My World Tuesday = Folklife Festival
2009 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
In Washington D.C.
It Looks Like An Ohio Country Fair
Between The Capitol Building and The Washington Monument.
This year's fair was good but not the greatest festival we have seen. I was sorry that there was not a highlighted U.S. state and there was just one country featured in depth and that was Wales. The biggest attractions were not individual states or countries but conglomerate places related to either Latin American countries or the oral traditions of African America.
We did get to see some good talent but almost all the entertainers were wearing just jeans and Tshirts. You couldn't tell that they were from a foreign land. I really like to see lots of colorful costumes of homeland countries but I didn't find it this year. Maybe the economic downturn has hurt the festival---not enough funds to do it right? I don't know. But here are some photos I snapped Saturday at the Folklife Festival in D.C.
Just like a county fair everything is in a tent. But you get a reality check when you look out and see the Washington Monument with all its American flags waving.
Peruvian Harp Music With Guitar AccompanimentThis Was The Best Act That We Saw Saturday.
Folk Music of the Americas:One Act Featured Was A Group From Venezuela.
This Was A Donkey DanceFor A Christmas Song About The Donkey That Carried Mary.
Later The Audience Was Invited To Don The Donkey and Dance.
Later The Audience Was Invited To Don The Donkey and Dance.
The Kids Are Always The First To Jump Up and Dance.They Haven't Developed Any Inhibitions Yet.
Did Jack and I Dance?
Did Jack and I Dance?
No Way, We Are Too Shy!
Someone commented that it looked like there were not many people. That's because Jack and I went early in the day---like we got there at 9:30 and the festivites just started at 11:00 when I took these pics. More people came in the afternoon. We went early to avoid the heat and left when things were just really beginning to get lively.
Final note: The festival runs through July 5'th so if you are in the area try to explore it. It is a lot of fun. Now go visit some other My World Tuesday memes by clicking here: http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/
I used to go years ago. I would have been disappointed with performers in jeans and tee shirts too.
ReplyDeleteFun to see the kids dance. The South American entertainment looks good.
ReplyDeleteThe kids sure looked like they were having fun. I would have enjoyed the music, too.
ReplyDeleteThe kids can always have fun maybe because they don't remember what it was like before and that can be a blessing! It does look like fun, but then I didn't see it in the years before. Whatever, your photos are marvelous and it was like being there. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe festival looks a bit empty on the people front. Nice pics.
ReplyDeleteNice to see DC again. And the donkey dance would be my favorite. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and comment. Yes, I did read a bit about the new Nixon tapes. C'est la vie.
Shalom to you.
howdy neighbor up the road...lovely post and commentary. a shame not more participants...perhaps the economy?
ReplyDeletehave a lovely week.
Love the donkey dance. Maybe it got more colorful as the festival continued.
ReplyDeleteI would like to hear Peruvian harp music and see such things. Thanks for highlighting this event.
ReplyDeleteNice shots of the festival! The crowds certainly add to the experience (and the heat can detract). It seems that the festival tries to show a little bit of culture from a lot of places, rather than concentrate on a few countries. We haven't been in a while, but did enjoy going. Thanks for your commnets on our grandsons. We have grandkids from 22 to these two, so we are experiencing all phases of growing up.
ReplyDelete