2006 November/December Happening (Events)
http://www.nativepeoples.com/article/articles/231/1/2006-NovemberDecember-Happening-Events/Page1.html
By Daniel Gibson
Published on 12/4/2006
We
travel to New York City for the biennial film and video festival of the
National Museum of the American Indian. Highlights this year will include the feature film The Journals of Knud Rasmussen. Plus details on other special
events of Native interest across North America.
Daniel Gibson
We
travel to New York City for the biennial film and video festival of the
National Museum of the American Indian. Highlights this year will include the feature film The Journals of Knud Rasmussen. Plus details on other special
events of Native interest across North America. Native American Film + Video Festival
Film Fest Presents Moving Picture of Native Life
Pakak Innukshuk plays the great shaman Avva in Zacharias Kunuk and Norman Cohn’s The Journals of Knud Rasmussen. Photo: Oana Spinu/©IGLOOLIK ISUMA PRODUCTIONS
Sundance gets the media attention, but the Native American Film + Video Festival is the real deal when it comes to viewing a great range of contemporary films by and about Native American culture. Hosted by the Film and Video Center of the National Museum of the American Indian, and held at NMAI’s Heye Center in Manhattan, the biennial event returns this fall Nov. 30–Dec. 2.
The 13th-anniversary festival will screen 125 films (culled from more than 500 submissions), including features, shorts and documentaries, by filmmakers from 10 nations throughout the Americas. Most screenings will be held at the Heye Center, and all are free. Some 100 filmmakers are expected to attend, offering commentary on their works following each screening.
“I’m proud of the role we have played in the ongoing development of Native filmmaking,” notes Film and Video Center Director Elizabeth Weatherford. “We are the only hemispheric film festival, and 45 percent of the festival submissions come from Latin America. We used to see lots of works by non-Native filmmakers; today almost 95 percent of the submissions are by Native artists. And, it’s been our great delight to see numerous works now coming to us from emerging artists. We take our responsibility seriously to broaden the base of Native cultural practices, which today includes film.”
Highlights this year will include the feature film The Journals of Knud Rasmussen, the follow-up film of Zacharias Kunuk (Inuit) and Norm Cohn, makers of the fantastic Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner); the United States premiere of the first-ever Canadian Aboriginal television drama series, Moccasin Flats; a feature film by Blackhorse Lowe (Navajo), 5th World; a short from Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Creek), Goodnight Irene; Conversion by Nanobah Becker (Navajo); and a powerful documentary, Gesture Down, by Cedar Sherbert (Kumeyaay). In addition, a closing-night reception on Dec. 3 will feature live music from Native artists including The Dust Drive, Corey Allison and the Mapuche hip-hop band Jaas from Chile.
The Heye Center is located at One Bowling Green, across from Battery Park. For details, call 212/514-3700, or visit nativenetworks.si.edu.
Pakak Innukshuk plays the great shaman Avva in Zacharias Kunuk and Norman Cohn’s The Journals of Knud Rasmussen. Photo: Oana Spinu/©IGLOOLIK ISUMA PRODUCTIONS
Sundance gets the media attention, but the Native American Film + Video Festival is the real deal when it comes to viewing a great range of contemporary films by and about Native American culture. Hosted by the Film and Video Center of the National Museum of the American Indian, and held at NMAI’s Heye Center in Manhattan, the biennial event returns this fall Nov. 30–Dec. 2.
The 13th-anniversary festival will screen 125 films (culled from more than 500 submissions), including features, shorts and documentaries, by filmmakers from 10 nations throughout the Americas. Most screenings will be held at the Heye Center, and all are free. Some 100 filmmakers are expected to attend, offering commentary on their works following each screening.
“I’m proud of the role we have played in the ongoing development of Native filmmaking,” notes Film and Video Center Director Elizabeth Weatherford. “We are the only hemispheric film festival, and 45 percent of the festival submissions come from Latin America. We used to see lots of works by non-Native filmmakers; today almost 95 percent of the submissions are by Native artists. And, it’s been our great delight to see numerous works now coming to us from emerging artists. We take our responsibility seriously to broaden the base of Native cultural practices, which today includes film.”
Highlights this year will include the feature film The Journals of Knud Rasmussen, the follow-up film of Zacharias Kunuk (Inuit) and Norm Cohn, makers of the fantastic Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner); the United States premiere of the first-ever Canadian Aboriginal television drama series, Moccasin Flats; a feature film by Blackhorse Lowe (Navajo), 5th World; a short from Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Creek), Goodnight Irene; Conversion by Nanobah Becker (Navajo); and a powerful documentary, Gesture Down, by Cedar Sherbert (Kumeyaay). In addition, a closing-night reception on Dec. 3 will feature live music from Native artists including The Dust Drive, Corey Allison and the Mapuche hip-hop band Jaas from Chile.
The Heye Center is located at One Bowling Green, across from Battery Park. For details, call 212/514-3700, or visit nativenetworks.si.edu.
Other Events
Elsewhere
Catch the November PBS broadcasts of two outstanding documentary films: Indian Country Diaries (with Bad River Ojibwe journalist Mark Anthony Rolo—see “On The Wind,” Sept./Oct. 2006 issue) and Maria Tallchief: America’s First Prima Ballerina. The latter was produced by Sandy Osawa in conjunction with ITVS and Native American Public Telecommunications about the famed Osage dancer. Check local television listings for dates and times.
Join the Red Nation Celebration, Nov. 1–13, a series of events across Los Angeles, including a Blessing the Waters ceremony of the seldom-recognized Los Angeles River, a comedy jam on Nov. 8, an acoustic music show on Nov. 11, a Heritage Ball, and two youth workshops. 818/904-9256 or rednation.com
Drop by the Native American Awareness Festival, Nov. 1–15, Front Range Community College, Westminster, CO, which includes live music, film screenings, renowned speakers on a wide range of interesting topics, and art exhibitions. 303/404-5081 or e-mail dare_101@hotmail.com
The curtain goes up on the Native Nations Dance Theater, Nov. 2, West Chester University, West Chester, PA; and again on Nov. 29, Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane, WA. 215/472-9996
Don’t miss the Manitoba Aboriginal Festival, Nov. 2–5, MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Canada. It includes the first annual Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards, with presentation on Nov. 3 of awards and live performances from some of Canada’s best Native musicians. Also, a competition powwow; live music at venues across the city; and an Indigenous Marketplace and Trade Show Nov. 4–5. 204/956-1849, manitoahbee.com or aboriginalpeopleschoice.com
Listen in on Native Voices at the Autry, Nov. 3–5, Wells Fargo Theater, Autry National Center, Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Enjoy staged readings of three new plays: The Berlin Blues by Drew Hayden Taylor, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m.; Super Indian by Arigon Starr, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.; and Plymouth Dodge Desoto by Diane Glancy, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. Free, but reservations are highly recommended. 323/667-2000, ext. 353 or autrynationalcenter.org
Spend the day at the 15th annual Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival, Nov. 4, Burger Center, Austin, TX, with hundreds of dancers and an outdoor gathering of artists and craftsmen, live music, storytellers, Native foods and other attractions. Free admission. 512/371-0628 or austinpowwow.org
Visit the 16th annual Intertribal Arts Marketplace, Nov. 4–5, Los Angeles. View and purchase top-notch works from more than 100 artists, enjoy live music and dance, and fill up on Native fare. $10 adult admission for nonmembers. 323/667-2000 or autrynationalcenter.org
See a flick at the 10th annual First Nations Film & Video Festival, Nov. 10–12, Chicago, IL, with screenings of 12 to 20 works, such as Rodrick Pocowatchit’s latest, Sleepdancer, at venues including the Meztli Gallery and Skokie Public Library. Suggested donation: $5. 847/942-9084
Hit the trail to the 17th annual Navajo Rug Show & Sale, Nov. 10–12, Deer Valley Resort, Park City, UT, a benefit for the noteworthy Adopt-a-Navajo Elder program (see Nov./Dec. 2003 issue). 435/649-0535 or anelder.org
Head north to the 13th annual Canadian Aboriginal Festival, Nov. 24–26, Toronto, Ontario. Most events will be held in the SkyDome, including a powwow, art market, fashion shows, film and video screenings, visual arts, performing arts and workshops. The 8th annual Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards will be staged at the Bassett Theatre, Metro Convention Centre, on the evening of Nov. 24. 519/751-0040 or canab.com
Shop at the Santa Fe Indian Market Winter Showcase, Nov. 24–26, Inn at Loretto, Santa Fe, sponsored by SWAIA, with 100 or so select artists. Events kick off on the evening of Nov. 24 with a special preview reception ($50 per ticket). Showcase admission: $5. 505/983-5220 or swaia.org
Celebrate the Winter Moon Native Art Market, Nov. 24–26, Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Mashantucket, CT. Meet artists from across the Northeast and beyond selling handmade arts and crafts, such as flutes by Hawk Henries, and demonstrating their creative processes. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Free. 800/411-9671 or pequotmuseum.org
Go West to the Arts & Crafts Holiday Fair, Nov. 25–26, California State Indian Museum, Sacramento. Some 30 Native California craftspeople from all over the state will sell and demonstrate their artwork, including jewelry, beadwork, silver work, pottery and ornaments. Free with museum admission ($2). 916/324-0971 or parks.ca.gov
Drop by for a Book Signing, Dec. 2, 4 p.m., Collected Works Bookstore, Santa Fe, with Lakota author Joseph Marshall (author of The Journey of Crazy Horse) celebrating his newest work, Keep Going: The Art of Perseverance. 505/988-4226
Enjoy Winter Market, Dec. 2, Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, where regional Native and non-Native artists will sell their work, including gourd art, baskets, glassworks, leatherworks, beadworks, pottery, furniture and fine arts. Free with museum admission. 317/636-9378 or eiteljorg.org
Spend a day at Christmas Around the Kiva, Dec. 2–3, Smoki Museum, Prescott, AZ, featuring a juried show of 12 distinct Native artists, live flute music, Indian frybread and gift shop discounts. Free. 928/445-1230 or smokimuseum.org
Visit the Holiday Art Market, Dec. 8–10, National Museum of the American Indian, in D.C. (202/633-1000) and in NYC (212/514-3700). Peruse handmade arts and crafts by artists from North, Central and South America. AmericanIndian.si.edu
Motor over to the 30th annual Pueblo Grande Museum Indian Market, Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix, Dec. 9–10. Some 450 Native artists representing more than 60 tribes will display and sell a wide range of work. 602/495-0901 or pgmarket.org
Listen up for Singing the Birds, Dec. 16, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Pavilion Auditorium, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs, CA, the second annual Bird Song and Dance Festival sponsored by the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. 760/778-1079, ext. 105
Catch the November PBS broadcasts of two outstanding documentary films: Indian Country Diaries (with Bad River Ojibwe journalist Mark Anthony Rolo—see “On The Wind,” Sept./Oct. 2006 issue) and Maria Tallchief: America’s First Prima Ballerina. The latter was produced by Sandy Osawa in conjunction with ITVS and Native American Public Telecommunications about the famed Osage dancer. Check local television listings for dates and times.
Join the Red Nation Celebration, Nov. 1–13, a series of events across Los Angeles, including a Blessing the Waters ceremony of the seldom-recognized Los Angeles River, a comedy jam on Nov. 8, an acoustic music show on Nov. 11, a Heritage Ball, and two youth workshops. 818/904-9256 or rednation.com
Drop by the Native American Awareness Festival, Nov. 1–15, Front Range Community College, Westminster, CO, which includes live music, film screenings, renowned speakers on a wide range of interesting topics, and art exhibitions. 303/404-5081 or e-mail dare_101@hotmail.com
The curtain goes up on the Native Nations Dance Theater, Nov. 2, West Chester University, West Chester, PA; and again on Nov. 29, Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane, WA. 215/472-9996
Don’t miss the Manitoba Aboriginal Festival, Nov. 2–5, MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Canada. It includes the first annual Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards, with presentation on Nov. 3 of awards and live performances from some of Canada’s best Native musicians. Also, a competition powwow; live music at venues across the city; and an Indigenous Marketplace and Trade Show Nov. 4–5. 204/956-1849, manitoahbee.com or aboriginalpeopleschoice.com
Listen in on Native Voices at the Autry, Nov. 3–5, Wells Fargo Theater, Autry National Center, Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Enjoy staged readings of three new plays: The Berlin Blues by Drew Hayden Taylor, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m.; Super Indian by Arigon Starr, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.; and Plymouth Dodge Desoto by Diane Glancy, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. Free, but reservations are highly recommended. 323/667-2000, ext. 353 or autrynationalcenter.org
Spend the day at the 15th annual Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival, Nov. 4, Burger Center, Austin, TX, with hundreds of dancers and an outdoor gathering of artists and craftsmen, live music, storytellers, Native foods and other attractions. Free admission. 512/371-0628 or austinpowwow.org
Visit the 16th annual Intertribal Arts Marketplace, Nov. 4–5, Los Angeles. View and purchase top-notch works from more than 100 artists, enjoy live music and dance, and fill up on Native fare. $10 adult admission for nonmembers. 323/667-2000 or autrynationalcenter.org
See a flick at the 10th annual First Nations Film & Video Festival, Nov. 10–12, Chicago, IL, with screenings of 12 to 20 works, such as Rodrick Pocowatchit’s latest, Sleepdancer, at venues including the Meztli Gallery and Skokie Public Library. Suggested donation: $5. 847/942-9084
Hit the trail to the 17th annual Navajo Rug Show & Sale, Nov. 10–12, Deer Valley Resort, Park City, UT, a benefit for the noteworthy Adopt-a-Navajo Elder program (see Nov./Dec. 2003 issue). 435/649-0535 or anelder.org
Head north to the 13th annual Canadian Aboriginal Festival, Nov. 24–26, Toronto, Ontario. Most events will be held in the SkyDome, including a powwow, art market, fashion shows, film and video screenings, visual arts, performing arts and workshops. The 8th annual Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards will be staged at the Bassett Theatre, Metro Convention Centre, on the evening of Nov. 24. 519/751-0040 or canab.com
Shop at the Santa Fe Indian Market Winter Showcase, Nov. 24–26, Inn at Loretto, Santa Fe, sponsored by SWAIA, with 100 or so select artists. Events kick off on the evening of Nov. 24 with a special preview reception ($50 per ticket). Showcase admission: $5. 505/983-5220 or swaia.org
Celebrate the Winter Moon Native Art Market, Nov. 24–26, Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Mashantucket, CT. Meet artists from across the Northeast and beyond selling handmade arts and crafts, such as flutes by Hawk Henries, and demonstrating their creative processes. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Free. 800/411-9671 or pequotmuseum.org
Go West to the Arts & Crafts Holiday Fair, Nov. 25–26, California State Indian Museum, Sacramento. Some 30 Native California craftspeople from all over the state will sell and demonstrate their artwork, including jewelry, beadwork, silver work, pottery and ornaments. Free with museum admission ($2). 916/324-0971 or parks.ca.gov
Drop by for a Book Signing, Dec. 2, 4 p.m., Collected Works Bookstore, Santa Fe, with Lakota author Joseph Marshall (author of The Journey of Crazy Horse) celebrating his newest work, Keep Going: The Art of Perseverance. 505/988-4226
Enjoy Winter Market, Dec. 2, Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, where regional Native and non-Native artists will sell their work, including gourd art, baskets, glassworks, leatherworks, beadworks, pottery, furniture and fine arts. Free with museum admission. 317/636-9378 or eiteljorg.org
Spend a day at Christmas Around the Kiva, Dec. 2–3, Smoki Museum, Prescott, AZ, featuring a juried show of 12 distinct Native artists, live flute music, Indian frybread and gift shop discounts. Free. 928/445-1230 or smokimuseum.org
Visit the Holiday Art Market, Dec. 8–10, National Museum of the American Indian, in D.C. (202/633-1000) and in NYC (212/514-3700). Peruse handmade arts and crafts by artists from North, Central and South America. AmericanIndian.si.edu
Motor over to the 30th annual Pueblo Grande Museum Indian Market, Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix, Dec. 9–10. Some 450 Native artists representing more than 60 tribes will display and sell a wide range of work. 602/495-0901 or pgmarket.org
Listen up for Singing the Birds, Dec. 16, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Pavilion Auditorium, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs, CA, the second annual Bird Song and Dance Festival sponsored by the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. 760/778-1079, ext. 105