New Performers for 2017 |
Welcome to our New Performers
Kori Ailene (Saturday, 3:00 - 3:30, Small Conference Room)
Kori Ailene is a folk singer and songwriter who sings original songs and accompanies herself on acoustic guitar. Her passion for writing is reflected in her album, Bear With Me.
Peter Ali (Bellingham, WA) (Saturday, 2:00 - 2:30, Sasquatch Room)
A talented and self-taught Naive flutist creating his music from spirit within so each performance is unique and special. Playing a variety of styles, he will demonstrate the music of various plains and woodland tribes, as well as traditional flute styles of Norway and Egypt. He shares their stories as well as stories of his rich ethnic heritage. His father form Morocco is Berber and his mother from Mexico is of Native and southern European ancestry. Listen to the sounds of eagle, running river, nature and the spirit in the flute’s song - He will also present a flute workshop on Saturday at 5:15 pm in the Small Conference Room.
Olivia Awbrey (Portland, OR) (Saturday, 4:00 - 4:30, Underground Stage)
A nationally touring, political folk/rock songwriter performing politically inclined folk music that blends American folk roots with modern, nuanced-punk influences.
Browne Salmon Truck (Sunday, 12:15 - 12:45, Underground Stage)
Perform traditional to contemporary blues, jazz and Latin with Drew Browne on bass, Samantha Carston vocals and Truck Mills guitar.
Hank Cramer (Winthrop, WA) (Saturday, 1:15 - 1:45, Sasquatch Room)
Hank performs music ranging from Celtic to Cowboy. He is not new to the Festival, but it’s been several years since he’s made the journey from Winthrop. Hank Cramer is one of the best-loved folksingers in the American West. He is widely known for his booming bass voice, smooth picking on a vintage flat-top guitar, and his wry sense of humor. He has a repertoire of over a thousand modern and traditional songs, spanning genres of Celtic, Appalachian, maritime, cowboy and plain old folk music. He is more than simply a performer, however. He is a historian and educator who weaves music and history into presentations that bring to life the rich story of America’s westward movement, and gives his audiences insight into the “folk process” by which traditional songs evolve and change to describe new events. A fulltime touring musician for over ten years, Hank now has nineteen CDs, and several movie soundtracks and music videos to his credit. While he performs a regular concert series like most musicians, Hank is strongly drawn to performances in educational settings that enable him to delve into his dual loves of history and music.
Danza Mexica (Saturday, 4:45 - 5:00, Cafeteria Stage)
Danza Mexica performs traditional Aztec prayer dances. The group is comprised of three (3) dancers – Abigail Bocanegra, Roberto Provencio and Mayra Villalobos.
Dario Re Band (Sunday, 1:45 - 2:15, Underground Stage)
This eponymous band is a blend of indie folk with classical and ghoulish flare. It consists of Re on guitar, ukulele and vocals; Phil Pintor on violin and mandolin, Patrick Culbertson on guitar, mandolin, violin, ukulele and vocals; Thomas Ruble on clarinet and melodica; Wil Jenkins on vocals and percussion; Andie Daisley on vocals and Michael Starry on upright electric bass.
Dog Paw (Sunday, 3:45 – 5:00, Cafeteria Stage)
This bi-musical contra dance band plays northern and southern tunes. Members of the band include Eugene Jablonsky, Lzs Dresibach and Sally Jablonsky.
Frankie Ghee (Sunday, 4:15 - 4:45, Conference Room)
Frankie has been creating and performing music for over 30 years. Frankie believes in the beauty of variety. Her experiences performing, classic rock, jazz, blues, gospel, alternative rock, choral, pop, and solo classical music have led to an open mindedness about what makes a great song. Frankie writes and sings memorable and interesting melodies, but she is more than anything a poet. Her lyrics are the best part of each song. On her newest album, I-90 to Spokane… Then Left on Sherman Street, you will find the provocative, humorous, controversial, light and the dramatically sad.
Mighty Dreadful (Renton, WA) (Saturday, 3:15 - 3:45, Bistro Stage)
The Mighty Dreadful is a premier bluegrass band specializing in the high lonesome sounds from the Evergreen State. It is part string band and part rockabilly, bluegrass junkies. They perform traditional tunes reworked to satiate four down-to-earth, Puget Sound musicians. The Dreadful combine to form a musical juggernaut on stage, captivating audiences with strong vocal harmonies and self-deprecating humor. The band members include Clayton Kaiser, Kelly Erb, Andy Lowe and Nick McLean.
Montana Ramblers (Missoula, MT) (Saturday, 1:45 - 2:15, Bistro Stage)
The Montana Ramblers perform a mix of music dating from 1850 to current bluegrass artists featuring lots of 3-part harmony, frailing banjo and more use of the bass than most groups for instrumental solos. The group serves up a mix of female and male lead vocals.
Otis Orchards Malleteers (Saturday, 2:15-2:45 Small Gym)
As an auditioned mallet percussion group of 4th, 5th and 6th graders, they perform multicultural instrumental music. The students perform at various schools and community events around Washington State every year.
Gabriella Rose (Mead, WA) (Sunday, 2:45 - 3:15, Small Conference Room)
Gabriella Rose is an up and coming singer/songwriter who sings with grit and passion well beyond her 15 years. She is here to sing original songs off her recently recorded EP “I’m Leaving”.
Safar (Saturday, 4:30 - 5:15, Lair Auditorium)
Safar performs traditional Arabic music and is accompanied by two dancers. The band members include Roger Sumner on drums, Christopher Lamb on violin and tambourine, Todd Milne on bamboo flutes and ukulele, and Victor Noder on drums and keyboard.
Shiloh Rising (Moyie Springs, ID) (Sunday, 2:30 – 3:00, Bistro Stage)
Shiloh Rising is a husband and wife acoustic duo. Their eclectic sound includes influences of folk, bluegrass, rock and country. The music is at once peaceful, joyful and introspective, but defies a label.
Paul Ely Smith (Palouse, WA) (Saturday, 6:30 – 7:00, Sasquatch Room)
Paul Ely Smith performs African-American fretless gourd banjo music. He has been part of the Northwest music scene since the early 1980’s when he released his critically acclaimed LPs on the Flying Fish label. His published research on early African-American banjo music led to the release of his recent CD, American Akonting.
Sock Puppets (Sunday, 4:00 - 4:30, Underground Stage)
Idols of American Youth (Steve Schennum, Chris Howie and Jeff Renfrow), perform original songs interspersed with unusual pieces of music that never get any airplay. Their performance consists mostly acoustic guitars and electric bass.
Spokane Community College Multicultural Students (Sunday, 6:15 – 6:45, Small Gym)
The SCC Multicultural Students have put together a group of Native American dancers and drummers for your entertainment.
Spokane Bulgarian Community Dance Group (Saturday, 4:30 - 4:45, Cafeteria Stage)
The Spokane Bulgarian Community Dance Group performs authentic Bulgarian Dances from the Spokane Bulgarian Community.
Spokane Irish Dance (Saturday, 6:00 - 6:30, Cafeteria Stage)
Spokane Irish Dance is a community dance school dedicated to bringing the joy and love of Irish Dance to the people of Spokane. At the Festival, enjoy a mix of reels, jigs and hard shoe dance to get the audience clapping and their toes tapping.
Swingset Hooligans (Sunday, 3:30 – 4:00, Lair Auditorium)
The Strictly Swing Spokane performance team, the Swingset Hooligans, performs classic partnered and solo swing dance routines, and original choreography. At the Festival, they will perform five high-energy swing dances.
United Methodist Marimba Band (Sunday, 12:15 - 12:45, Small Gym)
The United Methodist Marimba Band is a multi-age group of musicians that performs African marimba music on hand built instrument.
Ukestra Spokane (Saturday, 1:45 - 2:15, Underground Stage)
This ukulele band love their ukuleles and they meet twice a month on Fridays at 7:30 pm to jam with our ukes, socialize and learn. The exact schedule and location vary, so check out their Facebook page for details. In addition, they periodically perform for appreciative audiences, such as the Festival. At the Festival, they will perform with UPOP, another ukulele band.
Ernie Verdugo (Saturday, 3:45 - 4:15, Small Conference Room)
Ernie Verdugo performs both traditional and improvisational music on the Spanish and Flamenco guitar.
Whimzik (Rathdrum, ID) (Saturday, 5:45 - 6:15, Sasquatch Room)
Whimzik includes band members Micahel Cruitt from Dublin playing the Uilliann piper; Glenn Kastrinos on flute, whistle and finger style guitar; and Kjelsty Hanson on Bodhran and persuasion instruments. They play traditional Celtic music including songs, airs, jigs and reels from Ireland to Scotland and Brittany. Their performance at the Festival will be interactive with the audience. Their tunes will be interspersed with songs and stories that will be entertaining and heartfelt.
Kori Ailene (Saturday, 3:00 - 3:30, Small Conference Room)
Kori Ailene is a folk singer and songwriter who sings original songs and accompanies herself on acoustic guitar. Her passion for writing is reflected in her album, Bear With Me.
Peter Ali (Bellingham, WA) (Saturday, 2:00 - 2:30, Sasquatch Room)
A talented and self-taught Naive flutist creating his music from spirit within so each performance is unique and special. Playing a variety of styles, he will demonstrate the music of various plains and woodland tribes, as well as traditional flute styles of Norway and Egypt. He shares their stories as well as stories of his rich ethnic heritage. His father form Morocco is Berber and his mother from Mexico is of Native and southern European ancestry. Listen to the sounds of eagle, running river, nature and the spirit in the flute’s song - He will also present a flute workshop on Saturday at 5:15 pm in the Small Conference Room.
Olivia Awbrey (Portland, OR) (Saturday, 4:00 - 4:30, Underground Stage)
A nationally touring, political folk/rock songwriter performing politically inclined folk music that blends American folk roots with modern, nuanced-punk influences.
Browne Salmon Truck (Sunday, 12:15 - 12:45, Underground Stage)
Perform traditional to contemporary blues, jazz and Latin with Drew Browne on bass, Samantha Carston vocals and Truck Mills guitar.
Hank Cramer (Winthrop, WA) (Saturday, 1:15 - 1:45, Sasquatch Room)
Hank performs music ranging from Celtic to Cowboy. He is not new to the Festival, but it’s been several years since he’s made the journey from Winthrop. Hank Cramer is one of the best-loved folksingers in the American West. He is widely known for his booming bass voice, smooth picking on a vintage flat-top guitar, and his wry sense of humor. He has a repertoire of over a thousand modern and traditional songs, spanning genres of Celtic, Appalachian, maritime, cowboy and plain old folk music. He is more than simply a performer, however. He is a historian and educator who weaves music and history into presentations that bring to life the rich story of America’s westward movement, and gives his audiences insight into the “folk process” by which traditional songs evolve and change to describe new events. A fulltime touring musician for over ten years, Hank now has nineteen CDs, and several movie soundtracks and music videos to his credit. While he performs a regular concert series like most musicians, Hank is strongly drawn to performances in educational settings that enable him to delve into his dual loves of history and music.
Danza Mexica (Saturday, 4:45 - 5:00, Cafeteria Stage)
Danza Mexica performs traditional Aztec prayer dances. The group is comprised of three (3) dancers – Abigail Bocanegra, Roberto Provencio and Mayra Villalobos.
Dario Re Band (Sunday, 1:45 - 2:15, Underground Stage)
This eponymous band is a blend of indie folk with classical and ghoulish flare. It consists of Re on guitar, ukulele and vocals; Phil Pintor on violin and mandolin, Patrick Culbertson on guitar, mandolin, violin, ukulele and vocals; Thomas Ruble on clarinet and melodica; Wil Jenkins on vocals and percussion; Andie Daisley on vocals and Michael Starry on upright electric bass.
Dog Paw (Sunday, 3:45 – 5:00, Cafeteria Stage)
This bi-musical contra dance band plays northern and southern tunes. Members of the band include Eugene Jablonsky, Lzs Dresibach and Sally Jablonsky.
Frankie Ghee (Sunday, 4:15 - 4:45, Conference Room)
Frankie has been creating and performing music for over 30 years. Frankie believes in the beauty of variety. Her experiences performing, classic rock, jazz, blues, gospel, alternative rock, choral, pop, and solo classical music have led to an open mindedness about what makes a great song. Frankie writes and sings memorable and interesting melodies, but she is more than anything a poet. Her lyrics are the best part of each song. On her newest album, I-90 to Spokane… Then Left on Sherman Street, you will find the provocative, humorous, controversial, light and the dramatically sad.
Mighty Dreadful (Renton, WA) (Saturday, 3:15 - 3:45, Bistro Stage)
The Mighty Dreadful is a premier bluegrass band specializing in the high lonesome sounds from the Evergreen State. It is part string band and part rockabilly, bluegrass junkies. They perform traditional tunes reworked to satiate four down-to-earth, Puget Sound musicians. The Dreadful combine to form a musical juggernaut on stage, captivating audiences with strong vocal harmonies and self-deprecating humor. The band members include Clayton Kaiser, Kelly Erb, Andy Lowe and Nick McLean.
Montana Ramblers (Missoula, MT) (Saturday, 1:45 - 2:15, Bistro Stage)
The Montana Ramblers perform a mix of music dating from 1850 to current bluegrass artists featuring lots of 3-part harmony, frailing banjo and more use of the bass than most groups for instrumental solos. The group serves up a mix of female and male lead vocals.
Otis Orchards Malleteers (Saturday, 2:15-2:45 Small Gym)
As an auditioned mallet percussion group of 4th, 5th and 6th graders, they perform multicultural instrumental music. The students perform at various schools and community events around Washington State every year.
Gabriella Rose (Mead, WA) (Sunday, 2:45 - 3:15, Small Conference Room)
Gabriella Rose is an up and coming singer/songwriter who sings with grit and passion well beyond her 15 years. She is here to sing original songs off her recently recorded EP “I’m Leaving”.
Safar (Saturday, 4:30 - 5:15, Lair Auditorium)
Safar performs traditional Arabic music and is accompanied by two dancers. The band members include Roger Sumner on drums, Christopher Lamb on violin and tambourine, Todd Milne on bamboo flutes and ukulele, and Victor Noder on drums and keyboard.
Shiloh Rising (Moyie Springs, ID) (Sunday, 2:30 – 3:00, Bistro Stage)
Shiloh Rising is a husband and wife acoustic duo. Their eclectic sound includes influences of folk, bluegrass, rock and country. The music is at once peaceful, joyful and introspective, but defies a label.
Paul Ely Smith (Palouse, WA) (Saturday, 6:30 – 7:00, Sasquatch Room)
Paul Ely Smith performs African-American fretless gourd banjo music. He has been part of the Northwest music scene since the early 1980’s when he released his critically acclaimed LPs on the Flying Fish label. His published research on early African-American banjo music led to the release of his recent CD, American Akonting.
Sock Puppets (Sunday, 4:00 - 4:30, Underground Stage)
Idols of American Youth (Steve Schennum, Chris Howie and Jeff Renfrow), perform original songs interspersed with unusual pieces of music that never get any airplay. Their performance consists mostly acoustic guitars and electric bass.
Spokane Community College Multicultural Students (Sunday, 6:15 – 6:45, Small Gym)
The SCC Multicultural Students have put together a group of Native American dancers and drummers for your entertainment.
Spokane Bulgarian Community Dance Group (Saturday, 4:30 - 4:45, Cafeteria Stage)
The Spokane Bulgarian Community Dance Group performs authentic Bulgarian Dances from the Spokane Bulgarian Community.
Spokane Irish Dance (Saturday, 6:00 - 6:30, Cafeteria Stage)
Spokane Irish Dance is a community dance school dedicated to bringing the joy and love of Irish Dance to the people of Spokane. At the Festival, enjoy a mix of reels, jigs and hard shoe dance to get the audience clapping and their toes tapping.
Swingset Hooligans (Sunday, 3:30 – 4:00, Lair Auditorium)
The Strictly Swing Spokane performance team, the Swingset Hooligans, performs classic partnered and solo swing dance routines, and original choreography. At the Festival, they will perform five high-energy swing dances.
United Methodist Marimba Band (Sunday, 12:15 - 12:45, Small Gym)
The United Methodist Marimba Band is a multi-age group of musicians that performs African marimba music on hand built instrument.
Ukestra Spokane (Saturday, 1:45 - 2:15, Underground Stage)
This ukulele band love their ukuleles and they meet twice a month on Fridays at 7:30 pm to jam with our ukes, socialize and learn. The exact schedule and location vary, so check out their Facebook page for details. In addition, they periodically perform for appreciative audiences, such as the Festival. At the Festival, they will perform with UPOP, another ukulele band.
Ernie Verdugo (Saturday, 3:45 - 4:15, Small Conference Room)
Ernie Verdugo performs both traditional and improvisational music on the Spanish and Flamenco guitar.
Whimzik (Rathdrum, ID) (Saturday, 5:45 - 6:15, Sasquatch Room)
Whimzik includes band members Micahel Cruitt from Dublin playing the Uilliann piper; Glenn Kastrinos on flute, whistle and finger style guitar; and Kjelsty Hanson on Bodhran and persuasion instruments. They play traditional Celtic music including songs, airs, jigs and reels from Ireland to Scotland and Brittany. Their performance at the Festival will be interactive with the audience. Their tunes will be interspersed with songs and stories that will be entertaining and heartfelt.
