I was in high school when the HBO premiered the series Brave New Voices (2009). I remember being in awe of the force behind the voices of teenagers collectively sharing their stories through spoken word, across the cities spotlighted on the show.

Irish American fiddler Liz Carroll from Chicago, Illinois, is renowned as both a virtuosic musician and a gifted composer.

Rhythm is not inherently musical, as Benjamin Earl Turner demonstrates in “Diatribe of a Shepard’s Son.” The ebb and flow of Ben’s poetry guides the audience along the journey of his verse, and challenges the perception of the norm.

Throughout the Folklife Festival, the sounds of upbeat banda music and the cracks of whips wafted through the air.

Seven acts performed at this year's Ralph Rinzler Memorial Concert, showing a diverse sampling of the National Endowment for Arts National Heritage Fellows.

On the opening day of the 2016 Folklife Festival, Basque trikitixa (accordion) sensation Kepa Junkera headlined the Ralph Rinzler Concert Stage, accompanied by five of the Sorginak.

In this interview, Tmbata answers questions about their American and Armenian inspirations, the importance of Armenian folk music, and what they want to do when get to D.C. for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Day two of the Folklife Festival ended with a welcome surprise of cross-culture.

The 2016 Smithsonian Folklife Festival began on June 29 with a ceremony in the Smithsonian’s newly reopened Arts and Industries Building.

We are thrilled to present the world premier of a new song by Quetzal featuring soul singer Aloe Blacc. “Let’s Get to Knowing” will appear on the band’s upcoming Smithsonian Folkways Recordings album, The Eternal Getdown.