Tucson Symphony event with Raven Chacon

Join us for an Amerind in Tucson event with the Tucson Symphony

Friday, February 21, 2025, 7:30 pm

Sunday, February 23, 2025, 2:00 pm with preconcert talk at 1:00pm

at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall: 260 S. Church Ave. Tucson, AZ. (NW corner of city block, next to Convention Center parking garage)

Tickets:  $14-$95 available through the Tucson Symphony 

Dvořák and the American Experience

with Ravon Chacon: Inscription

a TSO Co- Commission

Paul Huang, who left TSO audiences spellbound in 2022, returns to perform Dvořák’s Violin Concerto, originally written for the composer’s friend, violinist Joseph Joachim. The concerto is accompanied by two of Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances. Written originally for piano duo while he was still relatively unknown, it was these dances that helped Dvořák achieve notoriety. Dvořák came to the U.S. later in life and wrote the New World Symphony, inspired by African-American spirituals. The concert’s second half features works by American composers with very different backgrounds: a TSO co-commissioned work by Arizona-born Raven Chacon, a 2023 MacArthur Genius Grant awardee, and Still’s Symphony No. 1, known as the “Afro-American.” Chacon, a member of the Navajo Nation, draws on relationships between the western and indigenous communities while Still drew from popular African-American music.

Raven Chacon has mentored over 300 high school Native Composers as part of the annual Grand Canyon Music Festival. He also won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Music for “Voiceless Mass”.

William Grant Still was the first African American to have his symphony performed by a major orchestra. His daughter, Judith, lives in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Featured Performers
Program
  • Antonín Dvořák: Slavonic Dance, Op. 72, No. 2
  • Dvořák: Slavonic Dance, Op. 46, No. 8
  • Dvořák: Violin Concerto
  • Raven Chacon: Inscription TSO Co-Commission
  • William Grant Still: Symphony No. 1, “Afro-American”

Please note:

  • This concert is available as part of a Classic Series or Create Your Own Subscription.
  • Linda Ronstadt Music Hall has a clear bag policy. Read more about this venue
  • The Friday concert only will be presented in the Classics With a Twist format: there will be on-stage introductions to the music and your chance to ask questions of the artists in a post-concert Q&A.
  • Friday’s concert is expected to last approximately 2 hours, including intermission.
  • The Sunday concert only will be preceded by Concert Comments,a pre-concert talk, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

This concert and the Raven Chacon project is underwritten by Shirley Chann with additional support from Linda Staubitz and the Amerind Foundation.

Book-Signing and Talk with Authors Henry Haven, Dale Nations, PhD and, Max Goldtooth, Sr.

Saturday, November 23, 2024

11 am – 12 pm

Join us for a book signing with authors Heny Haven and Dale Nations, PhD & Max Goldtooth, Sr., who will be signing their book “Navajo Traditional Stories and the Science of Geology” by Dale Nations, Henry Haven & Max Goldsmith, Sr.

Geologist Henry Haven (Dine’) will also give a talk.

The three authors of this book vary greatly in backgrounds and experience but share in the love of the land and a desire to impart their knowledge of it. Comparisons are made of the rock record of geologic events known to geologists, to the legends in stories known to traditional Navajos. Ages and environments of deposition of stratigraphic units progress from the two billion-year-old rocks that are exposed in the Inner Gorge of the Grand Canyon to succeeding rock units known to exist on and under the lands of Dine ‘Bikeyah across the Colorado Plateau that were formed a few million years ago or less. Geologists use observed fossil records and other geologic events to establish a Universal Geologic Time Scale that consists of four Eras of geologic time: the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras. Navajo medicine men tell stories of their vision of the First Dark World, the Second Blue World, the Yellow Third World, and the Fourth White World. The stories show a major cycle of life beginning and extinction of variety of different species in the four worlds as does the geologic history in the four geologic eras.

*This event is included with Museum admission

Amerind Free Online Artist Talk: The Art of Ryan Singer

 

Amerind Free Online Artist Talk

The Art of Ryan Singer, Diné (Navajo)

We apologize and appreciate your patience on September 16th.  Due to some technical difficulties, we have had to rescheduled to:

Saturday, November 4, 2023, 11:00 am – Arizona Time

Join us as we welcome artist Ryan Singer for an online artist talk.

Ryan Singer is a Diné (Navajo) artist-painter based in Albuquerque, NM. Creating artwork based on his Navajo heritage and incorporating pop culture elements including science fiction imagery. He weaves stories of his childhood memories with nostalgic iconography. He has been included in the “Indigenous Futurism” movement but has been drawing Star Wars characters since 1977. Ryan also enjoys creating portrait realism of Native subjects with a contemporary appeal. His artwork is in collections of several museums and collectors worldwide. Ryan had garnered several awards including from the renowned SWAIA’s Santa Fe Indian Market. He has acquired his BFA in Art Studio from UNM, where he was in a collaborative lithography class with the Tamarind Institute. He now plans on working towards his MFA. Born in Cedar City, Utah, but originally from Tuba City, Arizona, Ryan is of the Tódich’iinii (Bitter Water) clan and born for the Kinya’aani (Towering House) clan. Having grown up in various parts of the Navajo Reservation, Ryan often reflects on his childhood in his artwork through his depictions of science fiction and pop culture icons. Ryan’s other notable works of art include the popular “Mutton Stew” painting which he modeled after Andy Warhol’s “Campbell’s Tomato Soup Can” series but with a distinct Navajo twist; his iconic “Wagon Burner” which has become his trademark symbol. He has been part of exhibitions featuring this new genre of art. He also co-curated an exhibition along with Tony Abeyta at the Navajo Nation Museum about the “Long Walk”.

To register, visit:  https://bit.ly/AmerindOnline09162023

“Hope in a Hogan”, 2022

Amerind Autumn Fest

Amerind Autumn Fest

Celebrating the history, culture, and arts of the Diné (Navajo).

Saturday, October 21, 2023

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

$10 per vehicle

Join Amerind at our annual Autumn Fest as we celebrate the history, culture, and arts of the Diné (Navajo).  Rich in tradition, history, and culture, Diné teachers, artists, singers and dancers will hold a day-long cultural celebration at the Amerind Museum in Dragoon, Arizona.

This year, Autumn Fest will feature performances by the rock band Sihasin, the Jones Benally Family Dance Troupe, and flutist Mary Redhouse, public talks about Diné culture from Diné scholars Wade Campbell, PhD and Poet Laura Tohe, PhD. and the event will also welcome various Native artists who will be showing and selling their art, youth activities and food.  This year Amerind announces the People’s Choice Artist Award, visitors will vote for their favorite artist, the top three winners will win a cash award.

Amerind is pleased to announce the Sihasin band, the Jones Benally Family Dance Troupe, and Mary Redhouse will play as part of The Angelo Joaquin Jr. Cultural Performance Series, with thanks to donor Ann Parker, PhD.

Autumn Fest is Saturday, October 21, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm at the Amerind Museum in Dragoon, AZ. $10 per vehicle.

Amerind Free Online Talk: Arizona’s Creation Story: Treaties and Executive Orders Regarding Native Nations and the Arizona Territory from 1846-1912 with Millicent Michelle Pepion, PhD

Amerind Free Online Lecture

Arizona’s Creation Story: Important Treaties and Executive Orders Regarding Native Nations and the Arizona Territory from 1846-1912

with Millicent Michelle Pepion, PhD

Saturday, October 28, 2023, 11:00 am – Arizona Time

 Navajo elders say we exist in the “Fourth World,” the glittering world. In this world, we were given all of the support we needed to sustain life within the boundaries of four sacred mountains. For the Mojave people of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, life began with Mvto at Spirit Mountain. For O’odham peoples, whose traditional territory covered much of southern Arizona and northern Mexico, the epicenter of life lies in the Baboquivari Mountains where, in a cave at the base, resides their Creator, I’itoi. As for the Havasu Baaja, the People of the Blue Green Waters, what is now considered the Grand Canyon National Park also served as the womb for their people’s existence. This talk will focus on the creation stories of these four nations in comparison to the Creation Story of the State of Arizona. Much of the history shared involves the transfer of ownership from Mexico by way of the Gadsden Purchase, along with agreements, treaties, and Executive Orders signed between the Navajo, Mohave, O’odham, and Havasupai peoples, and what we now consider early Arizona pioneers such as Kit Karson, Charles Poston, Jedidiah Smith, and Rutherford B. Hayes, all which played a part in the creation of America’s last contiguous state signed into the Union.

Dr. Millicent Michelle Pepion is Bitter Water Clan born for the Blackfeet Nation. She currently resides in Tucson where she earned a Ph.D. in American Indian Studies from The University of Arizona. Her dissertation research draws connections between U.S. Census data for Native populations and Native Voter Suppression in Arizona. Dr. Pepion’s survey included an overview of all 22 Native Nations in Arizona in comparison to county and state statistics regarding history, land, law, and representation. However, her expertise does not end there. Through various work, Dr. Pepion has developed courses, workshops and presentations that span topics such as Federal Indian Law and Policy, Sovereignty, Native and Western Views on Philosophy, Protection of Sacred Places, Introduction to Navajo Literacy and Culture, Positive Indian Parenting, Traditional Indian Medicine, Indigenous Methodologies, and Writing in Two Worlds. Other degrees include: A.A. in Liberal Arts (Haskell Indian Nations University, 2012), B.S. in Liberal Studies (Arizona State University, 2014), and M.S. in Family and Human Development (Arizona State University, 2016). Dr. Pepion is a 2012 Clinton Global Initiative University Commitment Maker and the recipient of the Cal Seciwa Memorial Scholarship (ASU, 2015), the Heard Museum Eagle Spirit Award (ASU, 2016), and the Margaret Susseman Memorial Scholarship (UA, 2017-2020).

To register for this free online event, visit: https://bit.ly/AmerindOnline10282023

 

Amerind Free Online Artist Talk: The Art of Shaun Beyale

Amerind Free Online Artist Talk

The Art of Shaun Beyale (Diné)

Saturday, July 1, 2023, 11:00 am – Arizona Time

Join us as we welcome artist Shaun Beyale for an online artist talk. Shaun Beyale (Diné)Navajo will discuss his art and his journey as a comic book artist, illustrator, painter, screen printer and, digital artist. From growing up in Shiprock, New Mexico on the Navajo Nation to his early interest in comics, superheroes and his passion for drawing that sparked a lifelong journey to create.  Shaun was drawn toward the genre of comic books and superheroes because it reminds him of the old traditional stories of good versus evil. Using his cultural stories as inspiration to create something new and more modern.  Creating his own Indigenous Superheroes.  Powerful Native women define Beyale’s characters, reflecting his upbringing, being surrounded by generations of strong women, inspired him.  In Navajo culture, we’re a matrilineal society, women tend to have more power and have a strong presence in our cultural stories.

Shaun has recently created Indigenous Superheroes for the Marvel Universe, a lifelong dream. He hopes that his characters and comics will be a source of education about contemporary Indigenous culture.  His motto is “empowerment thru art”.  He creates and shares his empowering art with hope to inspire future generations to find their inner “Monster Slayer” to face life’s challenges.

To register, visit:   https://bit.ly/AmerindOnline07012023

Free Online Lecture: Diné/Navajo Resistance in the Archives/Reading Milton Snow’s Photographs Post-Navajo Livestock Reduction, 1930s-1950s with Jennifer Nez Denetdale, PhD

Free Online Lecture:

Diné/Navajo Resistance in the Archives/Reading Milton Snow’s Photographs Post-Navajo Livestock Reduction, 1930s-1950s with Jennifer Nez Denetdale, PhD

Saturday, August 14, 2021, 11:00 am – Arizona Time

Jennifer Nez Denetdale, PhD will draw upon the photographs of Milton Snow and interviews collected by a sociologist who recorded Navajo resistance to John Collier’s draconian policies to reduce Navajo livestock by fifty percent. Denetdale will also explore depictions of Navajo responses to livestock reduction, from seeming agreement to outright resistance.

Dr. Jennifer Nez Denetdale (Diné), is a professor of American Studies at the University of New Mexico. The author of Reclaiming Diné History: The Legacies of Navajo Chief Manuelito and Juanita (2007), two book for young adults, she has also published numerous essays, articles, and book chapters. She has been recognized for her scholarship and service to her nation and community with several awards, including the Rainbow Naatsiilid True Colors for her support and advocacy on behalf of the Navajo LGBTQI, the UNM Sarah Brown Belle award for service to her community, and UNM’s Presidential Award of Distinction. She is the recipient of the Women’s International Study Center Fellowship and the Newberry Consortium of American Indian Studies Fellowship, both in 2019. In 2020, she was awarded UNM’s 6th Annual Community Engaged Research Lectureship. Dr. Denetdale is the chair of the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission (NNHRC) and has served on the Commission for ten years.

This online program is free, but space is limited. To register visit: http://bit.ly/AmerindOnline081421

Crossing Between Worlds: Two Navajo Weddings – One Navajo Bride and Groom with Charles Winters

 

Crossing Between Worlds:  Two Navajo Weddings – One Navajo Bride and Groom with Charles Winters

Saturday, April 10, 2021, 11:00 am – Arizona Time

Join Amerind for the free online lecture, Crossing Between Worlds:  Two Navajo Weddings – One Navajo Bride and Groom with photographer Charles Winters. Winters will share the photographs he captured and discuss relationships he formed during a six-year project he undertook in the Canyon de Chelly community on the Navajo Nation.

Charles D. Winters, a photographer and cinematographer, photographed and taught photography at State University of New York in Oneonta, NY.  His work has been exhibited widely most recently at the Amerind Museum and 3 books of his documentary photography have been published: “Too Wet to Plow: The Family Farm in Transition,” “The Catskills: Land in the Sky” and “Crossing Between Worlds: The Navajos of Canyon de Chelly.” Now retired, he lives in Bisbee, AZ.

This online program is free, but space is limited. To register visit: https://bit.ly/AmerindOnline041021