Get ready for Folklife Festival, round two

The second portion of the Smithsonian's annual Folklife Festival kicks off Thursday with another slate of food demonstrations, musical performances, crafts, dancing and more, highlighting this year's themes: Mexico, Asian Pacific Americans and behind the scenes at the Smithsonian. On Thursday, pay a visit to the Commons for a look at the temporary, love it-or-hate it addition to the Hirshhorn, a giant bubble that billows out of the museum's courtyard. On Friday, visitors can learn to make shrimp Jalisco style or traditional mole sauce at "La Cocina," or check out an evening dance performance courtesy of Dana Tai Soon Burgess and Company. And Saturday promises nighttime entertainment of the Ralph Rinzler Memorial Concert, featuring bluegrass by Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard, among others.

-- Stephanie Merry