Jet-setters following the hippest events in Indian Country in January can hop from the cold climes of the north to the warm desert of Arizona. The “Wild West” theme park Rawhide is the new setting for the Indian Artists of America Show Jan. 28–29.
Indian Artists of America Show
Jet-setters following the hippest events in Indian Country in January can hop from the cold climes of the north to the warm desert of Arizona.
The “Wild West” theme park Rawhide—in its new location adjoining the sparkling Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, just south of Phoenix on the Gila River Indian Community—is the new setting for the Indian Artists of America Show Jan. 28–29.
This 10th annual show, directed by Don Owens, who oversaw the famed Santa Fe Indian Market for many years, features more than 100 top Native artists who attend on an invitation-only basis. Leading the talent this year is featured artist Virginia Yazzie-Ballenger (Navajo), a fashion designer whose work has graced runways in cities as diverse as Moscow (at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy) and Los Angeles. Her apparel runs the gamut from works based on the traditional Navajo fluted velvet broom skirts to bridal wear.
In addition, special events on Saturday will include Indian art and artifact appraisals (bring in your works for evaluation) from noon to 2 p.m., a live auction at 2 p.m., a panel discussion on Native fashion with top Indian designers at 3:30 p.m., and presentation of live birds of prey. The Sunday roster is art appraisals from noon to 2 p.m., live music at 1 p.m., a silent auction from noon to 3:30 p.m., a contemporary fashion show at 2 p.m. and the live birds of prey.
Admission is $8 for adults, free to children under 12. For details, call 866/398-2226 or visit www.indianartistsofamerica.com.
Aboriginal Achievement Awards
On Jan. 27, thousands of people interested in Indian affairs will gather at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia for the annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, which returns to this wonderful city for the first time in six years.
The awards recognize achievements by Aboriginal citizens of Canada in many fields, ranging from agriculture to youth programs, including law and justice, and arts and culture. The awards presentations are interspersed with live music and dance by prominent Canadian Native talent.
Since 1988, the event’s parent body, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, has distributed more than $18 million in scholarships to Native students. Tickets for this prestigious event are $350 per person.
Details: www.naaf.ca
Elsewhere
Check out the 1st annual Native American Arts & Crafts Exhibit, Jan. 6–31, Deming, NM, hosted by the Deming Arts Council. Works in diverse media will be on display and for sale. Opening reception Jan. 14, 5–7 p.m. Free admission. 505/546-3663 or e-mail demingarts@swnm.com
Head out to the 14th annual West Valley Invitational Native American Arts Festival, Jan. 7–8, Litchfield Park, AZ (just west of Phoenix), where you’ll find more than 200 invitation-only artists displaying a wide range of arts and crafts, as well as live performances, Native foods and artist demonstrations. Entertainers this year include Allenroy Paquin, Brulé and Alex Maldonado on Saturday, and World Champion hoop dancer Derrick Davis and flautist R. Carlos Nakai on Sunday. 623/935-6384 or www.westvalleyarts.org
Drop in on the 4th season of Native Trails, Jan. 10–April 15, Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, Scottsdale, AZ, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. for free presentations of Native arts, music and dance. This year one tribe will be featured each week, with tribal artisans and elders in attendance, and every Saturday will include a culinary presentation of traditional foods. In addition there are several special events planned, such as the retrospective exhibition organized by Larsen Gallery of the work of the late artist Fritz Scholder, and a live concert of Mayan and Aztec music by the band Xavier on Feb. 25. 480/421-1004, 800/782-1117 or www.cultureQuestScottsdale.com
Turn on the telly for The War That Made America, a four-part PBS miniseries premiering Jan. 18. A primary focus is the critical military presence and strategic diplomacy of Native Americans in the clash of colonial superpowers France and Great Britain during the seven-year French and Indian War. Fought on American soil, it led, ultimately, to the rebellion of the American colonies against their British oppressors.
Pack your No-Doz for the annual Sundance Film Festival, Jan. 19–29, Park City, UT, with its usual outstanding selection of new films and videos by and about Native cultures both of the Americas and globally, and gobs of parties and receptions. Passes are probably already all sold out, but individual screening tickets ($10 each) may still be available. Tickets: 801/326-2000; ticket orders and program information at www.sundance.org.
Dance into the 4th annual Mystic Eagle Pow-Wow, Jan. 27–29, Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey, FL, which will include a princess contest; music by Arvel Bird, Dave “Whitewolf” Trezak and Crystal Woman; storytellers Helen Stuhmer and Jingle Michelle Woodmancy; plus food, traditional lodges and children’s games. Admission is $6 for both days. 941/416-4015
Don’t miss the 16th annual World Hoop Dance Championships, Feb. 4–5, Heard Museum, Phoenix, where you can marvel at the fancy footwork of five-time champ Alex Wells (Lil’wat First Nation) of Morley, Alberta, Canada. Dancers range from tots to senior citizens, and include both men and women. Admission: $10 adults, $3 for children ages 4–12. 602/252-8848 or www.heard.org
Motor south to the 35th annual Seminole Tribal Fair in Hollywood, FL, Feb. 9–12. Activities include a Native arts and crafts show, a rodeo, alligator wrestling, snake shows, a powwow, exhibition dancing and drumming, and contemporary music by Native musicians. 800/683-7800, ext. 1303 or www.seminoletribe.com
Catch the Navajo Folk Art Festival, Feb. 11–12, at the Heard Museum North, Scottsdale, AZ, with its group of 30 or more leading Navajo folk artists, including Delbert Buck, Mamie Deschillie, Travis Emerson and Dennis Pioche. Chow down on frybread and enjoy live music. Free admission. 602/252-8848 or www.heard.org
Ride on into the 39th annual O’odham Tash Casa Grande Indian Days, Feb. 17–20, Casa Grande, AZ, with its all-Indian rodeo, arts and crafts sale, dancing to chicken scratch music, a parade on Florence Boulevard, Indian queen coronation, roping contest and other events. 520/836-4723
Shop ’til you drop at the Southwest Indian Art Fair, Feb. 25–26, Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona campus, Tucson. Meet some 200 renowned Native artists working in pottery, Hopi katsina dolls, painting, jewelry, basketry, weaving and many other media. Plus, artist demonstrations, Native foods, music and dance performances. Museum members admitted one hour early on Saturday for best selection and to enjoy a light breakfast. Admission: $8 adults; $3 children ages 12–16; $12 for two-day passes; children 11 and under free; UA and Pima Community College students free with school ID. 520/626-8381 or www.statemuseum.arizona.edu
Go West to the 22nd annual Marin Indian Art Show, Feb. 25–26, Marin Center Exhibition Hall, San Rafael, CA (just north of San Francisco). More than 225 booths will feature top-notch American Indian antique art from throughout the Americas, such as Mesoamerican bronze sculpture, Pacific Northwest carvings and California basketry, as well as contemporary arts by Gregory Lomayesva, Michael Horse, Rose Blue Eyes and others. Also, symposiums on a range of related topics. Admission: $9 adults, free for children under 17. 310/822-9145 or www.americanindianartshow.com
Mush north to the Arctic Winter Games, March 5–11, Kenai Borough, AK, which brings together student athletes from countries of the Circumpolar region, including Russia, Yukon, Nunavik (northern Québec), Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Greenland, Alberta, Alaska and those of Sami heritage (Norway). They face off in events associated with cold climates—like alpine and cross-country skiing, hockey, dog sledding, skating and snowshoeing—as well as basketball, volleyball, wrestling and other more mainstream sports. The games also include many cultural and social events. www.arcticwintergames.com
Spend a day at the Tulsa Indian Art Festival, March 11–13, Greenwood Cultural Center, Tulsa, OK, which includes a large art market, art demonstrations, educational exhibits, storytelling, a student art exhibit and dancing, as well as Native foods. The opening evening reception will include wine tastings, hors d’oeuvres and presentation of the juried art awards. The event is organized by the nonprofit, all-volunteer group National Indian Monument and Institute and proceeds go toward visual and performing arts scholarships for Native students. Reception tickets $40; festival admission is $5. 918/838-3875 or www.tulsaindianartfest.com
Glam up for the 14th annual First Americans in the Arts Awards, late March or early April (date TBD) in the Los Angeles area (place TBD). Tickets are $125 for the cocktail party, dinner and awards presentations; $250 for preferred seating. Tickets: 323/478-1784. Information: 310/270-5388 or www.firstamericans.org