So, a few weeks ago there was a Folk Life festival in Seattle and I decided to check it out. I expected to see a lot of kilts, bagpipes, accordions, goofy hats and Celtic dancing but I didn’t expect to see what I saw. Well, actually my friends were giving me the play by play as more and more odd characters appeared around us. Before giving specific examples I will give trends that we noted by multiple appearances. One of these trends was a male with no shirts on when the weather was in the low 60’s. I don’t think that is a folk custom but I will check. Next, were males dressed in tights and wearing skirts. Many wearing tights that had purple or pink stripes. Again, I don’t think this is a folk custom but I will check. Yet another trend dyed hair of all shades and designs. These were some of the trends but now lets get into some of the good stuff, individual examples. One guy put on a mask with a stream of different colored locks extending down his back to dress like Rafiki in the Lion King. He even walked around with a walking stick to fit the part closer. Another person looked as though they had been stabbed with a machete knife through their head, but in reality it was just one of those Halloween accessories. Again, how this relates to folk life I have no idea. While sitting on the lawn watching a band with a giant panda dancing on stage with them, we noticed a large group of people circled around juggling bowling pins as if they were in the circus. Right near them was a 65+ man with no shirt on dancing as though he was 25 and at a rave. We even saw some crowd surfing at various concerts, which was not something I would associate with folk life.
The stage performers seemed to play the part better. As I expected, there were accordions abound and even some bagpipes, banjos and flutes. Many wore Celtic skirts and those goofy hats I spoke of earlier. I will say I did enjoy the folk rock and folk punk bands although they sang so fast and with such an accent that I had no idea what they were saying. The songs could have told a story or it could have been just a bunch of words. I will never know.
Folk Life Seattle was another eye opening experience. It was yet another opportunity for the people in Seattle to show their true colors. It is at these events when you truly realize you have been cultured to the interests and styles of people around the world. I believe everyone should attend one of these events. If for nothing else at least to answer the looming question of, “There are people like that do that?” If you have never seen the things I speak of on public display, you need to come to Seattle. That is one great thing about this place. No matter who you are or what you wear, there will be someone like you here!
