National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA)

09/04/2026

2026 Richmond Folk Festival Artist Spotlight

New York Tibetan Ensemble
Tibetan opera, folk song, and dance
New York, New York

A lifeline to the Himalayas rings out in the music and dance of the New York Tibetan Ensemble. Strumming the dranyen lute, singing tales of hunters and princesses, stomping and swaying, the group sustains performing arts traditions from Tibet and across the Himalayas, including Nepal, Bhutan, and northern India. Their repertoire encompasses regional folk songs, classical court traditions, and opera alike to stir broad streams of heritage in the Tibetan-Burmese speaking world. Based in Queens, New York––home to the largest Tibetan population outside of Asia––the New York Tibetan Ensemble provides an inclusive outlet for Himalayan diasporic communities to collectively celebrate their shared heritage. Nawang Tsering Gurung, Tashi Dhindu Thakuri, and the collective members of the New York Tibetan Ensemble ensure that music, dance, and stories from the Himalayas continue to teem with life and community in New York City and far beyond.

09/02/2026

2026 Richmond Folk Festival Artist Spotlight

Sons of Promise
gospel
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Sons of Promise are an exciting group of young, anointed singers breathing new life into the storied quartet gospel tradition of their native Philadelphia. Their sound mixes traditional gospel harmonies and explosive lead vocals with a hard-driving rhythm section and a timeless commitment to their faith, topped with a high-energy showmanship. Audiences in Richmond are sure to feel the power, faith, and passion the Sons of Promise bring to each performance

08/31/2026

2026 Richmond Folk Festival Artist Spotlight

Susana Behar
traditional Sephardic song
Miami, Florida

Susana Behar of Miami is a leading voice and cultural champion for Sephardic song. She weaves together her Jewish, Cuban, and Venezuelan heritage to bring a unique perspective to the music of the Sephardic diaspora in the Americas. Singing primarily in the once-endangered Ladino language with grace, passion, and beauty, Behar illuminates and reclaims this deeply evocative, centuries-old tradition, with an emphasis on history, culture, storytelling, and inclusion.

08/28/2026

2026 Richmond Folk Festival Artsist Spotlight

Swanky Kitchen Band
Caymanian kitchen dance music
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Swanky Kitchen Band is on a quest to revive the traditional music of the Cayman Islands. Set amidst the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, the three tiny islands are home to kitchen dance music, an infectiously danceable fiddle-driven style. The kitchen dance sound, created through a crossroads of European and African influences, nearly disappeared save for the efforts of Swanky Kitchen Band, the last of the Caymanian kitchen bands. “Swanky,” as the group is known to its fan base, was founded by fiddler Samuel Rose, at a time when development and societal change nearly ended the genre. The band adds a modern twist to their Caymanian heritage with more contemporary instruments, creating a 10-piece powerhouse dance band.

08/27/2026

2026 Richmond Folk Festival Artist Spotlight:

The Chuck Brown Band
go-go
Washington, D.C.

What better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of go-go, the official music of Washington, D.C., than by welcoming back the Chuck Brown Band, now led by Wiley Brown, son of the “Godfather of Go-Go,” Chuck Brown. The go-go sound is firmly rooted in D.C.’s Black neighborhoods; created, nurtured, and sustained by a whole community over generations, but almost everyone agrees that the originator of the sound was guitarist, singer, and bandleader Chuck Brown and his band The Soul Searchers. Nearly 15 years after the passing of their legendary founder and bandleader, the pioneering group continues to lay down the signature go-go beat for legions of fans nationwide.

08/22/2026

Don't miss your chance to celebrate Hanukkah with Michael Winograd & the Honorable Mentshn at The Barns at Wolf Trap on December 5, 2026! See acclaimed clarinetist Winograd and his stellar band for evening filled with dreidels, donuts, and dance! Tickets on sale now, use the link below!

The NCTA is thrilled to partner with The Barns at Wolf Trap, the Institute for Immigration Research-GMU, and the Pozez JCC ECLC on this fun-filled evening for the entire family!

https://www.wolftrap.org/show/2627barns/120526/

08/20/2026

Don't miss your chance to see Amanda Cook at the Blue Ridge Music Center on August 29! Amanda Cook has delighted audiences across the U.S. and Canada with her crystal-clear voice and talented band, but she always comes back to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Tickets at the link below!
https://www.blueridgemusiccenter.org/concert-events/amanda-cook-band-2026/
📷: Remsberg Inc.

08/18/2026

We are thrilled to share more artists performing at the 2026 Richmond Folk Festival! Head over to RichmondFolkFestival.org to explore all the performers appearing at this year's festival, and make your plans to head to downtown Richmond October 9-11

Join us on Downtown Richmond’s riverfront Friday-Sunday, October 9-11 to immerse yourself in the roots, richness and variety of American culture through music, dance, traditional crafts, storytelling and food! 🪕🥘🥁

🎙️ Meet the second group of artists joining us for the 2026 Richmond Folk Festival, including four traditions brand new to Richmond stages!

Dr. Michael White Quartet
🎶 traditional New Orleans jazz
📍 New Orleans, Louisiana

El Khat القات
🎶 Yemeni Jewish junkyard band
📍 Berlin, Germany

El Laberinto del Coco
🎶 Puerto Rican bomba
📍 San Juan, Puerto Rico

Lucibela
🎶 Cabo Verdean
📍 Praia, Cabo Verde

New York Tibetan Ensemble(Himalayan Language and Cultural Program)
🎶 Tibetan opera, folk song and dance
📍 New York, New York
Seth Spell and Cajun Strong
🎶 Cajun
📍 Estherwood, Louisiana

Pastor Scott & The Sons of Promise of Phila
🎶 gospel
📍 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Susana Behar
🎶 traditional Sephardic song
📍 Miami, Florida

Tradition-ILL: the Indigenous Hip Hop Connection
🎶 hip hop and powwow dance
📍 Washington, D.C.; Edmonton, Alberta; and Los Angeles

➕ Get to know the artists, hear audio samples and watch videos at richmondfolkfestival.org/performers or at the link in our bio! 🔗

08/14/2026

Don't miss your chance to celebrate Hanukkah with Michael Winograd & the Honorable Mentshn at The Barns at Wolf Trap on December 5, 2026! See acclaimed clarinetist Winograd and his stellar band for evening filled with dreidels, donuts, and dance! Tickets go on sale August 21, 2026, use the link below for details.

The NCTA is thrilled to partner with The Barns at Wolf Trap, the Institute for Immigration Research-GMU, and the Pozez JCC ECLC on this fun-filled evening for the entire family!

https://www.wolftrap.org/show/2627barns/120526/

07/27/2026

Thanks to all of the artists, crew, and audience for a great Lowell Folk Festival! It was a lovely weekend, and we are so appreciative of everyone involved.

📷 Remsberg Inc.