Ever since 1972, the Northwest Folklife Festival has brought music from around the globe to the Seattle Center campus. It's one of the largest, multicultural, access-for-all festivals in the nation, with over 6,000 performers, 500 vendors, and up to 250,000 attendees joining us here over Memorial Day weekend. Now that KEXP is in Seattle Center, too, we're excited to be a part of this long-running tradition, and this year, we're opening up our Gathering Space for performances every day.
Friday, May 25th
El Sonido showcase, curated by DJ Chilly
1:00 PM - Terror/Cactus
5:00 PM - Vince Mira
Saturday, May 26th
Audioasis showcase, curated by Sharlese Metcalf
1:00 PM - Astro King Phoenix
5:00 PM - The New Rituals
Sunday, May 27th
Street Sounds showcase, curated by Stas THEE Boss
1:00 PM - Sax G
5:00 PM - Kung Foo Grip
Monday, May 28th
WoPop showcase, curated by Darek Mazzone
1:00 PM - The Pazific
5:00 PM - Amy Denio & friends
This year's festival has a focus on Mexican American and Chicana/o communities from around the Pacific Northwest, with a goal to showcase, preserve and recognize traditional and popular arts and culture. KEXP's own DJ Chilly served on the Cultural Focus committee and has curated a stage for Saturday night.
Saturday, May 26
El Sonido on KEXP Presents
4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Fountain Lawn Stage
Featuring Tres Leches, Locarno, Vince Mira
KEXP is also excited to sponsor the Indie Roots programming series, an opportunity to "discover new artists who are pushing the boundaries of tradition and bringing in new ideas from Seattle and the Northwest’s nationally-known music scenes." Some highlights include:
Friday, May 25
American Standard Time Showcase
6:00 – 9:00 PM on the Fountain Lawn Stage
Featuring GravelRoad, HYWAYS, The Crying Shame, and The Sons of Rainier
Saturday, May 26
Folk, Redefined Showcase
2:00 – 5:00 PM in the Vera Project
Featuring Five Letter Word, Gabriel Wolfchild & the Northern Light, Lili St Anne, and Sun Strong Moon
Saturday, May 26
Ladies of Neo Soul Show
7:45 - 10:00 PM on the Fisher Green Stage
Featuring Momma Nikki, Falon Sierra, and SPHIE
Sunday, May 27
Sound Off! Showcase
2:30 - 4:30 PM in the Vera Project
Featuring Strawberry Mountain, Maiah Wynne & Her Sleepless Knights, Misundvrstood, and Gypsy Temple
Sunday, May 27
Kinfolk: Stories in Song
2:50 – 4:00 PM in the Folklife Café
Featuring J.R. Rhodes and Tomo Nakayama
Sunday, May 27
Women of the West Showcase
3:30 – 5:45 PM on the Fountain Lawn Stage
Featuring Annie Ford Band, Elke Robitaille Band, and Joy Mills Band
The Northwest Folklife Festival runs all Memorial Day weekend, from Friday, May 25th through Monday, May 28th. The organization is committed to access for all, and in order to continue to bring quality programming to Seattle Center every year, they're asking for a suggested donation of $10 per person or $20 per family per day.
