Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2009

Every year the Smithsonian puts on a Folklife Festival on the National Mall. This year's themes were African American storytelling, Wales, and Latin American music.

The Latin American Music section had three stages with musicians from all over. They played everything from merengue to conjunto.

The African American storytelling section had different stages set up, including a kitchen, a barbershop, and a stoop. Performers told stories, recited poetry, and sang.

Craftspeople from Wales also set up demonstrations. Pictured is the spinner. There was also a bookbinder, an animator, basket weavers, wood carvers, boat builders, and a baker. It made me want to learn something useful.

Each section had food as well. We ate in Central America (platanos and chicken with rice). Nothing to write home about.