What Performers Had to Say
Brittany Jean
Thank you so much to you and the entire Fall Folk Team for inviting me back to sing at the festival this year--it has been a highlight of my year since 2018, and yesterday afternoon was no exception. I'm honored to be included, and I so greatly appreciate every person who makes this event possible. Thank you, thank you.
Celeste Bravo (Folklorico de Spokane)
Hello! Thank you, guys, for having our group at such an amazing festival. It was a pleasure to be there. We hope to share our culture at future events! On our end, the event went smoothly! Thank you again!
​Jessee Tinsley (Mele Polinahe)
Spokane’s annual Fall Folk Festival was a gathering of old friends playing lots of fun music. It’s an enjoyable way to spend a weekend, renewing old friendships and making new ones.

​This was my 16th year performing at [the] Spokane Folklore Society’s Fall Folk Festival at Spokane Community College. I was backing up the ladies of Aloha Hula as they performed in the cafeteria area. Thank you to the volunteers who make this fun event happen every year.
Emily Faulkner
Thanks for another well-organized FFF, Sylvia and the crew!
The Plaid Cat Trio
Thank you for having us. We had a lot of fun.
Dan Gore (C# and B natural)
I was impressed with the excellent coordination of volunteers and access to assistance from them when needed. John Benham also did a wonderful job with sound in the Underground.
Dave McRae (Sidetrack)
Had a fine time again! Really like playing in the cafeteria like we have been lately.
Trillium 239
Fine time last weekend in Spokane. Purple lighting before 10 PM - brave choice by the sound crew. It’s one of the most diverse festivals in the Northwest, it’s indoors (thank goodness), and it’s free! Thank you, donors, sponsors, and volunteers!
LaVona and Poor Boy's Delight
We love the festival and have performed there for many years, including the two years of Covid when we were all performing online only. We thank you for your commitment and service.
Stan Moser - Sponsor and performer
I just wanted to congratulate you on another extremely successful event. I was able to attend Saturday and Sunday afternoons and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I hope you get a little time to recover, and wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Kathy Kinderman
You all have provided an amazing gift to Spokane. Thank you!
Bon Odori Dance Spokane
Congratulations, the festival was great, everyone in our group had a great time. Thank you for always including us!
Lyle Morse
Great festival. Great crew. Thanks so much to this wonderful group of volunteers. You’re the best!
Alyse Read (Homebrew String Band)
Thank you so much for all you do. The festival was so much fun, and you made it possible.
Rick Singer
Thanks so much to this wonderful group of volunteers. You’re the best!
Chris Baron and Two Secrets
Thank you, Sylvia and Team, for having us. Everyone made us feel so welcome, and everyone was so happy everywhere we went. Honored to be a part of it. Enjoyed Hank Cramer, Gefilte Fish, and [the] Creole band much right before us. Pat and his Interns were Awesome.

I will apply again next year for sure.
Dave for Hubbardston Nonesuch
I was concerned about opening the Sasquatch Room at 11 am. The sound techs were ahead of the game, and we started with no appreciable delay. I think the sound and space worked very well for the madrigal group. Please convey my thanks.
Jackie Babol (Filipino American Northwest Association)
Congratulations, well done as usual! Thanks for having us!
Gabe Soileau
Thanks so much for everything you've done over the years. I'm so happy that the Fall Folk Festival is still going strong for new generations to enjoy.
Hubbardston Nonesuch
The Sasquatch Room was uncustomarily dark. [For] the audience from where I stood, that was no trouble, but several of the ladies in Hubbardston Nonesuch said they couldn't read their music. (I should have replied they need to know the music so well that a glance would be all that is necessary, but I have practiced more than any of them and longer.)
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Microphone placement and use [were] the best ever. Good turnout, you are to be commended. Thank you for your tireless work in all the details that make the festival such a success!
Gefilte Trout
Many thanks for organizing this! An amazing event. We really enjoyed playing and the professional way of setting things up. Definitely looking forward to next year.
Spokane Raging Grannies
Thanks for [the] stairs with rails leading up to [the] Underground Stage. We needed it.
What Attendees Said on Their Surveys
Diversity, good cheer, jams, FREE, [and] coat check is wonderful.
Variety of performers and the high atmosphere. Happy to see more Middle Eastern and Asian traditions.
It was wonderful to be in the presence of great musical performances this weekend. I had never heard of this Fall Folk Festival that's taken place for the last 30+ years at Spokane Community College. Happy to be a part of it!
Great way to introduce kids to a variety of music.
Love the diversity of music and relaxed setting.
We love the festival. We have come for the last several years. Great music.
International music, arts, people, and food, too.
Thank you – so nice and friendly – well done. Looking forward to more next year.
I like the diversity of vendor goods, music, and cultural dance.
The variety of the music (exceptional) and the multi-aged community.
Thanks for this valuable event: music and culture are so important to put in front of us.
I love the cultural showcases, the performances, [and] the tables showing various cultures.
Contra dancing, Celtic dancing, [and] Folk music.
The wide variety of entertainment – Really appreciate the cultural vendors.
Diversity in art and people.
The dancing and the craft vendors.
The variety of different kinds of music and dance from the many parts of the world and other cultures.
Great to see new groups, especially the youth bands.
Nice to see more young people attending.
The people, the international flavor, celebrator.
Great variety of vendors and entertainment.
QR code for snacks and donations – much appreciated.
MC for performances.
Fun and music – very enjoyable.
Wish we would have had more time to enjoy the fun.
Music and seeing people I have not seen in years.
Coming to see my favorites – but also looking for something new like Front Porch Rockers.
Really neat and immersive experience, you could probably charge dollars for it.
Really like the daily posting on Facebook showcasing all the performers.
So much to see and enjoy, and it's free.
Wonderful variety of artists and cultures.
Jamming circles, food, dancing, [and] music.
The music, dancing, and hands-on demos.
The music – scheduled and jams.
This was well organized and lots of fun.
All the international music and dance.
Wide diversity of music [and] friendly atmosphere.
We enjoyed the entire festival. We liked the indoor venue, although it can be crowded.
The music, the dance, community spirit, cultural experience, and food crafts.
All the cultural festivities bring everyone together [in] positive love.
Wonderful community event. Happy 30th anniversary.
Thank you all for everything you do! It's such a great festival!
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard.
It was a WONDERFUL festival! Thank you!
I enjoyed the festival again this year. My hats off to these dedicated volunteers who make this festival a success!
The best local music event in the area, and it's FREE.
It was wonderful to be in the presence of great musical performances this weekend. I had never heard of this Fall Folk Festival that's taken place for the last 30+ years at Spokane Community College. Happy to be a part of it!
I enjoyed the festival again this year. My hats off to these dedicated volunteers who make this festival a success!
Thanks for the Folk Festival. My wife and I have attended for at least 5 years. Appreciate the hard work of everyone. We always donate and spend in support of the work.
Thank you for acknowledging Dan Maher. He was a great asset to the local folk music community.
Informal atmosphere [and] music.
Seeing different kinds of performers.
Great music and atmosphere.
Variety of performers [and] great volunteers!
The diversity, fun music.
Everything! 45-minute sets, Jam sessions in the hall.
Everything [is] just like every year.
Dancing and the variety of music.
Dancers, music, [and] vendors.
People, music, arts, [and] crafts.
Great music.
Diversity of music.
Good festival.
All the wonderful music.
The people and the music.
I never know what to expect.
Everything.
Great job as usual.
Applause! Applause!
The community and music.
Multicultural dance performances.
Who Were Your Favorite Performers?
Spokane Taiko

Contra dancing

Raging Grannies

Tasty Material

Mighty PJAMRS

Missed Floating Crowbar

Truck Mills and Carl Rey

Lilac City Voices

Radio Helpers

Dulcimer program

The bagpipers

Grant School Drummers

Two Grey Cats

Scottish Program

Irish dance

Musha Marimba

Contra Dance

Stevens County Stompers

Bagpipe workshop

Special Commendations

I want to call out one performer, in particular. Ahmad Alfatlawy played the Oud on Sunday. It was wonderful. He is such a skilled musician on an uncommon instrument (for Spokane, at least). In our years of attending, it was the only time where the performer was given a standing ovation! The Oud is the great-grandfather of the guitar and [has] existed in the Middle East for several thousand years. The Moors brought the Oud to Spain, where it eventually landed in England. The English put frets on it and called it a Lute. The Lute became the guitar. Anyway, I do hope we will see and hear more of Ahmad around Spokane, and he returns for next year’s Festival.
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Crooked Kilt (a local Spokane band) is so much fun. They played for the Contra Dance last night and absolutely rocked the house (the drummer drives home the rhythm with flair).