Ukrainian dances, and mountain bike demos, and Sikh music, oh my!
On the penultimate day of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, visitors celebrated with live music, crafts across traditions, and an Ozarks x Folkways concert. We opened the day with Morning on the Mall, a sensory-friendly program for families managed by Access Smithsonian, and we closed out the night with a Community Square Dance—and lots of fun events in between. Throughout the day, visitors tried their hands at Kazakh crafts, took in the sounds of the Ozarks, and got to see a traditional whole-hog butchering.
How did you spend your Saturday at the Festival? Share your own photos on social media with #2023Folklife.
Morning on the Mall visitors were treated to an acoustic performance from the Ozarks bluegrass band Sylamore Special. Now this is what it means to “feel” the music!
Photo by Sonya Pencheva, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
The Quilting Corner was the place to be during Morning on the Mall! Quilter Louise Sheridan showed visitors a great time with crafts, coloring, and other fun activities.
Photo by Sonya Pencheva, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Not for the lightheaded! Muhamad Ali twirled and twirled during this tanoura dance.
Photo by Carys Owen, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Holy cow...or should we say hog heaven! Josh Jansen demonstrated a traditional whole hog butchering at Festival Foodways.
Photo by Grace Bowie, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Visitors stopped by the Marshallese Crafts tent to see and partake in ongoing boatbuilding and weaving demonstrations.
Photo by Carys Owen, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Mia Jones, owner of Soul Fresh Farms, can show you how to grow your own microgreens. In the Teaching Garden, visitors could take home their very own growing kits.
Photo by Carys Owen, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Ukrainian Village Voices’s songs soared, with bold harmonies bringing folk songs to life in a new way.
Photo by Sonya Pencheva, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
This is not your average story time! Gene Tagaban incorporates instruments, puppets, and more into Native American stories. He might even ask you to step into the action alongside him...
Photo by Sonya Pencheva, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
With music, crafts, and games, the Soul of Tengri pop-up program allows visitors to experience Kazakh heritage and creativity.
Photo by Sonya Pencheva, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Go for gold! Mandolin player CJ Lewandowski may have won Best Dressed during the evening concert, representing his home in the Missouri Ozarks with the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys.
Photo by Phillip R. Lee, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
We’re expecting wet weather on Sunday, so be sure to check our online schedule before you head here in case the Festival moves indoors. Rain or shine, we hope to see you all tomorrow to close out the 2023 Festival!
Penny Benak, Grace Bowie, Elisa Hough, and Daniel Zhang are the mighty media team for the Folklife Festival.
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