As the day draws to a close, the crowd gathers in front
of the Castle Stage for a spectacular evening performance.
(Smithsonian Photo #96-25403-17 by Richard Hofmeister)
As the day draws to a close, the crowd gathers in front
of the Castle Stage for a spectacular evening performance.
(Smithsonian Photo #96-25403-17 by Richard Hofmeister)
There were more than 150 performances on eight stages - including three main stages at the Monument, Castle and Capitol - by some of America's greatest singers, dancers and musicians. All the artists have a connection to Smithsonian programs and were asked to come back for the celebration.
They included: recording artists from Smithsonian Recordings and Smithsonian Folkways; Smithsonian Associates program artists; musicians who have performed at the Freer Gallery, the National Zoo and Anacostia Museum; Smithsonian employees; Festival of American Folklife participants; delegations of artists to international venues sponsored by the National Museum of American History or the Center for Folklife Programs & Cultural Studies; and members of organizations like the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, founded at the Institution, all joined to celebrate the diversity of programs offered around the Smithsonian.
Crowds gather on the Mall in front of the Capitol Stage.
(Smithsonian Photo by Mark Avino)
Little Anthony and the Imperials entertain the crowd on the Mall from the Capitol Stage. (Smithsonian Photo by Mark Avino)
Soh Daiko, Japanese Drummers performing on the Capitol Stage during the celebration.(Smithsonian Photo by Mark Avino)
Sheila E from the Terri Lyne Carrington Group signs autographs for fans gathered along hte fence at the Capitol Stage. (Smithsonian Photo #96-25428-11a by Eric Long)
Rhythm and Blues singer Ruth Brown entertains from the Capitol Stage. (Smithsonian Photo by Mark Avino)
For her 16th birthday, Crystal Mergel of Mansfield, Ohio didn't want to go to the beach for her vacation. She wanted to come to the Smithsonian's 150th Birthday Celebration in Washington, so she could see Trisha Yearwood. Mergel was in the audience at the Smithsonian's Baird Auditorium during the Discover Card's "The American Family Discovered" program which featured Yearwood and other celebrity guests. She had her dream come true when the popular country and western star sang Happy Birthday to her. (Smithsonian Photos by Mark S. Reinstein)
Many of the visitors to the Mall during the celebration took advantage of the opportunity to become Smithsonian members.
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