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Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1997 Festival of American Folklife

Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

Object Details

Introduction
As the twentieth century neared its end, the entertainment industry dominated popular views of culture. Cultural enterprises including movies, television, theme parks, recordings, and video stores constitute one of the world's largest industries. Nevertheless, there is another world of culture created and sustained in homes, communities, places of work and worship. Our lullabies and hymns, liturgical chants and celebratory songs, songs of work, struggle, and mourning, are rarely heard in music stores or on radio stations. Yet it is those traditions and the cultures they represent that are highlighted at the annual Festival of American Folklife. The 1997 Festival featured three major programs, complemented by the third annual Ralph Rinzler Memorial Concert. Sacred Sounds brought together people from a variety of religious communities, from around the nation, Jerusalem, and from South Africa. Their songs expressed spiritual feelings and convictions connecting their lives to tradition. At the Festival, audiences could hear some of the ways in which music flows from the spirit of a diverse humanity to express its highest aspirations. A second program, African Immigrant Folklife, illustrated the many traditions of recent immigrants to the United States from Africa. These immigrants participate in a changing culture, as people, families, and communities find their place in American society. Festival visitors could celebrate the enterprise and vitality of recent immigrants to the United States from Africa, who have brought their cultures across the Atlantic Ocean to the Washington metropolitan area. The Mississippi Delta, the subject of the third Festival program, is a culturally rich region of the United States that gave birth to blues, jazz, rockabilly and rock 'n' roll, honky tonk, distinctive forms of gospel, oratory, marvelous stories, folk and visionary art, and an encyclopedia of river lore - not to mention barbecue and fish fries. Native, Spanish, African, French, and American people all merged along the Mississippi, just as many tributaries flow into one river. Beginning even before the arrival of Europeans, the Mississippi has been a source of food and irrigation, a highway for commerce, a strategic center for political power, a source of inspiration for song and spirit. The region's cultural expressions, continually shaped by the daily experience - the work, worship, home life, and recreation - of the people who live there, were shared with Festival visitors on the National Mall. The 1997 Festival took place during two five-day weeks (June 25-29 and July 2-6) between Madison Drive and Jefferson Drive and between 9th Street and 13th Street, south of the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History (see site plan). It featured three programs, with special events that included the Ralph Rinzler Memorial Concert. The 1997 Program Book included schedules and participant lists for each program; essays provided background on the Festival and on each of the programs. The Festival was co-presented by the Smithsonian Institution and National Park Service and organized by the Center for Folklife Programs & Cultural Studies. Center for Folklife Programs & Cultural Studies Richard Kurin, Director; Richard Kennedy, Deputy Director; Diana Parker, Festival Director; Anthony Seeger, Director, Smithsonian Folkways Recordngs; James Early, Director, Cultural Studies & Communications; Thomas Vennum, Jr., Senior Ethnomusicologist; Olivia Cadaval, Chair, Research & Education; Betty J. Belanus, Marjorie Hunt, Diana Baird N'Diaye, Peter Seitel, Curators, Folklorists, Education and Cultural Specialists; Carla M. Borden, Program/Publications Manager; John W. Franklin, Program Manager; Cynthia Vidaurri, Coordinator, Latino Cultural Resource Network; Jeffrey Place, Archivist; Stephanie Smith, Assistant Archivist; Arlene L. Reiniger, Program Specialist; Charlie Weber, Media Specialist; Brenda Danet, Nadia Abu El-Haj, Roland Freeman, Ivan Karp, Alan Lomax, Worth Long, Kate Rinzler, Luise White, Fellows, Research Associates & Collaborators Folklife Advisory Council and Folkways Advisory Council Roger Abrahams, Jacinto Arias, Michael Asch, Jane Beck, Don DeVito, Pat Jasper, Ella Jenkins, Jon Kertzer, Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, John Nixdorf, Bernice Johnson Reagon, John Roberts, Carol Robertson, Gilbert Sprauve, Jack Tchen, Ricardo Trimillos, Carlos Vélez-Ibáñez National Park Service Terry Carlstrom, Acting Director, National Capital Region
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
Topic
Folk festivals
Folklore
arts and crafts
Food habits
Folk art
World music
Folk music
Creator
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
See more items in
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1997 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 1997 Festival of American Folklife was produced by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife Programs and Cultural 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
June 25-July 6, 1997
Archival Repository
Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections
Identifier
CFCH.SFF.1997
Type
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Memorandums
Video recordings
Contracts
Videotapes
Digital images
Negatives
Correspondence
Photographic prints
Audiocassettes
Sound recordings
Slides (photographs)
Business records
Plans (drawings)
Audiotapes
Notes
Citation
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1997 Festival of American Folklife, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Arrangement note
Arranged in 5 series. Series 1: Program Books, Festival Publications, and Ephemera Series 2: African Immigrant Folklife Series 3: The Mississippi Delta Series 4: Sacred Sounds: Belief & Society Series 5: Special Events
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
Memorandums
Video recordings
Contracts
Videotapes
Digital images
Negatives
Correspondence
Photographic prints
Audiocassettes
Sound recordings
Slides (photographs)
Business records
Plans (drawings)
Audiotapes
Notes
Scope and Contents note
This collection documents the planning, production, and execution of the 1997 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: 1997 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-1503511976007-1503511976017-0
Metadata Usage
CC0
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk51a775c21-6594-4445-9dce-1668207ea861

In the Collection

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  • Fieldwork Recordings: African Immigrant Program: Interview with Abdirahaman Dahir: South Africa: Second Fieldwork Training

  • Fieldwork Recordings: African Immigrant Program: Songs by Mahala

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: A Walk in the Garden

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: Connections to Home: African Women

  • Festival Recordings: Dance Hall: Sweet Miss Coffey & The Mississippi Burnin' Blues Band; Tim Laughlin's N.O. Jazz Band

  • Festival Recordings: Music and Dance: African Music Ambassadors; Nigerian Cultural Review

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Music Stage: International Christian Church; Old Regular Baptists

  • Festival Recordings: Camp Narrative: Decoys, Blinds and Calls; Flood of 1927

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Quilting; Passing it On

  • Festival Footage: Rinzler Concert: Mike Seeger; Original Fat City String Band

  • Video

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Music Stage: Natal '77; Nancy Richardson; Hawai'i Gogaku Kenkyukai

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Flower Arranging; Sewing and Homemade Clothes

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: Passing on Culture; Connections to Home; Cultural Autobiography: Immigration

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Quilting; The Flood of 1927

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Barbecue Pits

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: Connections to Home: African Attire; Immigration Stories

  • Festival Recordings: Palaver Stage: Mural painting

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Tatting and Smocking; Flower Arranging

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Music Stage: Seven Sons; Jerusalemite Religious Chant Group; Natal '77

  • Festival Recordings: Dance Hall: Big Lucky & His Mighty Men of Sound; Henry & Tookie

  • Festival Recordings: African Immigrant Foodways: Lesotho: Mgusha-Setampo

  • Festival Recordings: Dance Hall: Sweet Miss Coffey & The Miss Burnin' Blues Band; Tim Laughlin's N.O. Dixieland Jazz Band

  • Festival Recordings: Dance Hall: Big Lucky & His Mighty Men of Sound; Sweet Miss Coffey & The Miss. Burnin' Blues Band

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Music Stage: St. Augustine Gospel Choir; International Christian Church, Shiru Shir

  • Festival Recordings: Camp Narrative: Willing To Take a Risk; Tall Tales From the Camp, Cotton: Then and Now

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Quilting; Barbecue Pits

  • Fieldwork Recordings: African Immigrant Program: African Market: Home of Nomvula Cook; Preparation of African dishes; Drumming, dance and prayer:

  • Festival Recordings: Palaver Stage: Cross Rivers State Celebratory Dance

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Basket Making; Quilting

  • Festival Recordings: Delta Worship Stage: Myles Family; Revelators

  • Festival Recordings: Delta Worship Stage: Revelators; Oratory Skills; Lined Out Hymns; Winnsboro Easter Rock

  • Festival Recordings: Delta Worship Stage: Camp Meeting

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Narrative Stage: Hawai'i Gagaku Kenkyukai; Jerusalemite Religious Chant Group

  • Festival Recordings: Camp Narrative: Tall Tales from Camp; Nets and Traps

  • Festival Recordings: Palaver Stage: Anansegromma Storytelling Theater; Vera Oye Yaa-Anna

  • Festival Recordings: Tim Laughlin's New Orleans Jazz Band; Big Lucky/Mighty Men of Sound; Sweet Miss Coffey

  • Festival Recordings: Delta Foodways: Sweet Potato Pie; The Perfect Barbecue

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Flower Arranging; Mah-Jong

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: Immigration Stories; Work Experience Stories; Passing on Culture

  • Festival Recordings: Camp Narrative: Camp Cooking; Working the Water, Tow boating on the Mississippi

  • Festival Recordings: Delta Foodways: Scampi Over Cheese Grits; Tortillas and Fajitas

  • Festival Recordings: Camp Narrative: Catfish Caught and Cooked; 1927 Flood; Decoys, Blinds and Calls

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Narrative Stage: St. Augustine Gospel Choir; International Christian Church

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: Culture Bridging; Immigration Stories: African Women Immigrants

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Music Stage: Natal '77; Jerusalemite Religious Chant Group

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Herbs: Healing & Flavoring

  • Festival Recordings: Dance Hall: Kenny Bill Stinson & the Ark-La-Mystics; Big Lucky & His Mighty Men of Sound

  • Festival Recordings: Music and Dance: Pa Alex and Generations

  • Festival Recordings: Dance Party: Omo Nago; Big Lucky and His Might Men of Sound

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Music Stage: Shiru Shir; Natal'77

  • Festival Recordings: Dance Hall: Kenny Bill Stinson; Tim Laughlin's N.O. Jazz Band; Big Lucky & His Mighty Men of Sound

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Then and Now; Basket Making

  • Festival Recordings: Camp Narrative: Camp Cooking; Delta Crops: Catfish and Cotton; Hunting Calls

  • Festival Recordings: Dance Party: Nigerian Juju Highlife: African Music Ambassadors; Omo Nago

  • Festival Recordings: Delta Foodways: Sweet Potato Pie; Cake Decorating; Baking; Chocolate Pie

  • Festival Recordings: Dance Hall: Tim Laughlin's N.O. Dixieland Band; Eddie Cusic; Kenny Bill Stinson & Ark-La-Mystics

  • Festival Footage: Sacred Sounds Music Stage: Sweet Honey in the Rock

  • Festival Recordings: Camp Narrative: Tall Tales From Camp; Willing To Take a Risk

  • Video

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Flower Arranging; Handwork

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Handwork; Quilting

  • Video

  • DAT Transfer: Ralph Rinzler Memorial Concert 1997, part 4

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Flower Arranging; Basket Making; What the Blues Can Tell You

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: Cultural Autobiography; Culture Bridging; Old Traditions in New Settings

  • Festival Recordings: African Immigrant Program: Interviews with African Immigrants and Performers. Copied from video recording.

  • Fieldwork Recordings: African Immigrant Program: Interview witth Seedy Lette; Director of promotions, Kilimanjaro Restaurant and Night Club: Interviewer, Ann Olumba

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: Old Traditions in New Settings; Egyptian Coptic Community

  • Fieldwork

  • Festival Recordings: Dance Hall: Tim Laughlin's New Orleans Dixieland Jazz Band; Eddie Cusic

  • Festival Recordings: Dance Party: Church of the Living God, International Christian Church

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: Old Traditions in New Settings; Work Experience Stories

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative:

  • Festival Footage: Presenter Interviews: Richard Kennedy Participant Interviews: Henry Dorsey

  • Festival Recordings: Camp Narrative: Fishing Stories; Hunting and Fishing: Subsistence and Sport

  • Festival Recordings: Delta Worship Stage: Winnsboro Easter Rock Ensemble; Christening Gown Making; Myles Family

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Barbecue Pits; Flower Arranging

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: Old Traditions in New Settings; African Immigrant Music; Passing on Culture

  • Festival Recordings: Palaver Stage: Vera Oye Yaa-Anna; Hassan Gure and Ansegromma Story Theater

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: Tunda: Sudanese Language Workshop

  • Festival Recordings: Delta Worship Stage: Gerald Lewis Singers; Winnsboro Easter Rock Ensemble

  • Festival Recordings: Music and Dance: North African Ensemble; Kokomos

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: African Immigrant Musical Traditions; African Music on Radio; Old Traditions

  • Festival Recordings: Camp Narrative: Decoys, Blinds & Calls; Reading the River

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Music Stage: International Christian Church; Jerusalemite Religious Chant Group

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Music Stage: Old Regular Baptists; International Christian Church

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Tatting; A Walk in the Garden

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Narrative Stage: Hawai'i Gagaku Kenkyukai

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Music Stage: Opening Ceremonies; Seven Sons

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: Immigration Stories; Old Traditions in New Settings; Work Experience Stories

  • Festival Recordings: Dance Hall: Kenny Bill Stinson & The Ark-La-Mystics

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Music Stage: Hawai'i Gagaku Kenkyukai; Elaine Purkey & Friends

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Music Stage: Omo Nago; Monks of Wat Thai; Natal '77

  • Festival Recordings: Home Narrative: Mah-Jong; Country Blues

  • Festival Recordings: Sacred Music Stage: Shiru Shir; Natal'77

  • Festival Recordings: Camp Narrative: Camp Cooking; Cotton: Then and Now; Making Nets and Traps

  • Festival Recordings: Community Talk: African Immigrant Musical Traditions; Connections to Home; Immigrant Stories

  • Festival Recordings: Delta Worship Stage: Myles Family; Lined-Out Hymns; Winnsboro Easter Rock Ensemble

  • Festival Recordings: Delta Worship Stage: The Gerald Lewis Singers; Myles Family; Oratory Skills

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