Christylez Bacon discusses the importance of improvisation in hip-hop and accepts a challenge to create a freestyle rap using ten random words.

Here Christylez Bacon showcases his many skills as he strums the guitar while rhyming and providing funky beatbox rhythms

This audio recording features a rare coming together of musical genres as two groups from different parts of the country share the stage

Despite the bad weather, the Ralph Rinzler Memorial Concert was held indoors on June 30.

East L.A. natives and Smithsonian Folkways recording artists Quetzal perform “Estoy Aqui” at the 2012 Festival.

“Gypsy Colours” was recorded as the encore on July 1, 2012, at the Justin S. Morrill Performing Arts Center stage on the National Mall.

The Good Hope and Naylor Corner, Citified’s narrative stage, hosted a surprise joint-discussion with D.C. native Christylez Bacon and East L.A. musician Quetzal Flores.

So far one of this year's musical highlights has been the evening concert performance of Azerbaijani music with Imamyar Hasanov and Pezhham Akhavass.

The Ebony Hillbillies, an African American string band, perform at the Sounds of Monticello and the Blue Ridge concert, produced in partnership with the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Two ensembles will combine their musical talents for an evening concert at the 2012 Smithsonian Folklife Festival from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 1.