Seattle Folklore Society

Saturday, May 10

Saturday Nights on Phinney Ridge

Danny Schmidt

Phinney Neighborhood Center (Brick Building), 7:30PM

General Admission: $14
$2 off for SFS & PNA members and seniors, kids half price

Seattle Folklore Society is pleased to welcome back Danny Schmidt on May 10th! It's been an exciting and busy year for Danny... Since his last Seattle performance, Schmidt has been chosen as a 2007 Kerrville New Folk Winner, has released a stellar new record, Little Black Sheep, has self-published a career-spanning songbook, and has continued to tour extensively in the U.S. and abroad, delighting new and old fans alike. And he is already back in the studio working on what will be his fifth studio release.

An authentic, timeless troubadour, Danny delivers his craft with a quiet power, complexity, and underlying humanity that is truly rare in this age of sound bite marketeering. His intense live performances leave listeners with a sense that each of his songs is necessary, plain and simple. And his guitar work downright jaw-dropping! Stylistically and musically, Schmidt’s writing spans an impressively diverse reach, from deeply-rooted Appalachian mountain gospel to haunted English balladry, from syncopated Piedmont country blues to vagabond 60’s protest folk-stumpery. He tackles universal themes of love, loss, and longing… restless discontent and grateful joy. In the words of Nashville Producer, Bob Thiele, "[Danny Schmidt] is hands down one of the best living musician/poets that I am aware of." In the tradition of Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, Schmidt’s lyrics and melodies are challenging and timeless. He has shared the stage with such notable performers as Chris Smither, Bill Staines, Susan Werner, and Kelley Jo Phelps. You won't want to miss this show!

Reserve online, or by calling 206/528-8523.

Saturday, May 17

Saturday Nights on Phinney Ridge

Tom May

Phinney Neighborhood Center (Brick Building), 7:30PM

General Admission: $14
$2 off for SFS & PNA members and seniors, kids half price

In his 36 years as a professional singer/songwriter/performer Tom May has touched thousands of lives with his songs, through his concerts across the U.S. and overseas; with his weekly radio program "River City Folk", heard on many public stations and XM satellite radio; and his work on events that benefit entire communities, such as Winterfolk, Portland, Oregon's largest annual folk music event, which Tom founded and directs. Winterfolk is a benefit for "Sister's of the Road Café" which provides hundreds of low cost and no cost meals each week.

"Tom May sounds a little like the young Stan Rogers with a dash of Ian Tyson…His rich, round, full voice caresses each song before he lets it go." --Rich Warren, Sing Out! Magazine "Tom May himself is the epitome of a balladeer, singing his own songs and those of others with warmth, humor, and accessibility." --The All Music Guide

Tom's concert is a CD release event for his 12th album, Blue Roads, Red Wine" released internationally on Waterbug Records out of Chicago.   Currently receiving airplay on radio all over the world, Judith Yeckl, Portland Parks concerts promoter raves; "What a heartfelt, dynamic, and beautiful piece of work you have crafted.  The Celilo Falls (Oregon) song moves me deeply; it is special for so many reasons.  But the rest of the songs are equally engaging and memorable.  To me, this stands as an "album" in the truest sense-a body of work woven together so thoughtfully and skillfully that the impact of the whole becomes something beyond  the power of the individual songs." 

 Tom had also had a book published by Routledge, New York this past year (co-written with Dick Weissman) on making a living in the music business.  "Promoting Your Music; the Lovin' of the Game"  has been praised in "Bookworld", "Victory Review" "The Oregonian" and "The Irish Songwriters Journal" as "…………very informative and well paced; A must have handbook for singer-songwriters of all levels and experience."

Tom May will be joined for this show by bass player extraordinaire Donny Wright, who toured with Tracy Grammer and Joan Baez, and who has performed with Tom at dozens of festivals and concerts.

Tom has shared stages with Gordon Lightfoot,  (who contributed a major interview to his book) Alabama, Willie Nelson, and dozens of other world class performers.   He only performs in Seattle every couple of years, so this is a show you do not want to miss.

Reserve online, or by calling 206/528-8523.

Friday, June 13

Traditional and Ethnic Music Committee Presents

House Of Tarab

South Seattle Community College - Olympic Hall, 7:30PM

General Admission: $10
$1 off for SFS members and seniors, kids half price

Based in Seattle, House of Tarab performs traditional Arabic music of the golden age (40's-70's) from Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. Reflecting a traditional Middle Eastern ensemble format of the past three centuries called "tekht, House Of Tarab. features Nay, Oud, Riqq, and Tabla. At the turn of the century, Violin and Double Bass instruments were introduced to this traditional "tekht" to reflect the contemporary pieces being composed at that time.

DELILAH is an internationally acclaimed belly dance performer and instructor, widely known for her breathtaking and deeply inspiring performances. SUZANNA has studied Middle Eastern dance locally and internationally for over a decade

Driving directions and free parking at: southseattle.edu/campus/map.htm#sscc

URL http://www.houseoftarab.com/

Reserve online, or by calling 206/528-8523.