JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The 83rd National Folk Festival announced eight new groups slated to perform during the event.
According to organizers, half of the groups represent cultural communities from Mississippi. The other half represent other various cultures from around the U.S.
7 more artists announced for 83rd National Folk Festival in Jackson
The following list of the eight newly announced performers and their descriptions were provided by the National Folk Festival:
Dexter Allen (Jackson, Mississippi) – blues
- Former lead guitarist and producer for soul blues legend Bobby Rush, this Jackson favorite is making his own mark with a sound that exudes soulful vocals and dynamic guitar solos.
Epi Martinez & Friends (Rio Grande Valley, Texas) – conjuntotejano
- With deep roots in the music, culture, and traditions of the Rio Grande Valley, this mother-and- son-led conjunto offers charming duet harmony lines that invite their audience to two-step.
Melissa Carper & Emily Gimble (Austin, Texas) – classic country
- Two renowned musicians brought together by their shared love of classic country music collaborate to create a fresh sound that also intertwines western swing, jazz, and old-time.
- Johnny Gimble, Emily’s grandfather, received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 1994.
Mystic Wind Choctaw Social Dance Group (Choctaw, Mississippi) – Choctaw social dance
- Wearing traditional dress and guided by a chanter’s singing and percussive sticks, Choctaw dancers have been dancing Chahta Hihla (Choctaw dancing) for centuries, fostering fellowship and community.
Revival Worship from the Jackson Revival Center (Jackson, Mississippi) – praise and worship music
- Bringing their powerful voices, devotion, and spiritually uplifting message, this award-winning praise team always leaves their listeners inspired and full of joy.
Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands) – quelbe music
- These St. Croix legends, the foremost conservators of quelbe music, shine a light on this unique, infectious dance music, the official traditional music of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Stanley Jacobs received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2022.
“Steppin’ in the ‘Sip” (Mississippi) – step team competition
- A celebration of Black culture and HBCU campus life, Divine Nine stepping teams from across Mississippi bring everything to the stage to showcase their skill, coordination, and precision.
Winnsboro Easter Rock Ensemble (Winnsboro, Louisiana) – Easter rock spiritual ensemble
- Continuing a tradition passed down over five generations, the last group rocking on Easter Eve in Louisiana’s Franklin Parish shares their sacred service filled with devotion and symbolism.
- Winnsboro Easter Rock Ensemble received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2021.
The groups were selected by the Festival Programming Advisory Committee. This committee is comprised of 15 diverse people with varying backgrounds from around Mississippi…