From Blues to Choctaw Dance: New Performers Announced for Jackson's National Folk Festival

July 24, 2026

The 83rd National Folk Festival keeps growing, and its newest additions prove that Jackson, Mississippi is exactly where this celebration belongs.

From a Jackson soul blues guitarist to centuries-old Choctaw dance traditions, here's a look at the latest artists joining the November lineup.

Blues artist Dexter Allen plays during Blue Monday at Hal & Mal's
Credit: Bill Steber Photography

The 83rd National Folk Festival announced today that eight more groups will appear at the festival in Downtown Jackson, November 13-15. The newly announced artists are:

  • Dexter Allen (Jackson, Mississippi) – blues
  • Epi Martinez & Friends (Rio Grande Valley, Texas) – conjunto tejano
  • Melissa Carper & Emily Gimble (Austin, Texas) – classic country
  • Mystic Wind Choctaw Social Dance Group(Choctaw, Mississippi) – Choctaw social dance
  • Revival Worship from the Jackson Revival Center (Jackson, Mississippi) – praise and worship music
  • Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands) – quelbe music
  • "Steppin' in the 'Sip" (Mississippi) – step team competition
  • Winnsboro Easter Rock Ensemble (Winnsboro, Louisiana) – Easter rock spiritual ensemble

Representing cultural communities from Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, these artists join an artistic program that reflects the richness and variety of American culture. Half of today's announced groups come from across Mississippi, and represent the iconic American musical and cultural traditions for which the state is known.

"Jackson's story has always been told through music, and this year's National Folk Festival lets the world hear that story in full," said Jackson Mayor John Horhn. "From blues and gospel to Choctaw social dance and the energy of HBCU step teams, these artists show how deeply Mississippi has shaped American culture. We're proud to host them in Downtown Jackson and invite everyone to be part of this celebration in the heart of our city. As we welcome artists from across the South and around the country, this year's festival also highlights the diversity of American folk traditions and the communities that keep them thriving."

"You can't tell the story of American music without Mississippi," said Blaine Waide, executive director of the National Council of the Traditional Arts (NCTA). "As we continue to celebrate and reflect on our nation's 250th anniversary, Mississippi is the perfect place to present a festival that celebrates the richness, variety, and excellence of American music. It's also an opportunity to highlight musicians like the artists we've announced today who continue to carry the state's legacy forward."

Approximately 300 artists—musicians, dancers, storytellers, and craftspeople—will take part in the National Folk Festival, with more than 30 different musical groups performing on as many as six outdoor performance venues throughout Downtown Jackson.

Local Voices Shaping the Lineup

Over 15 people of different backgrounds—and with a deep knowledge of music and art forms—came together from across Mississippi to serve as the local Festival Programming Advisory Committee. This committee's role is to consider—and help the NCTA select—the artists who will perform at the National Folk Festival each year.

A Celebration of America's 250th Anniversary

Now in its second year of a three-year Jackson residency, the 83rd National Folk Festival will honor NEA National Heritage Fellowship recipients and participate in Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals, marking the U.S. Semiquincentennial. Learn more at nationalfolkfestival.com/artists

More performers will be announced as they are confirmed. The eight artists announced today join the following previously announced performers:

Annie & the Caldwells (West Point, Mississippi) – soul gospel; Capoeira Luanda (New York, New York) – Brazilian capoeira (Mestre Jelon Vieira received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2008); Dat Mighty 9 feat. Big Chief Romeo (New Orleans, Louisiana) – Mardi Gras Indian music; Eddie Cotton, Jr. (Clinton, Mississippi) – soul blues; The Jerry Douglas Band (Nashville, Tennessee) – bluegrass (Jerry Douglas received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2004); Mavis Staples (Chicago, Illinois) – gospel, soul, and rhythm and blues (NEA National Heritage Fellowship, 2006); Mississippi Alumni All-Star Band (Jackson, Mississippi) – HBCU marching band; Mississippi Mass Choir (Jackson, Mississippi) – gospel; Rahim AlHaj Trio (Albuquerque, New Mexico) – Iraqi oud (NEA National Heritage Fellowship, 2015); Rahzel (New York, New York) – beatboxing; Raiatea Helm (Honolulu, Hawai'i) – Hawaiian falsetto singing; Rebolú (Queens, New York, and Tampa, Florida) – Colombian; Rondalla Club of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, California) – Filipino rondalla (Tagumpay de Leon, or "Uncle Pi," received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2021); Savoy Family Cajun Band (Eunice, Louisiana) – Cajun (Marc Savoy received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 1992); Tay Cheesy (Atlanta, Georgia) – trail ride line dancing