Folklife News, July 30, 2008

Well, I haven’t been as committed to updating our news each week as I initially promised, but I can say that I’ve been enjoying my summer thoroughly. Hope you all are, too. Some of these items have already taken place, but here are some tidbits:

• Alabama folklorist Joyce Cauthen presented a foodways discussion on traditions surrounding the kitchen on July 17 at the Ozark-Dale County Public Library. Folklorists and public libraries — a great combination!
• A real estate company sponsored the Historic Cold Spring Village’s annual Foodways and Folklife Festival on July 19 & 20 in Cape May, NJ. Interesting….
• The Newfoundland & Labrador Independent had an interesting article about the Newfoundland folk-rock group Figgy Duff and their legacy of interpreting traditional music of the province.
• The Somerville (MA) Arts Council held a celebration of Brazilian and Portuguese culture last week, July 23, in Somerville, as a capstone event to recognize the fieldwork of Andrea Allen that aimed at identifying the needs of these and other immigrant communities.
• Following in the Library of Congress’ footsteps, the Smithsonian Institution has begun using Flickr as a means of sharing photographic collections online. I think these emerging partnerships between Flickr and cultural heritage institutions are truly exciting (I am also currently reading Bill Ivey’s new book, Arts, Inc., which has a lot to say about safeguarding public access to these cultural resources), and I promise to devote a post specifically on this topic later this summer, but for now, here is a quick story about the initiative featuring Richard Kurin of the SI’s Center for Folklife & Culture Heritage.
• Joanne Raetz Stuttgen has produced a book about regional mom-and-pop restuarants titled “Cafe Indiana: A Guide to Indiana’s Down-Home Cafes.” I haven’t seen it yet myself, but it sounds like it could be a potential model for other regions. Read a review here.
• Our own Troid Geist of the North Dakota Council of the Arts was quoted in a piece by the Miami Herald concerning the Coucil’s “Art for Life” program – part of a two-year study examining seniors and creativity.
  
• Poetry for the Plains, a benefit for the Northern Plains Resource Council, takes place this Sunday, August 2 in Joliet, Montana, and will feature National Cowboy Poetry Gathering regulars Wallace McRae and Stephanie Davis.
• Finally, congratulations to Sally Haueter Rampe for giving birth to Roxanna Ruth Rampe on July 19!!!
  

 

National Folk Festival in BUTTE!

 

The Seldom Scene perform at the Original Stage of the National Folk Festival in Butte, Montana

A stellar lineup of world-class performers, wonderful Montana Native American artists, a large and appreciative crowd, perfect weather, and a very hard-working team of Butte locals made for a fabulous 70th National Folk Festival this past weekend, the first event in a three-year run for Butte.

Assiniboine star quilter Annette Linder and her daughters demonstrated at the festival

The main stage was located directly under the headframe of the Original Mine, with a grassy hillside for seating and a gorgeous view over town, especially at sunset. I’m not sure the photos fully capture how extremely cool an arrangement it was. There were six other stages scattered around Uptown Butte, which made for a bit of walking and some brief strenuous uphill hikes, but festival-goers were game and cheerful about it.

The Original Stage

A group of Salish artists presented on the Montana Traditions Stage

Western folklorists in attendance as presenters, staff, and busmans-holidayers included Alex Swaney, Nicholas Vrooman, Jens Lund, Debbie Fant, Meg Glaser, Christina Barr, Liz Dear, Charlie Seemann, Darcy Minter, Maria Carmen Gambliel, and Andrea Graham. Nick Spitzer, Barry Bergey, and  Jon Lohman also ventured west to join in the festivities.

Andrea Graham, Meg Glaser, Debbie Fant, Christina Barr and Liz Dear backstage at the Wylie and the Wild West concert Friday night (photo by Charlie Seemann)

Check out www.mtstandard.com and click on the “slide shows” or “videos” tabs for scenes from the event from Butte’s daily paper, The Montana Standard. And go to www.nationalfolkfestival.com to see the lineup of artists. The main stage was broadcast live on Montana Public Radio, but I couldn’t find an archive link on their web site.

Next year’s festival is set for July 10-12—I highly recommend you get there if you can.

–Andrea Graham

 

National Folk Festival streaming on Yellowstone Public Radio

Yellowstone Public Radio will be streaming live from the National Folk Festival in Butte this weekend, July 11-13. The radio broadcasts will be hosted by Montana Public Radio’s Michael Marsolek and folklorist Nick Spitzer! For a schedule and streaming info, click here.

 

Folklife News, July 9, 2008

Some bits and pieces for this week (photo of Texas Johnny Brown performing by Elvert Barnes @ http://www.flickr.com/people/perspective/):

• The
  42nd Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall has officially
  come to an end. If you’re of the sad sort like myself who didn’t get
  to go, I suggest going to either Flickr.com or YouTube.com and doing a search of “Smithsonian Folklife 2008.” It’s pretty amazing what you’ll find.
• The National Folk Festival
  in Butte, Montana, is kicking off festivities this Friday, July 11 and
  runs through the 13th. To get you in the mood, please check out the
  Ranch Rhymes podcast from the Western Folklife Center which most
  recently features Montana poet Paul Zarzyski and his classic poem “Why I Like Butte.” An interview with Paul will air on Montana Public Radio this Friday.
• Texas Folklife Resources has held over a photo exhibit by 25-year-old Chuy Benitez in Austin which documents the cultural landscape of the El Paso and Juarez borderlands. Looks great!

 

Folk Artists & Folklorists in the News, July 1, 2008

Here’s what’s happening on the folklife front this week:

• The West Valley City Cultural Celebration Center has launched their fourth annual Face of Utah Sculpture Exhibit. We’ve already missed the opening reception, but the show is up through August 20th. Thanks to Michael Christensen for that one.
• The University of Maine will be offering a 400 level course in Public Sector Folklore this coming Fall semester, taught by IU alum Kathleen Mundell. It’s always good to see this sort of course in an academic environment, wouldn’t you say?
• The 58th annual Kutztown Folk Festival happens this weekend, July 5 &6, celebrating Pennsylvania Dutch culture in eastern PA. They claim title to the “oldest continuing folklife festival in America.” Activities will include actors portraying George Washington & Benjamin Franklin, as well as a petting zoo. Hmm….. Strange that I’ve never heard of it….
• The 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival has of course gotten under full swing and will continue through July 6th as well.

There you have it. -Ross