Festival Blog

When I was six years old, I took a modern dance class, and in the classroom next door was a traditional Irish step dance class. Thanks to his love of all things Irish, my father convinced me to join.

The Folklife Festival continued today with beautiful weather, energetic group dances, mouth-watering cooking demonstrations, and much more.

We are thrilled to present the world premier of a new song by Quetzal featuring soul singer Aloe Blacc. “Let’s Get to Knowing” will appear on the band’s upcoming Smithsonian Folkways Recordings album, The Eternal Getdown.

Basque sports are an integral part of Basque identity. Springing from the traditional activities of day-to-day farming and fishing life, the competitive nature of Basque people created a series of unique sports that test strength, speed, and endurance.

On November 3, 1885, the Chinese were driven out of Tacoma, Washington.

The 2016 Smithsonian Folklife Festival opened today with a tap on the tabla, as Salar Nader and Homayoun Sakhi kicked off the opening ceremony in the Arts and Industries Building.

Salar Nader and Homayoun Sakhi will perform at the 2016 Folklife Festival during the afternoons of June 29 and 30, and on June 30 they will headline the evening concert at the Ralph Rinzler Concert Stage, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The 2016 Smithsonian Folklife Festival began on June 29 with a ceremony in the Smithsonian’s newly reopened Arts and Industries Building.

Each year we ask, how do we better engage you, the visitor, in the creation, production, and presentation of our programs? Since its inception, the Festival has been a unique dance between participants, curators, and visitors.