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Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, and the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative co-present an evening with one of the most inspired—and inspiring—voices of her generation.

Widely recognized as an old-time and bluegrass music icon, Alice Gerrard plays in a style that has been called “traditional, never conventional.” Since beginning her recording career with singer Hazel Dickens in the late 1960s, Gerrard has achieved legendary status for her expressive voice, powerful songwriting, brilliant interpretive skills, and mastery of the guitar, fiddle, and banjo. Smithsonian Folkways will be reissuing the duo’s groundbreaking first two LPs in 2022.

Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Leyla McCalla was originally scheduled to perform as well but was forced to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances.

Sponsors

Support provided by the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative. This program complements the exhibition Music HerStory: Women and Music of Social Change on view at the Smithsonian Libraries Gallery, National Museum of American History, starting June 22.

Dedication

The inaugural season of Folkways@Folklife is dedicated to our dear friend, audio engineer, and sound production supervisor Pete Reiniger (1949–2022).