August 14, 2008 National Folk Festival (USA)

	The National Folk Festival in the United States was first presented in St. Louis in 1934, it is a large-scale three-day outdoor event presented free to the public. The National Folk Festival is the oldest multi-cultural traditional arts celebration in the nation and the first event of national stature to put the arts of many nations, races and languages into the same event on an equal footing.
Some of the artists presented at the first festival are now legendary and the recordings and other documentation made possible by the National are precious. W.C. Handy's first performance on a desegregated stage was at the 1938 National. It was the first event of national stature to present the blues, Cajun music, a polka band, a Tex-Mex conjunto, a Sacred Harp ensemble, Peking opera, and others. This traveling festival has been held in 28 communities around the country. In many cases, after the National has moved on to other sites, the locality continues having a folk festival of its own. In 1990, 1991, and 1992, the National was held in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In 1993, 1994, and 1995, the National was held in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 1996, 1997, and 1998, the National was held in Dayton, Ohio. In 1999, 2000, and 2001, the National was held in East Lansing, Michigan. In 2002, 2003, and 2004, the National was held in Bangor, Maine. In 2005, 2006, and 2007, the National was held in Richmond, Virginia. In 2008, 2009, and 2010, the National will be held in Butte, Montana. Historic Uptown Butte (see photo) will be the site of the 70th, 71st and 72nd National Folk Festivals in 2008, 2009 and 2010. This is the first time the National Folk Festival has been held west of the Mississippi River in over 40 years, and its first time ever in Montana. Montana Traditions Each National Folk Festival host city celebrates its own regional traditions and heritage. Folklife demonstrations and exhibits feature Montana’s finest craftspeople and other tradition-bearers, and explore subjects ranging from silver working to saddle making, from blacksmithing to basket making, from cowboy poetry to quilting, instrument making, woodcarving, needlework, American Indian beadwork and much more. The 70th National Folk Festival was presented on Butte's historic Hill to a crowd of nearly 75,000 over three days (July 11-13, 2008) of perfect weather. The 71st National Folk Festival will be held from July 10 to 12, 2009 in Butte, Montana.
Not that kind - The Ellis Collective at the National Folk Festival 2008
Event: National Folk Festival Date: July 10-12, 2009 Location: Butte, Montana USA

SOURCE: National Folk Festival

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