Seattle Festival Season opened Memorial Day weekend on the Seattle Center grounds with the return of the annual NW Folklife Festival! This annual, four day, arts and music festival, celebrated its 51st year with both in person and live stream performances.

Seattle Festival Season opened Memorial Day weekend on the Seattle Center grounds with the return of the annual NW Folklife Festival! This annual, four day, arts and music festival, celebrated its 51st year with both in person performances as well as several live stream events.

Folklife’s 2022 cultural theme was “Metamorphosis, In with the Old, In with the New” celebrating people’s natural propensity for change. Which was accurately curated throughout the festival’s diverse programming schedule. There was something for everyone and spaces for every culture to celebrate and showcase their heritage and identity.

For frequent Folklife patrons the festival itself seemed to have the same welcoming and energetic spirit with the usual festival staples of face painting, hula hoops, food trucks, art vendors and several stages of musical performances. 

However, there were some changes to the festival that reminded attendees that we are still in the midst of a pandemic. The stages on the lawn were open air and even though the mask mandate in WA state has been lifted, many opted to mask up when dancing or seated closely to others. Many of the indoor events required either a mask or proof of vaccination to enter. The new Covid-19 safety protocols didn’t seem to bother guests wanting to enter the dance halls as many guests two stepped by with smiles in their eyes.

Folklife is powered by donations and like most vendors these days, the festival implemented cashless options for those who wanted to donate with a card. Volunteers at each entrance were ready with tablets to swipe your plastic and QR codes were posted along the grounds for patrons to scan using their smartphones. Most art and food vendors were cashless as well.

Folklife Festival draws both the local community and patrons who visit from all over the country. A group of festival go-ers from out of town said “the best part of the festival is learning about a new band or artist” and they are absolutely right! Where else can you hear Celtic singers, dance to pop Balkan music, listen to a singer-songwriter from Maui and learn to play an instrument in one day?

Unlike most festivals, Folklife really caters to its community and is a safe and fun experience for all ages and abilities. Organizers spend the year making sure all events are ADA accessible and focus on creating an inclusive and diverse atmosphere for guests. Despite the Monday sun bringing in a large crowd the lines for the beer gardens and other entry points were never more than 3 people deep. Plenty of free water stations and gender neutral restrooms on site.

With so many performers on the schedule it’s worth checking out in advance.

Here’s the performers who stood out and sometimes stole the show at this year’s Folklife.

Drew Martin

Drew Martin is a Seattle based, singer-songwriter, orignially from Maui, who had a fiery performance on the Fisher Green stage. The crowd could not get enough of his folk-blues set singing along with the artist, dancing and cheering every time he spoke to the crowd. Playing the harmonica, acoustic guitar and a conk shell, Drew Martin sang songs influenced by his time in Hawaii and matters that the artist held close to his heart. There was a hint of Bob Dylan in his style and when asked if that compliment was ok, Martin replied with:

“I love the Bob Dylan comparison. Thanks. I’m a big fan of the old folk blues of Mississippi John Hurt, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee. Also inspired by the old Hawaiian slack key guitar musicians Gabby Pahinui & Dennis Kamakahi!

-Drew Martin

Paula Boggs Band

Paula Boggs Band is a Seattle based Americana, bluegrass, jazz band that made the crowd laugh and cheer with her storytelling. Paula writes songs inspired by her life experiences such as surviving high school, the pandemic and discovering her ancestry. Sometimes the lyrics are dark, sometimes funny but every story is played out with sass and flare.

J.R Rhodes

J.R Rhodes had the crowd intently listening to every lyric during Saturday’s intimate 30 minute set on the Fisher Green Stage. This beautiful singer-songwriter’s style makes you fall into a dream state with each tune. Check out the newest release “One (is the Number of Love)” out June 1st.

The NW Folklife festival goes on rain or shine! If you feel like taking a trip out west for the Memorial Day weekend be sure to put this event on your itinerary! Your soul will thank you for it!