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Community Member Experiences
"As a musician with a full-time work schedule and a family to care for, Festival of Friends bandshare events solves a lot of issues for me. One, it's low pressure and fun. I don't have time to commit to a full-time band and FoF Events gives me the satisfaction of learning and performing a few great songs in AWESOME venues that are pre-booked for myself and the other participants. Love the convenience of it all. I'm hooked and I'm already looking forward to performing in future shows!" - Jody D (Vocalist).
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“What a great way to get out of the living room and onto a stage! And the variety is so much fun, playing with different musicians and playing different material each show. The changing material keeps my practicing and at home playing focused, as I have specific songs and parts to learn, practice, and develop a strong comfort level with. And waiting at the end of my efforts is a show in front of friends, family, and supportive fellow recreational musicians.” - Damon C (Guitarist).
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"My experiences with the Festival of Friends community platform has been nothing short of awesome. Along with broadening and challenging your musical abilities, selecting songs of your choice, and networking with local-area recreational musicians, the real thrill and excitement is to share this experience with total strangers on a special night arranged just for you. That's where the real magic happens! - Michael G (Bassist)..
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"Festival of Friends have been an absolute blast to be a part of. There's something truly amazing about jumping on stage with a group of musicians who haven't rehearsed together ahead of time and naturally falling into sync with each other while cranking out some killer tunes. I've gotten to play some of my favorite songs live and meet some awesome musicians at the same time. Without a doubt, I plan to keep joining in these events as much as I can!" - Dave G (Guitarist).
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"Festival of Friends musician platform has given me the ability to venture into music and perform with a live band. I grew up singing in church when I was young. The opportunity to continue singing never presented itself until now. Singing is a very vulnerable art form, and it can be so difficult to master your nerves and stay away from your inner critic. This is a safe and supportive musician community that celebrates and encourages those who want to participate. This has brought me growth in music theory, exploring what I am capable of singing, and most importantly building my confidence in singing and being able to work at conquering my inner critic." - Kellie G (Vocalist).
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"You love performing. In school you played in bands and orchestras. Then career and kids suck up your free time and there's little opportunity to continue expressing your passion for music. Maybe you're lucky and have a group that plays in your garage once in a while. The genius of FoF is providing regular opportunities to perform and bringing together people who never would have met otherwise. I feel fortunate to have fallen in with this bunch, make new friends, and pretend for one night that I'm a rock star. FoF Founder, Tom Tafelsky is a hometown hero, helping to make Seattle the most livable city in the US again." - Kerry F (Bassist).
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"The community of musicians at Festival of Friends are magic. With founder, Tom Tafelsky’s contagious peaceful positivity at the helm, this diverse community shows up to put all they have into the music simply for the love of doing so. They encourage each other, they support each other, and they learn from each other. Some of them are conquering their fears. Some of them are helping others conquer theirs. Together, they put on one hell of a show! From the back of the stage to the back of the house, the energy remains the same. The performers are the audience, and the audience are the performers. Tom hasn’t just built a community of musicians, he’s built a family." - Greg B (Drummer).
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"There’s really nothing like the personal connections created at FoF. More so than even rec league sports, there’s something about recreational music and FoF musicians that fosters community on stage and off without judgment, ego, or chest thumping. And it starts with Tom. If ever there were a person put on earth to bring people together and build community, it’s Tom Tafelsky. Once you enter the FoF world and hear those opening drumstick clicks, that family becomes your family. Yes, FoF improves your musical skills and where you once played in front of a couch there’s now a screaming, friendly audience who only want you to succeed." - Mark B (Guitarist).
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"I've had a great time participating in Festival Of Friends bandshare events. I'm currently in a band but this was my first opportunity to play without my safety net (my regular band mates). It was a great experience for me to meet other musicians and the event offered a good variety of music and the musicians who participated gave a great show... musicians all the way. The venue was great, sound was good, and my friends who attended had a great time. I do intend to participate in upcoming FoF Events and encourage others to get involved too!" -Michael S (Bassist).
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"Festival of Friends events provides me a great opportunity to play other music genres and songs on stage that I know and love, but normally would not have a chance to play with my regular band. It is truly awesome having met and been able to network with talented musicians in the Seattle area. It surprises me every time that none of the songs were rehearsed as a band because they almost always turn out amazing! I look forward to participating in all FoF Events as much as possible." -Rich W (Drummer).
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When I relocated to Seattle from Maui, I longed to join-up with fellow musicians again. Little did I know I would find a recreational musician community of such talented and welcoming people and have the opportunity to partake in a variety of gigs with several bands. It’s been over eight years now and I can happily say that I have found my bliss and musical tribe with Festival of Friends (FoF). It is always such a joy to perform on stage (and rock in the audience ) at every FoF event! It has been a true blessing to be a part of this amazingly supportive community and I look forward to many more years together.
- Natalie F (Vocalist).
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Songmixers / Community ShowcasesSongmixers events are pre-organized cover song performance collectives. Each Songmixers event is comprised up of a rotating roster of pre-registered musicians who perform an 18-20 song set of classic material.
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Bandmixers / Community ShowcasesBandmixers events feature "curated" cover bands. Bands are made up of musicians from within the Festival of Friends Events community and each band performs a 7-song mini-set of classic material.
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