OKC’s Red Earth Festival features exciting dance and beautiful hand-made Native American regalia
April 6th, 2007 OKLAHOMA CITY – Red Earth 2007, Oklahoma City’s 21st annual summer celebration of Native American cultures and traditions, begins with the rising of the sun. For three exciting days, June 1-3, people representing more than 100 tribes from throughout North America gather in downtown Oklahoma City to celebrate and share in the richness and diversity of their heritage with the world.
During its history, the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival has matured into one of the most respected visual and performing arts event of its type, garnering numerous state and national awards. The juried art competition and dance contest at Red Earth has established Oklahoma City as a Native American art and cultural center, rivaling other southwestern cities as a showcase of Indian art.
Daily Grand Entries of dancers at Red Earth scheduled Friday and Saturday at noon and 7 pm and Sunday at noon provide one of the rare occasions when dancers from America’s northern and southern tribes can be seen together in one venue. Red Earth dancers are the elite of Native American dance, the most gifted and accomplished in the world. The masters, each in their own distinctive tribal dress, will exhibit their originality and skills in one of the most prestigious of all native dance competitions.
Those who attend the social dances of Oklahoma tribes will see the following four dance categories that originated among Oklahoma tribes: Men’s Fancy, Men’s Southern Straight, Women’s Southern Buckskin, and Women’s Southern and Eastern Cloth. There are several dance styles that originated in other parts Indian Country that are now a common part of the Oklahoma dance or powwow scene. Those dances include Men’s Northern Traditional, Men’s Chicken Dance, Women’s Northern Traditional, Women’s Fancy Shawl, and Women’s Jingle Dress.
The following American Indian dances have deep Oklahoma roots:
Men’s Fancy Dance
Men’s fancy dancers are the trendsetters and major athletes of the Native American world of Dance. The dance is easily identified by its youthful vigor, fast pace and bright, coordinated colors.
The competition exists between the dancer and the singers, and although the dance is freestyle, the dancer must follow the drum’s beat perfectly while singers vary their speed and the ending in an effort to trick the dancer. Winning or losing a dance competition relies heavily on whether the dancer’s last step occurs at the very same time as the last beat of the drum.
Typically two elaborate feather bustles are worn—a small one at the top of the back and a large one at the bottom of the back. Headdresses are topped with one or two feathers mounted on “rockers” that move with the motion of the head in rhythm to the beat of the drum.
Men’s Southern Straight
Southern straight, regarded as a “gentleman’s dance,” is an expression of remembered history. Known to many tribes as “traditional,” the southern straight dance has a story line which includes a realistic search for prey and a symbolic “whoop” upon its discovery.
The dress of southern straight dancers can vary from tribe to tribe, but usually includes a porcupine headdress called a roach, ribbon work and an otter tail extending down the dancer’s back. The dancer holds a fan and often a cane is used to replicate the identification of its prey.
Women’s Southern Buckskin
The rhythm of the southern plains music allows ladies who dance southern traditional buckskin to express their strength of character and dignified demeanor. Indeed, this style has become one of the elite of Native American dance forms because of the beautiful, intricately designed and costly dresses and regalia.
The women’s southern buckskin ensemble includes head ornaments or crowns, intricate bead or quill work, breastplates, purses, and sewing kits. Dancers carry fans and drape shawls over one arm. The dancer’s own strength is key to maintaining the poise and grace with slow and controlled movements while wearing regalia that can easily weigh up to 50 pounds.
Women’s Southern and Eastern Cloth
Building upon forms and designs of the past, women’s cloth uses modern fabrics and materials like sequins and ribbon in combination with beadwork. Intricate design adaptations of dress styles unique to her tribe allow the dancer to achieve a distinctive Native American form of individuality.
The dancer’s sense of style and her ability to capture the essence of the song while executing a perfect sway or graceful walk are characteristic of this style of dance.
Daily Grand Entries present a unique opportunity to witness an outstanding display as the dance contestants enter the Cox Convention Center in a kaleidoscope of color, sound, and movement.
Tickets to the 21st Annual Red Earth Festival can be purchased during the event at the Ford Center Box Office, and Cox Convention Center Box Office in downtown Oklahoma City or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For additional information visit www.redearth.org or www.travelok.org.
Ticket Information
3 Day Weekend Pass
Adults (18 to 59) $20
Sr. Citizens (60+) $15
Children/Youth (6 to 17) $15 each
Children under 6 free
Individual Day Pass
Adults (18 to 59) $10
Sr. Citizens (60+) $7.50
Children/Youth (6 to 17) $7.50
Children under 6 free
Groups 20+
Adults (18 to 59) $7.50
Sr. Citizens (60+) $5
Children/Youth (6 to 17) $5
Children under 6 free
During its history, the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival has matured into one of the most respected visual and performing arts event of its type, garnering numerous state and national awards. The juried art competition and dance contest at Red Earth has established Oklahoma City as a Native American art and cultural center, rivaling other southwestern cities as a showcase of Indian art.
Daily Grand Entries of dancers at Red Earth scheduled Friday and Saturday at noon and 7 pm and Sunday at noon provide one of the rare occasions when dancers from America’s northern and southern tribes can be seen together in one venue. Red Earth dancers are the elite of Native American dance, the most gifted and accomplished in the world. The masters, each in their own distinctive tribal dress, will exhibit their originality and skills in one of the most prestigious of all native dance competitions.
Those who attend the social dances of Oklahoma tribes will see the following four dance categories that originated among Oklahoma tribes: Men’s Fancy, Men’s Southern Straight, Women’s Southern Buckskin, and Women’s Southern and Eastern Cloth. There are several dance styles that originated in other parts Indian Country that are now a common part of the Oklahoma dance or powwow scene. Those dances include Men’s Northern Traditional, Men’s Chicken Dance, Women’s Northern Traditional, Women’s Fancy Shawl, and Women’s Jingle Dress.
The following American Indian dances have deep Oklahoma roots:
Men’s Fancy Dance
Men’s fancy dancers are the trendsetters and major athletes of the Native American world of Dance. The dance is easily identified by its youthful vigor, fast pace and bright, coordinated colors.
The competition exists between the dancer and the singers, and although the dance is freestyle, the dancer must follow the drum’s beat perfectly while singers vary their speed and the ending in an effort to trick the dancer. Winning or losing a dance competition relies heavily on whether the dancer’s last step occurs at the very same time as the last beat of the drum.
Typically two elaborate feather bustles are worn—a small one at the top of the back and a large one at the bottom of the back. Headdresses are topped with one or two feathers mounted on “rockers” that move with the motion of the head in rhythm to the beat of the drum.
Men’s Southern Straight
Southern straight, regarded as a “gentleman’s dance,” is an expression of remembered history. Known to many tribes as “traditional,” the southern straight dance has a story line which includes a realistic search for prey and a symbolic “whoop” upon its discovery.
The dress of southern straight dancers can vary from tribe to tribe, but usually includes a porcupine headdress called a roach, ribbon work and an otter tail extending down the dancer’s back. The dancer holds a fan and often a cane is used to replicate the identification of its prey.
Women’s Southern Buckskin
The rhythm of the southern plains music allows ladies who dance southern traditional buckskin to express their strength of character and dignified demeanor. Indeed, this style has become one of the elite of Native American dance forms because of the beautiful, intricately designed and costly dresses and regalia.
The women’s southern buckskin ensemble includes head ornaments or crowns, intricate bead or quill work, breastplates, purses, and sewing kits. Dancers carry fans and drape shawls over one arm. The dancer’s own strength is key to maintaining the poise and grace with slow and controlled movements while wearing regalia that can easily weigh up to 50 pounds.
Women’s Southern and Eastern Cloth
Building upon forms and designs of the past, women’s cloth uses modern fabrics and materials like sequins and ribbon in combination with beadwork. Intricate design adaptations of dress styles unique to her tribe allow the dancer to achieve a distinctive Native American form of individuality.
The dancer’s sense of style and her ability to capture the essence of the song while executing a perfect sway or graceful walk are characteristic of this style of dance.
Daily Grand Entries present a unique opportunity to witness an outstanding display as the dance contestants enter the Cox Convention Center in a kaleidoscope of color, sound, and movement.
Tickets to the 21st Annual Red Earth Festival can be purchased during the event at the Ford Center Box Office, and Cox Convention Center Box Office in downtown Oklahoma City or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For additional information visit www.redearth.org or www.travelok.org.
Ticket Information
3 Day Weekend Pass
Adults (18 to 59) $20
Sr. Citizens (60+) $15
Children/Youth (6 to 17) $15 each
Children under 6 free
Individual Day Pass
Adults (18 to 59) $10
Sr. Citizens (60+) $7.50
Children/Youth (6 to 17) $7.50
Children under 6 free
Groups 20+
Adults (18 to 59) $7.50
Sr. Citizens (60+) $5
Children/Youth (6 to 17) $5
Children under 6 free
