Post by Moon Seeker on Jul 15, 2009 21:19:39 GMT -5
Daniele Loomis Rostan • Southeast Source • July 15, 2009
The summer months provide great opportunities for travel to locations rich in history and traditions.
But one needs to look no further than the Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor to gain historical knowledge and cultural experiences, while having all the comforts of home.
This year's 18th Annual Native American Dance & Music Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and offers much in the way of music and dance, arts and crafts, food, stories and tours.
The Ganondagan site is on Boughton Hill Road, and during the two-day festival is expected to host more than 4,000 people from all over the world.
Among the musicians slated to perform is renowned violinist Arvel Bird, who deftly intertwines his Native American and Scottish heritages into the music he plays, creating a unique musical style that crosses a variety of genres.
Another big attraction is sure to be Ganondagan's Spirit Dancers. This well-traveled group composed of adults and children, uses social dances to teach others about their culture and traditions.
Also participating in the festival are the Buffalo Creek Dancers.
The group was founded more than 20 years ago to give Native American children skills in the traditional Iroquois social dances. The troupe has traveled throughout the United States and Canada performing at schools and festivals.
Several artisans will be at the festival displaying and teaching about their specialties.
Marilyn Isaacs, a self-taught finger weaver, has been making dance regalia, such as traditional sashes, for more than 20 years.
She has become recognized for skills throughout the Iroquois region, even teaching classes in the art for Native American Community Services in Buffalo, Tuscarora Indian School, Fort Erie Friendship Center and Ganondagan.
Also among the artists will be the internationally known Rosemary Rickard-Hill demonstrating raised beadwork.
Rickard-Hill is one of the foremost artists of the craft, with pieces on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian in New York City and in Washington, D.C., the British Museum, the Royal Ontario Museum and many others.
Traditional stories can be heard from Perry Ground, director of the Rochester City School District's Native American Resource Center and president of the Friends of Ganondagan.
Ground has been a storyteller for more than 17 years, using his craft to educate others about the history and customs of the Haudenosaunee people.
Special festival parking will be available along Route 96 in Victor with free shuttle bus service to the entrance. Handicapped parking will be available at the site.
Admission to the festival is $8 for one day for adults, $10 for both days. Discounts are available for children, seniors and large groups.
For more pricing details, go to www.ganondagan.org/NADMF.html.
www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090715/NEWS0205/907150315/-1/victor/Native+American+fest+is+close+to+home+in+Victor
The summer months provide great opportunities for travel to locations rich in history and traditions.
But one needs to look no further than the Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor to gain historical knowledge and cultural experiences, while having all the comforts of home.
This year's 18th Annual Native American Dance & Music Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and offers much in the way of music and dance, arts and crafts, food, stories and tours.
The Ganondagan site is on Boughton Hill Road, and during the two-day festival is expected to host more than 4,000 people from all over the world.
Among the musicians slated to perform is renowned violinist Arvel Bird, who deftly intertwines his Native American and Scottish heritages into the music he plays, creating a unique musical style that crosses a variety of genres.
Another big attraction is sure to be Ganondagan's Spirit Dancers. This well-traveled group composed of adults and children, uses social dances to teach others about their culture and traditions.
Also participating in the festival are the Buffalo Creek Dancers.
The group was founded more than 20 years ago to give Native American children skills in the traditional Iroquois social dances. The troupe has traveled throughout the United States and Canada performing at schools and festivals.
Several artisans will be at the festival displaying and teaching about their specialties.
Marilyn Isaacs, a self-taught finger weaver, has been making dance regalia, such as traditional sashes, for more than 20 years.
She has become recognized for skills throughout the Iroquois region, even teaching classes in the art for Native American Community Services in Buffalo, Tuscarora Indian School, Fort Erie Friendship Center and Ganondagan.
Also among the artists will be the internationally known Rosemary Rickard-Hill demonstrating raised beadwork.
Rickard-Hill is one of the foremost artists of the craft, with pieces on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian in New York City and in Washington, D.C., the British Museum, the Royal Ontario Museum and many others.
Traditional stories can be heard from Perry Ground, director of the Rochester City School District's Native American Resource Center and president of the Friends of Ganondagan.
Ground has been a storyteller for more than 17 years, using his craft to educate others about the history and customs of the Haudenosaunee people.
Special festival parking will be available along Route 96 in Victor with free shuttle bus service to the entrance. Handicapped parking will be available at the site.
Admission to the festival is $8 for one day for adults, $10 for both days. Discounts are available for children, seniors and large groups.
For more pricing details, go to www.ganondagan.org/NADMF.html.
www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090715/NEWS0205/907150315/-1/victor/Native+American+fest+is+close+to+home+in+Victor