Victor, NY— Multi-award winning Native folk and blues rock guitarist Keith Secola (Anishinabe) headlines The Friends of Ganondagan’s 21st annual signature event—the Native American Dance & Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday, July 29 and 30 from 10 am to 6 pm. Secola’s famous song, NDN Kars, is considered the contemporary Native American anthem and is the most requested song on Native radio in the U.S. and Canada. 

This year’s theme of “fibers & threads” is featured prominently all weekend. Appearing for the first time is Native Fashion Designer Tammy Beauvais (Mohawk) with her contemporary contribution to a Fashion Show spanning five centuries of Native American clothing. Models for the contemporary portion will be provided by The Mary Therese Friel Modeling Agency.  “We’re honored to be part of this wonderful community cultural event,” said Mary Therese Friel, Agency owner and former Miss USA. “With the cultural and educational focus ‘front and center,’ this fashionable endeavor becomes that much more valuable and exceptional.”

 Also new to the festival are award-winning basket makers George Neptune and grandmother Molly Neptune Parker (Passamaquoddy).

 As the only one of its kind in Western New York, the 2012 NADMF also highlights:

·       Traditional Iroquois Social Dancing at the main tent with singer Bill Crouse (Seneca) and Ganondagan’s Spirit Dancers

·       Native flutist William Harjo (Creek) and the Buffalo Creek Dancers

·       Master Native artisan demonstrations of gustoweh-making (traditional Haudenosaunee male headgear), fingerweaving, and basketry

·       Iroquois storytelling

·       Displays of North American Indian Dance regalia and wampum belts, family craft-making activities, and healthy food samples in the Wegmans Family Discovery Tent

Returning this year is the Family Drum Jam, the Native American Arts Market with more than 30 vendors from across North America, live cooking demonstrations, Native food vendors, bark longhouse tours, guided trail walks, historical and cultural videos at the Visitors Center, and special raffle opportunities. The gift shop will be open as will the merchandise and artists’ tents.

Native folk & blues rocker Keith Secola is a seven-time Native American Music Award-winning musician, singer, songwriter, composer and producer. His brand of progressive music has a cult following across North America and Europe. In 2011, he was inducted into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame, joining Jimmy Hendrix, Hank Williams, Crystal Gayle, and Ritchie Valens, among others.

In keeping with the Iroquois “Seventh Generation” principle in which all decisions are guided by consideration of the welfare and well-being of the seventh generation to come, all NADMF waste will continue to be separated into compostable waste, recyclables, and returnable bottles and cans.

On Sunday, July 29, there will be a drawing for the winner of the Bark Longhouse sleepover. Any tickets still available will be sold during the Festival before the drawing. For more information on this unique fundraiser, visit www.ganondagan.org/Raffle/Longhouse.html.

Festival tickets are available at the event: $12/adults; $10/seniors (62+); $7/students with ID (18+); $5/children (3-18); free for Friends of Ganondagan members and children 2 and under. Those becoming members at the NADMF will be able to take advantage of free admission. For more information, visit www.ganondagan.org/NADMF.html, or call 585-742-1690.

Free festival parking is available at Fireman’s Field off Maple Avenue in Victor with free shuttle bus service from 9:45 am to 6:00 pm on both days between the parking area and festival grounds. Handicapped parking is available at the Historic Site, and on-site Shuttle Service is available if needed. All performances in the Main Tent have sign language interpreters.

This festival is made possible by the generosity of foundations and corporations including Wegmans, Redcom Laboratories, Inc., New York State Council on the Arts, Kenlou Foundation, Epiphergy, and the support of approximately 125 volunteers.

 

Amy Blum amy@ganondagan.org (585) 425-1864