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| Before going to the Philippine Festival, the Admiral wanted to go down to the Waterfront Park to check out some typr of family Festival going on down there but first we stopped to get some pics of the New Sculpture at the Seattle Art Museum's Sculpture Gardens "Echo" which is lit up at night as a beacon to all those coming to Seattle by water. |
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| Sometimes the old and beautiful nymph Echo would distract and amuse Zeus' wife, Hera, with long and entertaining stories while Zeus took advantage of the moment to ravish the other mountain nymphs. When Hera discovered the trickery, she was so annoyed she punished the talkative Echo by taking away her voice, except in foolish repetition of another's shouted words. Thus, all Echo could do was repeat the voice of another see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_(mythology) |
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| You use the spring board to place a fish on and step on it to spring the fish into the Penguins basket |
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| Pagdiriwang is the Filipino word for “celebration.” The festival celebrates important aspects of Philippine culture, arts and history with the theme, “The Sarimanok Soars.” |
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| I was just wondering if this was Leslie's lost Father, he shows up with his disco ball and dances at most of the festivals. |
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| Where else can you hear all this cultural music for free? |
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| Even Philippine Hip Hop |
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Non Stop Dancing!
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| A litlle bit of Africa |
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| It's interesting what different religions teach, even more interesting what they do not teach. |
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| Just another invention by a Black American |
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| Even though the crowd was small she was pretty captivating. |
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| Only 180 years ago. |
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| This guy had some type of synthesizer built onto the body of a guitar like instrument, He was a great 1 man band! Check out Michael Powers and his instrument at http://www.michaelpowersmusic.com/ |
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| You can see the crown is small outside as well, These dudes play to the younger generation. |
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| Seattle Blues at it's finest, this guy was smooth as silk. Sorry I can't remember his name. He had the crowd . |
Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival and The Black Arts Fest
Pagdiriwang is the Filipino word for “celebration.” and my only guess for the small turn out at some of these cultural festivals at Seattle center is that he participation directly reflects the size of that particular culture in the Seattle/King County area. Or it could be that they have only been participating in these annual festivals for just a few years so their festival has not developed to the extent other festivals have. Maybe it is a money thing? But I think it is a population thing.
Either way the best part of the Philippine festival was the food, and often that is the best part of all the festivals to get to eat authentic foods cooked and prepared by the those who have been eating it their whole life. The music and dance is right nest to the food and then depending on how big the festival is you get a small to large dose of the Art, history and literature of the culture.
It was good we spent the early part of the day checking out a family festival at Waterfront Park. I always enjoy a walk along the waterfront, the festival their was geared mainly to families with young children so we just cruised through just checking it out, Drew can come next year.
Black Arts Fest
"Seattle Center Festál presents Festival Sundiata - Black Arts Fest. Explore and experience the cultural roots and contemporary influences of African-American culture through live performances, hands-on activities, food, fashion and worldly gifts. Join in African dance workshops, learn traditional drumming rhythms, and take in the richness of black culture during a weekend filled with continuous entertainment. The festival is named for legendary 13th century King Sundiata of West Africa's Mali Empire."
There is a difference between the African American Culture here and the culture in the Southern US. The Admiral noticed it to and we would have to live here a lot longer to figure it out or to understand it but of course there is a difference in the Anglo population in the PNW as well compared to the South. I'll just blame it on the climate differences but of course there is a lot more than that. One thing is the same and that is the Blues! We had the most fun at The blues and soul stage and spent most of our time there. The food is different, no southern comfort food at all. South wins on the food court!. The other part that is the same is the early history of Black Americans and through the trial these people have lived through they certainly speak with one voice. Al l of our lives have been graced with the music, dance and Art of this wonderful and colorful community.
There are are several types of festivals at Seattle Center:
Upcoming Festivals Year-round--sunshine or rain--Seattle Center celebrates the flourishing communities and cultures that make the city vibrant. The Center comes alive with every stage, pavilion and arena offering treats for the sense.
| Northwest Folklife Festival | May 24 - 27, 2013 |
| Bumbershoot: Seattle's Music & Arts Festival | August 31 – September 2, 2013 |
| Festál Cultural Festivals * | Year-round event dates |
| Movies at the Mural | July 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 25, 2013 at 9 PM |
| Seattle International Film Festival 2013 | May 16 –June 9, 2013 |
| Seattle PrideFest | June 30, 2013 |
| The Groupon Bite of Seattle | July 19 - 21, 2013 |
| Whirligig! | April 6 - 21, 2013 |
Only three of the above require $$ for admission, The Bumbershoot, the International film Festival, and the Groupon Bite of Seatlle. All the rest are free but if you go you will spend on the food for sure, it's just to good to pass up.
* Festál Cultural Festivals
Festál, presented by Seattle Center in partnership with community organizations, is a year-long series of FREE events that honors the cultural richness and diversity of the Pacific Northwest. Festál plays a vital part in Seattle Center efforts to connect our dynamic and varied communities.
| Tết Festival: Vietnamese Lunar New Year | January 25-26, 2014 |
| Irish Festival | March 15-16, 2014 |
| Seattle’s French Fest: A Celebration of French-Speaking Cultures | March 23, 2014 |
| Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival | April 25-27, 2014 |
| Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration | May 4, 2014 |
| Spirit of West Africa | May 10, 2014 |
| A Glimpse of China: Chinese Culture and Arts Festival | May 17, 2014 |
| 43rd Annual Northwest Folklife Festival | May 23-26, 2014 |
| Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival | June 7-8, 2014 |
| Festival Sundiata presents Black Arts Fest | June 14-15, 2014 |
| Iranian Festival | June 28, 2014 |
| Polish Festival Seattle | July 12, 2014 |
| Indigenous Cultures Day | August 16, 2014 |
| BrasilFest | August 17, 2014 |
| Tibet Fest | August 23-24, 2014 |
| Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival | September 7, 2014 |
| Seattle Fiestas Patrias | September 13-14, 2014 |
| Italian Festival | September 27-28, 2014 |
| CroatiaFest | October 5, 2014 |
| TurkFest | October 18-19, 2014 |
| Dia de Muertos: A Mexican Celebration to Remember Our Departed | November 1-2, 2014 |
| Hmong New Year Celebration | November 8, 2014 |
Not sure if any other city does so much to enhance the quality of life for their citizens when it comes to providing entertainment and fun. The Largest of the events we have seen include the BumberShoot, Pride Fest, and the Folk Festival in that order. It doesn't hurt that we live just three blocks away from all this.
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