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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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  • Mr. Ngo Vuong Zoai, singer and informant, interviewed and recorded Maxine Miska at Alexandria, Virginia May 30, 1979. Mr. Zoai sings regional folksongs and songs by Pham Duy, tells how and where he learned the regional songs and about his family.

  • Joseph and Mollie Muchnick, former Mom and Pop Store Owners, inter­viewed by Marjorie Hunt at Silver Spring, Maryland, May 25, 1979.

  • D.C. Music Stage: Snuffy Jenkins, Pappy Sherill, Mike Rivers

  • Billy Evans Horse, Kiowa Indian, interviewed by Denise Freeland for Smithsonian Radio at the 1979 Festival of American Folklife.

  • Children's Area: Lumbee IndianChildren's Games

  • Caribbean Music: Opening Concert: Big Drum Dance Nation

  • Free Show Tonite: Medicine Show Film Shoot

  • Barbara Strickland's family elders : Louise Chavis, Cassie Chavis, Martha Chavis, Rossetta Garrett, Melba Harris, Verona Lowery, Lynn Chavis and Cindy Lowery, Verona's daughter, interviewed by Kate Rinzler and Barbara Strickland at the home of Cassie Chavis in Robeson County, North Carolina, April 22, 1979. Recollections of May Day and childhood games.

  • Medicine Show: Jenkins, Sherill, Medlin; B. and M. West, Noell; Bartok

  • Interview with Jerry Williams - fish hawker

  • Maude Bryant, Mid-wife, interviewed by Glenn Hinson at Durham, North Carolina July 3, 1979.

  • Ruby Burnside, Taxi-Cab Driver, interviewed by Marjorie Hunt at Washington, D. C. , spring 1979.

  • Medicine Show

  • Caribbean Music: Gypsy with Big Drum Dance Nation

  • Guitar Bill Thompson interview- Medicine Show Performer, Dancer and Ventriloquist

  • Children's Narrative: George Mason Jr. High students - Halloween events

  • Caribbean Music

  • Dan and Deborah Bowers, and Danny Barron, "Bluebird", "Bookwork", and "Palm Tree", CB informants, interviewed by Susan Manos, May 20, 1979, at the Bowers 'home in Arlington, Virginia. Deborah gives the history of numerous CB handles. Danny and Dan get involved in telling stories about fights over the air. Dan emphasized the importance of the CB community as family.

  • The Four Echoes, gospel group, recorded by Marjorie Hunt at Washington, D. C. , July 27, 1979. See also, Carl Covington manager. Side A only. The Independent Church of God Choir, gospel group, recorded by Marjorie Hunt at Washington, D. C. , August 14, 1979. See also, Reverend. Rosa Thomas­manager. See also, SI-FP-1979 CT-0100.

  • Miss Mary Lee Goines interviewed by Kate Rinzler and Barbara Strickland at Miss Goines' Gas Station, lbbeson County, North Carolina, April 21, 1979. Recollections of May Day celebrations and childhood genres.

  • Nguyen Kim Kien and Nguyen Hanh Hoaa interviewed by Susan Kalcik at the Oriental Tavern, Fall Church, Virginia June 26, 1979. Tape 1 of 2.

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

  • Interview with Jerry Williams - Fish Hawker

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

  • Interview with Jerry Williams and Lincoln Rorie - fish hawker

  • Medicine Show: Snuffy Jenkins, Pappy Sherrill and Greasy Medlin; Hammie Nixon; Frank Floyd

  • Folk Medicine Symposium: Richard Dorson, Panel Discussion

  • Kim Oanh and Phuong My recorded by Maxine Miska at the Senior Citizens Association, Annandale, Virginia. June 2, 1979.

  • Interview with Jerry Williams and Lincoln Rorie - fish hawker

  • D.C. Narrative: Baseball - Masterson, Hinton, Lemon; C.B. Radio - Baron, Sprangler, Bratchen, Bisset

  • Caribbean Music: Mod Band

  • Medicine Show Fieldwork: John and Hattie Mae Lee interview) herbalists)

  • Folk Medicine Narrative: John Lee, H.M. Lee, B. Largen, M. Bryant, J. Pershing, B. Wagman, Hawk Littlejohn

  • Medicine Show Fieldwork: Evelyn and Thelma Gay interview (contortionists and dancers)

  • D.C. Music Stage: Vietnamese-Americans - Phoung My, Kim Oanh, Mr. Tam etc.

  • D.C. Narrative: Stone carvers, C.B. Radios

  • Independent Church of God Choir, gospel group, recorded by Marjorie Hunt at Washington, D. C. , August 18, 1979. See also Reverend Rosa Thomas-manager.

  • Interview with Jerry Williams - fish hawker

  • Harvey "Hashhouse" Ellington interview; Guitar Bill Thompson interview- dancer and ventriloquist

  • September 9 Captain Thorne

  • D.C. Narrative: Street Hawkers and Market Vendors

  • Vietnamese concert at Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University, recorded by Susan Kalcik June 23, 1979.

  • Vietnamese-American musicians - organizational meeting and rehearsal

  • Medicine Show Fieldwork: Evelyn and Thelma Gay interview (contortionists and dancers)

  • Medicine Show: Harvey Ellington, S. Pridgen, Greasy Medlin, B. West, Foster Bloodgood

  • Fish Hawkers recorded at interviewed at Maine Avenue Wharf 1979

  • Mr. Bui Bang, owner of the Oriental Tavern in Falls Churitz interviewed Maxine Miska at Falls Church, Virginia June 4, 1979. Mr. Bang discusses Vietnamese food in America, the structure of a meal, customs both urban and rural, and rules of etiquette, different meals at different festivals and recites proverbs.

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

  • Interview with Lincoln Rorie - Fish Hawker 1979

  • D.C. Music Stage: Sincere Gospel Aires; Rosebud Singers;D.C. Blind Gospel Singers

  • Folklife in the Museum: Home Remedy Collecting Project. Interviews conducted by Catherine Kerst and Sue Silvernail, Sept. 27-28, 1979. See .interview information sheets.

  • Interview with Maude Bryant - midwife

  • Harvey "Hashhouse" Ellington interview, guitarist and fiddler, Medicine Show performer

  • Festival Photos: Buelah Largen, Maude Bryant, John and Hattie.M. Lee, Hawk Hawk Littlejohn, Barlow Wagman, John Persing

  • Lumbee Indian Children's Games

  • D.C. Narrative: Vietnamese-Americans

  • Folk life in the Museum: Home Remedy Collection Project. Interviews conducted by Catherine Kerst, Marsha. Maguire and Sue Silver Sept. 29-30, 1979. See Interview Information Sheets.

  • Mrs. Van Chi Hoang, cook, herb farmer, interviewed by Susan Kalcik at Bowie, Maryland June 24, 1979. Continuation of SI-FP-1979-CT-057.

  • Free Show Tonite: Medicine Show Film Shoot

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

  • Fred Bloodgood, Medicine Show Pitchman, interviewed by phone by Barr Weissman July 26, 1979.

  • Adelle Simons, "Dancing Delly", CB informant, interviewed by Susan Manos, May 26, 1979 in Wheaton, Maryland. Hesitant to tell stories about other CB'ers; had the attitude of protecting them. Emphasized the importance of CB community to herself and others.

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

  • Children's Area: Jamieson, Sims, Broudy, and McCoy

  • Donald Troutman, Country Pharmacist, interviewed by Barbara Reimensnyder at Elysburg, Pennsylvania June 13, 1979

  • Interview with Jerry Williams and Lincoln Rorie - fish hawker

  • Children's Narrative: Interplanetary Council; Lumbee Indian Panel - the Lockleers; Lumbee Field Day

  • D.C. Music Stage: Rosebud Singers;D.C. Blind Gospel Singers

  • Folklife in the Museum; Home Remedy Collecting Project. Interviews conducted Marsha Maguire, Sept, 28, 1979. See Interview Information Sheets.

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

  • Folk Medicine Symposium: Joe Graham, David Hufford

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

  • Festival Footage: Dora and Marjorie Darden, Ernestine Weddle

  • The Rosebud Singers, gospel group, recorded by Marjorie Hunt at Washington, D. C. , August 1979. See also, Deacon James Brewer-manager.

  • Caribbean Music: Gypsy and Big Drum Dance Nation

  • Nguyen Dao, Buddhist Youth Family, interviewed by Maxine Miska at Silver Spring, Maryland May 31 1979. Discussion of youth organization, and Buddhist education: sane Buddhist songs and discussion of games.

  • Interview with Abe Rorie 1979

  • Video

  • Children's Narrative: Lumbee Field Day Events

  • Video

  • Children's Area: Bessie Jones, Frankie and Douglas Quimby; Carol Nethering, Jamieson, Hawes, Sims

  • Folk Medicine Narrative: John Lee, J. Pershing, Hawk Littlejohn

  • Vietnamese-American musicians - organizational meeting and rehearsal

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

  • D.C. Narrative: Baseball Players

  • John Persing, Country Doctor, interviewed by Barbara Reimensnyder at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania June 12, 1979. Continuation of SI-FP-1979-CT-069.

  • Fieldwork

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

  • Jessie Spells, "Delta Man", CB informant interviewed by Susan Pianos, May 17, 1979, at his hone !A Arlington, Virginia. Rather reluctant to tell stories about other CB' ers on tape, preferring to just give the basic facts. Jessie was suffering from a cold at the time of the interview and said he was not at his best.

  • Folk Medicine Narrative: M. Harris, Clyde Hollifield, D. Troutman, Hawk Little John, John Lee, M. Bryant

  • Medicine Shows. B.R.I. Produced by Kip Lornell. Radio Show Dub, FAF 79.

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