FATHER AND SON TO PERFORM FANCY DANCE AT THE ‘WORLDFESTIVAL OF CHILDREN’ IN VALENCIENNES, FRANCE IN MAY, 2010
(SAVAGE, MN) – NativePride Dancers Larry Yazzie and son Jessup are all set to perform at aninternational children’s festival in Valenciennes, France May 17-31. As the only U.S. artists invited, the Yazzieswill join performers and their best students from around the world including,Brazil, Australia, Cambodia, China, Sri Lanka and Tibet to illustrate customs,cultures, languages, music and dress.
Eachspring, Carrefour International du the’atre d’enfants (World Festival of Children)presents an electrifying festival in Northern France’s regional capital ofculture Valenciennes, France. Thefestival is intended to be a crossroads, where audiences can discover andexpress themselves, and a celebration of international creativity. The eventopens at the flamboyantly designed "Le Phenix", the largest theatrical facilitynorth of Paris.
Dressedin a vivid assortment of brightly-colored ribbons, feathers and beads, thisfather and son duo will also perform in more intimate settings like schoolclassrooms during which thousands of children will learn about Native Americansand other civilizations, and cultures. Larry is a world champion Native American dancerand member of Meskwaki Nation near Tama, Iowa and his son Jessup also representsthe Lakota Nation of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in Eagle Butte, South Dakota."As Native Americans, we represent a proud and vibrant heritage. Throughcultural traditions, we celebrate life within our families, the earth, thechanging seasons and one another through our dance, music and storytelling,"explains Yazzie.
"Artembodies Indigenous Peoples’ spirit and beauty," he adds, "By celebrating andexpressing our traditions in many beautiful forms like music, dance andstorytelling, we honor the unique identities and history of Native Americans."
Yazzie isa World Champion Fancy Dancer who has performed at the Olympics, The KennedyCenter, and The Smithsonian as well as around the world. Locally, he has performed at the GuthrieTheater and the annual Minnesota State Fair. True to Native American tradition, Yazzie wanted to ‘give back’, so he formedNative Pride Arts, an educational nonprofitoffering interactive workshops that teachs the real history of NativeAmericans. For more details on workshopsand performances, please contact Native Pride Arts at 952-808-0591 or larryyazzie@yahoo.com.
