Special July 4 Brass Band Concert to Celebrate Independence Day
OLYMPIA – June 23, 2015 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Folk & Traditional Arts in the Parks Program invites the public to the Ninth Annual American Roots Music Series at Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island.
The series of free outdoor concerts all begin at 7 p.m. and will take place each Saturday in July—from July 4 through July 25 at Deception Pass State Park, 41020 State Route 20 in Oak Harbor. The concerts feature folk and traditional music representing a variety of communities from around the Pacific Northwest. Admission is free to the performances. The Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to the park. (Directions to the park: https://goo.gl/maps/KOL9x)
All performances are in the West Beach amphitheater on the Whidbey Island side of the park, unless it’s raining. In case of rain, performances will move to the East Cranberry Lake picnic shelter, also on the Whidbey Island side of the park.
Performances are scheduled as follows:
July 4: 133D National Guard Army Band, “Brass Patriots”
The Brass Patriots are a detachment of the 133D National Guard Band stationed at Camp Murray. Led by Sergeant First Class Alton Huckaby, the band plays a variety of music ranging from The Beatles to John Williams, patriotic to funk. As musical ambassadors, the Brass Patriots perform all over Washington, supporting numerous military ceremonies and community events. The group is composed of 15 soldier/musicians from across Washington, each exemplifying the Army National Guard's model of “a Patriot, a Soldier, and a Neighbor.” The Brass Patriots are one of three separate groups that make up the larger 133D Army Band, a 40-member citizen-soldier musical unit dedicated to supporting the service members of Washington’s Military Department as well as communities throughout the State of Washington.
July 11: Dave & the Dalmatians – Men’s a cappella klapa singing from the Croatian Coast
Dave and the Dalmatians began in 1994. Their specialty is a cappella (unaccompanied) klapa singing from Croatia's Dalmatian coast, one of the most beautiful shorelines in the world. Klapa means group, and the songs are arranged for at least four singers—first and second tenors, baritone and bass. Originally, the harmony parts were improvised. Today, klapa songs are mostly arranged, sometimes intricately. Klapa songs reflect Dalmatia's natural beauty, evoking the sea and sun. The sweet melodies and lush harmonies have universal appeal.
Their repertory also includes songs from other regions of Croatia as well as from Bulgaria, Bosnia, Macedonia, Serbia, Russia and occasionally Western Europe. Dave and the Dalmatians have performed throughout Washington state at the Northwest Folklife Festival, Croatia Fest, Lift Every Voice at Town Hall Seattle and the Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Contest.
July 18: Kohala – Hawaiian Guitar with Traditional Roots
The music of Kohala blends folk, island and jazz into an acoustic mix that reflects the beauty of the Kohala region on the Big Island where the band members live. The trio consists of the lead guitarist, GRAMMY® Award winning Charles Michael Brotman, who performs a classical style on nylon strings and Charlie Recaido, who uses distinct finger-picking styles on a steel-string guitar. Kohala owes its distinctive sound to diverse cultural influences.
The group has performed extensively throughout concert halls in Japan as well as the mainland. Kohala’s performances have taken them to Nashville Symphony Hall (Tennessee), Wolf Trap (Virginia), NPR radio, The Cedar Cultural Center (Minneapolis, MN), The Summerville Theatre (Boston, MA), Hawaii Theatre (Honolulu, HI), Maui Arts and Culture Center, Kuumbwa Jazz Center (Santa Cruz, CA), The Throckmorton (Mill Valley, CA), The Blue Note (Japan), Sweet Basil (Tokyo, Japan) and more.
July 25: The Onlies – Traditional Old-Time, Celtic and Canadian Music
The Onlies play original and traditional fiddle-driven music, with Celtic, old-time American, and Canadian roots. Members Leo Shannon, Riley Calcagno, and Sami Braman are Garfield High School (Seattle) juniors and all “only” children who’ve played music together since they were two years old. Singing and playing fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo and piano, the trio has developed a strong fan base throughout the Pacific Northwest, performing concerts and dances from Port Townsend to Ojai, CA.
About the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program
The American Roots Music Series is part of a broader series of events celebrating Washington’s diverse cultures and presented by 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 a full schedule of Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program events, contact Debbie Fant, Folk & Traditional Arts Program Coordinator, at Deborah.Fant@PARKS.WA.GOV or 360-902-8635.
About Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass State Park is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline, and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. The park is best known for views of Deception Pass and Bowman Bay, old-growth forests, abundant wildlife and the historic Deception Pass Bridge. More information about Deception Pass is here: http://www.parks.wa.gov/497/Deception-Pass
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.
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Media contacts:
Debbie Fant, (360) 902-8635
Toni Droscher, (360) 902-8604
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388