by Susan Marquez, Magnolia Tribune
(Photo provided by National Folk Festival)
The wide-ranging program for the 83rd National Folk Festival is returning to Downtown Jackson November 13 through 15 for the second year of its three-year residency. The free festival shines a spotlight on Mississippi in a special way this year.
Mississippi will shine big at the National Folk Festival. The Mississippi Folklife Area and Stage is a special component of the National Folk Festival, celebrating and showcasing the traditions held deeply in the state’s diverse communities. With a different theme each year, the Folklife Area shines a spotlight on the distinctive music, rituals, crafts, occupations, foodways, and other traditions at the heart of Mississippi’s cultural heritage, expressing both the state’s deep history and its evolving character.
From the Gulf Coast to the Delta and the Prairie to the Hill Country, this area presents the best traditional musicians, artisans, and foods in Mississippi, in curated programs that celebrate the state’s rich, varied, and unique culture. Performances, demonstrations, displays, exhibits, and narrative presentations explore a wide range of topics, including the traditions of its Native peoples, the cultural legacies of families who have called the state home for generations, and the expressions of the newest Mississippi residents whose cultural roots are in far-flung places around the globe.
Mississippi Flavor: At the Crossroads of the American Story
For 250 years, Mississippi culture has flowed continually outward to shape the nation. The state’s folk traditions speak to the heart of America, particularly when it comes to food and music. From church hymns to juke joints, and kitchen tables to game-day tailgates, Mississippi’s traditions are meant to be shared and continually remade. Mississippi Flavor: At the Crossroads of the American Story, a special program curated by the Mississippi Arts Commission, honors the state’s contributions to the nation’s artistic and cultural excellence. It celebrates artists, musicians, cooks, friends, and families who carry the past forward and communities where creativity is a shared act. Here, traditions remind us that Mississippi’s cultural soul does not simply belong to one state but enriches the entire nation
“America’s rich palette and sounds are rooted right here in Mississippi,” said David Lewis, executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission. “With southern soul and a side of comeback sauce, we continue our celebration of America’s 250th with a focus on the music and flavors Mississippi has cultivated for generations. We can’t wait for everyone to experience what Mississippi has brought to the table this year.”
“The Folklife Area is always a vital part of the National Folk Festival experience, but that’s especially true this year, ” said NCTA Executive Director Blaine Waide. “Mississippi Flavor is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reflect on the state’s contributions, not just as the ‘birthplace of America’s music,’ but as the source of so much of our nation’s artistic and cultural legacy.”
Mississippi Flavor: At the Crossroads of the American Story will feature:
Alan Sibley & the Magnolia Ramblers of Ackerman, combining classic bluegrass standards, original gospel sounds, and classic instrumental licks in a style that harkens back to the music’s founding generation.
Annie & the Caldwells of West Point, blending fiery gospel sounds with the slow-burn groove of soul, making this family band a longtime favorite on the gospel circuit in Mississippi’s Golden Triangle, and of late, across the world
Big Apple Inn of Jackson, a community staple for nearly 80 years, serving up classic southern soul food like their famous pig ear sandwiches.
Cedric Burnside of Holly Springs, an innovator and torchbearer for the spellbinding Hill Country blues tradition, bridging the music’s legacy and future, transmitting deeply held blues stories in a fresh, contemporary voice.
Chimneyville Weavers & Spinners Guild of Jackson, sharing the time-honored practice of creating textiles by hand using tools that predate modern technology.
Eddie Cotton, Jr. of Clinton, a master of soul blues moving audiences, body and spirit, with blistering guitar work, stirring vocals, and a hard-driving style rooted in the church of his youth.
Eden Brent of Greenville, a blues pianist, vocalist, songwriter, and educator carrying forward the rich sounds of Mississippi Delta blues and boogie-woogie piano.
Edna Nicole & Rev. Slim of Clarksdale, performing their mix of Delta blues, gospel, soul, and funk that draws inspiration from the community and people around them.
Hollywood Luck of Jackson, a hip hop artist, producer, and songwriter, celebrating the creativity and energy of southern hip hop.
Jarita Frazier-King of Natchez, sharing her signature twist on traditional southern soul food and Creole classics.
Jemero Carter & Kingdomology of Oxford, playing a compelling mix of traditional, contemporary, and trap gospel—creating music that celebrates the continuing evolution of a signature southern sound.
The Church of the Living God, “Home of the Sacred Steel Players,” of Tupelo, offering a rare opportunity to experience the distinctive sacred steel musical tradition of the Church of the Living God, Jewell Dominion.
Lady Trucker of Holly Springs, a cousin of Jessie Mae Hemphill, performing the blues and gospel of her roots, celebrating the rich musical traditions of North Mississippi’s Hill Country.
Las Delicias of Leland, demonstrating their award-winning version of a distinctive Mississippi staple, Delta tamales.
Leda & Annie Issac of Choctaw, sharing their knowledge of traditional Choctaw culinary traditions that have been practiced in Mississippi for millennia.
Los Preeminentes of Greenwood, a family band that has transported Northern Mexico’s classic norteño sounds to the Delta.
Melony Armstrong of Tupelo, showcasing her skills as an expert hairbraider and sharing her craft with festivalgoers of all ages.
Mississippi Cultural Crossroads of Port Gibson, sharing the rich quilting traditions of the region, including string quilts and their newest collaborative quilt celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Mississippi Delta Chinese Heritage Museum of Cleveland, showcasing the rich and vibrant customs brought to the Delta by Chinese immigrants, from grocery stores to wok demonstrations, chopstick tutorials, and mahjong.
Palmer Robbins of Jackson, demonstrating traditional blacksmithing techniques.
Peter Sherman of Natchez, a bowl hewer, showcasing a form of woodworking using an adze, a seldom-seen, historic woodworking tool.
Rising Stars Fife & Drum of Coldwater, infusing the centuries-old African American fife and drum tradition with a new energy and youthful spirit, keeping the flame of her grandfather Otha Turner’s legacy.
Shane Sekul of Ocean Springs, demonstrating boatbuilding and boat restoration by sharing the time-honored skills that serve Mississippi boatbuilders of past and present.
Southern Boyz Grabbling of Olive Branch, sharing the uniquely southern practice of catfish grabbling, also known as noodling.
Bringing the tailgating traditions of a Saturday college game day to the festival, with tailgaters from Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the University of Mississippi.
Approximately 300 artists—musicians, dancers, storytellers, and craftspeople—will take part in the National Folk Festival, with more than 30 different musical groups performing on as many as six outdoor performance venues throughout Downtown Jackson.
Over 15 people of different backgrounds—and with a deep knowledge of music and art forms—came together from across Mississippi to serve as the local Festival Programming Advisory Committee. This committee’s role is to consider—and help the NCTA select—the artists who will perform at the National Folk Festival each year.
This year’s festival will prominently feature National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship recipients, our nation’s highest honor for the traditional arts, in a special program celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
To learn more about these artists and their stories, visit here. The National Folk Festival will feature individual artists on its Facebook page and Instagram throughout the summer.
The 83rd National Folk Festival will prominently feature National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship recipients, our nation’s highest honor for the traditional arts, in a special program celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.