Maryland Traditions Folklife Area & Stage
Within its most basic of definitions, Folklife is the sharing of living traditions, and is commonly associated with practices such as dance, song, and art. But when you consider traditions that have sustained and evolved within generations and communities as our state has grown, you begin to recognize that Folklife itself is what binds us all. We learn where we come from through the passing on of information, from generation to generation. And while much of this history is told through an oral narrative, there are stories that live within everything we do that define our cultural heritage. A family recipe, a community spiritual practice, traditional craft, and standards of work; they all tell a story to identify our place in the world, and when we pass on these traditions to others, it becomes a part of their story, too. The Folklife Area celebrates the gathering of community as we share in these traditions and build upon the great Maryland Story.
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Maryland Traditions Folklife Area Demonstrators
Anchor Wood Creations
Anchor Wood Creations reclaims and repurposes materials from regional sources, including downed trees and salvaged structures. Using the grain and tone of the wood as his guide, Garry Moore creates one-of-a-kind pieces for his clients and artistic expression for creative pursuits. Continue reading
Angela Smithhisler
Angela Smithhisler is the owner and shepherd at Marshall Creek Farm in Newark, Maryland. With a passion for sustainable farming and community engagement, Smithhisler has cultivated a thriving hub for local artists to explore the wonders of natural fibers and animal husbandry. Continue reading
Bruce Eppard
Bruce Eppard has been carving wildfowl and decoys since 1985. Using only hand tools, his focus is to continue carving decoys in the old tradition and honor the heritage of decoy carving on the Chesapeake Bay. Continue reading
David Bruning
David Bruning’s journey in aquaculture began at age 12 with a job at a clam and oyster nursery. Fascinated by this experience, he started his own oyster farm in 2016 in the Chincoteague Bay of Maryland. Continue reading
Eric Clark Jackson
Eric Clark Jackson is a contemporary fiber artist whose work is an intersection of fine art, contemporary craft and the ecology of the watershed. Continue reading
George “BeeGeorge” Meyer
George “BeeGeorge” Meyer runs approximately 150 bee colonies in Talbot County, selling honey at retail locations, a few fairs, in bulk and in specialty bottlings. Continue reading
Pocomoke Indian Nation
Composed of descendants of one of the Indigenous populations of the Delmarva Peninsula, the Pocomoke Indian Nation pass on the heritage and lifeways of Delmarva’s Indigenous peoples offering oral presentations and demonstrations on Indigenous skills, arts and customs. Continue reading
Shanye Huang
Award-winning artist Shanye Huang was born and raised in a Zhuang Ethnic family in Guangxi, Southwest China, a region known for its vibrant folk arts. Huang’s work connects to his southern Chinese craft traditions and folkloric heritage with Western contemporary art concepts. Continue reading
Trisha Gupta
Trisha Gupta is a contemporary artist, community activist and educator. Her printmaking is heavily influenced by her Indian-American heritage and explores themes of social inequality, colonialism, mental health and immigration. Continue reading
Maryland Traditions Folklife Stage Performers
Dan + Claudia Zanes with Tyree Austin
Grammy award-winner Dan Zanes and vocalist/music therapist Claudia Zanes have been sharing their love of community and social music making in concerts large and small across the country. With the addition of Tyree Austin, this is an exciting new sound in family music. Continue reading
Great American Indian Dancers
The Great American Indian Dancers feature live music, dance and storytelling from diverse tribes from throughout the United States. Continue reading
Lydia and Emily Martin
The Martin sisters of Boyds, Maryland – Lydia and Emily – present traditional Irish and old-time repertoire and have performed on both sides of the Atlantic. Emily’s daughter, Elora Paul-Martin, is a third-generation member of the Martin Family Band. Continue reading
Mid Shore Voices United
Mid Shore Voices United is a group of enthusiastic singers from several different religious denominations. This group offers a unique mixture of Negro spirituals and spirited gospel music, and takes great pride in spreading the word and making a joyful noise. Continue reading
Noah Mitchel
Noah Mitchel is a vocalist, theater performer, Yiddish music performer and culture worker living in Baltimore. He has performed theater with Congress for Jewish Culture, Jewish Plays Project, Imagination Stage and IN Series. Continue reading
Quey Percussion Duo
For nearly 20 years, Quey [“Kway”] Percussion Duo has dazzled audiences worldwide with its unmistakable style that blends traditions of contemporary, cross-cultural, classical and popular music to create colorful sound worlds. Continue reading
Tisza Ensemble
Tisza Ensemble was formed in 1982 by a group of dancers in Maryland interested in the Hungarian táncház movement. The ensemble has performed at the Embassy of Hungary, the Kennedy Center, the annual Hungarian Christmas Bazaar and in Hungary. Continue reading
UMES Steppers
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Greeks will be performing a series of strolls and steps to exemplify the history and culture of each Greek Letter Organization. Continue reading
