A lesson in folklife

May 12, 2008 08:42 am

— By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer
The Redbud Folklife Festival started Thursday and will continue through this Saturday evening.
Over the festival’s first two days, school groups have attended to take part in learning about some of the region’s traditional arts and crafts. Bonnie Johnson, one of the events chairpersons, said the event can prove to be educational for an older crowd as well.
Johnson said there is often a misconception with the term “folk life” and said the festival has more to offer.
“People hear folk life and think folk art immediately,” she said. “Folk life can be anything, as long as it belongs to a group of people with a culture and tradition.”
The crafts on display are handmade by regional artisans.
And the arts displayed at the festival are not confined to originating in the mountains of Kentucky. This year, acts performing included an Appalachian, a band performing a combination of Kentucky and Latin American folk music, and Hong Shao, a Chinese musician and music educator. African-American and Native-American artists were also at the festival.
Johnson said it was important for attendees, children in particular, to see the diversity present in the region.
“I think the children to know they have a heritage, culture and tradition all their own,” she said. “But the community is changing and becoming more diverse. I think they need to see that.”
Alfredo Escobar, who is also involved with the event, agreed the festival is good in providing education about different cultures and artistry to attendees. Local artists are on hand as well.
“This brings together the different cultures in this area,” he said. “It’s almost like putting them in a box and putting it out to the audience.”
Escobar said the festival also gives attendees a chance to not only see crafts and hear the performance of the musicians. While presenters will perform on the main stage, they will also be on the narrative stage to talk the effect their art has on the community, the artist and consumer. They will also discuss how their traditions, arts, and how their crafts were handed down.
“It gives people in the audience a better understanding and appreciation of the art and why the artist does it,” he said. “It gives the artist a chance to talk. It becomes a very educational festival.”

“The kids get to come up and not only be observers of the festival but be part of the festival as well,” Johnson said.

The festival held at the Bennett Center from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

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