Catskills Folk Connection

The American Folklore Society's annual national meeting was held this month in Buffalo, New York.  The local organizers were the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York Folklore Society and a number of local organizations that focus on New York's folk art and folkways.  In addition to all the on-the-ground logistics, the local organizers were asked to invite a sampling of New York State folk artists the present their creations in person. A Mexican-American artist, Leonel Rosario, created a Dia de los Muertos altar of flowers, produce and baked goods, and Day of the Dead symbols.  There were performances of Algerian and Burmese dance, Korean drumming and dance and Mexican percussive dance called San Jarocho.   There were makers and players of uilleann pipes (Irish bag pipes) and musicians from Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eieann.  There were demonstrations of Polish wycinanki (ornament making with cut paper), traditional Seneca basket making, and Panamanian tembleques (beaded