The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an eccentric patchwork of history and culture. This year, the Smithsonian spotlights three topics on the National Mall: "Colombia: The Nature of Culture," "The Peace Corps: 50 Years of Promoting World Peace and Friendship," and "Rhythm and Blues: Tell It Like It Is." more ›

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is always one of the more colorful exhibitions in the District. This year, the festival focuses on Mexican culture, magnifying the pure volume of hues available to the eye -- as a few of our Flickr contributors ably prove above. Haven't gotten the chance to make it to the Mall to check it out yet? No worries; you've got until Monday to do so. more ›

The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival began yesterday, and continues this weekend through Sunday, as well as next Wednesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5. As we mentioned back in February, this year's themes are "Giving Voice: The Power of Words in African American Culture," "Las Américas: Un Mundo Musical/The Americas: A Musical World," and "Wales Smithsonian Cymru." The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with special evening events on some days. Many of the performers will also be appearing at the Kennedy Center's Millenium Stage for free during the festival. more ›

Local fans of the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival take note: the dates and themes for this year's festival were released today. From Wednesday, June 24, through Sunday, June 28, and again from Wednesday, July 1, through Sunday, July 5, you'll be able to explore the following along the National Mall: "Giving Voice: The Power of Words in African American Culture," "Las Américas: Un Mundo Musical/The Americas: A Musical World," and "Wales Smithsonian Cymru." So expect plenty of staged readings of historical African American texts, mariachi, marimba and chanchona musical performances, and um, Welsh cooking (ick?), this summer. more ›

The Smithsonian's annual Folk Life Festival begins today on the National Mall. It runs from June 25 to June 29, as well as July 2 to 6. Daytime events are open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; special evening events begin at 6 p.m. when scheduled. Below are some of the highlights we've picked out, and we encourage you to check their full online schedule and map. more ›

FRIDAY: >> Maybe you check in with DCist only occasionally to get a few tips on which concerts to see, but tend to stick to touring acts for the most part, and still haven't really exposed yourself to the local rock scene. If so, confess tonight and all your sins will be forgiven. Three of the best local bands are playing a show together on the Black Cat's main stage at 9 p.m. -- catch... more ›

It's a slow week in jazz land because of the holiday, but there's still some great music happening. Happy 4th of July, everyone! >> Smooth jazz saxophonist Walter Beasley comes to Blues Alley for a four night stand, beginning this Thursday, with daily 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $35. >> This week's top pick is legendary drummer Andrew Cyrille (pictured), who brings a group to Twins Jazz this Friday and Saturday. This man has... more ›

By DCist Contributor Steve Kiviat The Smithsonian Folklife Festival has a somewhat well-deserved reputation as a highly educational place to dump visiting relatives, but tourists and discerning locals alike can also have some fun at the event’s daytime performances and evening concerts and dance parties (not to mention chowing down on grub that’s better than street-corner hotdogs). This year’s 41st annual version features three themes: "Mekong River: Connecting Cultures," "Northern Ireland at the Smithsonian," and... more ›

FRIDAY: >> While Argentinian actress and singer-songwriter Juana Molina put out her first album in 1996, most of us in the U.S. probably didn't get hooked on her until 2004, when her sophomore effort, Segundo, was finally released. Despite such a long lag time between her debut and follow-up, since then she's been recording like a woman on fire — this tour is support of a fourth outing, Son. She'll be bringing her unique Latin/French/Electronica/Folk... more ›

If your fellow employees were able to reap the benefits of July 4th being on a Tuesday and took July 3rd off -- and even added today for good measure -- chances are your workplace will be a veritable ghost town. So much the better, right? There's World Cup soccer to be watched. Pharmacies Oppose D.C. Cold Medicine Law: Kids getting high off of Sudafed? Basement drug producers using cold medication to make meth? It's... more ›

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