This week on Sound Effect, we share stories of traditions.
Tacoma Cotillion
Tacoma has a very formal gathering where young women who’ve just graduated from high school are “presented” to society at a ball. Long white dresses, red roses, just the right shoes and knowing how to waltz are all requirements for taking part in this annual fete. Host Jennifer Wing takes us on a tour of the history of the Holiday Cotillion of Tacoma and finds that the tradition started in the winter of 1961 because of a call from a NBC producer.
Laser Floyd
Our next tradition kicks off in the '70s and is a mixture of science, art, fog and music - welcome to the laser show. Producer Warren Langford heads over to the Seattle Science Center to talk about the one show that never leaves the line-up, "Laser Floyd.”
Chinese Burials
It would make sense to then have a story of a tradition from the '80s, and we do — the 1880s. Well, around that era at least. Maurice Guibord is a vice president of the British Columbia Historical Federation and a researcher on cemeteries and he explained to producer Matthew Streib the complicated relationship that Chinese immigrants had with cemeteries and access in the 1800s.
Breaking The Tradition Of Priesthood
Diane Whalen grew up wanting to be close to God. As a little girl in Catholic school, that meant being a nun. She then discovered boys, which meant it was time for a new plan. She took on various leadership roles in the church over the years, but none seemed to satisfy her calling. Then, as an adult, she became the first woman in Washington to be ordained by the organization Roman Catholic Womenpriests.
A Decades Long Game Of Tag
There are lots of games we all played in the schoolyard when we were kids — foursquare, tether ball, maybe some capture the flag if there’s enough time before the bell rang. Some of us just can’t let go. Here in the Northwest, there’s a group of middle-aged men who play an intense game of tag for one month out of the year. They’ve been doing this for decades. Sound Effect host Jennifer Wing tells us that the game of tag these guys playinvolves planning, forming alliances, sleight of hand, and sometimes — a little cross dressing.
Sound Effect is your weekly tour of ideas, inspired by the place we live. The show is hosted by knkx's Jennifer Wing.
