Scope and Content
The 1986 Neptune Plaza Concert Series Collection consists of manuscript and print materials, audio recordings, and graphic materials that document the 1986 concert series sponsored by the American Folklife Center. The annual series, which began in 1977, features the presentation of folk traditions from many cultures. The concerts take place on the Neptune Plaza at the front of the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress between May and September. Adverse weather conditions sometimes force the concerts indoors. The 1986 series was produced with the assistance of the National Council for the Traditional Arts.
The 1986 season consisted of the following:
| Date | Performers | Place of Origin | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 24 | Byron Berline, Dan Crary, and John Hickman | California | Bluegrass music |
| May 1 | John Jackson and James Jackson | Virginia | Blues music |
| May 22 | Tenth Anniversary Concert: Leo Sarkisian and group; The Johnson Mountain Boys | District of Columbia; Virginia | Armenian music; Bluegrass music |
| June 5 | Djimo Kouyate African Griot Tradition | District of Columbia | Senegalese music |
| June 19 | The Irish Tradition | Maryland | Irish music |
| July 17 | The Blue Ridge Mountain Boys String Band | Virginia | Old-time music |
| August 7 | Pearl Williams-Jones and the Kings of Harmony | District of Columbia | Gospel music |
| August 21 | Chinese Traditional and Folk Music | Maryland | Chinese music |
| September 18 | María y sus Magníficos | District of Columbia | Caribbean music |
| September 25 | Dawne Tańce and Tom Brzostowski | District of Columbia | Polish music |