Folklife Program is intended to broaden the appreciation and availability of folk arts, folklore and folklife within central New Jersey.

The project preserves folk traditions as expressed by the people of New Jersey and presents regional folk artists, recognized by their community for excellence. The public is invited to participate in the folk arts through cross-cultural exchange and educational programming. We provide educational guides to the culture presented, with background information, maps, vocabulary and a discussion of the art form. All folklife programs are offered free of charge and open to the public.

ANNUAL PROGRAMS

Each year, the Commission plans a new season, but also brings back wonderful tradition bearers who you have requested. Among the annual programs are: Palaspas or weaving of the palms, during the Lenten season: Mick Moloney concert, the National Heritage Designee, whose Irish music is enjoyed around St.Patrick's Day; Pysanki workshop on Ukrainian egg decorating.

The Storytellers Cottage celebrates cultural traditions through storytelling. The series presents culturally specific narratives that have been passed from generation to generation, that  provide a sense of values, community, place, work, or play. Storytellers are periodically presented at one of our museum sites - East Jersey Olde Towne Village  in Piscataway.

The Commission’s public programs, in the evenings and on weekends, at various sites throughout the County, offer opportunities to see and hear the most accomplished master artists. Traditional folk artists and groups are presented in music concerts and dance performances, or are represented in folk art exhibits. Many conduct master workshops which allow the public to experience the art form and converse with the artist. Contact the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission for a current schedule of folk arts events or visit our What’s New section of this web site by clicking on the link found at the bottom of the page.

The Folklife Program for New Jersey is funded in part by the

National Endowment for the Arts
New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Dept.  of State
Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders

Puerto Rican 
jibaro music

West Indian steel drum music


Asian Indian
tabla drumming or Bhangra dancing
 

Polish Wycinanki (paper cutting)

Hungarian 
embroidery


Chinese 
knot tying

African American quilts

Mexican 
regional folk dances

Irish 
step dancing


Italian and Portuguese festival dances

 Music from the Andes Mountain regions of Peru, Bolivia 
and Ecuador