A warm breezy day brought another round of cultural curiosities and explorations on the National Mall. It was our busiest day so far this year, with each tent—whether music, discussion, cheese making, or otherwise—continuously packed. Down the street, the Festival Marketplace and On the Move displays in the Arts and Industries Building provided a dynamic destination for souvenirs and shade.
Gauden Bat came to Washington, D.C., from Chino, California, to dance in the Basque: Innovation by Culture program and ended up right back in California! Photo by Francisco Guerra, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
This weekend only, a few Basque athletes are competing at wood chopping, known as aizkolaritza. The fastest to chop their log in two with ax swings between their legs is the victor. Photo by Joe Furgal, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Instrument maker Ramón Gutiérrez (in white, left) had been working on building a requinto jarocho since the Festival began on Wednesday. Today he completed it, and instantly started a jam with Sounds of California presenter Russell Rodriguez (right). Photo by Francisco Guerra, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Grupo Nuu Yuku posed in the bell of Pedro Flores’s sousaphone before their performance with Banda Brillo de San Miguel Cuevas at the Sounds of California Stage & Plaza. Photo by Ronald Villasante, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Today Basque athlete Juan Maria “Txirpu” Aurtenetxe opened up the bola-jokoa bowling alley for the first time. Visitors are invited to try their hand at the Basque version of the sport. Photo by Josh Weilepp, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Basque chefs show off their completed dishes “From the Forest” in the Ostatua Kitchen. Photo by Walter Larrimore, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
In The Studio, Preston Arrow-weed led a reading of his radio drama-in-progress, Yuha Tribal Justice. Photo by Francisco Guerra, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Throughout the day, Stan and Marta Rodriguez taught young visitors how to play Native Kumeyaay games. No luck? “Kunmuk,” Stan would say. “Let it go.” Photo by Francisco Guerra, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Edorta Loma shows off the natural salt crystals that have grown in the Folklife Festival salt flats. Photo by Francisco Guerra, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
The Oinkari Basque Dancers from Boise, Idaho, are making their third appearance at the Folklife Festival this weekend, after performance at the 1968 and 1977 Festivals. Photo by Joe Furgal, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
We will also celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts during the Ralph Rinzler Memorial Concert at 6:30 p.m., featuring six National Heritage Fellows. See the full line up. Unfortunately, Flaco Jiménez was unable to make the trip from Texas, but Los Texmaniacs will play on in his stead.
