In 1981, I began my Master’s degree in Museum Studies at George Washington University (GWU). I took an introductory course in American Studies with Pete Mondale, who assigned a book that would change my life: Black Culture and Black Consciousness by Larry Levine. When I asked Mondale where I could read more books like this, he introduced me to John Vlach, the new folklorist that the department had just hired. John had just written Charleston Blacksmith about Phillip Simmons, an African American blacksmith in Charleston. I was immediately sold on this professor, since my brother was a blacksmith and I had worked at a museum on Black women’s history in Washington, DC (The Bethune Museum) prior to starting my Master’s degree. And, then I learned what folklorists do.
Short Essay
Joanie Madden
Irish flute player, Joanie Madden is named a 2021 National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Kaw Naw: Karen Fish Noodle Soup
The author discusses the preparation and eating of fish noodle soup (Kaw Naw), a well known Karen dish.
Protests and Pandemic: The Masks of Black Lives Matter
The wearing of facial coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic that comment upon the “Black Lives Movement” mark their wearers as part of a collective, united movement.
My Problematic Claim to Fame
The author, a storyteller, provides a transcript of his storytelling performance at the Liars Contest at the 2019 Susquehanna Folk Festival.
Artist Spotlight
A portrait of Jianling Yue, Chinese papercutting artist and Professor of Communication at Rensselaer Polytechni institution (RPI).
What We Bring: Storytelling, Theater, and the Traditional Arts
Accompanying the exhibition, “What We Bring: New Immigrant Gifts,” were several performances by New York City artists. This essay details the performances and their connection to the City Lore exhibition.
How I Became A Doo-Wop Fan 10 Years Too Late
The author reflects on Doo Wop as a folk musical form, as he experienced it first hand as a child from the streets in his neighborhood of New York.
Roslin Castle and the Battle of Plattsburgh
Ransom explores the association of Scotland’s Roslin Castle and the Battle of Plattsburgh.
Two Minutes: The Making of the Battenkill Inspired Video Series
The author chronicles her experiences shooting and producing a series of mini-documentaries about life and work along the Battenkill Creek in Washington County, NY.
Upstate New York’s Irish Music Archive
An essay by Ted McGraw about his ongoing radio show, and the resulting collection of Irish music – one of the largest private collections of Irish music in the world.
Music and Food in Multicultural Syracuse
Ethnomusicologist, Sydney Hutchinson, reports on a fieldwork based course at Syracuse University that engaged students with the city’s diverse tradition bearers.
The Market on Saturday Night
Essay about the 19th century Edward Harrigan song, “The Market on Saturday Night.”
Foodways
The author shares observations as a participant in a foodways presentation.
Snowdrops: Science, Myths, and Folklore
An Ethno-botanical study of the Snowdrop plant.