Call Traditions at 705-2819.
Tuesday, September 7
Oly Songwriter Circle
7:00 PM, None
Wednesday, September 8
Dr, Salmons on Bio-Mass Incinerators
7:00 PM
Thursday, September 9
Bruce Molsky
Bruce Molsky comes back to open our concert season, with his fiddle, banjo, guitar and great songs. Bruce has been exploring traditional music from an astonishingly broad range of cultures over the past two decades. This one will definitely sell out, so get your tickets early.
8:00 PM Sorry, this show is SOLD OUT
Sunday, September 12
Open Shape Note singing
Open to all who would like to sing in the shape note traditions
5:00 PM, None
Sunday, September 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, Quebecquois, Metis, American Roots, Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Latin. The music will go from 2 to 4 PM www.strawhatstringband.com
2:00 PM, Free
Monday, September 13
Call to Action
7:00 PM, None
Tuesday, September 14
NOW Meeting
7:00 PM, None
Wednesday, September 15
Poetry night
Featured poet and open mic. Sponsored by the Olympia Poetry Network. Visit the website.
7:00 PM, None
Thursday, September 16
Plants and Planets
6:30 PM, None
Friday, September 17
Bike and Bike Benefit
7:00 PM
Saturday, September 18
Kim Angelis
Inspired by gypsy and classical roots, Kim Angelis has become recognized internationally as a virtuosic violinist and composer. Her music has been featured in a number of TV and cinematic productions and her recordings have won a number of awards. She is accompanied by a fine guitarist Josef Gault. They base themselves these days in Astoria, Oregon.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Monday, September 20
Karan Casey & John Doyle
Karan and John, both former members of the Irish band Solas, will bring us great songs and music. John has performed here previously (with Liz Carroll) and singer Karan makes her first appearance on our stage. Among Karan's awards are a Grammy and twice winning Irish Female Vocalist of the year. John has done everything from perform for President Obama (with Liz Carroll) to currently touring with Joan Baez as her guitarist and musical director. This should be another sold out evening, so make sure you reserve your tickets well ahead of time.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $20 Student/low income: $15
Tuesday, September 21
Open Drum Circle
Drumming and instruction
7:00 PM, None
Saturday, September 25
The Downtown Mountain Boys
This is stellar group of Seattle area musicians with traditional bluegrass harmonies and instrumentals. Don't miss them. Visit the website.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Sunday, September 26
Open Shape Note singing
Open to all who would like to sing in the shape note traditions
7:00 PM, None
Wednesday, September 29
Canoe Way Movie
7:00 PM
Thursday, September 30
Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart
Stacey and Mark are headed back to Traditions for another great night of songs and picking. “Part of her charm - and she is nearly irresistible - is that she’s almost impossible to pin any one label on. Alt.-country, straight-up-hard-core-country, folk, singer-songwriter, Americana - all of these and more hit the mark at one point or another.” – Country Standard Time.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Friday, October 1
Arts Walk with Fiddle Fest entertainment
Come in for the 2010 7th Annual Arts Walk Fiddle Fest! Hosted by Carla Wulfsberg, we’ll feature a new act each half-hour. Watch this space for more information and schedules.
5:00 PM
Saturday, October 2
Alix Dobkin
A folk singer in the 1960’s, Alix has been celebrating blatant Lesbianism in song and story since 1972. With six albums on three CDs and a songbook, Alix is the producer of the groundbreaking 1973 “Lavender Jane Loves Women,” & a 2010 Lambda Literary Award nominee for “MY RED BLOOD: A Memoir of Growing Up Communist, Coming Onto the Greenwich Village Folk Scene, & Coming Out in the Feminist Movment.” This will be a first appearance at Traditions.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Sunday, October 3
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 3 to 6 PM. Free to all.
3:30 PM, Free
Tuesday, October 5
Oly Songwriter Circle
7:00 PM, None
Friday, October 8
Heartsparkle Players
Audience Up! We invite you up on stage with us. This special evening will be a part of Arts Crush a month-long festival sponsored by Theatre Puget Sound. Visit the website.
7:30 PM, Donation $5 - $10 (no one turned away)
Saturday, October 9
Joe Baque
Local favorite Joe Baque began his venerable career in New York City playing both piano and vibraphone. He has worked with Louis Armstrong, Stan Getz, Lena Horne, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Coleman Hawkins and Greta Matassa, and has performed throughout the country in cabarets, concert halls and on television. Tonight, he’ll appear with Carol Baque on vocals and Steve Luceno on bass.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Sunday, October 10
Jung Society
7:00 PM, None
Sunday, October 10
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, Quebecquois, Metis, American Roots, Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Latin. The music will go from 2 to 4 PM www.strawhatstringband.com
2:00 PM, Free
Sunday, October 10
Open Shape Note singing
Open to all who would like to sing in the shape note traditions
5:00 PM, None
Monday, October 11
Call to Action
7:00 PM, None
Tuesday, October 12
NOW Meeting
7:00 PM, None
Wednesday, October 13
Earth Care
Video and discussion
7:00 PM, None
Thursday, October 14
John McCutcheon
Traditions is excited to present a performer whose range is wide and deep. Referred to as folk music's renaissance man for his instrumental abilities, his singing and songwriting, storytelling, and as an activist and an author this evening's performance will be very special.
“The most impressive instrumentalist I’ve ever heard.”
— Johnny Cash
“Calling John McCutcheon a ‘folksinger’ is like saying Deion Sanders is just a football player.”
— Dallas Morning News
8:00 PM, Tickets: $25 Student/low income: $20
Friday, October 15
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
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Sunday, October 17
Vagabond Opera
Those who have been to a Vagabond Opera show are the best promoters. This Portland group makes a first appearance at Traditons “Gypsy music, opera, klezmer and cabaret come-ons mingle like emigres trading aliases at an after-hours night club.”
– The Willamette Week
Visit the website.
7:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Monday, October 18
Open Drum Circle
Drumming and instruction
7:00 PM, None
Wednesday, October 20
Poetry night
Featured poet and open mic. Sponsored by the Olympia Poetry Network. Visit the website.
6:30 PM, None
Thursday, October 21
Plants and Planets
6:30 PM, None
Friday, October 22
Jamie Stillway, Cyd Smith, & Mary Flower
These are three of the Northwest's finest women guitarists joining forces for an evening of acoustic guitar blues, jazz, and original songs and instrumentals.
Mary Flower is "one of the nation's premier fingerstyle blues guitarists" according to All Music Guide. Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine describes her as "one of those rare guitarists who manage to create a tincture of the aged authentic with the freshly original."
Cyd Smith, (Ashland, OR) one of the sharpest songwriters around, is also a wonderfully versatile guitarist who has performed with many luminaries in the bluegrass, early jazz and acoustic music worlds.. “An extremely gifted songwriter from the Northwest” –Bay Area Guardian
Jamie Stillway is a genre hopping instrumental guitarist that "moves freely with creative restlessness" -Jazz Times.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Thursday, October 28
Isthmus Park monthly meeting
6:30 PM, None
Saturday, October 30
Jim Page
“Jim’s been writing great topical songs for as long as I can remember, bringing his acute wit and wry humor to a host of subjects that can really use both. In the tradition of Woody and Dylan, he cuts right to the heart with music you actually enjoy listening to. I'm a longtime admirer.”
- Bonnie Raitt
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Tuesday, November 2
Oly Songwriter Circle
7:00 PM, None
Friday, November 5
National Sweatfree Communities Summit
This national conference comes to Olympia. Friday's event is at Traditions with registration starting at 5PM, a dinner for registrants, an artshow of 'sweatfree' T-shirts done by Northwest artists, music by the incomparable Joe Baque on piano and Steve Luceno on bass, and a keynote speaker. More details soon but reguistration and information on the summit that continues through Sunday can be found at the Sweatfree website. Visit the website.
5:00 PM
Saturday, November 6
Linda Waterfall & Dean Stevens with special guests the Gloria Darlings
Linda has a family history of musicianship and now a career of eight albums, countless collaborations, many students and protegees of her musicianship and her inspiration. From her roots as a classically trained pianist Linda jumped into folk and contemporary music with a strong guitar style to accompany a compelling voice. Her first recording (Mary’s Garden) in 1977 reflects as it does today a whole range of influences into a unique mix.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Sunday, November 7
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 3 to 6 PM. Free to all.
3:30 PM, Free
Tuesday, November 9
NOW Meeting
7:00 PM, None
Wednesday, November 10
Earth Care
Video and discussion
7:00 PM, Free
Thursday, November 11
Reilly & Maloney
Now that David and Ginny have started touring again, their fans from their early days have returned, but they are now building a new legion of fans. Their songs, with nuanced personal perspecitive, become favorites; their harmonies are winning; their ease with the audience makes for good entertainment.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Friday, November 12
The Heartsparkle Players
“Stories of Body, Mind and Spirit“ in collaboration with Journey Home, a non-profit organization formed to provide a nurturing environment and community for those nearing end of life.
*This performance will also be a part of a Sixth Annual Global Playback Theatre event where Playback Companies all over the world will explore this theme. Visit the website.
7:30 PM, Donation $5 - $10 (no one turned away)
Saturday, November 13
The Righteous Mothers
This year this popular Olympia-Seattle quartet will do two shows to accomodate the great number of fans. “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, November 14
The Righteous Mothers
This year this popular Olympia-Seattle quartet will do two shows to accomodate the great number of fans. “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.
7:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Sunday, November 14
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, Quebecquois, Metis, American Roots, Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Latin. The music will go from 2 to 4 PM www.strawhatstringband.com
2:00 PM, Free
Monday, November 15
Call to Action
7:00 PM, Free
Tuesday, November 16
Open Drum Circle
Drumming and instruction
7:00 PM, None
Wednesday, November 17
Poetry night
Featured poet and open mic. Sponsored by the Olympia Poetry Network. Visit the website.
6:30 PM, None
Thursday, November 18
Plants and Planets
6:30 PM, None
Friday, November 19
Correo Aéreo with Amy Denio
The musical combination of the award winning latin american duo, Correo Aereo, (Air Mail), Abel Rocha & Madeleine Sosin , (Traditions favorites) - on Venezuelan & Mexican harp, violin, cuatro, guitar, bombo, & maracas; a stunning array of string and percussive instruments plus silken vocal harmonies described as “…locked in carnal embrace.” by the Austin Chronicle, together in their new trio with Amy Denio, (back from world tours with Kulture Shock & The Tiptons) - on accordion, clarinet & vocals in 4 octaves, has been described as:
"A rarely yodeling, always scintillating, Latin American Afro Sephardic Eastern European Gypsy circus chamber music band"
Their music has sabor and is richly polyrhythmic and soulfully melodic - gorgeous, fiery, haunting and joyful…this is the universal language, world music at it’s finest. Perfect for all audiences and ages! Don't miss it!
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Saturday, November 20
Correo Aéreo with Amy Denio
The musical combination of the award winning latin american duo, Correo Aereo, (Air Mail), Abel Rocha & Madeleine Sosin , (Traditions favorites) - on Venezuelan & Mexican harp, violin, cuatro, guitar, bombo, & maracas; a stunning array of string and percussive instruments plus silken vocal harmonies described as “…locked in carnal embrace.” by the Austin Chronicle, together in their new trio with Amy Denio, (back from world tours with Kulture Shock & The Tiptons) - on accordion, clarinet & vocals in 4 octaves, has been described as:
"A rarely yodeling, always scintillating, Latin American Afro Sephardic Eastern European Gypsy circus chamber music band"
Their music has sabor and is richly polyrhythmic and soulfully melodic - gorgeous, fiery, haunting and joyful…this is the universal language, world music at it’s finest. Perfect for all audiences and ages! Don't miss it!
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Monday, November 22
People for Puget Sound presentation
7:00 PM, None
Friday, November 26
Tellabrations
This is an annual storytelling event sponsored by the Olympia Storytelling Guild in conjunction with storytelling events across the country.
7:00 PM, None
Saturday, November 27
Ramsey, Collins & Nicholsen
Popular Northwest musicians Jef Ramsey on guitar, mandolin, and vocals; Barbara Collins on fiddle, mandolin, and vocals: and Mick Nicholsen on bass are a tight trio of swing tunes, originals, jazz, and some Bohemian music. Tonight they are going to be playing "In the Round". Come see how we rearrange for this unique concert event.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Friday, December 3
Dana Lyons
We know that one night is just not enough time to cover the bases - songs for the earth, songs of our well-meaning but often funny and inconsistent behavior, pokes at our social mores, incisive political critique and so much of it we sing-along. So we have 2 full nights. See you there.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $10 Student/low income: $5
Saturday, December 4
Dana Lyons
We know that one night is just not enough time to cover the bases - songs for the earth, songs of our well-meaning but often funny and inconsistent behavior, pokes at our social mores, incisive political critique and so much of it we sing-along. So we have 2 full nights. See you there.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $10 Student/low income: $5
Saturday, December 11
Baby Gramps
Blues, hillbilly tunes, ragtime, old-time (like early last century) pop tunes are some of what you might hear. Palindromes, tongue-twisters, whimsy, cartoon caricature are a part of it. Convoluted yet rhythmic, gravelly yet smooth, every which way at once....well, of course it is hard to describe what Baby Gramps does. For many years he has been entertaining audiences with a style that once seen is never forgotten. He comes to Traditions each year and we always have a full house and a fully entertaining show.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Saturday, December 18
Bryan Bowers
Bryan visits us each December or January and provides us the opportunity to listen, to sing, and to laugh as the stories roll out from this long-standing and widely-lauded performer. His virtuosity on autoharp and rousing vocals take him all over the country.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Friday, January 21
Bill Evans & Megan Lynch
8:00 PM
Friday, February 18
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 ‘n’ Reel
8:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
Friday, March 18
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. Neil Andersson on guitar, Michael Gray on violin, David Lange on accordian, Ryan Hoffman on guitar, and Rick Leppanen on acoustic bass 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 19
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. Neil Andersson on guitar, Michael Gray on violin, David Lange on accordian, Ryan Hoffman on guitar, and Rick Leppanen on acoustic bass 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 27
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
Saturday, April 9
Claudia Schmidt
Claudia’s coming back to Traditions, and we have learned to expect anything at one of her concerts – 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: $12 Student/low income: $8
Friday, April 15
David Roth
Former Seattle resident (now living on Cape Cod) David Roth returns to Traditions, now in his 20th year of full-time music-making. During his time in the Pacific Northwest Roth recorded 4 of his 9 CDs and joining him this evening will be co-producer David Lange on piano and accordion, for a healthy dose of heavy-mental easy-listening protest music. Think James Taylor meets Jerry Seinfeld meets Joe Hill...www.davidrothmusic.com
8:30 PM, Tickets: $12 Student/low income: $8
Wednesday, May 25
Jamie Laval with Zac Leger
Jamie brings his stirring Celtic music back to Traditions with guitarist Zac Leger in a performance of the ancient music of Scotland, Ireland and Brittany with a modern, innovative expression all his own.In 2002, Jamie won the U.S.
National Scottish Fiddle Championship and now concertizes throughout
the U.S. and Scotland. He has been acclaimed as “One of North
America’s finest practitioners of traditional Scottish music” (San
Jose Mercury News) and "The next Alasdair Fraser” (Scotland Press and
Post). Zac features stunning playing of Uillean pipes, whistle, and the Irish Bouzouki. Last year Zac won the All-Ireland Championship for piping.
8:00 PM, Tickets: $15 Student/low income: $10
