April 1 - December 31  
“NATIVE AMERICANS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS:
From Ballet to Rock & Roll"

Music is a celebration of emotion.  The joys and sorrows in our lives find expression in song and dance; harmony is achieved through rhythm and movement. Every culture creates its own musical traditions. Native American performing artists are an integral part of the growth of popular music and dance in America.  Many Native musicians and dancers rank with the most notable and recognizable of popular performers.  In classical, country, opera, and rock music and in vaudeville, ballet and modern dance, Native American performing artists often have been the innovators and the inspiration to other performers.  In this exhibit we highlight the careers of performers including Buffy Sainte–Marie, Robbie Robertson, Maria Tallchief, Kay Starr, Joanne Shenandoah, and Felipe Rose. In addition we explore the rich history of traditional Iroquois song and dance.

PHOTOS FROM THE OPENING RECEPTION OF OUR 2009 EXHIBITION. Award winning Oneida singer/songwriter - Joanne Shenandoah; Cherokee singer -  Michael Bucher; & Joanne's sister Diane, entertained partygoers with selections from their new album - "BITTER TEARS, SACRED GROUND"
 

Matinee Saturdays 1ST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH: Films and Documentaries featuring many of the performing artists represented in the Museum’s current exhibit. 

MATINEE SATURDAY: July 4 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM:  Dancing on Mother Earth: A Year in the Life of Joanne Shenandoah; Michael Bucher music videos - Don't Forget About Me and Dirty Water

July 11 & 12 – “A Gathering of Peoples"
International Dance Workshops and Performances
Iroquois Social Dancing with the Mohawk Dancers from Tyendinaga  
 Bonfire and Storytelling on Saturday evening (weather permitting)
SPECIAL VIDEO PRESENTATIONS ON SUNDAY JULY 12:
1:00 p.m. - "Maria Tallchief" America's First Prima Ballerina(www.upstreamvideos.com)
3:00 p.m. - "Water Flowing Together" portrait of Jock Soto Navajo/Puerto Rican Ballet dancer (www.waterflowingtogether.com)

MATINEE SATURDAY: August 1 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM - Can’t Stop the Music – The Village People (Felipe Rose); World of American Indian Dance

August 8 & 9 – Iroquois Social Dance Weekend with
onyotaka Dancers from Oneida

September 5 & 6 – 28th Annual Festival of Iroquois Arts
Santee Smith, Mohawk contemporary dancers
Jim Skye Dancers, Cayuga

MATINEE SATURDAY: September 5 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM: Freedom - Santee Smith - documentary;  Water Flowing Together - Jock Soto- documentary

MATINEE SATURDAY: October 3 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM:   John Kim Bell-The First North American Indian Conductor -  documentary; You and Me – Louis Prima and Keely Smith

November 8 – Veterans Program at Iroquois Indian Museum (TBD)

November 11 – Native Veterans Program at the Veterans Hospital in Albany, NY

November 14 – Fall Gala Party with Tribute to Ray Fadden

MATINEE SATURDAY: December 5 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM:  Buffy Sainte-Marie – A Multi-Media Life;  Maria Tallchief – Bell Telephone Hour Performances

 *These events are made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Additional contributions come from members and friends of the Iroquois Indian Museum.