performed Cape Breton, Scots and Irish music coast to coast for decades . Dan Carollo is a luminous and creative guitarist in the fingerstyle... Read More →

Friday May 25, 2018 8:30pm - 9:00pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Northwest Pasage

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

11:00am PDT

Kiérah

Celtic Fiddle Sensation

Performers

Kiérah

Kiérah is one of Canada’s finest and most versatile Celtic fiddle performers. With 13 years of classical training, Kiérah received one of the highest marks ever given by the Royal Conservatory of Music on her A.R.C.T exam. However, with an Irish/Scottish heritage, Kiérah’s... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 11:00am - 11:35am PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Maple Folk Show: Presented by Mission Folk Festival

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

11:50am PDT

Early Spirit

Celtic Swing

Performers

Early Spirit

Guitarist, founding member of the band Spirit of the West, and singer-songwriter J. Knutson leads three of Vancouver’s most fearless young musicians in Early Spirit. They are not a family, but they act, look, and sound like an ideal family gathering; their conversational music makes... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 11:50am - 12:25pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Maple Folk Show: Presented by Mission Folk Festival

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

12:40pm PDT

Bad To The Bow

West Coast Celtic

Performers

Bad To The Bow

Where traditional and contemporary folk meet – BTTB plays a fusion of world music styles. Whether they are taking a very traditional Celtic tune and applying cutting-edge contemporary string playing techniques and Afro-Cuban rhythms to accompany it, or trying out a new or experimental... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 12:40pm - 1:15pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Maple Folk Show: Presented by Mission Folk Festival

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

1:00pm PDT

Cooper, Gillette & King with Rosemary Lach Caller

Musicians for English Country

Performers

Cooper, Gillette & King with Rosemary Lach, Caller

We've been playing for English Country together & in other bands for over 20 years.

Saturday May 26, 2018 1:00pm - 1:50pm PDT
Fisher Pavilion 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Participatory Dance, English Country Dance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

1:25pm PDT

Bad To The Bow

West Coast Celtic

Performers

Bad To The Bow

Saturday May 26, 2018 1:25pm - 1:45pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Maple Folk Show: Presented by Mission Folk Festival

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

1:25pm PDT

Early Spirit

Celtic Swing

Performers

Early Spirit

Saturday May 26, 2018 1:25pm - 1:45pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Maple Folk Show: Presented by Mission Folk Festival

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

1:25pm PDT

Kiérah

Celtic Fiddle Sensation

Performers

Kiérah

Saturday May 26, 2018 1:25pm - 1:45pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Maple Folk Show: Presented by Mission Folk Festival

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

2:00pm PDT

Rosemary Lach & the Dancehall Players with Rosemary Lach Caller

English Country Dance Participatory

Performers

Rosemary Lach & the Dancehall Players with Rosemary Lach, Caller

Rosemary Lach and The Dancehall Players have been calling and playing together for ECD events for 17 years in Victoria. The band plays regularly for the weekly dance and have played at the Vancouver, Victoria and Mayne Island balls as well as at the annual dance workshop in Victoria... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 2:00pm - 2:50pm PDT
Fisher Pavilion 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Participatory Dance, English Country Dance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

6:00pm PDT

Pinniped

Lively Irish Et Cetera

Performers

Pinniped

Pinniped is an acoustic trio from Olympia, Washington, made up of a father, daughter, and this other guy. They were hanging out and playing music a lot anyway, so they decided to do the same thing but, like, as a BAND. They play music from Ireland and elsewhere, and have been known... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 6:00pm - 6:30pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

6:45pm PDT

The Gananimators

Traditional Irish Pub Music!

Performers

The Gananimators

Dom- Playing Irish music on the fiddle since 1992. Fell in love with Irish music in Seattle pubs in the l970's.Joe- First learned traditional music in the New York pub scene. Love of the music runs deep in his family.

Saturday May 26, 2018 6:45pm - 7:20pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Saturday Night is Alright for Celtic

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

7:35pm PDT

Celtic Fire

Fun, Wild, Irreverent Band

Performers

Celtic Fire

This is a fun and wild band that has been playing together for 20 years. We love to play music, have fun with our audience. At times we can be irreverent!

Saturday May 26, 2018 7:35pm - 8:10pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Saturday Night is Alright for Celtic

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

8:25pm PDT

Palmer's Gate

Fun-Driven Celtic Roots

Performers

Palmer's Gate

Palmer's Gate was born out of musical friendships that developed at Folklife, specifically from jam sessions in the performers lounge. While Julie Bennett and Jesse Partridge are from Olympia, WA, Barbara Calm and Jason Foy are From Kalispell, Montana. Julie and Jesse have collaborated... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 8:25pm - 9:00pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Saturday Night is Alright for Celtic

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

9:00pm PDT

Little Deer with Lindsey Dono Caller

Tunes without the Brakes

Performers

Little Deer with Lindsey Dono, Caller

Little Deer is an amalgamation of fiddle hurricane Audrey Knuth (The Free Raisins, The Gaslight Tinkers, Wake Up Robin), accordion powerhouse Alex Sturbaum (Gallimaufry, Countercurrent, the Waxwings), and Vashon guitarist Lawson Cannon. They play with great verve, energy, and ent... Read More →

Saturday May 26, 2018 9:00pm - 9:50pm PDT
Fisher Pavilion 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Participatory Dance, Saturday Night Contra

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

11:00am PDT

Northwest Junior Pipe Band

PNW's Youth Bagpipe Band

Performers

Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Northwest Junior Pipe Band, based in Shoreline, is the only youth pipe band in Washington State.NWJPB is proud to be Washington State Champions and West Coast Drum Corps Champions for the third year in a row. The band travelled to Scotland o compete in the World Pipe Band Championships... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 11:00am - 11:30am PDT
Mural Amphitheater: Sponsored by Seattle Cancer Care Alliance 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC
Program Kids Programming

11:40am PDT

Tra le Gael

Montana Celtic

Performers

Tra le Gael

Tra le Gael hails from the Flathead Valley of Northwest Montana, right outside of Glacier National Park. Their Celtic style ranges from sweet vocal harmonies to energetic jigs and reels, with melodies from ancient to contemporary. Tra le Gael features a lightning hammered dulcimer... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 11:40am - 12:10pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

12:20pm PDT

Countercurrent

Songs, Tunes, and Exuberance!

Performers

Countercurrent

Countercurrent is a contra dance and folk music band from western Washington, featuring driving guitar, foot percussion, lyrical fiddle, and harmony vocals. Over 8 years of playing together, Brian and Alex have developed a style that brings forth the pure joy and nuance in the music... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 12:20pm - 12:50pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

12:30pm PDT

The Seatles

Fab Four Sing-Along

Performers

The Seatles

The Seatles - Seattle's Premier Fab-Four Sing-Along Band Traditional favorites at the Northwest Folklife Festival, the Seatles performances are fun for the whole family, from the grandparents who first saw the four lads from Liverpool on the Ed Sullivan show, to the parents who were... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 12:30pm - 1:00pm PDT
Fountain Lawn Stage: Sponsored by Western WA Toyota Dealers 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

1:45pm PDT

Les Gens des Chutes (People of the Falls)

Exuberant Music from Québec.

Performers

Les Gens des Chutes (People of the Falls)

Les Gens des Chutes, People of the Falls, grew out of a very popular French Canadian jam session held monthly in Olympia, Washington. Some members decided they wanted to share this wonderful music. We began performing in 2013 at Fort Nisqually in Tacoma, then at the annual Fiddle... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 1:45pm - 2:15pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Fête des Québécois: Presented by Festival du Bois

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

2:00pm PDT

Irish Traditional Musical Jam

With Ming Chen

Performers

Irish Traditional Musical Jam

I have been playing Appalachian old time, New England contra-dance and Irish traditional music for over 30 years. For the past 13 years I have concentrated almost exclusively on playing the flute in Irish music. I am the host of an on-going Irish session at Couth Buzzard Books Espresso... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 2:00pm - 2:50pm PDT
Boeing Green 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Community Jam

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

2:30pm PDT

The Jocelyn Pettit Band

Blazing New-Trad Celtic Fiddle

Performers

The Jocelyn Pettit Band

West Coast Canadian, award-nominated musician, Jocelyn Pettit, is a lively fiddler, stepdancer and singer.With grace and passion, Jocelyn delivers an engaging and uplifting performance of original and traditional repertoire, inspired by the Celtic and folk music of Canada, Ireland... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Fête des Québécois: Presented by Festival du Bois

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

4:00pm PDT

Pat Chessell

Celtic Canadian Folk Singer

Performers

Pat Chessell

Pat Chessell has been performing professionally since the age of 16. Now in his early thirties, he has become one of the most sought after and in demand acts on the Vancouver music scene. He has opened for Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones, Delhi 2 Dublin, Jim Byrnes, The Town... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 4:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
Folklife Café 321 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109

Music Performance, Home Routes Showcase

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

5:30pm PDT

Crònan

Gaelic Ballads, Reels, Jigs

Performers

Crònan

We play/sing Scottish, Gaidhlig & Irish Music. Crònan has been playing and performing together for the past 14 years. Christine learned to love fiddle at her Grandfather's knee, played with Wicked Celts and performs with many local musicians. Christian is a multi-instrumentalist... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 5:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

6:15pm PDT

Wilde Thyme

Irish Music and Fun

Performers

Wilde Thyme

Wilde Thyme has been together for a couple of years. We have performed at venues, festivals, retirement homes, etc on the Eastside.

Sunday May 27, 2018 6:15pm - 6:45pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

7:00pm PDT

The Fiddle Footed Cummings

Scottish Song Through Generations

Performers

The Fiddle Footed Cummings

Both of our daughters have been involved Scottish Gaelic music, language and dance since birth. They have been studying suzuki violin and Scottish fiddle for the past 7 years. During that time they have also been studying Scottish Highland Dancing and dancing competitively in the... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 7:00pm - 7:30pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

7:45pm PDT

Castletown

Energetic Celtic and Americana

Performers

Castletown

Portland, OR based "Castletown" has a sound best described as "AmeriCeltic," blending the heart and soul of traditional Irish reels with modern folk, blues, jazz and country influences featuring fiery fiddler Katie Jane Lubiens on fiddle/vocals and Robert Richter on guitar/vocals... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 7:45pm - 8:15pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

8:30pm PDT

The REDS

Groovy, Energetic, Trad Tunes

Performers

The REDS

The REDS are a teen folk band from Olympia, WA, playing a variety of fiddle music genres from Scottish, Irish, Cape Breton, Scandinavian, Old Time and bluegrass. They are a set of two brothers (Dante and Eros Faulk - River and Sage Scheuerell). The REDS have appeared at the Bellingham... Read More →

Sunday May 27, 2018 8:30pm - 9:00pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

11:00am PDT

Seirm

Gaelic Songs & Tunes

Performers

Seirm

Seirm is a céilidh band of singers and musicians who create traditional and innovative Scottish Gaelicmusic together. The main musical program of Slighe nan Gaidheal, Washington's Gaelic language andcultural society, Seirm performs at various community events to promote interest... Read More →

Monday May 28, 2018 11:00am - 11:30am PDT
Center Theatre 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Gaelic Showcase

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

11:45am PDT

Kilmany

Scottish/Celtic Dance Music

Performers

Kilmany

Kilmany started playing in 1988 at the Enumclaw Highland games years ago with just a handful of musicians. It has grown and often includes social, guest dancers. Please enjoy the show!

Monday May 28, 2018 11:45am - 12:15pm PDT
Center Theatre 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Gaelic Showcase

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

12:20pm PDT

John Gothard

British Isles Traditional songs

Performers

John Gothard

Singer and instrumentalist who has been performing traditional music for many years. Born and raised in Liverpool, England, John’s style is a mixture of songs he first heard and learned there, together with other songs he acquired over the years John is well-known in singing circles... Read More →

Monday May 28, 2018 12:20pm - 12:50pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

1:00pm PDT

Waterbound

Spirited Celtic Roots Mando/Autoharp

Performers

Waterbound

As Waterbound, Steve Akerman and Mimi Geibel perform a rich diversity of beautiful melodies, bringing a new twist to Celtic world roots music with their singular blend of autoharps and mandolins. From fiddle tunes, folk, Celtic, Metis, Candian and Swedish tunes, these songs grabbed... Read More →

Monday May 28, 2018 1:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

1:40pm PDT

Jori Chisholm

Incredible Bagpipe Music

Performers

Jori Chisholm

Jori Chisholm is a well-known Seattle-area bagpiper and bagpipe teacher and frequent performer at NW Folklife. Jori is one of the world's most active bagpipe teachers and he teaches pipers around the world through his educational website BagpipeLessons.com. He travels internationally... Read More →

Monday May 28, 2018 1:40pm - 2:10pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

2:20pm PDT

The Drunken Maidens

Traditional Songs, Rich Harmonies

Performers

The Drunken Maidens

The Drunken Maidens, an all-female acoustic band, specialize in tight vocal harmonies which are inspired by performers such as Sweet Honey in the Rock, Mediaeval Baebes, Great Big Sea & the Wailin’ Jennys. In addition to their voices, the band incorporates guitar, melodeon, fiddle... Read More →

Monday May 28, 2018 2:20pm - 2:50pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Celtic Sirens

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

3:00pm PDT

SeaStar

Award Winning Celtic Folk

Performers

SeaStar

Since 2007, SeaStar's music has been described as both "timeless" and "authentic". From dusty Americana postcards, to Celtic anthems with hints of bluegrass and old-time, to passionate ballads, and award winning story songs, Fae Wiedenhoeft and her band takes their audiences on a... Read More →

Monday May 28, 2018 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance, Celtic Sirens

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

3:00pm PDT

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann CCE-Puget Sound Branch

Irish Country Dance

Performers

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann CCE-Puget Sound Branch

Jim Belcher, caller, is chairman of the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, CCE, Puget sound branch, an organization that promotes traditional Irish music, dance, song and language. Jim had been teaching or calling traditional irish set dancing since the mid 1990's. He often frequents Ireland... Read More →

Monday May 28, 2018 3:00pm - 3:50pm PDT
Fisher Pavilion 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Participatory Dance, Irish Country Dance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

3:45pm PDT

The Moving Hats

Beer Should be Served!

Performers

The Moving Hats

The Moving Hats formed for a St Patty's Day gig that turned out to be much more fun than expected. We all bring a different set of skills, and we're excited about the energy and tradition we create when we work together!

Monday May 28, 2018 3:45pm - 4:15pm PDT
Trad Stage 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Music Performance

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC

7:00pm PDT

Brothers Lindsay with Yoyo Zhou Caller

From Sligo to Seattle

Performers

Brothers Lindsay with Yoyo Zhou, Caller

Brian and Colin grew up in Long Island, and are both accomplished fiddlers. They studied with the great Brian Conway in the New York Sligo style, and gained notoriety as dance musicians with the bands Gallimaufry, Countercurrent, and Magic Foot. They now both reside in Seattle, and... Read More →

Monday May 28, 2018 7:00pm - 7:50pm PDT
Fisher Pavilion 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109

Participatory Dance, Monday Closing Contra

Genre British Isles/Ireland - MUSIC