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Location: National Mall
Time: June 23-27, 30-July 4 11am-5:30pm, concerts, special events and dance parties until 9pm
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival will be celebrating its 39th consecutive appearance this year. Visitors will learn about an ""edible schoolyard,"" wilderness survival skills, date-palm harvesting and the importance of music in the Latino culture.
""Food Culture USA"" explores how food has helped to bring Americans together. Chef Alice Waters will re-create her ""Edible Schoolyard."" This project teaches students everyday skills and life values in a communal garden by allowing them to grow, harvest and prepare fresh seasonal produce.
Professional chefs, including Emeril Lagasse, traditional cookbook authors such as Sheila Lukins will demonstrate specialties that have strong connections to their communities.
""Forest Service, Culture and Community"" brings together more than 100 participants from across the country, including wildlife biologists, botanists, bird banders, smoke jumpers and camp clicks, to mark the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. An ""interactive forest"" on the Mall, with 20 to 30 different live trees, will provide an area for tree doctors, rangers and interpreters to conduct hands-on tours for visitors.
The ""Sounds of the Forest"" stage will feature narrative sessions, along with music performed by current Forest Service employees, including the Blue Rangers, the Fiddlin’ Foresters and Riders in the Dirt. The program encourages visitors to practice bird calling, experiment with wilderness survival skills and make paper from recycled products.
""Oman: Desert, Oasis and Sea"" features more tan 100 musicians, dancers, craftspeople and cooks representing the diverse cultural traditions from across Oman, a country located on the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
Visitors will see craftspeople create sturdy date-leaf baskets, beautiful leatherwork and elaborate silver jewelry as well as boat building.
""Nuestra Música: Music in Latino Culture"" presents an evening concert series showcasing a variety of musical styles and cultures. Performers include Los Camperos de Valles, a trio from Mexico; Eliseo y su Chanchona Melódica Oriental, playing a spirited, unique style of music from El Salvador; Los Plenaros de la 21, performing Puerto Rican bomba and plena music; and the JCJ Band, specializing in Dominican merengue.
The Festival Marketplace, located in front of the Freer Gallery of Art, will sell merchandise produced by Festival artisans, as well as a selection of related books and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. There will be daily performances at the Marketplace, along with CD and book signings. |