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The Finnish Duo Akkajee joined us for a chat and a beguiling performance. Presumably the world’s only duo to bring together the nyckelharpa, the viola and vocals has extended its instrumental repertoire with a whole load of junk in the form of self-made “instruments”. The musical potion that has been simmering for seven magical years immerses its listeners in Finnish folktales as well as transcendental string noise.

They perform trans-Atlantic arrangements of songs & tunes from Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, England, Québec, Acadia, the USA, as well as original compositions. Each musician brings their own individual interpretation to these traditions to create this extraordinary collaboration, consisting of voices, fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo, and percussion. An assortment of whirling polskas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, breathtaking hymns, and original compositions. Skye Consort and Emma met during a La Nef project in Montréal in October 2017 and 'thanks to' their mutual love for each other's musicianship and Emma's cancelled flight they decided to start this band. Emma Björling (lead voice, shruti box, perc.) is an award-winning Swedish singer, composer, arranger, active in the renowned Scandinavian bands Kongero and Lyy. Both bands have toured the world, and are busy in the European Folk/Trad scene. Emma teaches and conducts workshops all over the world. Alex Kehler (fiddle, nyckelharpa & vocals) is a member of La Nef, Soulwood, a Kehler Williams duo, Les Siffleurs de nuits, and also busy playing with Suzie LeBlanc, Jeremiah McLane, Timmothy Cummings. Alex is also a much-coveted teacher at camps and courses. Amanda Keesmaat (cello & vocals) is a member of La Nef, a vibrant presence in the Montréal early music community, and has recorded and performed with many prominent singers and renowned ensembles. Amanda has recorded for ATMA discs, Early-Music.com, Fidelio, Analekta, ombú, CBC Radio and CBC Television, BRAVO and Radio-Canada. Amanda also teaches regularly. Seán Dagher (cittern/bouzouki, banjo & vocals) is the artistic director of La Nef and an active performer, arranger, and composer of music from various folk and classical music traditions. He has been nominated for numerous Adisq awards and participated in the Adisq-winning CD, La Traverse Miraculeuse with La Nef and Les Charbonniers de l’enfer.

Meriem Ben Amor is a Tunisian-Canadian Singer: A unique voice with "Warm and Ethereal" tone that blends the richness of the eastern ornaments to the softness and clarity of the western music. Meriem is a pluri-disciplinary musician: she sings, plays string instruments, and percussion. She’s is a polyglot artist who speaks and sings in Arabic, French, Spanish, and English. Her exposure to many cultural influences allowed her to sing in other languages like Romani, Ladino, Azeri, Farsi, and Romanian.

Born in Korea and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Portland-based composer, violinist-looper and vocalist Joe Kye “discharges world[s] of emotion” and delivers “divine messages” with his lush string loops and eclectic style (Guitar World). Drawing upon his migrant upbringing, Kye blends indie-rock, jazz, classical, and pop to create a unique sound that “leaves everyone in awe” (SN&R). With his innovative use of digital effects and looping, Kye weaves together diverse textures, catchy melodies, and rich, “song-bird sweet voice” (PopMatters) to create songs that groove, uplift, and empower listeners: "A single violinist...one mesmerizing symphony" (Sacramento Bee). A powerful storyteller with an inclusive sense of humor, Joe’s performances weave his immigrant narrative through his show, inspiring audiences to compassion and empathy in these divisive times: “…the American dream as it should be, [with] Kye reaching across the divide with music to try and heal it - for everyone” (PopMatters). Audiences will “learn about life as an Asian-American” (New York Times) and "believe anew that something glorious awaits the lovers, the dreamers and you" (Willamette Week). After studying music and culture at Yale University, Kye left a career as a high school educator to pursue music full-time. Kye has toured the United States with performances opening for cellist Yo-Yo Ma, comedian Hari Kondabalu, rapper Warren G, and Senator Bernie Sanders, along with nationally broadcast performances on NPR and BBC. Kye recorded his first TedX talk in November of 2018, and has been invited to speak on immigration, creativity, and cultural activism at schools, community organizations, and spiritual centers. Kye is a board member of BRAVO Youth Orchestras in Portland, Oregon. Previous collaborations include the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, the Sacramento Ballet, Seattle Artivist Sharon Nyree Williams, Alvin Ailey Composer/Percussionist William Catanzaro, and LA hip-hop artist Jason Chu. Kye has performed in venues like Benaroya Hall (Seattle), the Alberta Rose Theater (PDX), the Baryshnikov Arts Center (NYC), the White House, Carnegie Hall’s Migrations Festival, and the National Portrait Gallery (DC). Kye is a Fishman and Neunaber Audio Effects sponsored artist, and has studied violin with Marjorie Kransberg-Talvi, John Kim, and Jim Mihara. Kye is currently touring in support of his album, Migrants, released in 2018. Featured on BBC World News, PRI’s The World, and LA’s Music Friday Live, the new record has been praised as “lovely and nimble” and “delightfully unique.”

Darek Mazzone chats with Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy about their most recent work, Fires of Varanasi: Dance of the Eternal Pilgrim which will be playing in Seattle on February 9-11, 2023 Rooted in the expansive South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam, Ragamala Dance Company manifests a kindred relationship between the ancient and the contemporary. In this evening-length performance, eleven dancers conjure a realm where time is suspended and humans merge with the divine. Award-winning creators Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy imagine a metaphorical crossing place that enters into a ritualistic world of immortality, evoking the birth-death-rebirth continuum in Hindu thought to honor immigrant experiences of life and death in the diaspora. Fires of Varanasi evokes the spiritually electric city, described by mother and daughter in conversation with essayist Pico Iyer as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of life and death. The work features an original, recorded score and the lighting designs of French scenic and lighting designer Willy Cessa. Ragamala Dance Company is the vision of award-winning mother/daughter artists Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy. Over the last four decades, Ranee and Aparna’s practice in the South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam has shifted the trajectory of culturally rooted performing arts in the United States to create an exemplary company within the American dance landscape. Through both intimate solos and large-scale theatrical works for the stage, Ranee and Aparna empower the South Asian American experience. By engaging the dynamic tension between ancestral wisdom and creative freedom, they reveal the kindred relationship between ancient and contemporary that is urgently needed in today’s world. Meany Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Washington fosters innovative performances that advance public engagement, cultural exchange, creative research and learning through the arts. Meany Center provides opportunities for diverse artists, community, students and faculty to connect in the discovery and exploration of the boundless power of the arts to create positive change in the world. Fires of Varanasi: Dance of the Eternal Pilgrim was commissioned by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; co-commissioned by the Harris Theater for Music and Dance; co-commissioned by and developed in part at the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College and The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, Cal State Northridge and Northrop, University of Minnesota; with additional commissioning support from Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University; Meany Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Washington; American Dance Festival; and The Joyce Theater Foundation's Stephen and Cathy Weinroth Fund for New Work. The Meany Center for the Performing Arts Dance Series is generously underwritten by Delaney and Justin Dechant and Ira and Courtney Gerlich in honor of Katharyn Alvord Gerlich.