Billy Burke
Keynote Speaker
A local guy, Billy Burke was born in Everett, WA and raised in Bellingham, WA. He started singing in grade school, and created a band at age fifteen. Burke is a self-taught actor and musician. He moved to LA as a musician, and a demo deal with a major record label that "didn't quite pan out" left him to explore the only other thing he "knew he was good at.”
Billy Burke has been in many shows and movies, but he is perhaps best known for his work as Charlie Swan in the Twilight Saga movies, Maid, 24, Zoo, Revolution, Most Dangerous Game, Major Crimes, The Closer, Rizzoli and Isles, a few episodes of Gilmore Girls and Party of Five, and his newest hit, now on Friday nights on CBS, is Fire Country. He’s worked alongside Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling, John Travolta, Joaquin Phoenix, Morgan Freeman, Diane Lane, Andie McDowell. Burke has played a lot of "bad guys with facial hair,” but he’s also known for his deadpan wit and nuanced acting.
Burke’s first love will always be music, and his most recent albums are: the Underkill (2018) and Removed (2010).
Manuel (Manny) R. Cawaling
Host
A performer, theatre director, arts educator, heritage specialist and community organizer and has worked extensively in King County's cultural field for thirty years. Born and raised in Seattle, Cawaling is committed to the rich history and diverse cultures within the Pacific Northwest. Over his career, he has held positions at a variety of local cultural organizations including Pilgrim Center for the Arts, NW Asian American Theatre, Seattle Children's Museum, and Wing Luke Asian Museum. As an Executive leader, he has led the management of Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center and Youth Theatre Northwest. To support the evolving field, Cawaling has volunteered for a variety of boards and commissions including the League of Fringe Theaters, Seattle's Public Art Advisory Group, Washington State Arts Alliance, Seattle Center Commission, and the Gay City Arts Curating Council, among others. Cawaling’s creative work of theatre performances and museum exhibits have earned accolades and local awards. Currently, Cawaling is focused on nurturing state-wide cultural opportunities as the Executive Director for Inspire Washington.