- Mark Twain
Charmaine "Lady Li-Lei" Slaven, performs percussive dance in the Appalachian mountain tradition. Her dancing contributes exciting energy and visual elements to old time music, a traditional relationship. Charmaine possesses skillful coordination, stamina, showmanship, and sense for dynamic percussion that lends exciting energy and flavor to her performances. By painstakingly creating her own wood taps and portable dance floor, she adds a unique warm sound to her percussive dance that can't be duplicated by commercial metal taps.
Charmaine's strong sense of rhythm and energetic drive carries through in her guitar & ukulele playing. Her clear, strong, and somewhat raw singing style is reminescent of artists such as the Carter Family, Bessie Smith, & the Coon Creek Girls. Her repetoire is based mainly in traditional ballads and tunes, though she also writes creative original compositions.
Her current projects include playing rhythm guitar and buckdancing in the The Tallboys old time string band; performing in an old time variety duet with Charlie Beck - singer/songwriter, guitarist, & banjo player; working in music booking/promotion, graphics design, and web design. She and her talented musical accomplices are based in Seattle, Washington & can be found in a variety of locales including the Tractor Tavern, Conor Byrne Pub, Jules Maes Saloon, Pike's Place Public Market, Victrola Coffee, Seattle-Area Farmers' Markets & Festivals, & community square dances. She also spreads her fever for dance by offering occasional lessons and workshops in the community. Don't miss an opportunity to see this fantastic performer in action.