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2007 September/Ocotober Events
Happening
If you’re a fan of Indigenous filmmaking, radio programming and other
electronic media (or simply like a rousing party), plan on being in
Toronto, Canada Oct. 17–21 for the eighth annual imagineNATIVE Film +
Media Arts Festival.
The event’s mission is to “showcase, promote and celebrate emerging and
established Canadian and international Indigenous filmmakers and media
artists” and to “dispel stereotypical notions of Indigenous peoples.”
Adds Interim Executive Director Kerry Swanson (Michipicoten First
Nation), “First and foremost we’re a filmmakers’ forum, with works
written, directed and/or produced by Indigenous people. We present a
real diversity of voices and work that always challenges and surprises
our audience in new ways.”
More than 120 works are expected to be screened during the festival,
ranging from feature films to short and long documentaries, animated
films, radio programs and new-media projects. About 60 percent will be
of Canadian First Peoples origin, with the remainder mostly from the
United States, Australia and New Zealand. This year’s special
International Spotlight, organized by Charmaine Jackson-John (Navajo),
will focus on works by Navajo artists.
Other special features will include a night of live music featuring
Digging Roots and Leela Gilday, and music videos at the Hard Rock Café;
an art exhibition of seven living Canadian Native artists at the Royal
Ontario Museum’s newly opened wing; and a series of eight free
workshops.
The festival kicks off with a late-afternoon reception of traditional
songs, greetings and foods, followed by the opening gala screening and
a party at Revival. It closes with the last screening, an awards
ceremony (some $12,000 in prize money will be given out) and a party
with a DJ, also at Revival.
The festival was founded by Cynthia Lickers-Sage. It is chaired by Jason Ryle (Saulteaux); Gisèle Gordon serves as vice chair.
Admission to the opening reception is free; single film screenings cost
$5, and opening and closing parties are $12 (senior and student
discounts are available). A pass for all events costs $100 (seniors and
students $60). The box office (416/967-1528) opens Oct. 2. Additional
details on the fest’s Web site (imaginenative.org) by mid-September, or
at 416/585-2333.
Elsewhere
Run, don’t walk, to Indigenous Voices & Visions, Aug. 18, 6–10
p.m., Paolo Soleri Amphitheatre, Santa Fe Indian School, Santa Fe. The
show will include the premiere of the funky Little Big Band (with
vocalist Star Nayea, Preston Singletary, James Luna and Gene Tagaban),
the terrific Casper & the 602 Band, Joy Harjo, Happy Frejo, Culture
Shock Camp (with Marcus “Quese IMC” Frejo and Brian “DJ Shock B”
Frejo), and the youthful, talented Chocolate Helicopter. Hosted by
Canadian Olympian Waneek Horn-Miller (Mohawk). Tickets: $12–$30.
505/984-2390
Skedaddle to Schemitzun, the Feast of Green Corn and Dance, Aug. 23–26,
Mashantucket Pequot Reservation, CT (near North Stonington), the
largest Indian gathering on the East Coast. The celebration features a
large contest powwow (including $500,000 in prize money) with host drum
group Mystic River, a hand drum contest, singing group contest, the
Michael T. Goodwin Memorial Rodeo featuring bull riding, arts and craft
sales, and other events. A live Web broadcast is also planned.
800/224-CORN or schemitzun.com
Polynesia beckons at the Aloha Festivals, late August through
mid-September, throughout Hawaii. Some of the many events include the
Royal Court Investiture on Aug. 24 at the Honolulu Hale on Oahu, with a
floral parade, traditional hula dancing, music and foods; the Opening
Ho’okupu Ceremony and Luau, Sept. 6, 4 p.m., at Grand Hyatt Kauai
Resort & Spa, with presentation of Kauai’s 2007 Aloha Festivals
Royal Court, followed by a dance and a lavish feast at the Hyatt at 6
p.m. (free admission to welcoming ceremony; tickets for the luau at
808/240-6456); Poke Contest, Sept. 8, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hapuna Beach
Prince Hotel at Mauna Kea Resort on the Big Island; presentation of the
Oahu Royal Court at the Iolani Palace, Sept. 14, 5 p.m. (free); and the
Floral Parade, Sept. 15, 9 a.m., down Honolulu’s Kalakaua Avenue.
808/589-1771 or alohafestivals.com
Attend the 82nd annual White Mountain Apache Tribal Fair and Rodeo,
Aug. 29–Sept. 3 in Whiteriver, AZ. This major event, expected to draw
up to 75,000 people, includes one of the Southwest’s largest all-Indian
rodeos (including junior and master divisions); nightly Country/Western
dances to live music; a concert in the tribal casino; a parade on
Saturday morning; a carnival with rides; an arts and crafts market;
museum exhibits; baseball, basketball and horseshoe tournaments; a car
show; and footraces. Some events have modest admission fees.
928/338-2492
Point yer pony to the 20th annual Northern Plains Indian Art Market,
Sept. 21–23 in Sioux Falls, SD, the largest Indian art market in the
region. The juried art market at the Ramkota Inn focuses on regional
artists and arts, such as quillwork, beading and dolls. A series of
lectures on regional Native art, music, dance and philosophy kicks off
Sept. 20; there’s an artist reception on Sept. 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
at the Old Courthouse Museum, and a traditional wacipi (powwow) on
Saturday from 7 to 12 p.m. 605/856-8193 or npiam.org
The curtain rises on Ghosts of Celilo, a musical drama, Sept. 27–Oct.
14, Newmark Theatre, Portland OR, presented by the Artists Repertory
Theatre. The drama—a mystery and love story created over a 10-year
period by Marv Ross, Chenoa Egawa (Lummi/S’Klallam), Tom Hampson,
Thomas Morning Owl (Umatilla/Blood) and Arlie Neskahi (Diné)—marks the
50th anniversary of the drowning of Celilo Falls on the Columbia River.
A dozen performances are scheduled. 503/636-0740 or artistsrep.org
Take the plunge to the Native American Music Awards, Oct. 6, at the
Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Niagara, NY, for the ninth annual
gathering of the Indian music tribe. The event will include many live
performances by leading Native bands and musicians, including Brulé
& AIRO, Spirit and Tonemah, host actor Steve Reevis (Blackfeet),
and a post-event party Award presenters will include Jay Tavare and
Wayquay. Tickets (at ticketmaster.com) are $20 to $50. Special hotel
rates at 877/8-SENECA. 212/228-8300 or
nammys.com
Dance into the Honoring Nations Powwow, Oct. 6–7, Balboa Park, San
Diego, CA, sponsored by the American Indian Cultural Center. This
exhibition powwow (no prize money) will also feature a modest arts and
crafts fair, Native foods and other attractions. 619/281-5964 or
americanindiansource.com
Check out the second annual Cherokee Art Market, Oct. 12–14, at the
Cherokee Casino Resort in Tulsa, OK, featuring the work of more than
200 artists in a wide array of media. The event kicks off with a gala
reception on the evening of Oct. 12, with presentation of cash awards.
During Saturday and Sunday markets, enjoy live music, dance and
storytelling. 918/728-4531 or cherokeeartmarket.com
Explore Community Connections: Native Foods & Wellness, Oct. 13–14
and 20–21 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque, NM. Enjoy
cooking demonstrations, outdoor food booths and lectures on the themes
of preserving traditional Native foodways (including heirloom seeds and
animal stocks); sustainable environments; and food, eating and
wellness. On the opening weekend, catch the keynote lecture by Winona
LaDuke (Anishinaabe). The second weekend will include an evening feast,
dancing and artist demonstrations. 505/843-7270
Attend the ninth annual Indian Arts Expo, Oct. 13–14 at Hellenic
Cultural Center, Merrillville, IN (35 miles south of Chicago),
sponsored by the nonprofit Council for Indigenous Arts and Culture.
Join the benefit auction on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m., and shop the market on
Saturday or Sunday featuring lead artist Charles Pratt (Cherokee) and
some 50 other outstanding talents. 219/942-9022 or ciaccouncil.org
Book your flight to the American Indian & Pre-Columbian Signature
Art Auction, Oct. 21, Dallas, TX, hosted by Heritage Auction Galleries.
866/835-3243 or ha.com
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