Ever thought of exploring Peru? How about next week at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2015  for “Peru: Pachamama.”  

The festival, which runs from Wednesday through June 28 and July 1 through July 5 will be in a new location this year, on the National Mall between Third and Fourth streets Southwest, near the National Museum of the American Indian. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. In addition to the food, art and cultural activities, there will be a wide array of Peruvian music on the Mall. On opening night, Afro-Peruvian musician and Latin Grammy nominee Eva Ayllón takes the stage to kick off multiple nights of Peruvian tunes. La Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen will open for her, and the evening concert starts at 7 p.m.  

Other acts include Susana Baca, Peru’s former cultural minister, who performs on July 2 and U.S.-Peruvian groups Inkarayku (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Cabanaconde Colca City USA, (Maryland) and Peru Gozando (Falls Church, Va.), who will perform on the closing day, July 5.  

Plus, there’s pisco sours and the like to enjoy on the Mall (and downtown at Jose Andres’ Peruvian joint, China Chilcano if you need more.)  

And if it gets too hot or rains — distinct possibilities during a D.C. summer? Visit the Great Inka Road  exhibit at the adjacent National Museum of the American Indian.

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