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Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1979 Festival of American Folklife

Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

Object Details

Introduction
The 1979 Folklife Festival continued to take community as its theme, as had been announced in 1978. The Festival celebrated the creative genius of many cultural groups - some had been on American soil only for months, others for millenia. The point of the Smithsonian festivals and the museums' displays of diversity struck home to the people who came to the museums and reached out for reaffirmation of identity. People feared the loss of identity in the sense of anomie that came with being a cipher, a numeral, a set of digits, organizers believed; they feared big government, big business, megastates that might rule the world. Coupled with the fear of homogenization was the fear of the loss of one's own soul. One way to strengthen our sense of identity and to demonstrate our essential humanity, the Festival asserted, was the reaffirmation of the differences among us, the persistence of our traditions at the ground roots of life, a countercurrent for survival. In 1979 the Festival welcomed the newly-arrived ethnic community of Vietnamese, who had brought with them rich folklife traditions. From the West Indies came immigrants who enliven our cities with the folk theatrical spectacle of Carnival. Native Americans from several tribal groups shared their knowledge of ways in which their housing has been adapted to local environmental conditions.The International Year of the Child was celebrated at the Festival in the program book cover and articles, and in the living presentations of children's folklife in the Children's Area, where Lumbee Indian children re-created a Field Day celebration, and several other children's communities enacted Halloween traditions. Occupational communities were represented by D.C. firefighters, taxicab drivers, and stonecarvers from the National Cathedral. Other communities represented, which had formed around particular interests or institutions, were a medicine show, mom-and-pop neighborhood stores, street criers, and CB radio clubs. As with the two preceding years, the 1979 Festival (October 3-8) was held on a site on the National Mall later to be occupied by the National Museum of African American History and Culture, between 14th and 15th Streets and between Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive (see site plan). Indoor activities including a symposium focused on folk medicine took place in the National Museum of History and Technology, in the days preceding the outdoor Festival (September 27-30). The 1979 Program Book provided information on each of the programs. The 1979 Festival was again co-presented by the Smithsonian Institution and National Park Service, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Music Performance Trust Funds. It was organized by the Folklife Program within the Office of American and Folklife Studies. Folklife Advisory Council Wilcomb E. Washburn, Chairman, Roger Abrahams, Richard Ahlborn, Richard Dorson, William Fitzhugh, Lloyd Herman, Robert Laughlin, Scott Odell, Ralph Rinzler, Peter Seitel, E. Richard Sorenson, Thomas Vennum Folklife Program, Office of American and Folklife Studies Ralph Rinzler, Director; Richard Derbyshire, Archivist; Susan Kalcik, Folklorist; Jeffrey LaRiche, Program Coordinator; Jack Santino, Folklorist; Peter Seitel, Senior Folklorist; Thomas Vennum, Jr., Ethnomusicologist; Steve Zeitlin, Folklorist National Park Service William J. Whelan, Director; Manus J. Fish, Jr., Regional Director, National Capital Region
Fieldworkers and presenters
Nicholas Bocher, Sylvia Grider, Glenn Hinson, Marjorie Hunt, Fred Lieberman, Susan Manos, Phyllis May, Robert McCarl, Maxine Miska, Peter Nabokov, Elliott Parris, Kate Rinzler, Betsy Seamans, Barbara Strickland, Katherine Williams, Peggy Yocum
Shared Stewardship of Collections
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage acknowledges and respects the right of artists, performers, Folklife Festival participants, community-based scholars, and knowledge-keepers to collaboratively steward representations of themselves and their intangible cultural heritage in media produced, curated, and distributed by the Center. Making this collection accessible to the public is an ongoing process grounded in the Center's commitment to connecting living people and cultures to the materials this collection represents. To view the Center's full shared stewardship policy, which defines our protocols for addressing collections-related inquiries and concerns, please visit https://doi.org/10.25573/data.21771155.
Creator
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Names
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Place
Caribbean Area
Grenada
Antigua
Nevis
Haiti
Trinidad and Tobago
Virgin Islands
Saint Lucia
Topic
Folk art
Folk music
Food habits
Folklore
arts and crafts
World music
Folk festivals
Creator
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
See more items in
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1979 Festival of American Folklife
Summary
The Smithsonian Institution Festival of American Folklife, held annually since 1967 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was renamed the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 1998. The materials collected here document the planning, production, and execution of the annual Festival, produced by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage (1999-present) and its predecessor offices (1967-1999). An overview of the entire Festival records group is available here: Smithsonian Folklife Festival records.
Historical note
The Festival of American Folklife, held annually since 1967 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was renamed the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 1998. The 1979 Festival of American Folklife was produced by the Smithsonian Folklife Program of the Office of American and Folklife Studies and cosponsored by the National Park Service. For more information, see Smithsonian Folklife Festival records.
Extent
1 Cubic foot (approximate)
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements note
The Rinzler Archives is continually engaged in digitization of archival materials to facilitate preservation and ready access by users. However, given the diversity of legacy formats of the originals, some older materials may not be available. Notably, certain older audio recordings cannot be played because of deterioration of the tape stock, and the Archives has no playback equipment for EIAJ-1 videoreels (1/2 inch) or multi-track audio recordings. Where listening or viewing copies are available, this is generally indicated for each item. Users are encouraged to contact Archives staff to verify that the materials of interest to them are already accessible, or to determine if they can be digitized as needed.
Date
October 3-8, 1979
Archival Repository
Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections
Identifier
CFCH.SFF.1979
Type
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Sound recordings
Digital images
Notes
Negatives
Video recordings
Contracts
Audiocassettes
Business records
Memorandums
Slides (photographs)
Plans (drawings)
Audiotapes
Photographic prints
Videotapes
Correspondence
Citation
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1979 Festival of American Folklife, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Arrangement note
Arranged in 7 series. Series 1: Program Books, Festival Publications, and Ephemera Series 2: Caribbean Carnival Series 3: Children's Area Series 4: Folklife in the Museum - Folk Medicine Series 5: Folklore in Your Community Series 6: Medicine Show Series 7: Native American Architecture
Rights
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Genre/Form
Sound recordings
Digital images
Notes
Negatives
Video recordings
Contracts
Audiocassettes
Business records
Memorandums
Slides (photographs)
Plans (drawings)
Audiotapes
Photographic prints
Videotapes
Correspondence
Scope and Contents note
This collection documents the planning, production, and execution of the 1979 Festival of American Folklife. Materials may include photographs, audio recordings, motion picture film and video recordings, notes, production drawings, contracts, memoranda, correspondence, informational materials, publications, and ephemera. Such materials were created during the Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as well as in the featured communities, before or after the Festival itself.
Restrictions
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Forms Part Of
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1979 Festival of American Folklife forms part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival records . Smithsonian Folklife Festival records Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: Papers 1967 Festival of American Folklife records - [Ongoing]
Related Archival Materials note
Within the Rinzler Archives, related materials may be found in various collections such as the Ralph Rinzler papers and recordings, the Lily Spandorf drawings, the Diana Davies photographs, the Robert Yellin photographs, and the Curatorial Research, Programs, and Projects collection. Additional relevant materials may also be found in the Smithsonian Institution Archives concerning the Division of Performing Arts (1966-1983), Folklife Program (1977-1980), Office of Folklife Programs (1980-1991), Center for Folklife Programs and Cultural Studies (1991-1999), Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage (1999-present), and collaborating Smithsonian units, as well as in the administrative papers of key figures such as the Secretary and respective deputies. Users are encouraged to consult relevant finding aids and to contact Archives staff for further information.
Related link
Record ID
ebl-1503512423841-1503512423855-0
Metadata Usage
CC0
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk59a8230d1-35c3-48d1-9e83-b362e383bb30

In the Collection

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  • Interview with Lincoln Rorie - Fish Hawker

  • D.C. Narrative: C.B. Radio - Baron, Sprangler, Bratchen, Bisset; Stone carvers, Vietnamese Americans

  • Folklife in the Museum: Home Remedy Collecting Project: Interviews conducted. by Sue Silvers ; Catherine Kerst and Marsha McGuire Sept. 30, 1979. See Interview Information Sheets.

  • Children's Area: Bessie Jones, Frankie and Douglas Quimby

  • Interview with Jerry Williams - fish hawker

  • Festival Footage: Hawk Littlejohn, Barlow Wagman, John Persing

  • Nick Bother, "Two Plus", CB informant, interviewed by Susan Manos, may 29, 1979, at his have in Annandale, Virginia. Gives good insight into the CB community. Second half of the tape is-especially full of CB stories.

  • Interview with Jerry Williams - Fish Hawker 1979

  • Free Show Tonite: Medicine Show Film Shoot

  • 1979 Festival Television Coverage- Medicine Show

  • Medicine Show Fieldwork: Bob and Anna May Noell interview (Medicine Show comedians and historians)

  • Interview with Hawk Littlejohn - herbalist

  • Audio

  • Festival Photos:FAF: D.C. Firefighters-how to demonstration

  • D.C. Narrative: C.B. Radio

  • John Persing, Country Doctor, interviewed by Barbara Reimensnyder at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania June 12, 1979.

  • Children's Area: Lumbee IndianChildren's Games; Bessie Jones, Frankie and Douglas Quimby

  • Mr. Berlie Largen, maker of Black gum tooth brushes, interviewed by Jack Santino at Hillsville, Virginia August 9, 1979.

  • Chick Heerlein, CB informant, Interviewed by Susan Manos, May 14, 1979 at his hate in Annanda11, Virginia. -Does not have as many of the CB stories to relate because CB' ing plays a much smaller part in his life ; a part-time hobby.

  • Robert Stu Jamieson, banjo, player, dance caller, lists commercially available recordings of various banjo tunes which employ numerous banjo tunings. Materials accompanies SI-FP-1979 -VTR-038 thru VTR-043. Recorded by Kate Rinzler at Washington, D.C., October 1979.

  • Festivall Footage: D.C. Folklore, Narrative: Stonecarvers; Vietnamese-Americans

  • Folk Medicine Narrative: M. Bryant, John Lee, Hawk Littlejohn, D. Darden, M. Darden, E. Weddle

  • January 7 C

  • Festival Footage: Berlie Largen, Maude Bryant, Hattie Mae and John Lee

  • Festival Recordings: D.C. Music Stage: Vietnamese-Americans

  • Children's Area: Bledsoe, Smith, Sims and Jamieson; Hispanic Games

  • Free Show Tonite: Medicine Show Film Shoot

  • Festival Footage: Barlow Wagman,John Persing, Don Troutman; Hawk Littlejohn, Clyde Hollifield

  • Caribbean Music: Stick Fighter with the Mod Band

  • Medicine Show

  • Medicine Show: Harmonica Frank Floyd, Harvey Ellington, S. Pridgen, Pappy Sherill

  • Festival Recordings: Children's Area: Hispanic Children's Games

  • Audio

  • April 2-May 3

  • Interview with Lincoln and Abe Rorie - Fish Hawker

  • Festival Photos: D.C. Folklore, Narrative: Citizens Band Radio

  • Lumbee Indian Children's Games

  • Dora and Marjorie Dardern and Ernestine Weddle, Preparations and use of traditional medicines, interviewed by Jason Dotson at Indianapolis, Indiana June 5, 1979. Continuation of SI-FP-1979-CT-066 Side B.

  • D.C. Music Stage: Wilson Harmonizers; Sincere Gospel Aires

  • Walter Kelly and Sonny Diggs, Arabbers, interviewed by Marjorie Hunt and Steve Zeitlin.

  • Free Show Tonite: Medicine Show Film Shoot

  • Festival Footage:Participant/ audience interaction; interview w/ Beulah Largen. Barlow Wagman and John Persing; Ernestine Weddle, Johnand Hatt.M. Lee

  • Festival Footage: D.C. Folklore, Narrative: Vietnamese-Americans

  • Folk Medicine Symposium: Panel Discussion

  • Interview with Jerry Williams - fish hawker

  • March 5 sitting room A/B

  • Children's Area: Bessie Jones, Frankie and Douglas Quimby; Bledsoe, Smith, Sims and Jamieson

  • Ed Goodman, "Rusty Piton", CB informant, interviewed by Susan Manos, May 24, 1979, at his have in Vienna, Virginia. Entire tape is full of stories ; he does nearly all of the talking. Has comments and stories about every aspect of CB'ing.

  • Kim Oanh. Thi. Nguyen, dan tranh player and singer, interviewed and recorded by Maxine Miska at her home in Alexandria, Virginia, May 24, 1979., She is sometimes accompanied by her brother, no name available. She plays and sings folksongs, classical songs and songs from a book by Pham Duy.

  • Medicine Show: Greasy Medlin, Harvey Ellington, B. West, Foster Bloodgood, Doc Bartok

  • Festival Footage: Participant/ audience interactions; interviews with participants

  • Al and Anna Mangialardo, Mom and Pop Store Owners, interviewed by Marjorie Hunt at Mangialardo and Sons, Washington, D.C., June 5, 1979.

  • Festival Recordings: Medicine Show: Jenkins, Sherill, Nixon, B and A Noell; Doc Foster (F.Bloodgood); S. Pridgen

  • D.C. Music Stage: Vietnamese-Americans

  • Folk Medicine Symposium: Wayland Hand, Joe Graham

  • Folk Medicine Narrative: John Lee, H.M. Lee, M. Bryant, H. Lee

  • Interview with Jerry Williams and Lincoln Rorie - fish hawker

  • Interview with Jerry Williams - fish hawker

  • Festival Footage: D.C. Folklore, Narrative: Stonecarvers

  • April 12

  • Jim Shirah, Medicine Show Pitchman and musician, interviewed by phone by Barr Weissman July 25, 1979.

  • Nguyen Kim Lien and Nguyen Hanh Hoa interviewed by Susan Kalcik at the Oriental Tavern, Fall Church, Virginia June 26, 1979. Tape 2 Of 2.

  • September 20, 1979

  • Medicine Show Fieldwork: Greasy Medlin interview; Sam Pritchen and Harvey Ellington interview (musicians)

  • Caribbean Music: Big Drum Dance Nation

  • Medicine Show Fieldwork: Alton Machen interview - Medicine show pitchman and patent medicine salesman

  • Medicine Show: Doc Bartok; Snuffy Jenkins, Pappy Sherill; Hammie Nixon, Bob and Anna Mae Noell

  • Elsie Lee Heung, Harold Salenha and Caribeanna Cultural Committee meeting with Katherine Williams at Toronto, Canada May 21, 1979.

  • D.C. Music Stage: Vietnamese Americans

  • Folklife in the Museum.; Home Remedy Collecting /project: Interviews conducted Catherine. Kerst, Sue Silver and Marsha Maguire, Sept. 29-30, 1979. See Interview Information Sheets,

  • Interview with Elizabeth Grizzard, Mr. and Mrs. Sykes

  • Caribbean Narrative: Religion and Culture; Eli Manet - steel drum making; Costume making; medicine

  • Side A: Dolores Jones, Folk Medicine informant, interviewed by Jason Dotson at Indianapolis, Indiana, June 5, 1979. Side B : Dora and Marjorie Darden and Ernestine Weddle, preparations and use of traditional medicines, interviewed by Jason Dotson at Indianapolis, Indiana June 5, 1979.

  • Interview with Lincoln and Abe Rorie - Fish Hawker

  • Fieldwork

  • Festival Recordings: Medicine Show: Hammie Nixon; H. Ellington, S. Pridgen; Harmonica Frank Floyd

  • Fieldwork

  • Free Show Tonite: Medicine Show Film Shoot

  • D.C. Music Stage:D.C. Blind Gospel Singers; Independent Church of God Choir

  • Vietnamese Festival at Glen Echo, recorded by Maxine Miska at Washington, D.C. June 2, 1979. See file for program.

  • Folklife in the Museum : Home Remedy Collecting Project. Interviews conducted by Marsha McGuire, Sept. 27, 1979. See Interviewer Information Sheets.

  • D.C. Music Stage: Independent Church of God; Vietnamese-Americans

  • Children's Narrative: Lumbee Panel Discussion and Field Day Events

  • Children's Area: Bessie Jones, Frankie and Douglas Quimby

  • March 5 sitting room C/D

  • Hawk Littlejohn, herbalist, medicine man, interviewed by Jack Santino at Carrbridge, Mass. June 1, 1979.

  • Caribbean Music: Big Drum Dance Nation w/ Gypsy

  • Festival Footage: D.C. Folklore, Narrative: Baseball Players; Citizens' Band Radio

  • D.C. Narrative: Baseball Players - Jackie Jensen, Mickey Vernon, Jim Lemon;D.C. Firefighters

  • Medicine Show: Bob and Anna Mae Noell; Hammie Nixon; Harmonica Frank Floyd; Glenn Hinson - presenter

  • (side A) Ryan and Mary Arata, "Maine Yankee" and "Carolina Lady", C B informants, interviewed by Susan Manos, May 15, 1979, at their home in Northern Virginia. Ryan does frost of the talking because wife claims to be less involved in CB. At end of tape, Tyan tells an amusing story about a CB'ing mistake he once made. (Side B) Earl and Carolyn White, "Country Squirrel" and "Cinderella", CB informants, interviewed by Susan Manos, May 15, 1979, at their home in Falls Church, Virginia. Both are equally involved in CB, but Carolyn talks more than Earl on the tape as Earl seems shy of the recorder. Carolyn tells several CB stories.

  • DOE Narrative: Billy Evans Horse; Alonzo Chalepah, Paul Bowers, Peter Nabokov

  • D.C. Music Stage: Vietnamese-Americans

  • Interview with Hawk Littlejohn - herbalist

  • Caribbean Music: Steel Band Contest

  • D.C. Narrative:D.C. Firefighters; Vietnamese-Americans - Tran Dinh De, Mrs. Ming, Mr. Tang

  • D.C. Narrative: C.B. Radio; Baseball Players - Jackie Jensen, Mickey Vernon, Jim Lemon

  • Dave and Arlene Kuser, "Red Pony" and "CB Widow", CB informants, interviewed by Susan Manos, May 17, 1979, at their hone in Arlington, Virginia. Both emphasize the amount of time CB plays in their lives. They encourage each other to talk, and there are several CB stories told.

  • Interview with Maude Bryant - midwife

  • Festival Recordings: Medicine Show: J. Medlin, H. Ellington, B. West, Doc Foster, Doc Bartok

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