FOLK MUSIC FEST TO CARRY ON A DREAM.Byline: CONNIE LLANOS llanos (yä`nōs), Spanish American term for prairies, specifically those of the Orinoco River basin of N South America, in Venezuela and E Colombia. Special to the Daily News For Clark Weissman, this weekend's 24th annual Summer Solstice festival Solstice festival may refer to:
folk music Music held to be typical of a nation or ethnic group, known to all segments of its society, and preserved usually by oral tradition. Knowledge of the history and development of folk music is largely conjectural. . After losing his wife, Elaine, last year to a two-year battle with cancer, Weissman said the festival will continue his wife's dream. ``We are teaching the next generation about folk music so the music doesn't die,'' said Weissman, who co-founded the California Traditional Music Society. The society presents the festival -- sponsored in part by Los Angeles' Department of Cultural Affairs and Councilman Jack Weiss Jack Weiss, is a member of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 5th district. Weiss was elected in 2001 and reelected in 2005. The 5th district includes parts of the Westside and the San Fernando Valley. -- which features music, storytelling, dance, music and crafts workshops, and a variety of vendors. For a while, however, Weissman was not sure this year's event would even take place. Attendance last year had dropped, and the society was struggling to find funding. But a public grant came through in January, allowing it to go forward. Tom Sauber, who has performed at the festival for the past 20 years, says the event lets him jam with some of the best folk musicians Andean
``It gives me a chance to see friends I wouldn't see otherwise,'' Sauber said. Chris Warber, the society's executive director, said it seeks to expose young people to folk music. This year, the festival will offer fewer workshops, he said, but ultimately it could lead to a better event. ``The performers who are coming are committed to having this festival continue,'' Warber said. Weissman is just happy to be able to see his wife's life's work live on. As people listen to the musicians perform at the Elaine Weissman stage, he hopes they think about the woman behind the event, saying, ``My wife built her life.'' IF YOU GO The 24th annual Summer Solstice solstice (sŏl`stĭs) [Lat.,=sun stands still], in astronomy, either of the two points on the ecliptic that lie midway between the equinoxes (separated from them by an angular distance of 90°). Folk Music, Dance and Storytelling Festival runs Friday evening through Sunday at Soka University of America SUA's educational philosophy was established by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the first president of Soka Gakkai, who had worked as the principal of an elementary school in Japan. Makiguchi published the Value Creating Educational System based on his belief that "the purpose of education is to , 26800 W. Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. Festival-day tickets are $30, or $21 with student ID. Parking for daytime events $5; evening parking free. For more information, call (818) 817-7756 or go to www.ctmsfolkmusic.org. CAPTION(S): box, map Box: IF YOU GO (see text) Map: Soka University Daily News |
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