Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

July 5, 2007

Native Roots and Rhythms Concert, August 17, Santa Fe


CONTACT: Melissa L. SanchezP.O. Box 93095 Albuquerque, NM 87199
Phone: 505 620 8539 Fax: 505 212 0074
melissa@emergenceproductions.info

13th Annual Native Roots & Rhythms Festival

The Native Roots & Rhythms Festival is recognized as one of the nation’s top venues for contemporary and traditional Native American performing arts. Over the past 12 years, the event has provided an exciting variety of entertainment for regional, national and international audiences of all ages. Held during the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market weekend, this year’s program continues the ambitious scope and caliber of previous productions. The event will showcase music, dance, storytelling, comedy, poetry and multimedia imagery. Between acts, film segments will be projected onto large on-stage screens. Please see the attached performers’ profiles sheet. Funded in part by the NM Department of Cultural Affairs


Show Information:
Date: Friday, August 17, 2007
Time: Gates open at 6:30 PM; Show at 7:30 PM
Where: Paolo Soleri Amphitheater, 1501 Cerrillos Rd. Santa, NM (Santa Fe Indian School campus)
Tickets: 505 988-1234, www.ticketssantafe.com, Lensic Box Office
Prices: $23 General Admission, $38 Reserved, $45 Premium Seating
- Students with ID $15 and 12 & under Free (must be accompanied by parent or guardian)
Web: www.nrrfestival.com Myspace: nativerootsandrhythms Email: info@nrrfestival.com
Flyers: down load flyers at www.nrrfestival.com

• NR&R is working with the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) to provide performers for the Santa Fe Plaza Stage during the days of Indian Market on Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19.

• NR&R worked the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences & contributed to the 2001 establishment of a Native American category for the Grammy Awards.

• NR&R has featured over 500 of the best contemporary, traditional and mainstream performing artists of Native America, including Grammy Award and Native American Music Award winners/nominees: Black Eagle, R. Carlos Nakai Quartet, Buffy Ste. Marie, Joanne Shenandoah, Robert Mirabal, Bill Miller, Primeaux & Mike, Mary Youngblood, Randy Wood, Native Roots, Jim Boyd, and Keith Secola.


PERFORMER PROFILES

JAMES AND ERNIE
Performance: Comedy www.jamesandernie.com

The hardest working and hottest comedy act in Indian Country, James & Ernie are the first ever Native American comedy duo and they are “serious about comedy!” They entertain with musical antics, unique reservation humor, and an array of props. Along with sidesplitting comedy, the pair delivers a positive message promoting healthy lifestyle choices such as saying no to drugs, alcohol and domestic violence. Their material is an experience for all ages. James and Ernie stole the show at the American Indian Film Festival and the Native American Music Awards (Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hotel, FL). They have also performed at conferences, tribal fairs and casinos. James & Ernie have also released a DVD and star in the independent film “Milepost 398.”


AMOKURA
Music Style: Traditional Maori Song and Dance

AMOKURA is a traditional Maori performing arts group from Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud), otherwise known as New Zealand. AMOKURA is a pan-tribal group with members affiliating from many different tribes throughout Aotearoa. The group’s members also have an affiliation with AMO Inc., a national leadership development program inspired by the Americans for Indian Opportunity (AIO) Ambassador Program based in New Mexico. AMOKURA will be presenting a variety of traditional Maori performances including traditional chants, action songs, implement medleys and “haka.” Experience AMOKURA - Experience Aotearoa!


JOHN TRUDELL & BAD DOG
Musical Style: A combination of spoken word with traditional Native music and Rock & Roll. www.johntrudell.com

John Trudell is an acclaimed poet, national recording artist, actor and orator whose creative work is rooted in an indigenous perspective and integrates contemporary themes ranging from love to politics to the environment. Trudell released his first album, Tribal Voice, in 1983 and then joined with legendary Kiowa guitarist Jesse Ed Davis to produce three other albums. Following Davis ’s untimely death, Trudell formed his current band and has released six additional works. His last two albums, Blue Indians and Bone Days, were executive produced by Jackson Browne and Angelina Jolie, respectively. Trudell will release a new album in the summer of 2007 entitled Madness and The Moremes. In addition to his music career, Trudell has published two books of poetry and appeared in a number of major motion pictures, including Thunderheart and Smoke Signals. He lectures throughout the year at colleges and universities nationally on his philosophy of life and coherent thinking. The documentary TRUDELL, which premiered in 2005, tells the story of John’s life and evolution from an activist with Indian of All Tribes and the American Indian Movement to an artist today.

DISCOGRAPHY
“DNA, Descendant now Ancestor” (spoken word only), 2002
“Bone Days”, 2002
“Blue Indians”, 1999
Box set collection of digitally re-mastered cassettes from 1983-1992, including “Tribal Voice”, “But This Isn’t El Salvador”, and the original “AKA Graffiti Man”, 2003

DARREN GEFFRE
Musical Style: Pop/Rock www.darrengeffre.com

Darren Geffre, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe, is a top-40 pop/rock artist from South Dakota whose stage presence is distinguished by vibrant and endless energy! Notable music achievements include: A 2001 Native American Music Award Best Independent Recording nomination for the single "If I Ever”, 2003 First Americans in the Arts "Outstanding Musical Performance", "Uncivilized" album has sold over 9,000 copies, resulting in a 2004 entry level Grammy nominations for "Best New Artist" and "Album of the Year”, 2004 "Award of Distinction" Indian Summerfest Music Video Award and nominee "Best Pop album". Notable interviews include: LA's Pacifica Radio, NPR (National Public Radio), National Native News, The American Indian Cable Network (Comcast), and XM Satellite Radio. Also on his talent resume: featured in Men's Health Magazine, Native Peoples Magazine, APTN (Aboriginal People's Television Network), TNT's "Into the West" and ABC Family's "Wildfire" pilot. In 2003, Darren's music landed #1 on 9 different CMJ College Radio stations with radio play on 180 radio stations across the United States and Canada. Currently, Darren is working on a new album with artist and producer “Def Jef” who has previously worked with artists such as Nas, Snoop Doggy Dogg and Tupac Shakur.

DISCOGRAPHY
“Uncivilized”, produced by Pete Amato and Duncan Pain, 2004
“Audiobiography”, was produced by Tim Andersen and Def Jef, 2006

TAMARA PODEMSKI
Musical Style: A world-music fusion within the folk/rock genre www.tamarapodemski.com

WINNER OF 2 ABORIGINAL MUSIC AWARDS: BEST FEMALE ARTIST & SONGWRITER
WINNER OF THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE FOR ACTING AT THE SUNDANCE FESTIVAL

After starring in the Broadway production of RENT, Tamara Podemski launched her singing career by fronting the Los Angeles-based, World Music band, SPIRIT NATION, as the lead singer and Ojibway-lyricist. In 2001, their album, "Winter Moons," was released internationally under the Triloka/Karuna Music label, distributed by BMG, and later by KOCH Entertainment.In 2003, Tamara recorded, SPIRIT VOICES under the pseudonym Ceshia Anaquod, this time writing both the music and Ojibway lyrics. The album was released worldwide under the Somerset Entertainment label. Launching her own record label in 2005, Tamara wrote and co-produced her first video, "Meegwetch," in cooperation with BravoFACT!, and had famed Canadian director, Bruce McDonald, bring her vision to the screen, garnering several awards.Tamara always infuses spirituality, passion and pride into her music. She challenges her audiences to look in the mirror and question themselves. Her lyrics provoke, her voice empowers, her presence on stage inspires. In a time of social unrest, distorted media images and human disconnectedness, Tamara is an important voice to be heard.Discography”Winter Moons”, Spirit Nation (2002 Karuna Music)”Spirit Voices”, Ceshia Anaquod [pseudonym] (2003 Reflections)”Tamara”, Tamara Podemski (2005 Mukwa Music)

FILM CLIP
“Four Sheets to the Wind” A 2007 Sundance Film Festival feature by Director/screenwriter Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Creek)
When Cufé Smallhill finds his father dead, he keeps his promise and sinks his body in the family pond. In the midst of mourning and organizing a phony traditional funeral to satisfy the community, Cufé realizes that he must explore life outside the reservation. His sister invites him to visit her in the big city of Tulsa, opening the door to a world of possibilities. Infused with a warm sense of humor, director Sterlin Harjo’s delightful first feature creates a rich Oklahoma atmosphere with easy country rhythms, while Cody Lightning and Tamara Podemski (winner of the Special Jury Prize for Acting) give compelling performances.
The Pueblos of New Mexico
Member’s of the 19 Pueblo’s of New Mexico will begin the night with a grand entry colorful presentation, welcoming visitors to the Native Roots & Rhythms Festival, their homelands and the State of New Mexico! The beautiful Pueblo song and dance presentation will be followed by a traditional Pueblo “throw” in which “goodies” will be thrown to audience members. A Pueblo “throw” is a form of celebration through giving.

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