- Press Release -

Art Show Added to 1st Snoqualmie Valley Festival of Music
Sister City Loaning Famed Celadon Pottery

(North Bend, WA—June 30, 2010) – “We are thrilled to have the honor of providing an opportunity for people here to see the famed Celadon* pottery from Snoqualmie’s new sister city in the Republic of Korea,” says Sallie Burhans, an organizer of the first Snoqualmie Valley Festival of Music where the ceramics from Gangjin will be displayed August 7 & 8. “Gangjin is considered the birthplace of Korea’s traditional Celadon and is similar to cities in Snoqualmie Valley, with scenic mountains and rivers where art and artisans play an important role in the culture and economy,” says Sister Cities Board President, Doug Irvine.

On hearing the stunning pottery would be loaned for the outdoor music festival at North Bend’s Mountain Meadows Farm, Burhans and other Snoqualmie Valley Arts members decided to create additional display space for local artists on the scenic festival grounds tucked under Mt Si. “Our multi-dimensional music festival is evolving into a feast for all the senses,” enthuses Burhans. Concert goers will be able to walk the lawns enjoying art, music, each other, great food and the beauty of a summer day in the Cascade foothills.

Like the mix of art, the festival will mix musical styles, too. “We hope people will end up enjoying music they don’t normally seek out. Perhaps the young jazz fan will stay for the chamber concert because that’s her mother’s favorite music.” Burhans continues, “The atmosphere will evolve from a lively summer afternoon concert to the more dramatic chamber players who will take us from dusk on in to the starry night.”

Aside from jazz and chamber music, beloved local trumpeter and bandleader Harley Brumbaugh will be bringing his new and experimental Voices of the Valley Choir to the festival stage. Brumbaugh expected about 60 people to answer his open call, but more than 100 are turning up at the first practices. Whatever the size of the choir that materializes, the voices will set the hills alive with Broadway and Hollywood show tunes, spirituals and Americana. Brumbaugh’s choir may grow all the way to the spectators lounging on blankets in the back row by the end of the set.

John Chmaj’s Cascade Jazz Quintet will kick off the festival each afternoon with classics by George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Billie Holiday. The evenings will end with the first performances by the Vardi Chamber Players. Lenore Vardi, the festival’s artistic director and a concert violinist, promises “a dream concert in a dream setting with the best musicians from the Northwest and North America playing Mozart, Brahms and Dohnányi.

Location:

Mountain Meadows Farm, 10106 422nd Lane SE, North Bend, WA, Free Parking

Times:

3:30 p.m. – gates open

4 p.m. – Cascade Jazz Quintet with John Chmaj

6 p.m. – Voices of the Valley with Harley Brumbaugh

7 p.m. – Vardi Chamber Players with Lenore Vardi

Ticket Prices:

Premium - Limited chair seating in proximity to the performers:

$48.50 Adult (18 & older)

$22.50 Youth (under 18)

General - Lawn seating with limited stage views. Bring blankets and cushions. No chairs please.

$25 Adult (18 & older)

$12.50 Youth (under 18)