Call Traditions at 705-2819.
Friday, February 3
Hot Club Sandwich
Great string swing tonight with the return of Hot Club Sandwich to our stage. Performing from San Francisco to Seattle, New York to Fargo, at clubs, colleges, theaters and ballrooms, festivals and farmers markets, and on subways and street corners, Hot Club Sandwich has established itself as one of the leading Django-inspired bands on the Northwest's Gypsy jazz scene.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Saturday, February 4
Hot Club Sandwich
Great string swing tonight with the return of Hot Club Sandwich to our stage. Performing from San Francisco to Seattle, New York to Fargo, at clubs, colleges, theaters and ballrooms, festivals and farmers markets, and on subways and street corners, Hot Club Sandwich has established itself as one of the leading Django-inspired bands on the Northwest's Gypsy jazz scene.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Sunday, February 5
Jazz Jam
The Jazz community of the South Sound will hold a jazz jam in our cafe on the 1st Sunday of the month from 2:30 to 5PM Free to all.
2:30 PM, None
Monday, February 6
Cesaerean Support Group
7:00 PM, None
Tuesday, February 7
Oly Songwriter Circle
7:00 PM, None
Wednesday, February 8
Stream Team Event
7:00 PM
Friday, February 10
Heartsparkle Players
Stories of Faith – in collaboration with the Thunders, an ensemble of actors who have taken Playback Theatre workshops with us. Visit the website.
7:30 PM, Donation $5 - $10 (no one turned away)
Saturday, February 11
Jim Malcolm
Award-winning Scottish folk performer Jim Malcolm has garnered many fans in Olympia. He returns from across the waters with his infectious humor, his fine songwriting and singing, and his deft guitar playing. He routinely gets reviews such as these, "Quietly, unforcefully and undeniably stunning"- Mojo or "A master of well chosen words and melodic inventiveness." Rock and Reel
8:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Sunday, February 12
Jung Society
7:00 PM, None
Sunday, February 12
Open Shape Note singing
Open to all who would like to sing in the shape note traditions
5:00 PM, None
Sunday, February 12
Music by the Straw Hat String Band
On the 2nd Sunday of each month we"ll have some free acoustic music in the cafe.The Straw Hat String Band is a fervent acoustic traditional band that does interpretations of many folk genres - Contradance, Irish, Old Timey, Quebecois, American Roots, Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Latin. The music will go from 2 to 4 PM.
2:00 PM, None
Monday, February 13
Call to Action
7:00 PM, None
Tuesday, February 14
NOW Meeting
7:00 PM, None
Wednesday, February 15
Poetry night
Featured poet and open mic. Sponsored by the Olympia Poetry Network. Visit the website.
6:30 PM, None
Thursday, February 16
Plants and Planets
This monthly presentation has a $10 requested donation.
6:30 PM, None
Friday, February 17
Haiti Benefit for the Noramise Organization
7:00 PM
Saturday, February 18
The Downtown Mountain Boys
This is stellar group of Seattle area musicians with traditional bluegrass harmonies and instrumentals. Don't miss them. Take three-part harmonies that send shivers up your spine, add dazzling instrumental firepower, and you have the sound of The DownTown Mountain Boys. Visit the website.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Sunday, February 19
A Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Jam
This is a 3rd Sunday monthly jam of bluegrass and acoustic musicians
2:00 PM, None
Sunday, February 19
Veterans for Peace
Meeting
5:30 PM, None
Monday, February 20
Uke and Singalong
Veteran folk musicians and uke enthusiasts and teachers Steve Einhorn and Kate Power bring a community event to Traditions. They bring a large number of ukes so whether you have one or not, you can start to learn to play the uke. $10 is asked but no one with limited funds will be turned away.
7:00 PM, None
Wednesday, February 22
Panel on the Farm Bill
Sustainable South Sound Presentation
7:00 PM
Saturday, February 25
Tingstad & Rumbel
We welcome back Grammy-award winning musicians Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel.
Since 1984 Eric and Nancy have been combining their considerable talents into a musical duo that has produced numerous recordings, legions of fans, and anticipation for each live show. Eric evolved from electric rock guitar to an interest in classical and jazz to solo performing of his original “impressionistic” compositions.
Nancy took her interest in wind instruments, oboe and ocarinas to play with the Paul Winter Consort and then to this duo, which has toured throughout the country. Visit the website.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $20 Student/low income: $15
Thursday, March 1
Restorative Justice Forum
7:00 PM
Friday, March 2
Holly Gwinn Graham
"Ageless" is the title of tonight's concert. Both Holly and the masterful pianist Joe Baque, who will accompany Holly tonight, have had recent birthdays and their musical skills and musical interests have only expanded with the years. Holly always brings her great wit, her community activism, her fine singing of originals and jazz and folk standards. Visit the website.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Saturday, March 3
FOR Benefit with Tom Rawson
The long-standing peace group, the Olympia Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation presents their annual benefit show with noted peace activist and singer Tom Rawson. Tom will get you singing and laughing and besides, as in his words, he has a banjo and he is not afraid to use it.
Rawson has charmed and invigorated audiences throughout the Pacific Northwest with his infectious wit, energy and songs that you just can’t resist singing along with.
Admission is at a self-determined price of between $10 and $25.
7:30 PM
Sunday, March 4
"Grandmothers" & Elders Forum
6:00 PM
Sunday, March 4
Jazz Jam
The Jazz community of the South Sound will hold a jazz jam in our cafe on the 1st Sunday of the month from 2:30 to 5PM Free to all.
2:30 PM, None
Monday, March 5
Cesaerean Support Group
7:00 PM, None
Tuesday, March 6
Oly Songwriter Circle
7:00 PM, None
Friday, March 9
Heartsparkle Players
Stories of Faith – in collaboration with the Thunders, an ensemble of actors who have taken Playback Theatre workshops with us. Visit the website.
7:30 PM, Donation $5 - $10 (no one turned away)
Saturday, March 10
Pandit Debi Prasad Chatterjee
We are fortunate to have a sitar master from India, Pandit Debi Prasad Chatterjee, perform. He is on a visit to the Northwest and he is a well-known international musician and highly regarded teacher of Indian classical music. He is widely respected for his devotion to music and his control over the Ragas with systematic exploration which has placed him among the top instrumentalists of his era.
He will be joined by a tabla player. Visit the website.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Sunday, March 11
Music by the Straw Hat String Band
On the 2nd Sunday of each month we"ll have some free acoustic music in the cafe.The Straw Hat String Band is a fervent acoustic traditional band that does interpretations of many folk genres - Contradance, Irish, Old Timey, Quebecois, American Roots, Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Latin. The music will go from 2 to 4 PM.
2:00 PM, None
Sunday, March 11
Karan Casey & John Doyle
Karan was unable to perform in their scheduled concert last year due to an illness in her family. We are fortunate that these two stellar musicians are returning. John has been here before, most often with fiddler Liz Carroll and is a highly skilled guitarist, songwriter, and singer. "Whether playing in a band, as an accompanist, or as a solo performer, John Doyle has a magical touch....a dream guitarist." Irish Edition And Karan Casey's singing has not only won a Grammy and twice winning Irish Female Vocalist of the year but she has collaborated with many outstanding musicians. "Casey's developed into a singer of great and glorious subtelty who can communicate emotions with a dazzling range." Chris Nickson, BILLBOARD
7:00 PM, Tickets: $20 Student/low income: $15
Monday, March 12
Call to Action
7:00 PM, None
Tuesday, March 13
NOW Meeting
7:00 PM, None
Thursday, March 15
Plants and Planets
This monthly presentation has a $10 requested donation.
6:30 PM, None
Friday, March 16
Pearl Django
This Northwest quartet has been entertaining audiences and critics for a number of years with swing, gypsy jazz, and variety of other forms of acoustic music. Michael Gray on violin, David Lange on accordian, Ryan Hoffman on guitar, Rick Leppanen on acoustic bass, and Troy Chapman on guitar are all wonderful individual musicians as well as skilled collaborators. They travel internationally packing crowds into dance halls, nightclubs, and before festival audiences. "Pearl Django play(s) gypsy jazz¦and they do it with such verve, skill and pleasure that they're pretty much irresistible to jazz and non-jazz listeners alike." Seattle Weekly. Get
your tickets now!
8:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Saturday, March 17
Pearl Django
This Northwest quartet has been entertaining audiences and critics for a number of years with swing, gypsy jazz, and variety of other forms of acoustic music. Michael Gray on violin, David Lange on accordian, Ryan Hoffman on guitar, Rick Leppanen on acoustic bass, and Troy Chapman on guitar are all wonderful individual musicians as well as skilled collaborators. They travel internationally packing crowds into dance halls, nightclubs, and before festival audiences. "Pearl Django play(s) gypsy jazz¦and they do it with such verve, skill and pleasure that they're pretty much irresistible to jazz and non-jazz listeners alike." Seattle Weekly. Get
your tickets now!
8:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Sunday, March 18
Veterans for Peace
Meeting
5:30 PM, None
Sunday, March 18
A Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Jam
This is a 3rd Sunday monthly jam of bluegrass and acoustic musicians
2:00 PM, None
Monday, March 19
Uke and Singalong
Veteran folk musicians and uke enthusiasts and teachers Steve Einhorn and Kate Power bring a community event to Traditions. They bring a large number of ukes so whether you have one or not, you can start to learn to play the uke. $10 is asked but no one with limited funds will be turned away.
7:00 PM, None
Wednesday, March 21
Poetry night
Featured poet and open mic. Sponsored by the Olympia Poetry Network. Visit the website.
6:30 PM, None
Thursday, March 22
SPEECH Annual Meeting 2012
7:00 PM
Friday, March 23
Sean Gaskell
This is a first time concert at Traditions for local kora player, Sean Gaskell. The West African Kora, a 21 string harp is native to the Mandinka people of Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea and Guinea Bissau. He was inspired to pick up the Kora after having heard the instrument being performed by Kane Mathis in 2006. Sean traveled to Gambia in 2008 and 2012 to study with Moriba Kuyateh and Malamini Jobarteh, both very well known and respected musicians of the instrument. During his time in Gambia, Sean performed with Moriba at various festivals and events in Gambia and Senegal.
8:00 PM
Saturday, March 24
Teresa Tudury
Northern California and past longtime L.A. resident Teresa Tudury who the Los Angeles Times has called "...a star in the making" or the Hollywood Reporter stated is "...a simmering Mother Lode of singing, songwriting, acting, and madcap comedy talent" returns to Traditions. She is a consummate performer who pours out her original songs with power and passion accompanied by a bluesy guitar.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Saturday, March 31
Katya Chorover
It has been a number of years since Katya appeared at Traditions. It is a return home of sorts since she was here in Olympia at Evergreen in the early 90's. Since then she has played festivals, coffeehouses and venues across the West, developing a loyal, passionate following. Originally from Boston and after the NW having moved to Colorado on a "parenting and relocation hiatus" for a couple of years, she has recorded a brand new CD, Big Big Love, her first in ten years. It is a collaboration with many fine musicians, one of whom, Dan Tyack on pedal steel and dobro, will join her tonight.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Sunday, April 1
Peter Mayer
Now we are starting to be able to look forward to an annual visit around this time of year from this dynamic Midwest folk performer. You should expect a sell-out so get your tickets early. Typical of responses from listeners and critics is this one. "His guitar work is breath-taking, his lyrics mind-spinning, his singing soul-soothing and his feet-on-the-ground optimism nothing short of healing."
--Marilyn Rea-Beyer, music director, WUMB Radio, Boston
7:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Friday, April 6
The Honey Dewdrops
Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish make their home in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Charlottesville, Virginia. The couple has been playing music in some capacity for over 15 years, but honed in on their natural duet abilities 7 years ago when they met for the first time in college and they now tour fulltime. After their appearance and first place win on a 2008 talent show broadcast of NPR's "A Prairie Home Companion"ť, the Dewdrops began their careers as songwriters and have since released two critically acclaimed albums, "If the Sun Will Shine"ť (2009) and "These Old Roots" (2010) both of which have charted at the #1 and #2 positions on the Folk DJ-L Charts for 2010. Come welcome them for a first time trip to Traditions.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Saturday, April 7
the Makedonians
With sonorous harmonies, rhythms that kick and songs of love, tragedy, loyalty and drink -- this wide collection of Northwest musicians has been entertaining audiences with festive village dance music and historic songs of the Mediterranean and the Balkans for almost 30 years. The ensemble resembles a chalgia orchestra, typically comprised of eight or more (sometimes many more) musicians playing a combination of wind, string, and percussive instruments.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Saturday, April 14
Back Porch Swing
Back Porch Swing is back with great new songs and tunes. Their concerts are full of songs, swing, Irish, French and French-Canadian tunes, original compositions, fine vocal harmonies and lots of fun.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Sunday, April 15
Golden Bough
Golden Bough has come many times over the years. This show is entitled "America Bound" which takes the audience on a musical journey from the Old World to the New. The influence of Celtic music and culture on the American way of life cannot be underestimated. From old folk-songs of the Irish and Scottish countryside to Irish-American music hall numbers, Golden Bough paints a musical picture of the struggles, sufferings, joys and successes of the Irish and Scots in America and shows how these folk songs evolved into American standards.
7:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Saturday, April 21
Lache Cercel & the Roma Swing Ensemble
After the necessary postponement of this concert last fall, we are glad to bring back Lache Cercel and his Roma Swing Ensemble. They represent the latest chapter in an important movement in Canadian World Music – elite musicians from around the world who settle in Canada and create music that incorporates their own traditions with influences they find surrounding them in their new home.
Before leaving his homeland, Lache Cercel was one of Romania’s premier musicians.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Friday, April 27
Arts Walk
Come in to hear The Committee, a local jazz group with Riley McLaughlin on piano, Fred Kellogg on bass, Tim Ransom on drums and vocals by Donna Andrews. And it is free...
5:00 PM, None
Saturday, April 28
Arts Walk Procession Night
Artswalk continues all day and then the magical Procession of the Species happens in the afternoon. As the parade finishes near us we will start the music - the Holly Graham Group Ensemble will perform folk, jazz, and ballads. Visit the website.
4:00 PM, None
Saturday, May 5
Claudia Schmidt
Claudia's coming back to Traditions, and we have learned to expect anything at one of her concerts a hymn, poem, bawdy verse, torch song, satire, and the gamut of emotions. Her musicality is astonishing, and her joy and love of performing are contagious.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Thursday, May 10
Chuck Pyle
Chuck packed the place last year with his fine guitar work, his storytelling, songwriting, and, of course, his performance. His southwestern acoustic folk includes wry philosophy as well as dramatic personal tales.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Saturday, May 12
The Cantrells
The Cantrells have been touring and performing their original folk and bluegrass music in concerts and festivals since 1985. Their performances feature Emily Cantrell's songs, her strong rhythm guitar (especially her swing style), Al Cantrell's contest-winning fiddling in traditional, swing and Irish styles, their duet harmonies, "fiddlesticks" ("playing the straws") and a wide variety of cover tunes from bluegrass to Broadway musicals. They are currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. Here are what some others say... "Emily's is a beautiful voice, among the best on the scene. Al succeeds where many other 'super pickers' fail." -Dirty Linen "She sings like an angel, he plays like the devil. Al's fiddling is superb." -Robert K. Oermann, NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN "Emily Cantrell is one of my favorite singers. She could sing from the phone book and I'd be convinced. Al can fiddle and pick with the best." -Tim O'Brien
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Friday, May 18
Arto Jarvela with Kaivama
One of Finland’s premier fiddlers, Arto Järvelä has, over the past three decades, been a member of more than ten folk music groups. Arto has demonstrated profound talents as a remarkably skilled player and as a gifted composer and multi-instrumentalist.
8:00 PM
Saturday, May 19
Scott Cossu with Van Manakas
Musician, composer and recording artist Scott Cossu, one of our local northwest luminaries, returns to our stage for a concert of original compositions on piano. His joined by a long-time collaborater Van Manakas of New York on guitar who is regarded by critics and reviewers alike as one of our country's finest guitarists. "Cossu is a gifted musician whose full-bodied chords and sweet improvisations can be rapturous or rambunctious.“ Audio Magazine
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Saturday, May 26
Bevy
This all women musical ensemble is an Olympia favorite. With a wide and full range of instrumentation and musical styles from Latin to jazz you will be fully entertained.
8:00 PM
Saturday, June 2
The Humours
Ashley Broder, whose fine mandolin work we have enjoyed in the past, has a new trio that she is bringing to Traditions. The Humours are an up and coming accoustic power trio centered around contemporary song, rock energy and the band's roots in traditional music. Well known in the Scottish music world for his work with The McKassons, Ryan McKasson brings traditional elements to the mix while also providing a modern edge to his fiddle and viola playing. Ashley Broder is a multi-instrumentalist who has played extensively in Celtic circles, notably with Jamie Laval. When her mandolin is not providing the rhythmic backbone to the group, it is complementing Ryan's fiddle with her sweet lyrical style. On guitar and vocals, Colin is the final piece of the puzzle, and his songwriting is the canvas upon which The Humours display their virtuosic instrumental interplay, generating an original sound that is described as "chamber-U2".
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Saturday, September 8
The Righteous Mothers
We had a great time with the Righteous Mothers in their PFLAG benefit with Steve Schalchlin in January but tonight we get the full enchilada. (We do speak Spanish.) "The Mothers open hearts with their zany physical comedy. The harmonies throughout are taut with an easy feel and the ideology slips unencumbered into consciousness, buoyed as it is by hummable melodies, gentle tone, and caressing vision." - Laura Post, Sing Out! Magazine. Visit the website.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Sunday, October 21
Bill Staines
The legendary songwriter and performer returns to Traditions for another great evening of songs and music. "Bill Staines has been my hero since 1977. He carries on where Woody left off-carrying on the tradition of stories and characters you wish you knew.“ Nanci Griffith
7:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Saturday, October 27
The Kora Band
We had a fantastic concert last winter with the Seattle-based Kora Band. Their unique fusion of West African music and jazz had a full house enthused. The band features frequent Traditions performer Kane Mathis on the kora, a traditional 21 string harp from Gambia, as well as Mark DiFlorio on calabash, a traditional storage vessel and drum from West Africa, pianist Andrew Oliver (who founded the band after a five-country musical tour of West Africa for the U.S. State Department in 2007), the trumpet of Chad McCullough, and acoustic bass from Brady Millard-Kish, Their initial album won Earshot Jazz's "Best Jazz Album of the Year."
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
