The first week of the Festival closed with our first of two Community Days, as we welcomed Peruvians living in the United States to share their adaptations of cultural traditions. Today also marked the first ropes of the Q’eswachaka Bridge crossing the makeshift “cliff” shipping containers and the Ralph Rinzler Memorial Concert, “Sounds of California—Sonidos de California.”
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In one of the first performances of the day, the Wilde family brought their caballos de paso (Peruvian Paso horses) from Gainesville, Virginia, to demonstrate the Marinera. Photo by Evan McGurrin, Ralph Rinzler Folklife ArchivesWilde Moran came from Peru to the United States and passed his family’s tradition of dancing the Marinera with Peruvian Paso horses onto his son and daughter. Photo by Francisco Guerra, Ralph Rinzler Folklife ArchivesSteve Cotaquispe demonstrated the danza de tijeras (scissors dance), an enthralling display of dance and acrobatics. Photo by Francisco Guerra, Ralph Rinzler Folklife ArchivesThis Andean music group from Gaithersburg, Maryland, was founded among friends who decided to spread their music with the idea of reminding people of the cultural diversity we have in the United States. Photo by JB Weilepp, Ralph Rinzler Folklife ArchivesThe young students of the Centro Cultural Perú in Virginia showed off the Marinera dance steps they have learned and invited visitors to the Wawawasi Kids Corners to try for themselves. Photo by Francisco Guerra, Ralph Rinzler Folklife ArchivesDayan Aldana is a performer steeped in the tradition of musica criolla—or creole music. Photo by Evan McGurrin, Ralph Rinzler Folklife ArchivesThe weather may have been mild today, but El Fogón Kitchen was hot! Photo by JB Weilepp, Ralph Rinzler Folklife ArchivesWhile the Peruvian American performances continued throughout the day, the Q’eswachaka bridge builders stealthily strung their first ropes across the Mall. Check back on the blog for more photos from this first day soon! Photo by Josh Weilepp, Ralph Rinzler Folklife ArchivesThe Ralph Rinzler Memorial Concert began with Agustín Lira from Fresno, California, sharing a bit of the state’s Latino culture. Photo by JB Weilepp, Ralph Rinzler Folklife ArchivesThe night closed out with Viento Callejero from East Los Angeles, playing their special blend of cumbia rock music. Photo by JB Weilepp, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
The Folklife Festival will continue Wednesday through next Sunday. We are taking two days off to allow our Peruvian participants to rest and see some sights besides the National Mall. We’ll see you in Week Two!
Elisa Hough is the editor for the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
