Purdue News

March 19, 1999 Voices of Native America brings show to Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue Convocations will present Voices of Native America, a dynamic multimedia performance of live dance, music and storytelling celebrating Native American culture, at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 11, in Elliott Hall of Music on the university's West Lafayette campus. Comprised of 34 musicians, dancers, singers and storytellers representing 15 different Native American nations, Voices of Native America's performance is structured around four simple statements: "We dance," "We honor our children," "We pray," and "We live." The combination of large-screen video, pounding drums, pyrotechnics, jingling dancer's feet, awe-inspiring stories, and a presentation of ancient tradition makes for an evening of educational entertainment. Voices of Native America was created by and features the music of Douglas Spotted Eagle, who has recorded 12 albums under his own name as well as numerous collaborative projects. A flutist, percussionist, keyboardist and vocalist, Spotted Eagle worked on Kevin Costner's production of "500 Nations" on CBS, Robbie Robertson's score for "The Native Americans," and Brian Keane's "The Way West." He has performed with Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, David Arkenstone, John McEuen and others. His most recent effort, "Pray" is on the Higher Octave label. Other featured performers in Voices of Native America are Dine native and championship dancer and vocalist Rob Greyhill, Spirit Lake Sioux storyteller and model Samantha Rainbow, Dine dancer and vocalist Herman Begay, and Algonquin "fancy dancer" and vocalist Jennifer Meness. Spotted Eagle describes their performance as "a depiction of what our culture was, and what it is today. Many believe that our culture is disappearing; This could not be more untrue. We are still warriors, rather than carrying bows and arrows, we carry briefcases. Our languages are being preserved through school programs, books and performing arts companies like Voices. " An audience member at a previous performance described Voices of Native America as "the indigenous peoples' version of 'Riverdance,' but even more so -- because this is real life." Tickets for the performance are $16 for the public, $11 for Purdue students, at all campus box offices. Charge by phone at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. CONTACT: Sue Stevens, Convocations' publicist, (765) 494-5045, snstevens@convos.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page