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10th Annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow Set for Aug. 8-9
12:43PM / Friday, July 31, 2015
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BENNINGTON, Vt. — After 10 years of celebratory dance, song, and drumming, this year’s 10th annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow will explode in another weekend of American Indian music, dance, education, entertainment, arts and crafts vendors and cultural festivities fun for the whole family.

The 10th Annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow will be held on the grounds of the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington on Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9.

The theme of this year's pow wow is "Rise & Shine: Coming Together." The event is a unique celebration and sharing of native culture through traditional songs, dances and art. Traditionally pow wows are gatherings that Native American people use as a place to meet, dance, sing, renew, strengthen and share their rich culture. This event features authentic American Indian dancing, drumming, and tribal regalia. Native Americans ranging in age from toddlers to elders will dance in several different styles including fancy, traditional, grass and jingle dress wearing traditional and contemporary regalia. Well-loved drum groups provide vocal and rhythmic accompaniment for the dancers.

A variety of American Indian culture is expressed through award winning vendor exhibits of arts, crafts, demonstrations, music, contemporary and traditional foods.  This year our pow wow will honor veterans, the Abenaki Tribe and share an indigenous perspective on sustainable living; local-not-for-profit organizations will also be represented.

Back by popular demand, this year’s pow wow will feature special performances by Arvel Bird, a Nammy Award Winner Native American violinist, flute player singer and storyteller, and Danza Azteca, the Aztec Dance Group, For the ninth year, Aaron Athey of the Mohegan Nation is master of ceremonies; Nakia Pasaghesic of the Ojibway and Abenaki Nation is the Head Lady Dancer; Hassan Ridgeway of the Leni-Lenape/Nanticoke Indians is the Head Man Dancer; Anisha Marion/Pasaghesic, Ojibway and Abenaki is the Head Junior Lady Dancer; and Skye Pagesiaic, Ojibway and Abenaki is the Head Junior Man Dancer. Red Blanket is the Host Southern Drum and Rez Dogs is the Head Northern Drum, and the Wampum Boys, an intertribal drum, will perform this year we well.

Gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, with Bird performing at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., internationally known storyteller Deborah Spears Moorehead speaking at 11 a.m. and the grand entry of dancers, the invocation and welcome, the veterans’ honoring and intertribal dancing at 1 p.m. Performances continue through 6 p.m. with the retrieval of flags.

Gates open again at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9, with Bird and Moorehead appearing again in the morning followed by the grand entry again at 1 p.m. The event concludes again at 6 p.m. Visit www.healingwinds.net for information.

 

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