WASHINGTON – The Smithsonian National Museum has again invited the Choctaw Nation to showcase its culture in the Nation’s Capital.

On June 24 and 25 the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will team up with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian to present the 2016 Choctaw Nation Arts & Music Festival at the Potomac Atrium in Washington, D.C.

Art demonstrations will begin at 10 a.m., continuing until 5 p.m. both days with featured artists Linda Bryant, Norma Howard, Jerry and Shirley Lowman, Evangeline Robinson, Kathy Sturch, Dr. Ian and Amy Thompson, Les Williston, flute maker Presley Byington, and author and storyteller Tim Tingle.

The stage lights up with a special program at 10:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. each day with a singing of the Lord’s Prayer in Choctaw by soloist Brad Joe, who will be accompanied in Native American Sign Language by Choctaw Nation Royalty – Miss Choctaw Nation Neiatha Hardy, Junior Miss Loren Crosby, and Little Miss Arianna Byington. Chief Gary Batton and Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr. will welcome everyone and make key introductions, including members of the Choctaw Nation Tribal Council. The popular Choctaw Social Dancers dressed in colorful traditional clothing will perform a number of dances. Tim Tingle will share tales of Choctaw heritage, and Presley Byington will perform on the flute.

Live entertainment will be held each day at 3 p.m. by promising young talent of the Choctaw Nation.

On June 24, Samantha Crain will perform her original folk and Americana songs. The native Oklahoman’s first EP, “The Confiscation,” came out in 2008. Since then she has released five albums. Her latest, “Under Branch U Thorn & Tree,” was named one of the top 10 albums of 2015 by National Public Radio.

Lainey Edwards will perform with her band on June 25. The country music singer-songwriter released her first EP “Barnstormin’,” last summer. Since moving to Nashville, Tennessee, she has become a radio personality with her own show, “Latest with Lainey,” airing weekends to more than 50,000 listeners.

Cultural Make & Take Classes, conducted by Choctaw Cultural Services staff, will begin at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center, located on third floor of the museum. Also, Choctaw-inspired foods will be prepared and served in the museum’s Mitsitam Cafe. For more information and to view live feeds, visit www.choctawnation.com and www.nmai.si.edu online.