Cape Disappointment State Park provides beautiful outdoor venue
OLYMPIA – May 23, 2019 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announces a summer-long lineup of free performances for the 14th annual Waikiki Beach Concert Series at Cape Disappointment State Park.
The free concerts, co-sponsored by the Folk & Traditional Arts Program and the Friends of the Columbia River Gateway, begin at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Saturdays from June 8 through Aug. 24, on the lawn at Waikiki Beach, Cape Disappointment State Park, 244 Robert Gray Dr., Ilwaco (Driving directions).
The concert venue is located along Jetty Road near the south end of the park. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own seating, blankets and insect repellent. From Waikiki Beach, concert goers can take in dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean as they enjoy the evening festivities in the outdoor amphitheater.
The summer 2019 lineup is as follows:
June 8: Ben Hunter and Joe Seamons
Ben Hunter and Joe Seamons perform acoustic blues, field hollers, fiddle and banjo breakdowns and early jazz. For seven years, their tours have extended their work as teachers and community organizers in Seattle. With their unique integration of performance, education and storytelling, the duo redefines the role of songsters in the 21st century. In 2016, they earned first place in the International Blues Challenge’s solo/duo category.
June 22: Unit Souzou
Unit Souzou performs an expressive blend of taiko and Japanese folk dance. Taiko refers to the art of Japanese drumming and the drum itself. Founders Michelle Fujii and Toru Watanabe are internationally recognized artists and educators based in Portland. “Souzou” can be written three ways in Japanese meaning “creation” (創造), “imagination” (想像) or “noisy” (騒々). Inspired by these words, Unit Souzou builds creative, imaginative works while honoring the history and roots of the taiko art form.
July 13: Beltaine
Beltaine plays Celtic music that features hammered dulcimer, guitar, accordion, flute and pennywhistle. Performing both instrumental and vocal tunes, Beltaine offers a unique blend of instrumentation and musical styles. The original and traditional music performed by Beltaine is inspired from Celtic, folk, rock and classical sources.
July 27: Brownsmead Flats
Brownsmead Flats is an acoustic string band that features guitars, bass, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, fiddle and hammered dulcimer. The band plays traditional bluegrass songs as well as its own take on the genre “crabgrass,” inspired by the maritime heritage of the Pacific Northwest coast.
August 10: The Winterlings
With songs as vivid as feature films, The Winterlings take listeners on unexpected journeys through flooded barns and cedar forests, chemistry labs and ferries crossing Puget Sound. Songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Amanda Birdsall and Wolff Bowden weave guitar, violin, foot drums and banj-itar with layered vocal harmonies.
Aug. 24: The Unexpected Brass Band
Inspired by the joyous and free-wheeling energy of New Orleans street bands, The Unexpected Brass Band plays good-time, funky music. Their repertoire includes traditional songs, jazz and music from around the world.
About the Folk and Traditional Arts Program
The Waikiki Concert Series at Cape Disappointment State Park is part of a broader series of events celebrating Washington’s diverse cultures presented by the Folk and Traditional Arts Program, with funding provided by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Washington State Parks Foundation and the Friends of the Columbia River Gateway.
For more information about the Folks and Traditional Arts in the Parks program, including upcoming events, visit: parks.state.wa.us/folkarts, or contact Makaela Kroin, Program Coordinator, at Makaela.Kroin@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8635.
News media contacts:
Makaela Kroin, Folk and Traditional Arts Program Coordinator, (360) 902-8635
Toni Droscher, Communications Office, (360) 902-8604
_________________________________________________________________________________
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.
News release number: 19-033