Raquel Z. Rivera Puerto Rican Artist & Scholar
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Fall–Winter 2013 Volume 39: 3–4 The Journal of New York Folklore Raquel Z. Rivera Puerto Rican Artist & Scholar Remembering Pete Seeger Irish Lace in Western NY Fair Fotos A Portrait of Karyl Denison Eaglefeathers (1952–2012) From the Director From the Editor On September 17, Henry’s nomination was supported by several What a blow to hear of 2014, Henry Arquette folklorists and folklore organizations, and it Peter Seeger’s death on received the highest was promoted by members of his Mohawk January 27, 2014 at the award that this na- community, in recognition of his importance age of 94. tion offers to folk and not only as a traditional artist but also for his I thought the man traditional artists. A prominence in teaching others to carry on would live forever. maker of utilitarian the tradition. One can’t say with certainty What a champion of so baskets held in high what the effect of this award will have for the many causes over the regard by his Haude- future. The youngest members in attendance, decades of his life, and nosaunee Mohawk community, Henry Ar- great grandchildren of Henry Arquette, made a master of weaving music into this activism. quette was one of nine award honorees for the nine-hour journey from Akwesasne to I’m so glad to have joined recent 2014, and the only artist from New York State Washington, DC, to witness the ceremony. celebrations of his life’s work. At last year’s to receive the National Endowment for the Their wide-eyed look at the ceremony and benefit concert at Proctors Theater in Arts National Heritage Fellowship Award for its trappings of splendor will without doubt Schenectady, I enthusiastically sang along 2014. In a gala ceremony and banquet, Mr. remain in their memories for years to come. with Pete, as did a full house of supporters. Arquette received his award surrounded by Will it inspire them to follow in their great In 2007, I joined the American Folklife three generations of his family members. This grandfather’s footsteps? Center’s symposium and concert in honor is the first time in the history of the award In her remarks, NEA Chair, Jane Chu said, of the Seeger family, at the Library of that a representative of the Mohawk Nation “These individuals are just a few examples Congress in Washington, DC, where Pete has been honored in this way. (See photo of of exemplary artists in this nation worthy Seeger had been employed 67 years earlier by Henry on p. 45) of distinction; the makers of incredible the Archive of American Folk Song. What a Begun by the founding director of the Folk music, dance, and crafts, who are passing treat to be a part of the conversation, and, and Traditional Arts Program of the National the arts forward, to make sure that the next of course, to sing with Pete Seeger, his sister Endowment for the Arts, Bess Lomax Hawes, generations will have the same opportuni- Peggy, his brothers Mike and John, his wife the National Heritage Awards have a 32-year ties to experience these traditions, and find Toshi, and other family members. history of awarding excellence within folk and meaning in their practice.” (National Heri- As a college student, I first experienced traditional arts. During this time, New York tage Awards Program, 2014). I would hope Pete’s power of music to fuel all his causes artists have been well represented (see www. that Henry Arquette’s honor would have a in a live, sold-out concert at Harvard nyfolklore.org/tradarts/neafellow-ny.html), and beneficial effect towards the continuation of University. It took place on Saturday, January Henry joins this group as the 33rd recipient traditional Mohawk basketry, utilitarian and 12, 1980, my weekend off from a somewhat from New York, out of the 386 so honored fancy baskets alike. boring Gloucester fisheries lab internship. I since 1982. took a train into Boston and hoped to get My colleague, Steve Zeitlin has mused tickets from someone by hanging around the Ellen McHale, PhD, Executive Director that our actions as folklorists often create hall. My notes from the time say, “No luck at New York Folklore Society ripples, which reveal themselves long after all but it gave me a chance to go back stage [email protected] the project or program has faded in people’s and watch Pete put the finishing touches www.nyfolklore.org memories (personal conversation, n.d.). Like on an audience-participation sign, chat with traditional arts themselves, the ramifications some people, and smile a lot. He seemed and outcomes of traditional arts learning and genuinely nice.” I remember the excitement exposure sometimes take years, if not gen- of waiting with other folks hoping that, erations, to germinate and become apparent. despite the announcement of a full house continued on page 2 “If I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morning, I’d hammer in the evening, All over this land. I’d hammer out danger, I’d hammer out a warning, I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters, All over this land.” —Pete Seeger and Lee Hays, “If I Had a Hammer” (1949). VOICES: The Journal of New York Folklore Contents Fall–Winter 2013 Features 3 Reimagining Irish Lace in Western New York 3 by Carrie Hertz 14 Raquel Z. Rivera: Portrait of a Puerto Rican Artist and Scholar Introduction and Interview by Eileen Condon 28 Fair Fotos by Wendy Liberatore, Photographs by Clifford Oliver 38 Remembering Karyl Denison Eaglefeathers A link in the chain of New York Folklore 14 by Ira McIntosh 48 Remembering Pete Seeger by Ellen McHale Departments and Columns 12 Upstate by Varick A. Chittenden 13 Downstate by Steve Zeitlin 27 Foodways 28 by Margaret French 41 ALN8BAL8MO: A Native Voice by Joseph Bruchac 43 Voices in New York by Dr. Constance Sullivan-Blum 44 NYFS News and Notes 48 Cover: Puerto Rican traditional artist and scholar, Raquel Z. Rivera, is interviewed by Eileen Condon in this issue (see p. 14). Photo by Erika Morillo. Fall–WinterFall–Winter 2013,2013, VolumeVolume 39:39:3–4 3–4 1 1 From the Editor (continued) standing room, we’d finally get in. At conservative village. I now see his hand in intermission, a fellow college student and the technique used by my enthusiastic fifth- usher took pity and slipped me into the grade music teacher, Mrs. Raycraft, who hall. He had me climb a ladder to a wooden got a bunch of unruly rural fifth-graders to Fall–Winter 2013 · Volume 39: 3–4 platform holding spotlights above the hall, “stand up” and “sing out like we meant it,” Acquisitions Editor Todd DeGarmo Copy Editor Patricia Mason and from this perch, I sang along with the while she pounded out on the upright piano, Administrative Manager Laurie Longfield entire hall led by this extraordinary man. I Seeger’s “If I Had a Hammer.” In my rural Design Mary Beth Malmsheimer Printer was energized by the concert. I was energized Methodist Church, we all sang his “Turn, Eastwood Litho by his message that every voice can be heard, Turn, Turn” and “Where Have All the Editorial Board Varick Chittenden, Lydia Fish, Hanna Griff-Sleven, Nancy Groce, Lee Haring, everyone can take a part. What a good feeling! Flowers Gone?”—understanding both the Bruce Jackson, Christopher Mulé, Libby Tucker, “Pete,” someone mentioned, “is the message and the underlying encouragement Kay Turner, Dan Ward, Steve Zeitlin closest thing we have today to an American that each of us could make a difference. Voices: The Journal of New York Folklore Folk Hero. His message is passed on in his I must admit. Pete Seeger’s passing has is published twice a year by the song. A powerful tool.” been hard to take. But his song reminds us, New York Folklore Society, Inc. 129 Jay Street I must admit, I love the Huffington Post’s “To everything (Turn, Turn, Turn) there is Schenectady, NY 12305 take on the man in a recent blog, “30 Things a season (Turn, Turn, Turn). .A time to New York Folklore Society, Inc. You Need to Know About the Hudson be born, a time to die. A time to laugh, Executive Director Ellen McHale Valley Before You Move There”: #20: “Pete a time to weep. A time of peace, I swear Folklorist Lisa Overholser Administration and Gallery Laurie Longfield Seeger is the unspoken king of Beacon. If it’s not too late.” Web Administrator Patti Mason you don’t know who Pete Seeger is, prepare Thank you Pete Seeger. Music moves Voice (518) 346-7008 Fax (518) 346-6617 for a master class. The wildly influential folk the message. You may be gone, but your Web Site www.nyfolklore.org singer-songwriter made the Hudson Valley message lives on: Lend your voice. Sing out. Board of Directors town of Beacon his home for most of his Participate and make a difference. President Gabrielle Hamilton life, until his death in January. These days, Todd DeGarmo Vice President Christopher Mulé Secretary he’s treated as a demigod around the area.” Voices Acquisitions Editor Puja Sahney Treasurer Jessica Schein And why not, I could nod a bit smugly Founding Director of the Folklife Center at Ellen Fladger, Anna Mulé, Gregory S. Shatan, as a resident with eight-generation roots Crandall Public Library Connie Sullivan-Blum, Kay Turner, Thomas van Buren in the Hudson Valley. Pete Seeger was on [email protected] the front lines of cleaning up our beloved Advertisers: To inquire, please call the NYFS (518) 346-7008 or fax (518) 346-6617.