Despite smoke in the atmosphere and a sudden downpour in the afternoon, Day Two of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival brought more vibrant voices and artwork to the National Mall. We also welcomed some VIP guests, including congressional staffers who trekked down from Capitol Hill for an annual picnic and tour, former U.S. Senator and Missouri Secretary of State Roy Blunt, and Senator John Boozman—both early supporters of the Ozarks program.
As Brad Braxton—senior curatorial advisor to Creative Encounters—and Anthony Pinn urged during their morning narrative session, “A Master Class on Behing Human,” we need more spaces to listen to and learn from each other with humility, curiosity, and vulnerability. We hope that the Folklife Festival can be that space for you.
See some favorite photos from the day below and share your own on social media with the hashtag #2023Folklife.
Seth Gebel caught some (hazy) air on his custom-built mountain biking feature, mimicking the Backyard Trail Builds he creates back in the Ozarks
Photo by Sonya Pencheva, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
In the morning, former Senator Blunt toured the Ozarks program area and met with Missouri craftsmen Aaron Holsapple and Billy Owens.
Photo by Sonya Pencheva, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Mariam Lodin demonstrated the precise art of Arabic calligraphy.
Photo by Stanley Turk, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
The Marshallese contingent from Springdale, Arkansas, arrived on the National Mall for the first time today, offering demonstrations in dance, carving, and, here, weaving.
Photo by Stanley Turk, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
According to fellow Festival performer Marideth Sisco, forager Bo Brown “knows every plant in the Ozarks—and they’re on a first-name basis!”
Photo by Sonya Pencheva, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Festival intern La‘akea Ai and participant Calvin Hoe bantered over the kitchen table, sharing stories from their own lives about preparing the traditional Hawaiian poi.
Photo by Daniel Zhang, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
There’s always so much happening at the Festival! Artists Alan “toxic” Rodriguez and Kayleigh “ktana” Tolman work on their Ozarks mural trailer while mountain biker Dave Shulz catapults out of it.
Photo by Grace Bowie, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Ubaldo Sanchez and his team from Viajeros de la Americas made remarkable progress on their alfombra de aserrín (ceremonial sawdust carpet). Catch it before it’s dispersed!
Photo by Julie Byrne, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
In a Front Porch session, Black and Asian women Ozarkers (left to right) Simone Cottrell, Mia Jones, Xue Lee-Vang, and Shoua Vue brought each other and the audience to tears as they discussed “Farming Traditions in Communities of Color,” land stewardship, and effects of white supremacy.
Photo by Sonya Pencheva, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
After a cleansing rain, we heard many angles of gospel music, including the rousing voices of the Kingdom Fellowship AME Church Choir from Maryland.
Photo by Hsinwen Hsu, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
In the evening, we have a double-header, weather permitting: the NextGen Ozarks Showcase with Pura Coco, MARK Harmony, Sylamore Special, Grace Stormont, and Kalyn Fay, followed by a Community Square Dance with music by the Ozark Highballers and calls by Bob Zuellig. So circle left, circle right, and we’ll see you on the dance floor at the Ralph Rinzler Main Stage.
Elisa Hough is the editor at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, and Daniel Zhang is a media intern for the Folklife Festival.
Join our email list for the latest news from the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Support the Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, sustainability projects, educational outreach, and more.