The tres guitar originated in Cuba, and its sound has become a defining characteristic of Cuban son music. The instrument gets its name, meaning “three” in Spanish, from its three pairs of strings. Leandro Rojas is a master musician and instrument…
Video interview with Michael Kernahan, founder and director of the 21st Century Steel Band. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, steel bands feature percussion instruments called “pans,” which are expertly crafted from oil drums. The 21st Century…
A beloved Trinidadian art form, steel pan music is associated with the celebration of Carnival. The tradition took shape during the 1940s, when it was discovered that oil barrels could be crafted into a variety of steel instruments called “pans.”…
Interview with Nancy Billings an expert textile artist specializing in art quilting and Jewish textile traditions, including chuppahs (wedding canopies), tallits (prayer shawls), and challah (bread) covers.
Nancy Billings made this chuppah (wedding canopy) for her daughter's wedding as a family heirloom that could be used for many generations. For this chuppah to be special to each couple, she embroidered leaves with each bride and groom’s names. She…
This chuppah made by Nancy Billings hangs from the ceiling of HistoryMiami Museum's Folklife Gallery as it would over a bride and groom on their wedding day. The chuppah was displayed as part of a temporary exhibit featuring Nancy's pieces.
Video interview with Pedro Zepeda. Zepeda is a Seminole artist and an expert dugout canoe carver specializing in a variety of traditional arts, including leatherwork, beading, patchwork, and basket weaving.