Welcome to the Gathering Room, a community-led virtual space for participatory workshops discussions, and more! Located virtually via zoom, these intimate workshops will be led by local artists, cultural bearers, and educators, and designed for early elementary students and their caregivers.
Participants must register in advance for each session they would like to join. You may register at any time, leading up to or during the workshop, but workshops will be capped at 30 participants, so early registration is recommended! Click the yellow “sign up here” button to register.
For any questions please contact us at programming@nwfolklife.org or 206-684-4189
Sunshine Music Together
Music Together
11-11:45AM
Join Teacher John to share songs, play instruments, play with rhythm chants, and movement activities in relaxed, playful, settings. Best for parents/guardians and kids 0-5.
Sunshine Music Together is the eight-time ParentMap Golden Teddy Award Winner for Best Music Program in Seattle!
Accolades aside, the curriculum at Sunshine Music Together is the real gem. The Music Together program, for children ages birth to five, is not just fun, but a complete, developmentally appropriate curriculum based on decades of research.
Parents are encouraged to sing, dance and act silly right alongside their child! Why? Because children learn to love making music directly from watching you participate with enjoyment! Sunshine Music Together helps you to relax, shed inhibitions…
Sumayya Diop
Celebration of our Resilience!
12:00-12:45PM
Join Sumayya on a journey through the African Diaspora with dance, movement, drum rhythms and song. No dance or drum experience necessary.
Sumayya E. Diop is a teaching artist, dancer, choreographer, actor, and administrator specializing in Folkloric performance dance culture, of the African Diaspora, and whose artistic goals and aspirations are rooted in the love of dance theatre. Sumayya has created and presented works in both traditional and contemporary African dance styles. Sumayya is currently Teaching Artist Coordinator with Arts Corps, as well as partnering with The Creative Advantage, and Youth Arts through the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture. She is a co-founder of Griot Girlz, which works closely with Seattle Public Schools students in developing…
Read MorePenguin Productions
Theater Fun
1:00-1:45PM
Penguin Productions unites youth leadership and adult mentorship to co-create theater and cultivate a healthy, equitable, thriving future through:
Empowering confident, thoughtful youth leaders Making invigorating, inspiring, joyful theater Creating diverse, inclusive spaces where everyone belongs Nurturing artistic discovery and growth Providing cost-free programming
Producing Artistic Director Shana Bestock leads a team of professional teaching artists and young professionals to provide quality instruction and transformational mentorship.
Visit their website to learn more
As part of our virtual programming, we encourage audience members to donate…
Read MoreFamilies of Color Seattle
FOCS: Talking to kids about Race and Identity with Christine Tang
2:00-2:45PM
Join us for a discussion for parents and caregivers with Christine Tang, Executive Director of FOCS, around talking to kids about race and identity. Questions from participants are strongly encouraged!
About FOCS: Families Of Color Seattle (FOCS) is a non-profit organization that is connecting parents to build a loving community of families of color. Our programs include parent groups, community resources and events, and racial equity consulting. We equip parents and educators with tools to talk with children on identity, racism, inclusion & equity, and trauma-informed practices. FOCS has connected 4,000+ families into an intercultural and interethnic community, employed and trained 50+ parent educators to facilitate parent and affinity groups, and provided dozens…
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Did you Know?
Did you know that call and response is a style of singing that has roots in African music? It was introduced to the Americas by enslaved peoples who brought their music and traditions with them. Now you can find call and response in all types of music from pop, gospel, folk or even jazz. In this style, a singer will sing a phrase, and the audience will respond with a new phrase, or answer a question, creating a song together!
Join Sumayya for a journey through the African Diaspora with dance, movement, drum rhythms and song!