Lots of Great Music

I've been enjoying all the opportunities for great free music in DC. (Well, not ALL of them - there's too many.) The Homegrown concerts at the Library of Congress put on by the American Folklife Center feature excellent local performers from different states. November 15, folklorist Andrea Graham brought Dallas Chief Eagle, of the Rosebud Sioux tribe, and Jasmine Pickner, of the Crow Creek Sioux tribe, from South Dakota to perform hoop dances. AMAZING! Take a look at the video of their performance at the Kennedy Center Millenium Stage later that night. A highlight for me -- I joined the volunteers on stage to learn a simple version of a hoop dance. It was challenging and loads of fun!

Yesterday, West Virginia had its turn with Gandydancer, an impressive old time string band. Beautiful harmonies, excellent instrumentation, and an interesting mix of styles of songs and tunes. After their noon concert at AFC, they were whisked away to play at Senator Robert Byrd's surprise 90th birthday party. That night they played at the Kennedy Center. Watch that December 12 performance.

(Photos are from the Kennedy Center website.)