The WRF2019 dates and times are: Saturday, April 20, 2019, 11 am - 10 pm Our home is in the Armory at the Seattle Center, the cultural and community heart of Seattle and home of the Space Needle. Workshops are in the upper floors of the Armory and performances are on the Main Stage in the Armory and the Mural Amphitheater. Dance classes are in Fisher Pavilion. Click here (http://www.seattlecenter.com/downloads/sc_map_color_gates.pdf)for a printable map of Seattle Center. Click here (http://www.seattlecenter.com/)for info on getting to the Seattle Center.

Two hotels closest to the Seattle Center are offering special pricing: the Marqueen Hotel a(http://www.marqueen.com/en-us)nd the Inn at Queen Anne. U(http://www.innatqueenanne.com/en-us)se the code BACKYARD at either hotel for discount pricing! Make your reservations by April 6, 2019 in order to get the special pricing!

The Food Court in the Armory offers convenient food of many styles.

Usually the WRF is a 3 day festival. For 2019, the Seattle World Percussion Society Board of Directors chose make it a 1 day festival in order to give them time to train new board members and restructure the business model of the WRF. The goal is to grow the WRF while keeping it a quality festival. WRF 2020 will also be a 1 day festival.

All WRF2018 workshops and performances are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Most workshops hold between 60 and 100 people (some fewer, some as many as 200). Most workshops fill up, so arrive early for good seats.

All events at the WRF are free of charge and open to the public. We want to make this wonderful variety of world music accessible to as many people as possible to discover and evolve their rhythmic interests. We encourage everyone to support the WRF and our wonderful teachers and performers by buying WRF merchandise or raffle tickets. Please show your appreciation for the music and learning these generous musicians bring to you!

From its beginning, the WRF has been organized by volunteers as a grassroots effort, driven by our love of world music, drumming and dance. All expenses are covered by vendor fees and merchandise sales, countless hours of volunteer service and generous community support. Central to our miraculously low budget is our sponsorship by Seattle Center, which provides over $50,000 worth of space for free because our event is free and open to the public.

Yes! Bring a drum that you like to play and is easy to carry. You can use any drum in any class. For instance, you may bring a djembe to a conga class. If you do not have a drum, we have a limited number of Remo djembes and tubanos for rent at $5 per day. Our drum rental and drum check services are operated by Village Volunteers, a non-profit which runs community development projects in Kenya, India, Ghana, and Nepal.

Yes! We have a lot of vendors who offer the best selection of drums of all kinds and price points that you’ll find anywhere in the Northwest. Please support our vendors!

Yes. Drum Check is available in the 3rd floor lobby, at the top of the Center House stairs with the drum rentals. To ensure you receive your items, please mark all personal items with your name. WRF is not responsible for items left more than 24 hours.

Bring water bottles because The Armory has stations to fill them. Wear clothing you can move in and comfortable shoes. Lastly bring a good sense of humor and community spirit will serve you well!

Don Baker has provided artwork for many of our favorite designs. You can connect with Don at his website o(https://www.donbakercreative.com/)r via email.(mailto:donbaker@seanet.com?subject=WRF send me!)

Email WRF Festival Coordinator!(mailto:wrffestival@gmail.com?subject=WRF Question)