Regional America
odd: label: Introduction
content: The first week of the 1975 Regional America program focused on the people of the Northern Plains (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas), particularly on the occupational life-styles related to agriculture and livestock. This is the region that is called the "breadbasket" and the economy of the area is based on grain crops, feed crops, and livestock production. The Smithsonian represented the agriculture of the area by growing on the Festival site wheat (the principal grain crop), alfalfa (a principal feed crop), and some typical plains grasses as well as sorghum and sunflowers. Livestock grazed on the National Mall and were used in demonstrations of herding techniques. Visitors saw varieties of threshing from individual manual techniques to modern mechanical combines. A daily tractor pull contest demonstrated not only the skills of the farmers in operating equipment, but also the pride they take in the power of their own carefully maintained machinery.

Craft presentations included associated occupational and domestic crafts. For example, livestock-related crafts such as those involved with maintenance, auctioneering, leatherworking, blacksmithing, wagon making and repair, and metal working were highlighted, as well as key occupational skills related to livestock include horse handling, sheep shearing, and ropework. Functional but decorative domestic crafts were also demonstrated: piece quilts, braided and rag rugs, corn husk and rag dolls, toys carved from chips, noisemakers, whimmy diddles.

Festival visitors could see and participate in a variety of folk dancing by different ethnic groups who settled in the Plains: Germans, Scandinavians, Ukrainians and Czechs. Northern Plains music is characteristically performed on instruments practiced in isolation such as the fiddle.These are usually played solo, but at the Festival they were also performed in combination.

The character of the California Heartland region (second week of the Festival) is expressed by its flamboyant image, diverse landscape, and - of utmost importance - a 'Mediterranean' climate that makes outdoor living possible. It is also an area rich in ethnic communities, and many of these were featured at the 1975 Festival.

Mexican American muralists from East Los Angeles completed a mural depicting their contribution to the Festival. Paper flower making and piñata making were demonstrated and taught to visitors, as were masa grinding and tortilla and tamale making. Chinese Americans from the San Francisco area performed a shadow puppet play twice daily. Various crafts including kite-making and the construction of paper ribbon fish welcomed audience participation. Three traditional games (an early form of yoyo, shuttlecock and cat's cradle) were demonstrated and taught.

Portuguese American fisherfolk demonstrated boat building as well as net and lure making accompanied by traditional sea chanteys. A highlight of the Portuguese community is the "Festa da Espiritu Santu", a celebration involving a parade of decorated cows, ceremonial milking, a milk and bread feast and a traditional contest between solo singers who improvise verses, enacted on the Festival site from July 2 to 4.

Unique to San Francisco is the tradition of cable car bell ringing. Cable car gripmen announced each session at the main California stage and dance floor, and competed for the bell ringing championship. A Greek father and son demonstrated traditional woven straw beehive construction and discussed bee-keeping and the agricultural use of bees. California Armenians wove rugs and spun wool.

The joys of sociable dancing were shared by square dances, Portuguese chamaritas, Phillippine tinakling and an evening of waltzes. There were also examples of solo singing by Portuguese, Anglo, French, and black singers and group singing by Molokans, Anglos, Chicanos and blacks.

Administrator for the Regional America program was William K. McNeil, with Charles Camp as Research Coordinator; Rayna Green served as Consultant.
label: Fieldworkers
content: Northern Plains Researchers

Metha Bercier, John Carter, Carey Cook, Larry Danielson, Sister Stephanie Dolyniuk, Karen Heinzman, Lynn Ireland, Constance Kane, Jens Lund, Janet McDonnell, Gina Newbold, Douglas Parks, Marjorie Sackett, Earl Sampson, Darrel Sawyer, Dorothy Shonsey, Scott Sorensen, Kenneth Stewart, Sherry Stoskopf, Robert Thompson, Robert Webb

California Research Staff

Coordinator: Bess Lomax Hawes; Assistant Coordinator: Barbara LaPan Rahm; Researchers: Justin Bishop, Joyce P. Bynum, Nicola Marguerite Deval, Nicholas Hawes, Michael Korn, Marilyn Salvador, Daniel Sheehy; Advisors: Stephen P. and Ethel Dunn (Molokan presentation), Elaine Miller (Mexican American presentation), Joanne B. Purcell (Portuguese presentation)
label: Participants
content: Northern Plains

Margaret Anderson, 1900-2002, singer, cook, Scandia, Kansas

August Anheluk, 1917-2001, musician

Leslie Anheluk, dancer

James Baker, dancer

Emerson Baker, singer

Norman Baker, singer

Wade Baker, dancer

Donna Baranko, dancer

Ann Basaraba, singer

Roy Basaraba, singer

Lydia Bears Tail, bead worker, cook & dancer

Saunders Bears Tail, 1934-1998, dancer

Linnea B. Briggs, 1893-1990, bobbin lace maker, Windom, Kansas

Connie Burian, dancer

Laudie Burian, 1915-2001, musician

Lewis Calwell, 1895-1978, horse trainer, Belle Fourche, South Dakota

Alvin Campbell, 1921-, fiddler, Omaha, Nebraska

Marlys Ciscar, singer

George Crow Flies High, agricultural implement maker, dancer

Dan Dasovich, musician, Omaha, Nebraska

Danny Dasovich, musician, Omaha, Nebraska

George Dasovich, 1942-, musician, Omaha, Nebraska

Peter Drakulich, 1926-1998, musician

Frances Driver, Jr., dancer

Harold C. Edwards, 1927-1992, sheep shearer, Edgemont, South Dakota

Jeanette Evoniuk, 1923-2005, dancer

Johnnie Evoniuk, dancer

Laurence Evoniuk, singer

Matt Evoniuk, dancer

Matt Evoniuk, Jr., dancer

Pearl Evoniuk, dancer

Celia Fliginger, 1907-2003, cook, Freeman, South Dakota

Jarle Foss, 1894-1992, fiddler, Scotland, South Dakota

Dean Fox, dancer

George B. German, 1902-1991, singer

Hilda Goering, 1916-, quilter, Moundridge, Kansas

Aaron Goertzen, 1921-1987, mandolin player, Aurora, Nebraska

Dick Goertzen, mandolin player, Henderson, Nebraska

Jacob C. Goertzen, 1919-1992, mandolin player, Henderson, Nebraska

Delwayne Good Iron, 1943-2014, singer, war bonnet maker

Velda Graber, 1912-1984, soap, sauerkraut maker, Marion, South Dakota

Darrell Griffith, 1930-, horse handler, Faith, South Dakota

Rose Hand, cook, quilter

John Hanzek, 1919-1997, musician

Elmus Henderson, 1908-1979, saddle, harness maker, Kearney, Nebraska

Lyle Henderson, 1947-, saddle, harness maker, Kearney, Nebraska

Mabel Howling Wolf, 1907-1989, cook, quitter

Leslie Jeffery, cattle crew, Sturgis, South Dakota

Margie Jeffery, ranch cook, Sturgis, South Dakota

Mitchel Jeffery, 1951-, cattle crew, Sturgis, South Dakota

William Jeffery, Jr., cattle crew foreman, Sturgis, South Dakota

Betty Johnson, 1927-, rosemaler, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Edward Johnson, singer, musician

Esther Jorgensen, 1908-1998, cook, Viborg, South Dakota

ArvelIa Kenaston, 1934-, musician, Springview, Nebraska

Robert Kenaston, 1928-2013, musician, Springview, Nebraska

Roger Kenaston, 1954-, musician, Springview, Nebraska

Donna Kordon, dancer

Mary Ann Krush, singer

Kathleen Laible, 1929-1996, canner, Howard, South Dakota

Ann Larson, 1914-2003, cook, Aberdeen, South Dakota

Bill Larson, 1896-1990, fiddler, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Luella Loganbill, 1928-, quilter, Moundridge, Kansas

Glenn Lornev, tractor pull

Eugene Mack, dancer

George Mack, dancer

Joyce Mack, dancer

Verna Mack, dancer

Don Malnourie, 1939-2005, singer

Ben Makaruk, 1924-1999, singer

Marie Makaruk, singer

Bill Mastel, musician

Mack Medakovich, musician

Merle Messing, 1941-2007, tractor pull, Groton, South Dakota

Alex Morin, dancer, singer

Bill Nameniuk, musician

Debbie Painte, bead worker, shawl maker, dancer

Agnes Palaniuk, singer

Billy Palaniuk, dancer

Fred Penner, 1940-, musical saw player, Tyndall, South Dakota

D. Peter Plechas, musician, Omaha, Nebraska

Agnes Poitra, 1924-1999, dancer, Belcourt, North Dakota

Leon Poitra, 1922-2003, dancer, Belcourt, North Dakota

Harry Porter, 1902-1995, sheep shearer, Edgemont, South Dakota

Ken Putnam, 1955-, fiddler, Rapid City, South Dakota

Jean Roberts, 1932-, cornhusk doll maker, Axtell, Nebraska

Wayne Robinson, sausage maker

Alton Schlag, musician

James Schwab, musician

Larry Schwab, musician

Billy Marlene Short, cattle crew, Piedmont, South Dakota

Dennis Short, 1938-1984, cattle crew, Piedmont, South Dakota

Marlene Sitting Crow, cook, dancer

Murphy Sitting Crow, bustle maker, dancer

Johnny Smith, auctioneer

John E. Stratman, 1908-1989, agricultural spokesperson, Wilcox, Nebraska

Wilhelmine Thue, 1902-1989, cook, Howard, South Dakota

Joe Trottier, musician

Mary Wallette, dancer, cook

Earl Waltner, 1915-1979, blacksmith, Bridgewater, South Dakota

Douglas D. Weber, musician

Gene Weisbeck, musician

Donna Wilkie, dancer, cook

Edward Wilkie, dancer

Helen Wilkinson, quilter

Hugo Wuebben, 1910-1984, carver, Hartington, Nebraska

Alice Yellow Wolf, bead worker

Bert Yellow Wolf, 1939-1995, singer

Joe Zacharias, 1933-, accordion, Wagner, South Dakota

Marie Zaste, dancer, cook

California Heartland

Leslie Alamsha, dancer

Juan Alvarado, 1930-,  -- pregonero -- ,  -- guitarrista -- ,  -- jaranero

Manuel Azevedo, caller, dancer, singer

Nora Bogdanoff, 1913-1981, Molokan singer

David Botello, muralist

Jane Botieff, Molokan singer

William J. Botieff, Molokan singer

Francisco Carrillo,  -- guitarrista

Alfonso Chavez, charro

Kate Chernekoff, 1922-1999, Molokan singer

Peter Chernekoff, 1912-1988, Molokan singer

Jeoffrey Chiang, special Chinese consultant

Vivian Chiang, coordinator

Richard Ching, Chinese yo-yo, shuttlecock, cat's cradle

Dai T. Chung, musician, shadow player

Marilyn Cunningham Cleary, fiddler

Earl Collins, fiddler

Nemo Concepcion, yo-yo demonstrator

Danny Cruz, charro, Los Nietos, California

Jack Cunningham, fiddler

Van Cunningham, 1896-1984, fiddler, Bodfish, California

Antonio Garcia Da Rosa, mandolin player

Leonel Garcia Da Rosa, mandolin player

Al Figueroa, singer, guitarist, Blythe, California

Carmela Figueroa, singer

Alex A. Galkin, 1920-1976, Molokan singer

Juan Gandara, charro, vice president of La Alteña

Alicia Gonzalez, paper crafts, Los Angeles, California

Guadalupe D. Gonzalez, paper crafts, cook, Los Angeles, California

Jose Luis Gonzalez, muralist, Los Angeles, California

Rebecca Gonzalez, paper crafts, cook

Blanche Gonzalez, crafts, cook

Kenneth M. Hall, 1923-2013, mandolin player

Marta Louise Hall, musician assistant

Fermin Herrera,  -- harpista

Jorge Herrera,  -- jaranero

Maria Isabel Herrera,  -- jaranera -- ,  -- requintera -- , dancer

Chi-mei Kao Hwang, Chinese craft assistant

Hubert Isaac, drummer

Rinold Isaac, dancer

Andrea Ja, shadow player

Robert Ernest Lee Jeffery, 1915-1976, blues pianist, San Diego, California

Kate Kalpakoff, Molokan singer

Craig Ernest Kodros, bee hive maker

George Harry Kodros, bee hive maker

Anna Koh, northern Chinese cook

David Koh, assistant northern Chinese cook

Jim A. Korneff, 1916-1994, singer

Julia Lazar, baker, spinner

Robert Lazar, dancer

Calvin E. Long, tinker, San Diego, California

Pauline Loo, Chinese craft assistant

Francisco Macias, charro

Eddie Martinez, muralist, Hacienda Heights, California

Heli Medeiros, 1921-2003, singer

Nellie Melosardoff, 1913-2007, Molokan singer

Anna Mendrin, Molokan singer

John Mendrin, 1923-1989, Molokan singer

Jonnie Kay Neavill, fiddler

David Page, uilleann bagpiper

Sara J. Patapoff, 1924-1993, Molokan singer

Jack Pavloff, 1919-2000, Molokan singers' director

Mary J. Pavloff, Molokan singer

Dolores Pequeño, singer

George M. Prohroff, 1937-2001, Molokan singer

Pamella Ramsing, shadow player

Rigoberto Rincon, charro, president of La Alteña

Victor Romero,  -- guitarrista -- ,  -- vihuelo

Juanita Saludado, singer, Earlimart, California

Paul Saludado, singer, guitarist, Earlimart, California

Roy J. Samarin, 1920-1994, Molokan singer

Don Jesus Sanchez, 1910-1983, violinist, Los Angeles, California

Surma D'Mar Shimun, 1883-1975, dancer

Joel Silva,  -- festa --  coordinator, dairyman

Jose V. Silva, tuna boat designer

Manuel Silva,  -- guitarrista

Mary Silva, cook, flower maker

Julia Silveira,  -- guitarrista

Rafael Furtado Simas, 1916-2006, violinist

Rosa Maria Simas, dancer, baker

João Soares, singer

Shirley Sun, presenter

Araks Talbert, baker, spinner

Anna Tarnoff, Molokan singer

Smith Tester, banjo player

Eugene Ung, assistant southern Chinese cook

Maizie Ung, kite making, paper folding, ribbon fish demonstration

Agostinho Valim, 1917-2000, singer

Laurindo Valim, dancer

Manuel Vasquez, 1935-,  -- requintero

Moses A. Volkoff, 1892-1989, Molokan composer

Ossie White, guitarist, Lakewood, California

Roscoe White, 1923-2009, fiddler, Lakewood, California

Margaret L. Wong, southern Chinese cook

Judy Woo, assistant shadow player

Jesse Wright, singer

Jimmy Wright, singer, Fresno, California

Walter Wright, singer, Fresno, California

William Wright, 1914-1982, singer, Selma, California

Annie Zolnekoff, 1924-2010, Molokan singer

Paul Zolnekoff, 1919-2005, Molokan singer
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
setName: label: See more items in
content: Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1975 Festival of American Folklife
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections
identifier: label: Identifier
content: CFCH.SFF.1975, Series 8
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials