Free performances celebrate diverse cultures
OLYMPIA – May 12, 2015 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Folk & Traditional Arts in the Parks Program today announced the summer schedule of performances and dances in parks taking place throughout the state.
Events feature folk and traditional music and dance representing a variety of communities from around the Pacific Northwest. The performances are free. A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to parks.
Performances listed by county are as follows:
ISLAND COUNTY
Salish Sea Native American Cultural Celebration: Samish and Swinomish Canoe Families
Noon to 4 p.m., June 6
Deception Pass State Park, Bowman Bay area, Fidalgo Island
THURSTON COUNTY
Canoe Families Celebration: Chehalis, Nisqually, Puyallup Canoe Families
Noon to 4 p.m., June 13Millersylvania State Park, Olympia
PACIFIC COUNTY
First concert of the 10th-annual Waikiki Beach Concert Series: Napua and Friends (Hawaiian music and dance)
7 p.m., June 13Cape Disappointment State Park, Ilwaco
ISLAND COUNTY
American Roots Music Series
7 p.m., Every Saturday in July
Deception Pass State Park, West Beach Amphitheater, Oak Harbor
- July 4—Brass Patriots 133rd Army Reserve Band from Joint Base Lewis McChord: stirring big band music
- July 1—Dave & the Dalmatians,all-male a cappella music from Eastern Europe
- July 18 —Kohala: traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music and dance
- July 25—The Onlies: young old-time music trio
ISLAND COUNTY
Kick Up Your Heels and Dance!
7 to 9 p.m., Second, Third, Fourth Saturdays in July
Cama Beach State Park, Cama Center, Camano Island
- July 11—The Barn Owls with Gabe Strand, Caller: Old-time family square dance
- July 18—La Famille Léger: family dance with French Canadian music
- July 25—Dances with John Corrigan, Caron Grasso, Linda and Bob Berka, Callers. Sponsored by the Fidalgo Fogcutters
KING COUNTY
Southeast Asian Cultural Celebration: All-day festival featuring music, dance, storytelling from Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 18
Saltwater State Park, Des Moines
WHATCOM COUNTY
International Concert Series
2 p.m., First four Sundays in AugustPeace Arch State Park, Blaine
- August 2 —Quichua Mashis: traditional music from the Ecuadorian Andes Mountains
- August 9—Gansango Music and Dance Company: music and dance from West Africa
- August 16—Halau Hula O Napualani; Hawaiian ukulele music and traditional hula
- August 23—Sedentary Sousa Band; world’s only seated marching band
KING COUNTY
Cambodian Cultural Celebration: All-day festival featuring music, dance, crafts and food
11 to 4 p.m., August 22 Saltwater State Park, Des Moines
OKANOGAN COUNTY
Celebrating Cultures Music Festival
2 to 5:30 p.m., August 29 Pearrygin Lake State Park, Winthrop
- Inochi Taiko—Japanese-American traditional drumming
- Squirrel Butter—Old-time variety duet
- Gansango Music & Dance—traditional music and dance from West Africa
Note to media: More details about each performance will be sent out in separate news releases several weeks before each event.
About the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program
The program is a partnership of Washington State Parks and Northwest Heritage Resources, with funding provided by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Washington State Parks Foundation. For more information, contact Debbie Fant, Folk & Traditional Arts Program Coordinator, at Deborah.Fant@PARKS.WA.GOV or 360-902-8635.
About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
Follow Washington State Parks:
Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks’ blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Media contacts:
Debbie Fant, (360) 902-8635Toni Droscher, (360) 902-8604
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
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