(Originally posted on Facebook by Maria de los Angeles, publisher of HeartCenteredDC)

Heartwaves

The 30th anniversary of Mountville Folk Festival  was my 5th anniversary attending this home-grown event down in Loudoun. And despite the heatwave, I felt all the heartwaves that come from returning year after year (even during the pandemic, online) to folks who feel like family. I told one of them that the festival was like my Cuban Christmas, because it's been years since I had a family Christmas, and that's usually the only time of the year I'll nibble on some lechonsito.

And speaking of family, how about seeing one of the Mountville kids bloom into a Celtic fiddler? Or another into a cellist?

I also had a fascinating conversation with a folk singer about a mutual love of musical storytelling traditions and what folk and flamenco have in common.

Every year, we, as guests, are delighted by returning and new visiting artists from the DMV and further afield to sit back, enjoy folk music and gaze at a blue summer sky and lush green cornfields that are lit by dazzling fireflies at night.

This year, my Florida expat gal pals, whom I haven't seen in so long, came over from Staunton to share the relaxing weekend with me. We stayed near Middleburg and lazed away Saturday morning under the shade of trees catching up from right where we left off years ago.

Thanks to the amazing musicians, volunteers (yes, I also volunteered), hosts and supporters, including Catoctin Creek and Tincture Co. for a HOT but splendid Mountville!

Here's to many more!