The 2019 Thunderbird American Indian Dance Concert and Powwow features dances, stories and traditional music from Native Peoples of the Northeast, Southwest and Great Plains regions.
This year, the troupe introduces a new work of contemporary dance, "Silent Echoes of Time," in two performances only, February 1 and 2 at 8pm. It is a tribute to Vietnam Veterans choreographed by Michael Taylor-Dancing Wolf (Choctaw/French). The piece is danced by Taylor and Allan Shooting Star (Lenape) and set to traditional music including guitar by Rob Mastrini, percussion by Louis Mofsie (Hopi/Winnebago) and vocals by Matoaka Eagle (Chocktaw).
Highlights include storytelling by Matoaka Eagle (Santo Domingo/Chickahominy), a Hoop Dance by Marie Ponce (Cherokee and Seminole) that is set to flute music for the first time, a Deer Dance (from the Yaqui Tribes of Southern Arizona) with Ciaran Tufford (Mayan/Cherokee) and Carlos Ponce (Mayan), and various ensemble dances: a Grass Dance and Jingle Dress Dance (from the Northern Plains people), a Stomp Dance (from the Southeastern tribes), a Shawl Dance (from the Oklahoma tribes),a Fancy Dance (from the Oklahoma tribes) and a Robin Dance and Smoke Dance (from the Iroquois). As the audience enters the theater, they are serenaded by the Heyna Second Son Singers (various tribes). In the final section of the program, the audience is invited to join in the Round Dance/Friendship Dance (in evening shows) and a Contest Dance (in matinées).
After the program, the dancers stay for photographs and to meet the audience. Matinees are kids' days, when children under twelve accompanied by a ticket-bearing adult are admitted for $1.00 (adults $15). At the conclusion of these matinees, young audience members are welcome to the stage to be photographed with the dancers. This component of the show was inspired by the troupe's school residencies.
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 3 and 8pm
Sundays at 3pm
shows 90 min
Photo: By Lee Wexler/Images for Innovation.
