Enjoy tunes on the beach Friday evenings and family dances on Saturday nights in July, August
OLYMPIA – June 19, 2018 – The Washington State Parks Folk and Traditional Arts Program invites the public to the Summer Music and Dance Series at Cama Beach Historical State Park. The series features acoustic music around the campfire on Friday nights and family dances with live callers and musicians on Saturday evenings.
The free tunes on the beach are from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., Fridays July 13, Aug. 10 and Aug. 24. Family dances are from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturdays July 14, Aug.11 and Aug. 25, in the boathouse or the Cama Center at Cama Beach Historical State Park, 1880 SW Camano Drive, Camano Island. (Driving directions.)
Live music and family square dances were a traditional part of 1930s summer activities at Cama Beach when the state park was a fishing resort. The Summer Music and Dance Series includes informal acoustic jams on the beach featuring fiddle, guitar and banjo around the open fire as well as live music and experienced callers who aim to get everyone on their feet and dancing. Both events are family oriented and open to all ages and all levels. No dancing experience is necessary. At the Saturday dances, callers will teach circle, square and contra dances.
July 13: Tunes on the beach with the Atlas Stringband.
July 14: Family Dance at the boathouse with music by Atlas Stringband and Alex MacLeod, caller.
Aug. 10: Tunes on the beach with Squirrel Butter.
Aug. 11: Family Dance at the boathouse with music by the Squirrel Butter Ensemble and Charmaine Slaven, caller.
Aug. 24: Tunes on the beach with Rattlesnail.
Aug. 25: Family Dance at the Cama Center with music by Rattlesnail and Gabe Strand, caller.
All the programs are free of charge. A Discover Pass is required for parking at Cama Beach. All concerts are accessible to persons with disabilities. For special accommodations, please call the park at (360) 387-1550 or the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service (800) 833-6388. Requests must be made in advance.
About the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program
The Summer Music and Dance Series at Cama Beach Historical State Park is part of a broader series of events celebrating Washington’s diverse cultures presented by the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program, with funding provided by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Washington State Parks Foundation, and the Cama Beach Foundation.
For more information about the Folks and Traditional Arts in the Parks program, including upcoming events, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/folkarts, or contact Makaela Kroin, Program Coordinator, at Makaela.Kroin@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8635.
About Cama Beach Historical State Park
Cama Beach Historical State Park is set in a spectacular, 433-acre waterfront location against a forested backdrop on the southwest shore of Camano Island facing Saratoga Passage. Cama Beach offers visitors a chance to step back in time to a 1930s-era Puget Sound fishing resort complete with waterfront cedar cabins and bungalows. The park is connected by a mile-long trail to Camano Island State Park, a 134-acre camping park. Both parks are open for day use or overnight stays year-round. For more information about Cama Beach Historical State Park, including how to reserve a cabin, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/483/Cama-Beach.