My Visit to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Last weekend, I went to the National Mall to enjoy this year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival. One of the reasons I love living in this area is because of events like the Folklife Festival. I never take for granted the fact that we have such wonderful festivals -- for free! 

This year, the three areas of focus are Colombia, rhythm and blues, and the Peace Corps.

It was insanely hot on Sunday, as is usually the case during the Folklife Festival, because it's always held the same time every year -- when it's unreasonably and disgustingly hot. But flesh-burning heat aside, I had a wonderful time at this year's festival, which, in my opinion, was the best one in years.

Colombia

According to the festival website, the Colombia festival program "offers audiences a window into the country’s unique cultural traditions in order to learn more about the creativity and vitality of Colombia’s diverse population."

Over in the artisan area, I saw people making a wide variety of goods -- hats, hammocks, masks, instruments, statues, children's toys and more, as well as tools such as saddles and ropes used in ranching.

I also learned about the importance of coffee in Colombia, while people walked around the tables trying to get a whiff of fresh Colombian coffee beans. There was even an area that highlighted the process of panning for gold in Colombia, as well as jewelry making. And if you want to be a hit at your next party, there were even salsa demonstrations where you could shimmy those hips.

The only negative experience was the food. I got the beans and rice and fried plantains, as well as some passionfruit juice. The beans and rice were just okay, the fried plantains were hard, and the passionfruit juice was lackluster. I'd much rather the passionfruit juice at our very own New Deal Cafe. Twelve dollars less, I was very disappointed in my Colombian meal. However, the Colombian meat options may have been better.

Rhythm and Blues

The festival website says this about rhythm and blues: 

"Drawing from the deep tributaries of African American expressive culture, rhythm and blues is an amalgam of jump blues, big band swing, gospel, boogie and blues that was initially developed during a 30-year period that bridges the era of legally sanctioned racial segregation, involvement in three wars and the struggle for civil rights."

The rhythm and blues offerings were varied and entertaining. You could sit and sway your head to the bluesy tunes of one singer or get up and dance right alongside another. There were always seats under the tent, if you just wanted to  watch, or there was room on the dance floor if you wanted to boogey. I smiled wildly as I watched people doing the twist and the cool whip and the mashed potatoes. Everyone seemed to be having a blast. 

The Peace Corps

Including the Peace Corps this year was a brilliant idea. It was a great way to include many different cultures from all over the world. That is probably why I thought this year's Folklife Festival was the best one. 

This year was the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps, which was the bold experiment of John F. Kennedy with the simple goal of promoting world peace and friendship.

"Through half a century of work — with more than 200,000 volunteers fostering cultural exchange and understanding in 139 different countries — the goals of the Peace Corps have endured," the festival website states.

I wish I would have joined the Peace Corps when I was younger. But back then, the Peace Corps wasn't even on my radar and had it been presented to me, it would have held less than no interest. But I was a different person back then.

Now though, I'd definitely want to try it. But now I have a mortgage and a job and responsibilities, and I'm out of shape and my thighs rub together when I walk. So I think I've passed my personal expiration date for joining the Peace Corp. I am, however, planning to do a volunteer vacation in the not-too-distant future, so that will satisfy my desire to be a do-gooder.    

If you haven't yet been to the National Mall to check out the festival, there is still time left. You have until July 11.

Peace and love.
Nicole