How to Dance at Seattle Folklife Festival

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By JasneJ
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Seattle Folklife Festival May 23-26

Each year over 200,000 people attend this incredible festival of music, culture, and dancing lasting 4 days. It is the Music Event of the Year in the great Northwest. Included are some tips to make it a memorable dance and music experience.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Backpack
Water
Snacks
Extra shoes & socks
Raincoat

Step 1

Seattle Center

This yearly Memorial weekend event of music & culture from around the world is sponsored by Northwest Folklife.It lasts four days, has over 7000 performing artists, and runs from Friday through Monday. At http://www.nwfolklife.org/P_F/festival.html , you can look at the somewhat overwhelming list of live music and dance events.
Step 2

Yup - Expect to see Everything & Anything

The event is held at the Seattle Center, the place with the Space Needle and the large twisted guitar shaped Experience Music Project Museum. Expect to see impromptu groups drumming, fiddlers playing together, kids playing in the fountains and people lounging on the grassy banks. In addition to the music and dancing, there is a taste tempting international food market as well as an international craft bazaar.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, an extra pair of socks as well as some water.
Step 3

Experience Music Project- Adjacent to Parking Areas

There are free buses you can catch from downtown Seattle in the "Free Zone". These buses take you within a few blocks of the Seattle Center. You cannot get lost. Follow the masses as they head up to the Seattle Center. Parking areas surround the Seattle Center. Come early, parking fills up fast & probably cost around $10 for the day. There are side streets where you may find cheaper lots or possibly free parking
Step 4

Bring Your Dance Shoes & Hit the Floor!

You didn't just come to sit in the grass? Get up & dance! There are several large indoor buildings. And by dancing, we mean everything from tango to zydeco. One building has a large bamboo dance floor where hourly dance lessons are given with demonstrations. Don't miss Sean Donovan teaching a zydeco dance lesson at 4:00 pm at the Roadhouse May 24th, followed by a live dance.
Step 5

A Volunteer Selling Folklife buttons

This massive folk music festival is run largely by volunteers. There is no charge for admission, but a $10 donation is pretty standard. Everywhere you look there are friendly volunteers to help locate buildings with music, dancing and performing artists. Treat them kindly & have fun!