NW Folklife is proud to partner with Town Hall Seattle this season to curate a series of Saturday Family Concert events that combine music, dance, and visual art to showcase the diverse cultures here in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. The Concert Series offers a special opportunity for young people and families to interact with culture, not just be witness to it!
The 2023/2024 Season's theme focuses on Art as Empowerment, exploring how protest music is a form of liberation, emancipation, and validation of identity. The 8-part series brings awareness to issues that affect everyone at any age and encourages and enables young people and families to explore their heritage—past, present, and future—as a source for individual and collective identity.
February 15th, 2025: Srivani Jade and Classical Traditions of North India
Saturday, February 15th, 2025
Srivani Jade is a captivating performer and story-teller of the folk and classical traditions of North India. She is a singer, composer and educator, and has performed in major festivals in India, and all over North America and Europe. She has recorded eight solo albums; her debut album ‘Meera’s Love’ won an IMA nomination in 2009. Her background scores for films (Tapasya, 2003, Siddhanto, 2014) and the Tom Stoppard play ‘Indian Ink’ (Sound Theater Company, 2014) received much critical acclaim worldwide. She is a three-times Washington State Master grant recipient, a Visiting Artist at the University of Washington, and has won grants, awards and residencies at the national level.
Srivani has performed previously as part of Townhall Seattle's Global Rhythms series, and looks forward to being back with her Indian Music ensemble of Voice, Tabla (drums), Harmonium (free reed keyboard), and Tanpura (4-stringed drone). In this program, she will be singing songs of feminism and protest, from colonial times to now.
Saturday, April 5th, 2025: House of Tarab, Music of the Levant
Saturday, April 5th, 2025
House of Tarab, Arabic Music Ensemble, is based in Seattle and performs classic & traditional music of the Golden Era of Egyptian music and film, music of the Levant (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine), and the greater Middle East. “Tarab” is an Arabic word not found in the English language that describes a state of emotional transformation and bliss when one is wholly absorbed in music. House of Tarab (A.K.A. H.O.T.) was formed in 2005 though some of the band members have been playing together since 1999.
House of Tarab has played at numerous cultural events, music festivals, parties, belly dance cabarets, belly dance retreats and competitions. We are looking forward to performing live shows again when the pandemic is over and sharing the wonderful music of greats like Oum Kalthoum, Farid El Atrash, Muhammed Abdel Wahab, Abdel Halim Hafez, folk music, and others as well as original compositions!
Hanady Kader is a Palestinian-American singer and musician from Seattle. She grew up listening to classical Arabic music at home and during trips to visit family in the Middle East. She began playing violin in elementary school and learned guitar so she'd have an instrument she could sing along with. She has more recently immersed herself in the study of the Arab maqams, or musical modes, that define the sounds of the Arab music and Palestinian folk songs she grew up singing and playing.
December 7th, 2024: Mahonyera Mbira Ensemble
Saturday, December 7th, 2024, 10:30am
The Seattle-based ensemble Mahonyera* performs traditional mbira music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Three mbira players perform complex interlocking patterns on the 22-24 key mbira dzavadzimu (mbira of the ancestral spirits) and are accompanied by hosho (gourd shakers) and vocals. Mahonyera members, most of whom have spent time studying in Zimbabwe, are: Claire Jones, Sheree Seretse, Phillip Page and Zack Moon.
*Mahonyera, in the chiShona language, is a style of low-pitched syllabic singing. It also refers to “the sound of distant voices.”
MBIRA AND CHIMURENGA
Western missionaries sought to suppress mbira during the colonial period because of its association with traditional religious practices; many older mbira players recall holding ancestral spirit possession ceremonies in secret. But as the chimurenga struggle heated up during the 1970s, so did Zimbabwean people’s pride in their cultural traditions and expressions of resistance. The music that came out of and fueled the independence struggle came to be known as chimurenga music. It includes mbira played in the traditional style as well as the modernized mbira sounds performed on electric instruments by Thomas Mapfumo and others.
October 26, 2024: Sophie Lukacs
Saturday, October 26th, 2024, 10:30am
Sophie Lukacs is a Budapest born, Montreal based artist, who grew up studying the violin and western classical music. Of Jewish Hungarian descent, she is most inspired by music's power to move and bring people together. She is the grand-daughter of Eva Fahidi, a prominent writer and dancer who survived the Holocaust, and with whom she sang her first Hungarian folk songs.
For 7 years in Mali, Sophie devoted herself to the kora and its traditional repertoire. Only after that did she acknowledge the stirring of her own music and stories. With the blessing and encouragement of her many teachers and mentors, including Habib Koité, and Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté, and with profound gratitude for all they have shared with her, Sophie began to compose her own music on the kora.
The aim of this performance and workshop is to introduce and contextualize the kora within its socio-political, historical, and musical setting. This includes:
● Explanation of the form of the kora and the materials used to build it
● Geography of 13th century Mandingue Empire and present-day area
● The organization of society around castes in the Mandingue Empire in the 13th century
● An explanation of the “griot”, or “jali” – the musical/oral historian
● The evolving role of the griot caste from Mandingue Empire to today
● The transmission process within griot families
In parallel, Sophie recounts her own musical journey through song and story from Budapest to Bamako, from western classical to Mandingue music, from the violin to the kora, and stories of the music and musicians that inspired, mentored, and collaborated with her. This includes:
April 20, 2024: Seattle Steel Pan
Saturday, April 20th, 2024, 10:30am
The Seattle Steel Pan Project (SSPP) is the culmination of over 30 years of steel pan educational programming and performance in the Pacific Northwest.The Seattle Steel Pan Project promotes steel pan culture through: Public performance, K-12 school based steel pan curriculum, after-school and summer camps, public community classes and workshops. The steel pan, also known as steel drum, is the most modern acoustic musical instrument to find its way to the world stage. Originally from the Caribbean nation of Trinidad & Tobago, it was ingeniously crafted in the 1940's out of discarded oil drums. Today it can be found throughout the world in ensembles ranging from a few players, or just a soloist, to full orchestras of 100 or more players.
https://www.seattlesteelpanpro...
As with all of our Saturday Family Concerts, this event is free for ages 22 and under.
Past Events
February 17th, 2024: The Blues w/ Lady A
Saturday, February 17th, 2024, 10:30am
Lady A has been a Pacific NW favorite for 20+ year in the business. Nationally and Internationally known, Lady A, has a high energy show has been compared to the likes of "Tina Turner" and "Chaka Khan" ~ a smile that easily draws the audience in with her sultry-husky voice and contemporary blues-funk style and like a Good pot-a-Gumbo, Lady A is best served HOT!
As well as a Touring Artist, Producer, Vocalist, Community Activist, Storyteller and Songwriter, Lady A brings musicians to the Seattle area under Lady A Productions for live performances in Blues, Gospel, and has served as MC of the Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival All-Star Jam and a part of the Methow Valley Juke Joint All-Stars band 8 years running.
Lady A has truly lived up to her moniker as "The Hardest Workin' Woman in Blues, Soul, Funk & Gospel"
https://www.ladyababyblues.com...
As with all of our Saturday Family Concerts, this event is free for ages 22 and under.
December 2nd, 2023: Afro-Brazilian Dance & Movement
Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, 11am
Experience the joy of music at Town Hall Seattle’s Saturday Family Concerts, where captivating performances and interactive musical adventures create cherished memories for all ages!
Afro-Brazilian arts & culture is rich with history and a host of lineages. The influence of the trans-Atlantic slave trade on South American culture, mixed with Indigenous and European traditions, allows for a rich, diverse, and extremely connected array of artistic expressions and heritage.
Join the Union Cultural Center in this beautiful demonstration of that connectedness found in Brazilian culture. In the spirit of the theme of these concerts, UCC recognizes that "cultural arts are often born out of resistance for communities to gather and reinforce their shared humanity. We work to preserve a sense of dignity for all engaged in our work and collectively take action toward identifying and shifting the interlocking systems of oppression (colonialism, racism, etc.) that leave their mark on all of us."
Explore the berimbau, a traditional Angolan and Brazilian instrument used to accompany dance, storytelling, and the art form of capoeira. Experience Afro-Brazilian dance movements with dance instructor, Deise Costa, in a very fun and interactive class. Join in the dance of Capoeira with Mestre Silvinho and learn this ancient form of storytelling and self-defense.
As with all of our Saturday Family Concerts, this event is free for ages 22 and under.
October 21st, 2023: Shpilkis
Saturday, October 21st, 2023, 11am
Experience the joy of music at Town Hall Seattle’s Saturday Family Concerts, where captivating performances and interactive musical adventures create cherished memories for all ages!
Get ready for old-school Yiddish grooves and tuchus-shaking energy with Seattle’s slammin’ klezmer brass band, Shpilkis!
Join us for the energetic rhythms and playful melodies of Shpilkis that will have children and families dancing, clapping, and singing along. Shpilkis promises an engaging experience that will leave young music enthusiasts and their parents tapping their toes.
Don’t miss out on this lively and entertaining concert that’s perfect for kids of all ages!
Performers:
- Zimyl (Simone) Adler – Clarinet
- Jimmy Austin – Trombone
- Layne Benofsky – Euphonium
- Stefanie Brendler – Tenor Horn
- Michael Grant – Trumpet
- Nancy Hartunian – Saxophone
- Gary Luke – Tuba
As with all of our Saturday Family Concerts, this event is free for ages 22 and under.
Bayan Ko: Celebrating Filipino Songs of Protest, Past and Present
Saturday, May 22, 2023, 11AM
Experience the joy of music at Town Hall Seattle’s Saturday Family Concerts, where captivating performances and interactive musical adventures create cherished memories for all ages!
Bring the family for a day of dance, activities, and songs, and jam to genre-sweeping Filipino songs of empowerment with Ihaw-Ihaw!
Ihaw-Ihaw is Tagalog for barbecuing, which reflects the natural, laid back quality of their music. Starting in 2004, the core group decided to make their jam sessions an annual tradition at the infamous Pinoy Hill at Seward Park. The Ihaw-Ihaw Jam Project is a collection of musicians that play Original Pilipino Music (OPM). OPM is a sweep of music genres from rock to folk, to pop with a twist of Filipino culture. The unique intertwining of the U.S.-Philippine cultural relationship fostered a surging of OPM in the tumultuous 70s, highlighted by activism against abuse in the arena of socio-political issues.
This special Ihaw-Ihaw Family Concert will feature other active community groups sharing songs of protests. Along with Ihaw-Ihaw’s folk group featuring pre-Spanish, anti-colonial “kundimans” to the more current songs of empowerment, the Gabriela Group will also render songs from the Filipina women’s movements.
So, bring the whole family for a day of songs, dance, and fun activities!
Gabriela Seattle is a member organization of GABRIELA USA, which itself is an international chapter of GABRIELA Philippines – a grassroots alliance of progressive Filipino women’s organizations. We seek to agitate, organize, and mobilize people of Filipino descent – especially Filipino workers, im/migrants, women, LGBTQIGNC people, and children to fight for National Democracy in the Philippines.
Anakbayan is the comprehensive national democratic mass organization of Filipino youth and students in the U.S.
Established on the 30th of November 1998 – the anniversary of Andres Bonifacio and pre-Martial Law organization, Kabataang Makabayan – Anakbayan-USA seeks to unite the youth from different sectors of society to advance the cause of national democracy.
More info at https://townhallseattle.org/ev...
Reconnecting with Latinx Heritage with Reposado
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 11:00AM
Experience the joy of music at Town Hall Seattle’s Saturday Family Concerts, where captivating performances and interactive musical adventures create cherished memories for all ages!
The music is designed to move you. Spiritually. Physically. The message is designed to gather people from all walks of life, bring the focus to a simple truth, let that truth connect us, that connection is electric and moving. We create a space that allows the soul to express joy or release negative weight.
Back in NY where I grew up I was so use to getting a taste of so many cultures. When I moved to Seattle I no longer had access to them. That's why the music we play has so many styles intertwined in it. As my journey into music goes deeper and deeper I find myself gravitating towards the drum.
Rhythm is deeper than most are aware of; It is a language operating on a deeper plain of communication. It was Afro Latin music that guided me to these understandings.
More info at https://townhallseattle.org/ev...
From Alaska to Amazonas
Saturday, February 25, 2023, 11:00AM
Experience the joy of music at Town Hall Seattle’s Saturday Family Concerts, where captivating performances and interactive musical adventures create cherished memories for all ages!
Join us for a richly layered experience of music, spoken word poetry, visual art, and resistance drawn from two Native cultures—the Tlingit people of southern Alaska and the Indigenous Brazilian people of the Amazon. Co-created by Nahaan, Tlingit artist of multiple genres and Indigenous activist, and by Adriana Giordano, Seattle’s premier Brazilian vocalist, and concert producer, this event will emphasize experience over concept, leading you on an exploration of the paths of Native peoples as they navigate, and resist, the challenges of colonization and climate change.
Expect powerful storytelling and visuals from Nahaan, who lives and creates art in both traditional Tlingit culture and resistance culture—from ceremonial tattooing to carving and formline art—and allies himself with the Land Back movement.
Adriana, accompanied by stellar Seattle musicians from different genres, will provide an immersive music and sound experience that evokes the Amazon and Indigenous tribal culture, drawing on recordings of tribal songs, as well as other Brazilian musical genres. This musical mosaic will provide the sensory grounding for the event and will highlight transitions in the shifts between Indigenous Brazilian and Tlingit culture.
The band:
Nahaan - vocals, spoken word
Adriana Giordano - vocals, triangle and other percussion instruments
Gabe Hall-Rodrigues on piano and accordion
Julian Weisman on double bass
Jeff Busch on percussion
Freddy Gonzalez on trombone and flute
More info at https://townhallseattle.org/ev...
The Gil Scott-Heron Tribute Band
Saturday, January 28, 2023, 11:00AM
Experience the joy of music at Town Hall Seattle’s Saturday Family Concerts, where captivating performances and interactive musical adventures create cherished memories for all ages!
In a fusion of jazz, soul, funk, and spoken word, the Gil Scott-Heron Tribute Band explores the Civil Rights Movement — a time marked by triumphant resistance in the form of music, dance, art, poetry, and collective voice. Move, groove, and learn how this movement celebrated great joy amidst tremendous adversity, demonstrating that liberation can be achieved through thumping rhythms, vibrant colors, and beautiful wordplay.
About the Gil Scott-Heron Tribute Band
Born in Chicago in 1949, Gil Scott-Heron was a poet, author, composer, and recording artist whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern hip-hop music in the 1970s and 1980s. Known primarily for his energetic spoken-word performances, Scott-Heron’s music pulsed with the joy and pride of being Black while reflecting on struggles for justice. He passed away in 2011, but his legacy lives on through music and messaging that remains just as relevant today as it did in decades past.
The Gil Scott-Heron Tribute Band features an ensemble of talented local musicians that celebrate his inspirational voice through funky beats and song-like poems.
About Saturday Family Concerts
This half of the season, Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Folklife focus on the theme of Art as Empowerment, exploring how protest music liberates and validates identity. This 4-part series brings awareness to issues that affect everyone at any age, encouraging young people and families to explore their heritage — past, present and future — as a source for individual and collective identity.
As with all of our Saturday Family Concerts, this event is free for ages 22 and under.
More info at https://townhallseattle.org/ev...