showcase magazine | summer 09
Confucius said, “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” Summertime in Western Washington is alive with ways to experience music—street fairs, concerts in the park, county fairs and music festivals. From the Olympic Peninsula to Tacoma to Seattle, music festivals feature classical, jazz, hip-hop and everything in between. At the Olympic Music Festival, the sweet smell of hay mixes with the exquisite sounds of classical music. Located near Quilcene on the Olympic Peninsula, the festival is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Alan Iglitzin, a founder and member of the Philadelphia String Quartet, originally intended the property to be a summer retreat for musicians—a place to rehearse and enjoy the serenity of the fifty-five acre spread. He soon discovered that Northwest audiences were interested in enjoying chamber music in a pastoral setting. In 1984, the Olympic Music Festival was born.
photo sheryl crow courtesy of norman jean roy
What began as a three weekend festival has grown to twelve. This year’s performances begin on June 27 and continue through September 6. With something for every chamber music lover, the festival presents a wide range of composers, from Dvorak to Schubert to Mendelssohn. Compositions by Beethoven will be featured the second weekend in July; works by Brahms the first weekend in August. For early arrivals, there are footpaths to explore and donkeys to feed. Rusty old farm implements dot the landscape and tables are available for picnickers. For sale in an old milking shed are CDs, coffee, wine, souvenirs, and carrots for the donkeys. In Tacoma, over fifty-thousand travelers will explore the world without leaving the shady, leafy oasis of Wright Park. The 24th annual Ethnic Fest takes place July 25 and 26. Coordinator Lori Crace says “We all get together and celebrate our differences and what we have in common, and appreciate what is special and unique about other cultures.” Participants celebrate the richness of ethnic diversity in the Tacoma area by experiencing dozens of activities. The event
is a sensory adventure. Festival-goers can savor food from around the globe, admire exotic arts and crafts and enjoy the sounds of native music. Culturally authentic musical performances will take place on two stages throughout both days of the festival. Some are returning acts; others will be performing at Ethnic Fest for the first time. Among the genres represented will be Irish, reggae, Japanese, gypsy jazz and African. Gaelic group Crumac entertains with time-honored Irish music. Upbeat and light-hearted, their performances are defined by spirited banter and audience participation, contributing to the crowd’s lively mood. The trio plays Uilleann bagpipes and whistles, fiddles, and guitars. Their repertoire includes lively jigs, flings and reels. All three band members have northwest ties. Though Alex Duncan has a background encompassing all types of music he is mostly influenced by reggae. Characterized by a strong syncopated rhythm and lyrics of social protest, reggae is a style of Jamaican popular music blending blues, calypso, and rock-’n’-roll. His high-energy excites; his uncommon dedication to the sanctity of human life makes him a noteworthy artist in our time. The Beat Magazine wrote “Self confidence is one of the most important assets in the music business and this clearly dedicated artist shows he has that in abundance by setting high standards and continually surpassing them.” One World Taiko is a Japanese drum ensemble which combines Japan’s age-old tradition of animated, spirited festival drumming with contemporary jazz rhythms. The group performs a modern style of Japanese drumming that blends intensely energetic movement with pounding percussion. Dancing while playing an assortment of drums, the entertainers’ energy fills the stage. Included in their repertoire are traditional pieces and original compositions embracing their own imaginative rhythms, arrangements and dance moves, adding a modern spirit to the venerable tradition of Taiko. The high-energy combo, Ranger and the Re-Arrangers, is led by Bainbridge Island’s fiddling sensation Ranger Sciatta. >> 11
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Summer Music Festivals