What Performers Had to Say
Britt of the Acousticals
We very much enjoyed coming over to play and would do it again. Competent sound man, nice stage with good lighting and nice backdrop, nice room of listening people.
The CD table was a convenient and great service for us.
The venue seemed to be the perfect size. Plenty of parking. It was full, but not crowded. The vibe stayed friendly in the space.
I made use of the changing room adjacent to the Bistro stage, which was some curtains set up in the cafeteria, probably to help the dancers. I always dress up for performances and it was nice to be able to do it there instead of in the bathroom. Having a mirror in there would be helpful.
Jennilyn Weight of the Spokane Storytelling League
This Fall Folk Festival was great. The organization, the venues and the hosts that did the introductions all were well coordinated. We had a great turnout for storytelling in the Conference room in the main building and several folks expressed interest in checking out our league after we performed. Thank you for honoring our request to be in that particular room. It has made a difference in the attendance to the Storytelling.
It is always gratifying for performers (especially us storytellers) to have such a responsive audience. A good deal of that responsiveness (although we like to believe we are such charismatic tellers that the audience just hangs on every word) is because they can actually hear what we are saying. That is why I'd very much like to compliment the sound system set up in our room and the gentleman that monitored it to make sure it was working well for us.
The vendors were well stocked and prepared and seemed to be doing a good business.
The over all feeling there was one of excitement and just plain joy at being there for those two days.​
Joanne Heinz of the Spokane Dulcimer Guild
I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation towards your organization and diligent work as of the director of this year's Spokane Fall Folk Festival. The dedication of endless hours of work that you have spent on this event made for a successful Festival this year.
The Conference room that we were assigned had wonderful acoustics that gave our mountain dulcimers greater tonal quality and volume, for otherwise, they are a quiet stringed instrument. Donna Weeks was our room facilitator and commented to me at the end of our time that our guild performance and my presentation of mountain dulcimer history were very interesting and an outstanding contribution to the Festival. We had standing room only, with our audience, being very receptive, with active interaction and pleasure, to the guild performance and presentation.
Andrea Vaughn of Plaid Cat
I'm always glad to see young participants. I really miss the young fiddlers, but it was great to see some teenagers involved this year.
You do a great job at this; I think it must take nerves of steel to deal with it all.
Thanks for having us in the Sasquatch Room. Pat did a great job on sound – really nice sound equipment too.
Dave Liezen of Hubbardston Nonesuch
We were again made most welcome singing in the Sasquatch Room.
The folks tending [check-in] table made sure we had our performer buttons, signed in [and] cloaks/coats hung up. Again, a day to remember gladly. The fellows handling microphones and introductions were top-notch. Tell 'em so for us, will you?
Larry Lotz
Thanks Sylvia, it was a pleasure meeting you at my workshop! It was awesome for me to perform at Spokane Fall Folk Festival. Its a genuine “Class Act”! Also good to see many of my friends from Tumbleweed and Singtime Frolics attending in Spokane.
I am looking forward to apply[ing] for my second year with you in 2020.
Brenda Beaulieu of Ukestra
Ukestra, from Spokane, and UPOP, from Pullman, played together on the Cafeteria stage. The stage and stage crew were well organized. We were on and off the stage at the scheduled times with a minimum of fuss -- no overlapping into our playing time. The announcer was courteous [and it was] much appreciated. The sound man, Brendan, was very helpful and good at what he did. We got several compliments on the good quality of the sound.​ I think that was mostly due to Brendan.
Well done to everyone involved! Here's to next year!
Trillium-239 sure enjoyed your wonderful Festival! We're glad the Humanities Washington presentation went over so well.
Thanks for all your hard work to make the Festival so great! My two favorite acts that I heard this year were the Hawaiian band (with hula dancers!) and The Kosher Red Hots. I love the variety of your Festival!​
Sesitshaya had a wonderful time, as usual. Our compliments to our MC – she was really “on top” of her job.
The sound people were helpful as always and, of course, knew what to do for us after so many years. We had a large and responsive crowd, which gave us more energy.
​Thank you for including us in your Festival!
Carla Carnegie of Crooked Kilt, Muckle Roe and Nine Pint Coggies
Speaking from a performer's perspective, I was truly impressed with the sound guys expertise in the Sasquatch room this year. It was wonderful and I think contributed to the [our] overall level of success [as] our group perform[ed].
Also, hats off to Brendan in the Cafeteria space, which I realize is a hard space to manage the balance of sound. You did a great job overall.
Bravo to the board for their organization and hard work putting this Festival on again.
Bigger Boat
Thank you Fall Folk Festival and everyone at KPBX-FM. We had a blast!
Scot Stover of Shiloh Rising
I thought the Festival was so well organized. Energy [was] very good. With that many people, there is a palpable energy and it was good.
Thanks to all the volunteers - so many who made it possible.
Spokane Taiko
Thank you, Sylvia Gobel and all the hard working volunteers. We are grateful to be part of the Festival. The stage crew in the Lair [was] first class. The volunteers were better than some professional crews we have had. Even late on Sunday, they cared about doing it right.
Spokane Buddhist Temple Bon-Odori Dancers
Thank you for the FFF. I think this was the biggest audience participation that we have ever had.
Tipich Travelers
We had such a great time! Thank you for having us!
Frankie Ghee
Thank you! Everything was excellent.
LaVona Reeves
All went well again this year. We appreciate the opportunity to serve our community in this way and to be entertained by so many wonderful musicians, artists, dancers and others. What a joy! Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the Festival.​
Cheryl Branz, In Song
This is the one event that I know for sure MY people are going to be at. I’m grateful for that. I know how much work goes into these kind[s] of events. Please know that your efforts are SO appreciated by all of us!!​
Laddie Ray Melvin
As always, the Festival was rich with variety, and I enjoyed each day very much.​
Bodhi Bill Miller
This was my first year performing, and I was impressed by the professionalism of the Festival overall and especially the PA system and mix engineer in the Conference Room. I didn’t expect that level of quality. Well done! I hope to be invited back next year. I had a blast – a great crowd who came to LISTEN! Wow! And I met some wonderful new people. Thanks again for all your hard work to give Spokane something this meaningful in this impersonal, digital age.
Cherry Sisters Revival
Thank you for all the work on the Festival. We had a really great time and so enjoyed all the talent that gathered in one place! We were so impressed with the Festival. It was our first time there, and we liked seeing the other performers, enjoyed strolling through the many vendors, and wished we could have been there both days. We are looking forward to next year.
Caitlin Trusler, Haran School of Irish Dance
Nice job [and] another wonderful year! My dancers and I were, as always, thrilled to be a part of the weekend. Thanks for all you do.
Bob Rice
This year's Festival provided a bright spot in what have been very dark days for many in our community. I applaud you, the Festival committee, the sound engineers and all of the volunteers for a job well done! I look forward to next year’s event.
What Attendees Said on Their Surveys
Thank you for having this event - It restores my faith in and love for other humans. I love the spirit of acceptance, community and excellent performance art.​​
Positive, welcoming event - Thanks so much for this gem of a music event.​
Great music and wonderful, affordable crafts.​
The price is right. Like informal jams in halls, great variety of performers, [and] community feel.​
Good variety. Each venue is different [and] unique.​​
Thank you for such a wonderful Festival and the opportunity to volunteer. I only had positive feedback from the people that I came in contact with while I was selling buttons.​
We are so lucky to have this outstanding world-class music festival here in the Inland NW each year. I count this Festival among the highlight of my year. The Spokane Folk Festival has introduced me to new music, new performers, and new friends. I adore the strong feeling of community at the Festival. We are all friends and there is nothing finer than music to bring us all together. Thank you very much to every Festival organizer and volunteer for making this gem of a weekend possible.
​Well organized. Friendly volunteers.
​Loved it. Will definitely come next year.
​It’s Americana and inclusive.
​Friendly, local, unspoiled. I love this.
​I like the sense of community and great music. We look forward to this event every year.
​We were impressed with the great variety of music and dance. This was our first time after moving to Spokane from Texas last year. Awesome. Thank you.