On Friday evening we went to the National Endowment for the Arts - National Heritage Fellowships. And it was amazing.
Apparently they give grants to artists perpetuating their particularl brand of folk art and all the winners come to DC and show off their skills on the same stage.
The variety was stunning. From traditional Korean dancing/drumming to saddle making to Ethiopian Orthodox liturgical chanting to Native American drum making to capoeira to retablo making to Native American choir singing to bluegrass to quilting.
It was all pretty random with occasionally odd segues. But all were impressively skilled at their respective craft. And then the final act was an incredible New Orleans jazz band.
They were wonderful. And once they'd finished, they called out all the fellowship winners... and then played "When the Saints Go Marching In" and everyone danced. Teenagers from Queens dancing with middle-aged Oneida women from Wisconsin dancing with a little Peruvian guy who now lives in Utah dancing with Korean women. It was joyous. Literally full of joy. I was bouncing off the walls after. Ahh... glimpses of what could/should be.
It also was a wonderful start to a wonderful weekend. Chilling with friends. Helping a local middle school put together their library. Going to a party. Gospel mass. A really nice long run. Goodness all around.
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1 comment:
I'm glad that you're experiencing so much joy and having a great time in DC. I also really hope that you can come out and play soon :)
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