Around The Mall » Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

The Great(est) Gatsby Playlist

Leah Binkovitz — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:50:59 +0000

The drinks were freer, the music brassier and the times, well, Gatsby-er. At least, that’s the picture F. Scott Fitzgerald creates with his tales of high society run wild in his 1925 novel, The Great Gatsby. Now set for yet another screen adaptation, this time thanks to the energetic hands of Baz Luhrmann, the novel continues to resonate today.

Its appeal is a dark but undeniable one, enough to let you weep alongside Daisy as she marvels inside Gatsby’s closet at his exquisite shirts. The clothes, the alcohol, the music–we get it, it’s a heady and seductive mix. So go ahead and throw your Gatsby-themed party (skipping the murder and suicide–oops, spoiler alert) and let the experts at Folkways supply the playlist.

Thanks to David Horgan and Corey Blake of Smithsonian Folkways for the inspired lineup that includes three tracks referenced in the novel itself, including “Three O’clock in the Morning,” which narrator Nick Carraway calls a “neat, sad little waltz.” The novel also mentions “The Sheik of Araby” and “A Love Nest,” which, in some versions, includes the poignant lyric:

Ever comes the question old,
“Shall we build for pride? Or,
Shall brick and mortar hold
worth and love inside?”

Inauguration Day 2013

Leah Binkovitz — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:00:35 +0000

Today, President Barack Obama will take the oath of office for his second term. Courtesy of the White House, 2009

Inauguration day, it’s finally here, along with millions of visitors looking to take in some uniquely D.C.-culture. While our special presidents tour from our visitors guide app will keep you exploring in your spare-time, this post is all about the when, where and how of January 21. Plus, a few select events happening around the Smithsonian, you know, in between the whole inauguration thing.

Hours

On Inauguration Day, January 21, Smithsonian museums on the National Mall are open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A few museums will open early—the Castle opens at 7:30 a.m., Sackler Gallery, Freer Gallery, Hirshhorn and African Art open at 8 a.m. Mall entrances on the south side will be closed. Visitors will be asked to use the Independence Ave. entrances.

The American Indian Museum and the Renwick Gallery are closed January 21.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Luce Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Lunder Conservation Center will be closed Sunday, January 20.

Street Closings

Most streets around the National Mall—including Independence and Constitution avenues and Jefferson and Madison drives—will be closed Monday, January 21.

Metro

The Archives, Smithsonian and Mt. Vernon Square stations will be closed Sunday, January 20 to Monday, January 21, midnight to 5:30 p.m. All other stations will open Monday, January 21 at 4 a.m.

Parking

No Parking on the National Mall after 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 20.

Restrooms

All museums, open to the public during designated hours, have accessible restrooms

Q&A: Joe Bataan, The King of Latin Soul

Joann Stevens — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:27:42 +0000

Dancing in the aisles at a recent Joe Bataan concert at the Smithsonian. All photos courtesy of Marie Antonette A. Ramos, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

Joe Bataan’s Band is slamming, delivering high energy salsa rhythms and soulful funk with a 1960s intensity and a new freshness. A few original members remain in the band but it is Bataan, the smooth, Afro-Filipino vocalist and keyboardist reared in Spanish Harlem, who drives the eclectic sound.

At a recent performance at the National Museum of Natural History nearly 500 fans, mostly Asian, Black, and Latino—aging from millennial to middle age—clapped and danced in the aisles or their seats. Some waved album covers and sang along. At age 69, Bataan is still the king. After the concert, Bataan took a few minutes to discuss with me the highs and lows of his career.

Joann Stevens is the program manager for Jazz Appreciation Month and a regular contributor to Around the Mall.

How have your audiences changed over the years?

The first supporters of my music were Latinos. Then with my crossover into rhythm and blues, I got the African American folk who learned I was part black. They liked my style. Recently, we’ve gotten Filipinos, Asian populations and people all over the world— Australia, Spain, Germany. I’m hoping to make a trip to Argentina soon.

Why do you think you have such broad appeal? Is it your heritage as an African American-Filipino from Spanish Harlem?

At 69, Joe Bataan is still king.

The nostalgic sound of my music is beginning to have an awakening among people who remember it and others who never heard it before. People are turned on to the Latin Soul sound. Music is a universal language and I happen to appeal to different cultures because of my openness. Being open to different cultures is right up my alley. I think if someone who wasn’t open or didn’t have my story tried to do this it wouldn’t work.

The Fugees covered your music in their runaway album The Score. How did you feel about that?

I thought it was whimsical until I learned it was an infringement of my music. I kept quiet about that a long time. But they were good about it and settled with my attorneys. It brought recognition to my sound. I guess you could say I got in one lump sum what I never received all those early years.

As America embraces its diversity how is your story and music instructive?

There are so many talented Asians, especially Filipinos, who don’t share their gifts. A lot of talented Filipinos never get off the island. A lot of people with mixed backgrounds were lost. We didn’t know where we fit in. With my song Ordinary Guy (Afro-Filipino) they’re beginning to come out and show pride in their mixed heritage. It’s no longer something to hide. My message is, it’s time to stand up and be as aggressive about who you are in life and in music as you are in the workforce. Bruno Mars and one of the Black Eyed Peas are of Filipino heritage.

What’s next on your schedule?

I’m working with Kilusan Bautista on a Unity Program that will get Asians involved all over the world. We want to launch a Unity Day November 2. He does a wonderful play, Universal Self. My touring will take me back to the Philippines in February, to London in March, and Rutgers University in April.

Any final words from the King of Latin Soul to his fans?

This is something I used to tell my kids when I was a youth counselor. There are three ingredients to success. The first is Spirit. You must believe in a supreme being who is bigger than yourself. I thank the Lord and lift him up for my success. The second is Health. You must take time to take care of your body. And the third is Knowledge. It’s criminal to let a day go by without learning something new.

Bataan: The three ingredients for success? Spirit, health and knowledge.

Joe Bataan performed and was honored at an October 19 Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center tribute highlighting his career and the socio-cultural activism of Asian, Latino and African American communities in the sixties and seventies. The Smithsonian Latino Center, The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, The Smithsonian Immigration/Migration Inititative, Smithsonian Consortium for Understanding the American Experience, and the National Museum of African American Heritage and Culture were co-collaborators.

How Much the Hope Diamond is Worth and Other Questions From Our Readers

Aviva Shen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:46:25 +0000

How much is the Hope Diamond worth? Ask Smithsonian.

Our inquisitive readers are rising to the challenge we gave them last month. The questions are pouring in and we’re ready for more. Do you have any questions for our curators? Submit your questions here.

How much is the Hope Diamond worth? — Marjorie Mathews, Silver Spring, Maryland

That’s the most popular question we get, but we don’t really satisfy people by giving them a number. There are a number of answers, but the best one is that we honestly don’t know. It’s a little bit like Liz Taylor’s jewels being sold in December—all kinds of people guessed at what they would sell for, but everybody I know was way off. Only when those pieces were opened up to bidding at a public auction could you find out what their values were. When they were sold, then at least for that day and that night you could say, well, they were worth that much. The Hope Diamond is kind of the same way, but more so. There’s simply nothing else like it. So how do you put a value on the history, on the fact it’s been here on display for over 50 years and a few hundred million people have seen it, and on that fact it’s a rare blue diamond on top of everything else? You don’t. – Jeffrey E. Post, mineralogist, National Museum of Natural History

What’s the worst impact of ocean acidification so far?- Nancy Schaefer, Virginia Beach, Virginia

The impacts of ocean acidification are really just starting to be felt, but two big reports that came out in 2011 show that it could have very serious effects on coral reefs. These studies did not measure the warming effect of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but rather its effect of making the ocean more acidic when it dissolves in the ocean. Places where large amounts of carbon dioxide seep into the water from the sea floor provide a natural experiment and show us how ocean waters might look, say, 50 or 100 years from now. Both studies showed branching, lacy, delicate coral forms are likely to disappear, and with them that kind of three-dimensional complexity so many species depend on. Also, other species that build a stony skeleton or shell, such as oysters or mussels, are likely to be affected. This happens because acidification makes carbonate ions, which these species need for their skeletons, less abundant.

Nancy Knowlton, marine biologist
National Museum of Natural History

Art and artifacts from ancient South Pacific and Pacific Northwest tribes have similarities in form and function. Is it possible that early Hawaiians caught part of the Kuroshio Current of the North Pacific Gyre to end up along the northwest coast of America from northern California to Alaska? — April Amy Croan, Maple Valley, Washington

Those similarities have given rise to various theories, including trans-Pacific navigation, independent drifts of floating artifacts, inadvertent crossings by ships that have lost their rudders or rigging, or whales harpooned in one area that died or were captured in a distant place. Some connections are well-known, like feather garment fragments found in an archaeological site in Southeast Alaska that appear to have been brought there by whaling ships that had stopped in the Hawaiian Islands, a regular route for 19th-century whalers. Before the period of European contact, the greatest similarities are with the southwest Pacific, not Hawaii. The Kushiro current would have facilitated Asian coastal contacts with northwestern North America, but would not have helped Hawaiians. The problem of identification is one of context, form and dating. Most of the reported similarities are either out of their original context (which can’t be reconstructed), or their form is not specific enough to relate to another area’s style, or the date of creation cannot be established. To date there is no acceptable proof for South Pacific-Northwest Coast historical connections that predates the European whaling era, except for links that follow the coastal region of the North Pacific into Alaska.

William Fitzhugh, archeologist
Natural History Museum

July 11: Today’s Events for the Last Day of the Folklife Festival

Julie Mianecki — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:26:04 +0000

Colombian carnival performers at the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Image by Julie Mianecki.

Welcome to the final day of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Make the most of the last events by trying Amazonian tucupí broth, made of scalded cassava, or try your hand at the tango. Look forward to the next 50 years of the Peace Corps at the Peace Porch and reflect on stories from the festival at the Session stage. There are no evening concerts tonight.

COLOMBIA

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Chirimía la Contundencia

11:45 PM–12:30 PM El Pueblo Canta

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Aires del Campo

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Don Abundio y sus Traviesos

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Grupo Cabrestero

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Aires del Campo

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Chirimía la Contundencia

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Amazonian Ceremonial Music & Dance

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Tango de Medellín

El Rumbiadero Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Aires del Campo

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Joropo Contrapunteo Workshop

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Tango Workshop

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Salsa Workshop

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Baudilio y sus Marimba and Cantaoras de Alabaos

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Circo Ciudad

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Carranguera Music & Dance Workshop

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Carnival Workshop

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Salsa Workshop

Me Contaron Los Abuelos Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Hat-Making Traditions

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Instrument-Making Tradidions

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Religious Sculpture

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Working with Clay

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Fish in the Amazon

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Andean Highland Crafts with Fibers

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Filigree Craft & Design

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Conversation with Artists

Sabores y Saberes Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Llanero Stew

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Smoked Chicken Stew

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Afternoon Snacks

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Sweets from Cali

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Amazonian Tucupí Broth

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Rice Bread

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Regional Empanadas

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Rice across the Regions

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Regional Drinks

THE PEACE CORPS

World Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

12:00 PM–1:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

1:00 PM–2:00 PM San Dancers from Botswana

2:00 PM–3:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

3:00 PM–4:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

4:00 PM–5:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Final Gathering

Peace Porch

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Diversity in the Peace Corps

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Sharing the United States with the World

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Sharing the World with the United States

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Capturing the Peace Corps Experience

2:00 PM–2:45 PM The Peace Corps’ Inspiration

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Being “The American”

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Peace Corps Families

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Capturing the Peace Corps Experience

5:00 PM–5:30 PM The Next Fifty Years

Home Cooking Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Jamaican Cooking

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Georgian Cooking

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Zambian Cooking

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Moroccan Cooking

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Malian Cooking

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Guatemalan Cooking

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Kyrgyz Cooking

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Tongan Cooking

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Just Desserts

RHYTHM AND BLUES

Session Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Vocal Roots

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Globe Posters and R&B

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Musical Crossroads

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Stories from the Studio

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Doo-Wop with the Swallows

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Music Communities

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Marketing & Promotion

4:15 PM–5:30 PM Stories from the Festival

Soulsville Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM Fred Wesley and The New JBs

12:05 PM–1:10 PM The Swallows

1:10 PM–2:15 PM The Jewels

2:15 PM–3:20 PM Smooth & EZ Hand Dance Institute

3:20 PM–4:25 PM Fred Wesley and The New JBs

4:20 PM–5:30 PM The Swallows

Motor City Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM The Dixie Cups

12:05 PM–1:10 PM Smooth & EZ Hand Dance Institute

1:10 PM–2:15 PM The Monitors

2:15 PM–3:20 PM Wind Workshop (Cross Program)

3:20 PM–4:25 PM The Dixie Cups

4:20 PM–5:30 PM The Monitors

July 10: Today’s Events at the Folklife Festival

Julie Mianecki — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 12:31:00 +0000

A visitor samples southeast Asian food at the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Image by Julie Mianecki.

Welcome to day nine of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Fuse two dance traditions at the event “Tango meets Salsa” at the El Rumbiadero stage today and learn about Colombian mask-making traditions at the Me Contaron Los Abuelos stage. Across the Mall, get a lesson in sharing the United States with the world from the Peace Corps or head over to the R&B section to listen to The Swallows and The Dixie Cups. Tonight, spend an evening with songwriter-producer team Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff or enjoy a performance of Peruvian music and dance.

COLOMBIA

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM El Pueblo Canta

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Grupo Cabrestero

12:30 PM–1:15 PM El Pueblo Canta

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Aires del Campo

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Chirimía la Contundencia & Cantaoras de Alabaos

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Amazonian Ceremonial Music and Dance

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Don Abundio y sus Traviesos

4:15 PM–5:00 PM El Pueblo Canta

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Parranda Paisa: Aires del Campo & Ayombe

El Rumbiadero Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Tango Workshop

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Circus Workshop

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Carranguera Music & Dance Workshop

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Salsa Workshop

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Joropo Workshop

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Tango meets Salsa

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Baudilio y su Marimba

4:15 PM–5:30 PM Carnival Workshop & Procession

Me Contaron Los Abuelos Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Amazonian Crafts

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Craft Market Strategies

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Mask-Making Traditions

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Making & Using Hammocks

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Building with Guadua Bamboo

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Creating Collectives

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Traditional Games

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Conversation with Artists

Sabores y Saberes Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Preparing the Mamona Beef Roast (Part 1 of 2)

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Boyacense Stew

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Momposino Cheese

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Aborrajados from Cali

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Rice Dishes

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Tamales

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Momposino Fish Stew

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Preparing the Mamona Beef Roast (Part 2 0f 2)

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Regional Exchange: Parrado

THE PEACE CORPS

World Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

12:00 PM–1:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

1:00 PM–2:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

2:00 PM–3:00 PM San Dancers from Botswana

3:00 PM–4:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

4:00 PM–5:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Peruvian Dance

Peace Porch

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Teaching & Learning

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Capturing the Peace Corps Experience

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Life after Peace Corps

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Peace Corps Families

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Being “The American”

2:45 PM–3:30 PM What Peace Corps Volunteers Do

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Sharing the World with the United States

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Sharing the United States with the World

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Thinking Globally, Living Locally

Home Cooking Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Ukrainian Cooking

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Kenyan Cooking

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Trees, Water & People

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Ghanaian Cooking

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Kyrgyz Cooking

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Zambian Cooking

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Peruvian Cooking

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Moroccan Cooking

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Just Desserts

RHYTHM AND BLUES

Session Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Vocal Roots

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Getting the Music Heard

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Globe Posters and R&B

1:15 PM–2:00 PM R&B through the Decades

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Musical Crossroads

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Social Dance

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Marketing & Promotion

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Doo-Wop with the Swallows

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Interview with Fred Wesley, Sam Lathan

Soulsville Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM The Swallows

12:05 PM–1:10 PM Fred Wesley and The New JBs

1:10 PM–2:15 PM The Dixie Cups

2:15 PM–3:20 PM The Swallows

3:20 PM–4:25 PM Fred Wesley and The New JBs

4:20 PM–5:30 PM The Dixie Cups

Motor City Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM The Monitors

12:05 PM–1:10 PM Fernando Jones

1:10 PM–2:15 PM Smooth & EZ Hand Dance Institute

2:15 PM–3:20 PM The Jewels

3:20 PM–4:25 PM The Monitors

4:20 PM–5:30 PM Fernando Jones

EVENING CONCERTS

World Stage

5:30 PM–7:00 PM Peruvian Music and Dance

Motor City Stage

6:00 PM–8:00 PM An Evening with Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff and a Tribute to Philadelphia International Records

July 9: Today’s Events at the Folklife Festival

Julie Mianecki — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 11:41:59 +0000

An abstract sculpture representing Colombian urban buildings at the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Image by Julie Mianecki.

Welcome to day eight of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival! Check out presentations about weaving and the environment and recycling in the arts this morning in the Colombia tents, then head over to the Peace Corps area to try out some Ukrainian, Jamaican and Georgian cooking. Later on, enjoy interview with musicians from The Jewels, The Monitors and The Dixie Cups. Tonight’s evening events include a memorial concert for Kate Rinzler, wife of Ralph Rinzler, the late founder of the Folklife Festival, and a concert of traditional Colombia music with Aires del Campo and Ayombe.

COLOMBIA

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Grupo Cabrestero

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Don Abundio y sus Traviesos

12:30 PM–1:15 PM El Pueblo Canta

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Encuentro: Don Abundio y sus Traviesos & Ayombe

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Chirimía la Contundencia

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Aires del Campo

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Grupo Cabrestero

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Chirimía la Contundencia

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Salsa de Cali

El Rumbiadero Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Circus Workshop

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Salsa Workshop

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Aires del Campo Workshop

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Tango Workshop

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Joropo Workshop

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Carranguera Music & Dance Workshop

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Circus Workshop

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Carnival Music Workshop

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Tango Workshop

Me Contaron Los Abuelos Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Weaving & the Environment

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Recycling in the Arts

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Cooking & the Environment

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Afro-Colombian Hairstyles

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Amazonian Ceremonial Stools

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Sustainable Gardening

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Conversation with Artists

Sabores y Saberes Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Amazonian Casabe

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Regional Corn Arepas

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Regional Baked Breads

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Antioqueño Beans

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Coconut Rice

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Onces Santafereñas

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Macetas: Decorating with Candy

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Chocoano Wraps

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Regional Exchange

THE PEACE CORPS

World Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

12:00 PM–1:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

1:00 PM–2:00 PM San Dancers from Botswana

2:00 PM–3:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

3:00 PM–4:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

4:00 PM–5:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

5:00 PM–5:30 PM San Dancers from Botswana

Peace Porch

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Sharing the United States with the World

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Sharing the World with the United States

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Peace Corps Families

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Life after Peace Corps

2:00 PM–2:45 PM The Peace Corps’ Inspiration

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Being “The American”

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Teaching and Learning

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Capturing the Peace Corps Experience

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Local Clothes, Food & Customs

Home Cooking Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Peace Corps Staff Cooking

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Peace Corps Staff Cooking

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Trees, Water & People

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Malian Cooking

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Tongan Cooking

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Jamaican Cooking

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Ukrainian Cooking

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Georgian Cooking

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Just Desserts

RHYTHM AND BLUES

Session Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Interview with Bill Myers and The Monitors

11:45 PM–12:30 PM R&B through the Decades

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Stories from the Road

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Interview with The Jewels

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Interview with The Dixie Cups

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Doo-Wop with The Swallows

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Getting the Music Heard

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Learning through Music

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Social Dance

Soulsville Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM The Jewels

12:05 PM–1:10 PM Fernando Jones

1:10 PM–2:15 PM The Monitors

2:15 PM–3:20 PM Fred Wesley and The New JBs

3:20 PM–4:25 PM The Jewels

4:20 PM–5:30 PM The Monitors

Motor City Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM Smooth & EZ Hand Dance Institute

12:05 PM–1:10 PM The Dixie Cups

1:10 PM–2:15 PM The Swallows

2:15 PM–3:20 PM Smooth & EZ Hand Dance Institute

3:20 PM–4:25 PM The Dixie Cups

4:20 PM–5:30 PM The Swallows

EVENING CONCERTS

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage

6:00 PM–8:00 PM Aires del Campo and Ayombe

World Stage

5:30 PM–7:30 PM Ralph Rinzler Memorial Concert: Remembering Kate Rinzler with Elizabeth Mitchell, Suni Paz, Chip Taylor and the Grandkids and others

July 8: Today’s Events at the Folklife Festival

Julie Mianecki — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:00:58 +0000

Presenters discuss the Peace Corps at the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Image by Julie Mianecki.

UPDATE: The Folklife Festival will close today at 4 p.m. due to severe thunderstorms. It will reopen tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Welcome to day seven of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival! This morning, learn a thing or two about improvisation at the El Rumbiadero stage or immerse yourself in the culture of Colombia’s coffee region next door at the Me Contaron Los Abuelos stage. Explore diversity in the Peace Corps later in the day then head over to the R&B tents to discuss music and communities. Tonight, choose between two great options: A musical journey through Colombia and an evening with The Dixie Cups, the 1960s girl group behind the song “Chapel of Love.”

COLOMBIA

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Aires del Campo

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Don Abundio y sus Traviesos

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Grupo Cabrestero

1:15 PM–2:00 PM El Pueblo Canta

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Don Abundio y sus Traviesos

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Chirimía la Contundencia

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Tango de Medellín

4:15 PM–5:30 PM Parrada Paisa: Aires del Campo & Ayombe

El Rumbiadero Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Improvising Workshop

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Circus Workshop

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Voice Workshop

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Tango Workshop

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Instrument-Making Workshop

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Salsa Workshop

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Carranguera Music & Dance Workshop

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Chirimía Music Workshop

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Circus Workshop

Me Contaron Los Abuelos Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Mining & Fishing

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Coffee Culture

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Ranching in the Plains

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Maintaining Languages

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Maloquero Wisdom

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Highlands & Coffee Region Basketry

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Conversation with Artists

Sabores y Saberes Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Mote de Quesoo Soup

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Momposino Cheese

12:30 PM–2:00 PM Regional Sausages

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Baked Regional Breads

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Amazonian Tucupí Broth

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Sweet Corn Arepas

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Candied Lime Rind

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Regional Exchange

THE PEACE CORPS

World Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

12:00 PM–1:00 PM San Dancers from Botswana

1:00 PM–2:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

2:00 PM–3:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

3:00 PM–4:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

4:00 PM–5:00 PM San Dancers from Botswana

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

Peace Porch

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Thinking Globally, Living Locally

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Peace Corps Families

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Sharing the World with the United States

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Sharing the United States with the World

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Capturing the Peace Corps Experience

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Diversity in the Peace Corps

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Life Peace Corps

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Being “The American”

5:00 PM–5:30 PM What Peace Corps Volunteers Do

Home Cooking Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Filipino Cooking

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Peruvian Cooking

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Kyrgyz Cooking

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Moroccan Cooking

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Ghanaian Cooking

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Guatemalan Cooking

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Kenyan Cooking

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Jamaican Cooking

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Just Desserts

RHYTHM AND BLUES

Session Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Social Dance

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Stories from the Road

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Musical Crossroads

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Doo-Wop with the Swallows

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Interview with The Jewels

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Radio as Promotion

3:30 PM–4:15 PM R&B through the Decades

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Learning through Music

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Music Communities

Soulsville Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM The Swallows

12:05 PM–1:10 PM The Jewels

1:10 PM–2:15 PM Fred Wesley and The New JBs

2:15 PM–3:20 PM Smooth & EZ Hand Dance Institute

3:20 PM–4:25 PM The Jewels

4:20 PM–5:30 PM Fred Wesley and The New JBs

Motor City Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM Fernando Jones

12:05 PM–1:10 PM The Monitors

1:10 PM–2:15 PM The Dixie Cups

2:15 PM–3:20 PM Fernando Jones

3:20 PM–4:25 PM The Monitors

4:20 PM–5:30 PM Smooth & EZ Hand Dance Institute

EVENING CONCERTS

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage

6:00 PM–8:30 PM Musical Journey through Colombia: Dancing Salsa, Carranguera and Joropo featuring Salsa de Cali, El Pueblo Canta and Grupo Cabrestero

Motor City Stage

6:00 PM–7:30 PM An Evening with the Dixie Cups

July 7: Today’s Events at the Folklife Festival

Julie Mianecki — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:30:11 +0000

Dancers from the National Hand Dance Association at the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Image by Julie Mianecki.

Welcome back to day six of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival! Settle in to today’s scheduled events with some cowboy stories in the Colombia tents, then head next door to try cholado, a common Colombian drink made from crushed ice, fruit and sweetened condensed milk. Later in the day, watch traditional dancers from the Ukraine and the Philippines and hear R&B artists tell stories from the road. Tonight, head over to the Motor City stage for an Evening with Fred Wesley and the New JBs.

COLOMBIA

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Don Abundio y sus Traviesos

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Aires del Campo

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Chirimía la Contundencia & Cantaoras de Alabaos

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Aires del Campo

2:00 PM–2:45 PM El Pueblo Canta

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Grupo Cabrestero

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Aires del Campo

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Chirimía la Contundencia

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Salsa de Cali

El Rumbiadero Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Circus Workshop

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Salsa Workshop

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Joropo Music & Dance Workshop

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Tango Workshop

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Circus Workshop/Baudilio y su Marimba

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Voice Workshop

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Carranguera Music & Dance Workshop

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Momposino Carnival Procession

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Tango Workshop

Me Contaron Los Abuelos Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Amazonian Occupations

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Cowboy Stories

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Ranching & Fishing

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Transportation in the Coffee Region

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Andean and Pacific Crafts

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Urban Artistic Alternatives

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Conversation with Artists

Sabores y Saberes Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Cholado from Cali

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Momposino Hayaco Stew

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Regional Wraps

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Medellín Fritters

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Momposino Candy

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Cali Fritters

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Pacific Seafood

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Cali Carnitas Costillas

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Regional Exchange

THE PEACE CORPS

World Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

12:00 PM–1:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

1:00 PM–2:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

2:00 PM–3:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

3:00 PM–4:00 PM San Dancers from Botswana

4:00 PM–5:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

Peace Porch

11:00 AM–11:45 PM The Peace Corps’ Inspiration

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Life after the Peace Corps

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Being “The American”

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Capturing the Peace Corps Experience

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Teaching & Learning

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Peace Corps Families

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Sharing the United States with the World

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Sharing the World with the United States

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Local Clothes, Food & Customs

Home Cooking Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Colombian Cooking

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Malian Cooking

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Kyrgyz Cooking

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Georgian Cooking

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Ukrainian Cooking

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Zambian Cooking

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Filipino Cooking

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Ghanaian Cooking

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Just Desserts

RHYTHM AND BLUES

Session Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Learning through Music

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Interview with Fred Wesley

12:30 PM–1:15 PM R&B through the Decades

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Globe Posters and R&B

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Music Communities

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Social Dance

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Marketing & Promotion

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Stories from the Road

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Doo-Wop with the Swallows

Soulsville Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM The Dixie Cups

12:05 PM–1:10 PM The Monitors

1:10 PM–2:15 PM Fernando Jones

2:15 PM–3:20 PM The Dixie Cups

3:20 PM–4:25 PM Fernando Jones

4:20 PM–5:30 PM Smooth & EZ Hand Dance Institute

Motor City Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM Smooth & EZ Hand Dance Institute

12:05 PM–1:10 PM The Swallows

1:10 PM–2:15 PM Fred Wesley and The New JBs

2:15 PM–3:20 PM The Jewels

3:20 PM–4:25 PM The Swallows

4:20 PM–5:30 PM The Jewels

EVENING CONCERTS

Motor City Stage

6:00 PM–7:30 PM An Evening with Fred Wesley and the New JBs

July 4: Today’s Events at the Folklife Festival

Julie Mianecki — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:15:17 +0000

An example of Colombian highland weaving at the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Image by Julie Mianecki.

Welcome to day five, the Fourth of July, at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival! Today, broaden your horizons with Tango de Medellín, a pair of dancers who teach tango as an alternative activity to counteract the violence in the Medellín, a former drug capital once known as the world’s most violent city. Just down the Mall, learn about how Peace Corps members deal with what it means to be “the American” during their time abroad or watch the National Hand Dance Association perform their unique form of swing dancing. There are no evening concerts tonight because of the holiday, but stick around the Mall for a magnificent fireworks display after sunset.

COLOMBIA

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM El Pueblo Canta

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Grupo Cabrestero

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Aires del Campo

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Don Abundio y sus Traviesos

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Chirimía la Contundencia & Cantaoras de Alabaos

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Aires del Campo

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Chirimía la Contundencia

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Grupo Cabrestero

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Tango de Medellín

El Rumbiadero Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Aires del Campo Workshop

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Tango Workshop

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Amazonian Ceremonial Music & Dance

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Carranguera Music & Dance Workshop

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Salsa Workshop

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Regional Songs

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Instrument-Making Workshop/Circus Workshop

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Carnival Workshop

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Salsa Workshop

Me Contaron Los Abuelos Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Hat and Weaving Traditions

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Instrument-Making Traditions

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Religious Sculpture

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Andean Highland Crafts with Fibers

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Fish in the Amazon

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Working with Clay

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Filigree Craft and Design

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Conversation with Artists

Sabores y Saberes Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Amazonian Tucupí Broth

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Momposino Cheese

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Llanero Stew

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Boyacense Stew

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Cholado from Cali

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Momposino Cuisine

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Llano Wraps

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Regional Empanadas

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Beverage Traditions

THE PEACE CORPS

World Stage:

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

12:00 PM–1:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

1:00 PM–2:00 PM San Dancers from Botswana

2:00 PM–3:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

3:00 PM–4:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

4:00 PM–5:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

5:00 PM–5:30 PM San Dancers from Botswana

Peace Porch

11:00 AM–11:45 PM What Peace Corps Volunteers Do

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Peace Corps Families

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Capturing the Peace Corps Experience

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Being “The American”

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Sharing the World with the United States

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Sharing the United States with the World

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Teaching & Learning

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Life after the Peace Corps

5:00 PM–5:30 PM The Peace Corps’ Inspiration

Home Cooking Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Kenyan Cooking

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Guatemalan Cooking

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Ukrainian Cooking

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Ghanaian Cooking

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Malian Cooking

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Kyrgyz Cooking

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Peruvian Cooking

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Trees, Water & People

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Just Desserts

RHYTHM AND BLUES

Session Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Learning through Music

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Radio as Promotion

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Social Dance

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Interview with William Bell

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Vocal Roots

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Stories from the Studio

3:30 PM–4:15 PM The Music Industry

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Doo-Wop with Sonny Til’s Orioles

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Stax Music Academy

Soulsville Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM Stax Music Academy

12:05 PM–1:10 PM Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls

1:10 PM–2:15 PM Swamp Dogg

2:15 PM–3:20 PM Sonny Til’s Orioles

3:20 PM–4:25 PM Stax Music Academy

4:20 PM–5:30 PM Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls

Motor City Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM National Hand Dance Association

12:05 PM–1:10 PM The Funk Brothers

1:10 PM–2:15 PM Nat Dove

2:15 PM–3:20 PM National Hand Dance Association

3:20 PM–4:25 PM Nat Dove

4:20 PM–5:30 PM The Funk Brothers

July 3: Today’s Events at the Folklife Festival

Julie Mianecki — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 13:15:41 +0000

Smithsonian Castle serves as a backdrop to the the Motor City stage at the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Image by Julie Mianecki.

Welcome to day four of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival! This morning, watch Aires del Campo, a traditional string music ensemble from the coffee region of Colombia, perform on the Al Son Que Me Toquen stage. Check out dancers from Botswana and the Philippines in the Peace Corps tents, and head over to the R&B area to enjoy performances by Swamp Dogg, Nat Dove, Sonny Til’s Orioles and more. Tonight, choose between an evening with The Funk Brothers and The Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali.

COLOMBIA

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Aires del Campo

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Chirimía la Contundencia

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Don Abundio y sus Traviesos

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Grupo Cabrestero

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Aires del Campo

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Encuentro: El Pueblo Canta & Cimarrón

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Tango de Medellín

4:15 PM–5:30 PM Encuentro: Chirimía la Contundencia & Don Abundio y

sus Traviesos

El Rumbiadero Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Drumming and Drum-Making Workshop

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Tango Meets Salsa

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Bandolas across Traditions

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Carranguera Music & Dance

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Instrument-Making Workshop/Circus Workshop

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Voices of the Pacific

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Circus Workshop

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Carranguera Music & Dance Workshop

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Salsa Workshop

Me Contaron Los Abuelos Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Amazonian Crafts

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Craft Market Strategies

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Making & Using Hammocks

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Building with Guadua Bamboo

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Mask-Making Traditions

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Creating Collectives

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Conversation with Artists

Sabores y Saberes Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Preparing the Mamona Beef Roast (Part 1 of 2)

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Coffee Regions Cuisine

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Momposino Cheese

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Corn & Wheat Arepas

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Amazonian Tucupí Broth

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Rice across the Regions

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Macetas: Decorating with Candy

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Preparing the Mamona Beef Roast (Part 2 of 2)

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Regional Liquors

THE PEACE CORPS

World Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM San Dancers from Botswana

12:00 PM–1:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

1:00 PM–2:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

2:00 PM–3:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

3:00 PM–4:00 PM San Dancers from Botswana

4:00 PM–5:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

Peace Porch

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Diversity in the Peace Corps

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Life after Peace Corps

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Sharing the United States with the World

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Sharing the World with the United States

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Being “The American”

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Local Clothes, Food & Customs

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Peace Corps Families

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Capturing the Peace Corps Experience

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Thinking Globally, Living Locally

Home Cooking Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Filipino Cooking

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Zambian Cooking

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Georgian Cooking

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Trees, Water & People Cooking

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Tongan Cooking

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Kyrgyz Cooking

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Jamaican Cooking

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Peruvian Cooking

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Just Desserts

RHYTHM AND BLUES

Session Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Interview with Nat Dove

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Interview with Beverly Lindsay-Johnson

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Stories from the Studio

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Getting the Music Heard

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Keeping the Legacy Alive

2:45 PM–3:30 PM R&B through the Decades

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Social Dance

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Voices (Cross Program)

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Interview with Sonny Til’s Orioles

Soulsville Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM Sonny Til’s Orioles

12:05 PM–1:10 PM Swamp Dogg

1:10 PM–2:15 PM Nat Dove

2:15 PM–3:20 PM Sonny Til’s Orioles

3:20 PM–4:25 PM Nat Dove

4:20 PM–5:30 PM Swamp Dogg

Motor City Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls

12:05 PM–1:10 PM Stax Music Academy

1:10 PM–2:15 PM National Hand Dance Association

2:15 PM–3:20 PM The Funk Brothers

3:20 PM–4:25 PM Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls

4:20 PM–5:30 PM Stax Music Academy

EVENING CONCERTS

World Stage

6:00 PM–7:30 PM The Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

Motor City Stage

6:00 PM–7:30 PM An Evening with The Funk Brothers

July 2: Today’s Events at the Folklife Festival

Julie Mianecki — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 13:15:08 +0000

Presenters at the Peace Corps Home Cooking stage at the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Image by Julie Mianecki.

Welcome to day three of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival! Check out the Peace Corps events today to try some traditional Moroccan food or attend their session on what it’s like to be the family of a Peace Corps volunteer. Head over to the Colombia tents to try your hand at the marimba and get schooled on Afro-Colombian hairstyles, or stop by the R&B section to listen to Nat Dove. Tonight, join the crowds at the R&B tents for an evening with soul artist Swamp Dogg or at the Colombia tents for Chirimía la Contundencia, a traditional brass band, and Grupo Cimarrón, an all-star team of instrumentalists and singers from the joropo llanero tradition.

COLOMBIA

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Aires del Campo

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Don Abundio y sus Traviesos

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Chirimía la Contundencia & Cantaoras de Alabaos

1:15 PM–2:00 PM El Pueblo Canta

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Aires del Campo

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Chirimía la Contundencia

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Grupo Cabrestero

4:15 PM–5:00 PM El Pueblo Canta

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Salsa de Cali

El Rumbiadero Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Women’s Voices in Music

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Carranga Music & Dance Workshop

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Bandolas across Traditions

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Tango Workshop

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Marimba & Drums Workshop

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Salsa Workshop/Circus Workshop

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Aires del Campo Workshop

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Carnival Workshop

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Tango Workshop

Me Contaron Los Abuelos Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Weaving & the Environment

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Recycling in the Arts

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Cooking & the Environment

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Afro-Colombian Hairstyles

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Amazonian Ceremonial Stools

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Sustainable Gardening

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Instrument Making Traditions

Sabores y Saberes Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Corn & Wheat Arepas

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Aborrajados from Cali

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Regional Wraps

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Boyacense Appetizers

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Baked Regional Breads

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Macetas: Decorating with Candy

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Amazonian Tucupí Broth

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Momposino Cuisine

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Regional Exchange

THE PEACE CORPS

World Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

12:00 PM–1:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

1:00 PM–2:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

2:00 PM–3:00 PM San Dancers from Botswana

3:00 PM–4:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

4:00 PM–5:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

Peace Porch

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Sharing the World with the United States

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Sharing the United States with the World

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Life after Peace Corps

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Peace Corps Families

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Capturing the Peace Corps Experience

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Teaching & Learning

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Being “The American”

4:15 PM–5:00 PM What Peace Corps Volunteers Do

5:00 PM–5:30 PM The Peace Corps’ Inspiration

Home Cooking Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Moroccan Cooking

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Kyrgyz Cooking

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Guatemalan Cooking

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Kenyan Cooking

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Malian Cooking

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Filipino Cooking

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Ghanaian Cooking

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Jamaican Cooking

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Just Desserts

RHYTHM AND BLUES

Session Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Interview with Bob Babbitt and Eddie Willis

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Learning through Music

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Getting the Music Heard

1:15 PM–2:00 PM From Gospel to R&B

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Social Dance

2:45 PM–3:30 PM R&B through the Decades

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Marketing & Promotion

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Songwriting

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Doo-Wop with Sonny Til’s Orioles

Soulsville Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM Nat Dove

12:05 PM–1:10 PM Sonny Til’s Orioles

1:10 PM–2:15 PM Stax Music Academy

2:15 PM–3:20 PM Sonny Til’s Orioles

3:20 PM–4:25 PM National Hand Dance Association

4:20 PM–5:30 PM Stax Music Academy

Motor City Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls

12:05 PM–1:10 PM National Hand Dance Association

1:10 PM–2:15 PM The Funk Brothers

2:15 PM–3:20 PM Swamp Dogg

3:20 PM–4:25 PM Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls

4:20 PM–5:30 PM The Funk Brothers

EVENING CONCERTS

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage

6:00 PM–8:00 PM Chirimía la Contundencia and Grupo Cimarrón

Motor City Stage

6:00 PM–7:30 PM An Evening with Swamp Dogg

July 1: Today’s Events at the Folklife Festival

Julie Mianecki — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:15:32 +0000

Kenyan basket weavers at the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Image by Julie Mianecki.

Welcome to day two of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival! This morning, enjoy some music from South America with Chirimía la Contundencia. This group, composed of wind and percussion instruments, jams to traditional rhythms of the Colombian Pacific. Later on, take a trip back in time to the era of doo-wop with Sonny Til’s Orioles or head over to the Peace Corps’ Home Cooking stage to sample cuisine from Peru, Mali and more. Tonight, check out the Motor City stage for an evening with Miss Martha Reeves, legendary lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, the group behind “Dancing in the Street,” or join Circo Ciudad, Tango de Medellín and Don Abundio y sus Traviesos for a musical journey through Colombia.

COLOMBIA

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Chirimía la Contundencia

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Aires del Campo

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Grupo Cabrestero

1:15 PM–2:00 PM El Pueblo Canta

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Chirimía la Contundencia

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Don Abundio y sus Traviesos

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Aires del Campo

4:15 PM–5:30 PM Improvising Verses: El Pueblo Canta, Cimarrón & Grupo Cabrestero

El Rumbiadero Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Joropo Contrapunteo Workshop

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Carnival Workshop

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Baudilio y su Marimba

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Salsa Workshop/Circus Workshop

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Vocal Workshop

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Carranguera Music & Dance Workshop

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Tango Workshop

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Mompox Dance Workshop

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Salsa Workshop

Me Contaron Los Abuelos Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Mining & Fishing

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Coffee Culture

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Ranching in the Plains

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Maintaining Languages

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Malquero Wisdom

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Highlands & Coffee Region Basketry

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Conversation with Artists

Sabores y Saberes Stage:

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Momposino Cheese

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Mote de Queso Soup

12:30 PM–2:00 PM Regional Sausages

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Amazonian Tucupí Broth

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Candied Lime Rind

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Pandebono Bread & Manjar Blanco

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Building a Bread Oven

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Regional Exchange

THE PEACE CORPS

World Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

12:00 PM–1:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

1:00 PM–2:00 PM San Dancers from Botswana

2:00 PM–3:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

3:00 PM–4:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

4:00 PM–5:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

5:00 PM–5:30 PM San Dancers from Botswana

Peace Porch

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Thinking Globally, Living Locally

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Deaf Peace Corps Volunteers

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Being “The American”

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Life After the Peace Corps

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Peace Corps Families

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Local Clothes, Food & Customs

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Sharing the World with the United States

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Sharing the United States with the World

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Diversity in the Peace Corps

Home Cooking Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Ukrainian Cooking

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Kenyan Cooking

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Tongan Cooking

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Zambian Cooking

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Georgian Cooking

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Trees, Water & People

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Peruvian Cooking

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Malian Cooking

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Just Desserts

RHYTHM AND BLUES

Session Stage

11:00 AM–11:45 PM Women’s Voices

11:45 PM–12:30 PM Interview with Swamp Dogg

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Keeping the Legacy Alive

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Social Dance

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Doo-Wop with Sonny Til’s Orioles

2:45 PM–3:30 PM R&B through the Decades

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Musical Crossroads

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Getting the Music Heard

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Stories from the Studio

Soulsville Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM Stax Music Academy

12:05 PM–1:10 PM Sonny Til’s Orioles

1:10 PM–2:15 PM Swamp Dogg

2:15 PM–3:20 PM Stax Music Academy

3:20 PM–4:25 PM National Hand Dance Association

4:20 PM–5:30 PM Swamp Dogg

Motor City Stage

11:00 AM–12:05 PM National Hand Dance Association

12:05 PM–1:10 PM The Funk Brothers

1:10 PM–2:15 PM Nat Dove

2:15 PM–3:20 PM Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls

3:20 PM–4:25 PM The Funk Brothers

4:20 PM–5:30 PM Nat Dove

EVENING CONCERTS

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage

6:00 PM–8:30 PM Musical Journey through Colombia: City Expressions and Caribbean Rhythms featuring Circo Ciudad, Tango de Medellín and Don Abundio y sus Traviesos

Motor City Stage

6:00 PM–8:00 PM An Evening with Miss Martha Reeves

June 30: Today’s Events at the Folklife Festival

Julie Mianecki — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:08:35 +0000

Welcome to the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival! Each morning of the festival,

The tents go up for the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Photo by Julie Mianecki.

Around the Mall will publish a list of events to help you navigate the National Mall and get the most out of your visit. This year’s event features three themes: Colombia, the Peace Corps and rhythm and blues music. Come celebrate summer with ten days of food, music, dancing, storytelling, culture and more on June 30, July 1-4 and July 7-11. Visit the National Mall today, June 30, and get a lesson in the tango, learn about what Peace Corps volunteers do, and watch the Funk Brothers perform. At night, join in on a Soul Train dance party!

COLOMBIA

Al Son Que Me Toquen Stage:

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Opening Ceremony

12:00 PM–12:30 PM Don Abundio y sus Traviesos

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Aires del Campo

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Grupo Cabrestero

2:00 PM–2:45 PM El Pueblo Canta

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Chirimía la Contundencia

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Aires del Campo

4:15 PM–5:00 PM El Pueblo Canta

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Salsa de Cali

El Rumbiadero Stage:

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Opening Ceremony

12:00 PM–12:30 PM Salsa Workshop

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Carranguera Music &Dance Workshop

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Tango Workshop/Circus Wworkshop

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Carnival Workshop

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Regional Songs & Voice Workshop

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Tango Workshop

4:15 PM–5:30 PM Pacific Music Workshop: Marimba, Chírimía, Alabaos

Me Contaron Los Abuelos Stage:

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Opening Ceremony

12:00 PM–12:30 PM Cowboy Stories

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Ranching & Fishing

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Ceremonial Music & Dance at Amazonian Circle

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Transportation in the Coffee Region

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Andean & Pacific Crafts

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Urban Artistic Alternatives

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Macetas: Decorating with Candy

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Regional Drinks

Sabores y Saberes Stage:

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Opening Ceremony

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Antioqueño Beans

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Regional Candy

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Baked Regional Beans

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Beverage Traditions

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Onces Santafereñas

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Macetas: Decorating with Candy

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Regional Drinks

THE PEACE CORPS

World Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Opening Ceremony

12:00 PM–1:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

1:00 PM–2:00 PM Opika Performance Group from Ukraine

2:00 PM–3:00 PM Tinikling Dancers from Philippines

3:00 PM–4:00 PM San Dancers from Botswana

4:00 PM–5:00 PM Garifuna Collective featuring Umalali

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Opika from Ukraine

Peace Porch

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Opening Ceremony

12:00 PM–12:30 PM Thinking Globally, Living Locally

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Sharing the United States with the World

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Sharing the World with the United States

2:00 PM–2:45 PM What Peace Corps Volunteers Do

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Being “The American”

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Peace Corps Families

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Capturing the Peace Corps Experience

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Life After Peace Corps

Home Cooking Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Opening Ceremony

12:00 PM–12:30 PM Ukrainian Cooking

12:30 PM–1:15 PM Filipino Cooking

1:15 PM–2:00 PM Ghanaian Cooking

2:00 PM–2:45 PM Malian Cooking

2:45 PM–3:30 PM Jamaican Cooking

3:30 PM–4:15 PM Moroccan Cooking

4:15 PM–5:00 PM Kyrgyz Cooking

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Just Desserts

RHYTHM AND BLUES

Session Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Opening Ceremony

12:00 PM–12:45 PM Social Dance

12:45 PM–1:30 PM Keeping the Legacy Alive

1:30 PM–2:15 PM Learning through Music

2:15 PM–3:00 PM Getting the Music Heard

3:00 PM–3:45 PM R&B through the Decades

3:45 PM–4:30 PM Interview with Shirley Jones

4:30 PM–5:30 PM R&B through the Decades

Soulsville Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Opening Ceremony

12:00 PM–1:05 PM Swamp Dogg

1:05 PM–2:10 PM Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls

2:10 PM–3:15 PM Swamp Dogg

3:15 PM–4:20 PM Nat Dove

4:20 PM–5:30 PM Stax Music Academy

Motor City Stage

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Opening Ceremony

12:00 PM–1:05 PM Sonny Til’s Orioles

1:05 PM–2:10 PM The Funk Brothers

2:10 PM–3:15 PM National Hand Dance Association

3:15 PM–4:20 PM Sonny Til’s Orioles

4:20 PM–5:30 PM The Funk Brothers

EVENING CONCERTS

Motor City Stage

6:00 PM–9:00 PM An Evening with Soul Train and Dance Party

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps

Arcynta Ali Childs — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:16:39 +0000

Sargent Shriver at a Peace Corps press conference. Image courtesy of the Peace Corps

On October 14, 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy gave a speech to students at the University of Michigan in which he challenged them—future doctors, technicians and engineers–to further the cause of peace by living and working, for a time, in developing nations as a service to their country.

Five months later, on March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed the executive order officially establishing the Peace Corps within the U.S. State Department. Today, we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of that proclamation.

The primary goals of the Peace Corps are threefold: to help people in interested countries meet their need for trained volunteers, to help promote a better understanding of Americans by those served and to help promote a better understanding of other people on the part of Americans. Since 1961, more than 200,000 people have heeded that call to service, volunteering in over 139 countries.

This year, the Smithsonian honors the accomplishments of the Peace Corps by celebrating its volunteers and the people they serve during the 2011 Folklife Festival. The Peace Corps program is designed to bridge cultures and foster greater understanding by promoting awareness and appreciation for the countries in which Peace Corps volunteers have lived.

Once volunteers return home from their 27 months of service, their lives are forever changed, often requiring some blending. When Jason Bowers, program coordinator for the Peace Corps Program, returned from his years of service teaching in Slovakia, he moved to New York, where he found and visited lived in a small Slovak community in Queens. “I was able to live both of my lives, my American life and my Slovak life, by attending cultural events, visiting restaurants, bars or stores that were owned by Slovaks,” he said. ”I was able to really participate in the third goal by bringing my experience back to other Americans and also to Slovak Americans who themselves may not have been back to their mother country in a number of years.”

Bowers was also able to share his experience with his parents who were not able to visit him in Slovakia, but got a taste of what his life was like there while visiting him in New York. That, he says, is the essence of the Folklife Festival. “It’s a great opportunity for anyone who has ever been connected to Peace Corps, whether directly themselves as a volunteer, or for parents, for families, or even children of volunteers, to share some of that experience,” he says.

Today, the Peace Corps is still active in 77 countries around the world, with volunteers focusing their efforts in the fields of education, health, business development, the environment and youth development, among others. “One of the goals of Folklife is to help our public better understand what Peace Corps volunteers have done during the past 50 years and also to better understand the cultures worldwide with whom Peace Corps volunteers have been interacting and working,” said James Deutsch, program curator for the Peace Corps program.

Bringing together past and present volunteers with many of the people from other countries with whom they have served, visitors are invited to join in the festivities and enjoy musical and theatrical performances, craft demonstrations, food and cooking demonstrations, dancing and hands-on activities for the entire family.

This free festival, held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., June 30-July 4 and July 7-11, 2011, will also feature programs on Colombia and North American Rhythm & Blues.

As celebrations for the Peace Corps semicentennial continue throughout the year, President Kennedy’s initial message still rings clear —”I think Americans are willing to contribute,” he said. “But the effort must be far greater than we have ever made in the past.”

Update: March 3, 2011: This post was updated to correct an error and to add additional information.