OLYMPIA – June 20, 2016 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Folk & Traditional Arts in the Parks Program invites the public to the 10th 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 beginning July 9 and running through July 30 at Deception Pass State Park, 41020 State Route 20, Oak Harbor. (Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/KOL9x) 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.
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 9: Miho and Diego – sounds of Japan and South America
The Miho & Diego Duo has been blending Latin and Japanese musical traditions since 2006. Accomplished musicians Miho Takekawa and Diego Coy came together after years of admiring each other’s work and discovering that their sounds could be combined to make something genuinely unique—a distinctive combination of warm, natural wood sounds that take the listener on a musical journey from Japan to South America. The duo’s repertoire covers a wide range of styles from Andean to traditional South American folk, Brazilian to Japanese and Latin jazz to original compositions. The duos goal is to encourage cultural understanding through music. Miho and Diego have performed at festivals, universities, and venues all over Washington, Oregon and California and have toured Japan six times. Learn more here: www.mihodiego.com
July 16: Erin Fristad and John van Amerongen – Fisher poetry, songs and true stories
Erin Fristad and John van Amerongen share their experiences and adventures in the commercial fishing industry and their intimate relationships with the ocean through words and music.
Erin Fristad survived 15 years as a deckhand fishing waters from the Columbia River to Togiak, Alaska. She chased crab, herring and salmon; and for five years, pursued fish in the name of science. Her work is published widely in journals and anthologies, and she was featured in the documentary film FISHER POETS. Her first collection of poems, The Glass Jar, is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press in July 2016. Learn more here: www.erinfristad.com.
John van Amerongen was one of the original performers at the annual Fisher Poets’ Gathering in Astoria, Oregon. In his early years, he worked as a professional shipwright and commercial fisherman. He then spent a couple of decades as Editor in Chief of Alaska Fisherman’s Journal, the leading trade newspaper for the North Pacific commercial fishing industry, and he recently retired from Trident Seafoods after serving as its director of communications and chief sustainability officer. Van Amerongen taught himself how to play the banjo and guitar so he could sing traditional songs as well as his own ballads that celebrate life, love, loss and humor in the Alaska commercial fishing fleet.
July 23: Sedentary Sousa Band – the world’s only seated marching band
The Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band, Seattle’s own non-marching march band, plays the greatest hits of marching band music by John Philip Sousa, Henry Fillmore and more. The band includes Director and Raconteur Liz Dreisbach, who spin yarns and fun; a splendid collection of Vintage Band Uniforms; appearances by The Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band Drill Team; and The World’s Finest Sedentary Majorette, Edith Farrar, who performs thrilling feats of seated baton twirling! The Band just celebrated 30 years of marching in their seats. Learn more here: www.sedentarysousa.com
July 30: Dunava – Women’s a cappella music from Eastern Europe
Dunava is a Seattle-based women's vocal ensemble specializing in the a cappella folk music of Eastern Europe. Founded in 2005, the group is made up of singers from diverse musical backgrounds who share a passion for complex and beautiful harmonies. The choir's repertoire includes songs from the Balkans as well as other Slavic countries and the Caucasus. Dunava is affiliated with the Radost Folk Ensemble and has performed at the Northwest Folklife Festival, Croatia Fest, the Seattle Folklore Society concert series, the Seattle Art Museum and at Seattle Town Hall. In 2014, Dunava was the first American group to participate in the international Silver Buckle Folk Festival in Kjustendil, Bulgaria. Dunava has released two CDs, Dunava (2009) and Bulgaria (2013). Learn more here: www.dunava.org
About the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program
The American Roots Music Series is presented by the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program with funding provided by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Washington State Parks Foundation.
For more information about the Folks and Traditional Arts in the Parks program, including upcoming events, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/folkarts or contact Debbie Fant, 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://parks.state.wa.us/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.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Debbie Fant, (360) 902-8635
Toni Droscher (360) 902-8604
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
-30-