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Spokane Folklore Society Index

Calendar of Events
Current Newsletter
Fall Folk Festival
  Lady of the Lake
Membership information
SFS welcome page
About SFS
Code of Conduct
Discipline Policy
History, old Newsletters
and Photo Archives


Performers' Referral List:
Bands
Contra  Dance Bands
Contra Dance Callers
Children's Entertainment
Dance Instruction
Dance Performance
 Musicians/instrumentalists
Music Teachers
Singers, Duos, Choirs
Spoken Word
OTHER CONTACTS:
Festivals & Camps
Local related organizations etc.
Instrument builders and repair
Local Folk Venues
Jams
Local related organizations
 Web resources

Contact Spokane Folklore Society (email link)

Support our Business Members:

David Lohman
Collaborative Lawyer
A healthier alternative for divorcing and separating couples
Licensed in Idaho and Washington
DavidWLohman@hotmail.com 
(208) 664-5544

The Mardi Gras Growlers
"The Best Mardi Gras Party Band" West of New Orleans. Funk, Jazz, Blues, Sultry Sounds and Powerful Vocals.
Booking Private Parties, Special Events and Festivals. Visit MardiGrasGrowlers.Com.

Geoff Seitz in St. Louis.
He makes violins and sells other violins and instruments. 

Interested? email Geoff  at Seitzviolins@sbcglobal.net.


You can promote your business and support the Folklore Society
with a business membership--$100/year



Webmaster: Brad Sondahl
Email the webmaster with additions, corrections, and kind words


Welcome to the
Spokane Folklore Society



April Contra Dances.  
  
Square & Contra Dance. April 8, Saturday
We are all in for a special treat at our April 8 Saturday dance with special guest caller Bev Young from Missoula.  Originally from North Carolina, Bev will teach  fast moving squares along with some interesting contras.  Here's your chance to learn from one of the best.  For this special evening. our favorite sister duo, Sally and Ruthie Jablonsky will play old time fiddle tunes.  The dance will be held at a new location: the Sinto Center, 1124 W. Sinto, two blocks west of Monroe and two blocks north of the REI store.  The dance begins at 7PM.

Wednesday Night Contras

Our regular first and third Wednesday contra dances will continue this month.  On April 5 Nancy Staub will be calling and Banna Damhsa will be playing.  On April 19 Karen Wilson Bell will be calling and the Prestwold Players will be providing the music.  Both dances begin at 7:15 PM with a newcomer session followed by a two hour dance beginning at 7:30PM.  These two dances are held at the Woman's Club Hall, 9th and Walnut.

Proof of vaccinations are required at all SFS dances.


Fall Folk Festival photos and video sampler are at these links...

Upon the recommendation of our callers, the SFS board has decided to host dances at the Woman's Club on 1st and 3rd Wednesday through December. We are reducing the number of dances each month in order to make them more special.  The first dance on September 21st is free to those current SFS members; by joining SFS at the dance you will save $10! 

SFS Covid Protocols for Indoor Dances

The board of the Spokane Folklore Society has decided to require the proof of vaccination in order for participants including dancers, musicians, callers, sound techs and anyone else to be involved in one of our sponsored dances. You must bring your COVID CDC card or a copy of it on your phone and show it at the door. By doing this, you will be registered and will not be required to show it at the next dance. You will not be able to participate unless you have been registered  .Masks are optional - as weather permits windows will be open to provide  more air flow. This way, we are doing everything we can to get us all dancing and playing music again, whatever it takes. See you on the dance floor!

Membership Information:

        It is time to renew your SFS membership.  If you are joining for the first time, your membership will help to fund the operations of the SFS.  In addition, you will receive $3 discounts at our Wednesday dances.  Also, you will receive our monthly newsletter as well as any updates and announcements. You can join by accessing the membership form through the following link.  Link for a full year membership  Fill it out  and mail it in with a check.


Newsletters Archived on SFS Website
Older editions of the Spokane Folklore Society Newsletter can be found on the SFS website starting from September 2020 (link at left). There are some great articles to read.
Starting in September we added several feature columns to the newsletters. Please enjoy our Callers Corner featuring articles by all our regular callers.
Forty Years Ago showcases some of the people and events that were highlights of the early years and got the SFS started on its path to success. Penn Pals is a column where Penn Fix interviews people that have been instrumental in starting and keeping folk traditions alive in the Spokane region.

Current Newsletter (new editor, Brent Smith, so new newsletters are forthcoming)

And now some of our older newsletters are available as well



We can help you get in touch with other people in the Spokane, Washington, area who are interested in music, dance, and folk arts. Find out what's happening on the calendar  
Our major project of the year is the  Fall Folk Festival.
One of our main activities with SFS is Contra Dancing. Contra dancing is a type of traditional dance from New England. Dancers face each other in "contra" lines and move up and down the formation as couples in figures directed by a caller. The Virginia Reel is a dance in this style. You don't have to be experienced - the caller teaches all the moves. Special clothes are not necessary. No partner is needed - Singles and couples are invited. Check the calendar for the contra dance schedule.   Click here more details and some pictures and links to video of a typical local Contra dance.

If you are interested in having the Folklore Society help sponsor your event, please download this .pdf form here.  (Acrobat reader required)

If this is your first visit to our site, please read more about the Spokane Folklore Society: its organization and mission. We hope that you will join us, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.