Zuni dance, music, art take center stage at Flagstaff festival
The Zuni Festival of Arts & Culture is Memorial Day weekend in Flagstaff.
If you're going to Flagstaff for Memorial Day weekend, take the opportunity to learn about the cultural traditions of more than 50 Zuni artists during the 26th annual Zuni Festival of Arts & Culture.
The event, which allows visitors to share in the artistry, language and life ways of the Zuni artists, will be held at the Museum of Northern Arizona.
The Zuni Olla Maidens will return to perform their popular dances that involve colorful costumes and carefully balanced ceramic olla jars. And the Cellicion dancers will make their Museum of Northern Arizona debut, featuring traditional Zuni dances.
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“This year’s festival will also have a strong selection of pottery, jewelry, fetish carvings and fine art, featuring the work of award-winning artists such as Noreen Simplicio and Tim Edaakie,” said Cristen Crujido, director of marketing and public affairs.
“We will have a weaving demonstration by Aric Chopito and a jewelry demonstration by Raylan and Patty Edaakie.”
Crujido said there will be lectures by Jim Enote, executive director of the A:shiwi A:wan Museum & Heritage Center in Zuni, N.M.; cultural educator Curtis Quam; and Elroy Natachu Jr., who will give a presentation about a traditional food.
“Curtis will narrate cultural Zuni films and present a discussion of Zuni migration and Jim will discuss identity and appropriation, and how to spot forgeries of Native American artwork. Elroy will demonstrate wheat pudding and discuss its importance within Zuni food practices,” she said.
Younger visitors will find plenty to enjoy, including a Kids Creative Corner featuring puppet shows and crafts.
“The annual Heritage Program festivals at the Museum of Northern Arizona are an anxiously awaited part of the summer programming season, drawing crowds from all over the world,” Crujido said.
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Zuni Festival of Arts & Culture
When: Member preview: 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 27. Festival: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 28-29.
Where: Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff.
Admission: $12, $8 for age 67 and older, ages 10-17, students with ID and American Indians 10 and older with tribal affiliation. Free for age 9 and younger.
Details: 928-774-5213, www.musnaz.org.