Wayne County Life

SUBMITTED by Amy Blum (7-Mar-2011)

Two Hands-On Workshops by Native American Flutist and Musician Arvel Bird to be Presented by Ganondagan

Arvel Bird

Animal totems and flute / drum circles will be focus of workshops.

Two unique opportunities for the public to participate directly in a workshop with award-winning Native American musician Arvel Bird (Southern Paiute – Me’tis/Scottish) will be offered this month in Rochester, sponsored by Friends of Ganondagan (FoG). On Saturday, April 9 from 1-3 pm, Arvel will present his “Animal Totems and Drumming Circle Workshop,” and on Thursday evening, April 14 from 7-9 pm, he will offer his “Animal Totems and Flute Circle Workshop.” Both workshops will take place at the Quaker Meetinghouse (workshops not affiliated with the Quakers), at 84 Scio Street, corner of Scio and Charlotte.

The first half of each workshop will focus on how indigenous tribes used animal “medicine” or “wisdom,” and how—through Arvel’s guided meditation—individuals can learn to find and connect with their power animal. The second half of each workshop involves a music circle to which participants are encouraged to bring their own instruments: percussion for April 9, or a flute for April 14. Arvel describes the music circles as a “fun and healing time to connect to the Creator with movement and rhythm.”

Tickets for each workshop are $35 / general admission; $20 / Friends of Ganondagan members; and $15 / students with ID. Due to the popularity of these workshops, pre-registration as soon as possible is highly encouraged. Participants should wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat or blanket to sit on. To register, or for more information, visit www.ganondagan.org/programs/ArvelBird.html; or call 585-742-1690.

Native American Flutist and Musician Arvel Bird

Arvel Bird is known around the world for his dramatic connection between Native American and Celtic traditions, performing music that is entertaining but also enlightening and humanizing. Trained as a classical violinist, he later gravitated toward other styles, touring with Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall, Ray Price, Louise Mandrell, and others. His dream to record and perform using the violin as a lead instrument began in 2001, fusing his Scottish and Native American roots that are woven intricately throughout his songs. Bird has released 16 CDs and two DVDs, earning him numerous music awards including top honors for Best Instrumental Album and Best Producer/ Engineer(with Grammy-winning producer Tom Wasinger and Nashville engineer Chas Williams) at the 2009 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for Tribal Music Suite: Journey of a Paiute. His continuously evolving music is reflected in his latest album, Ride Indian Ride.

FoG members receive a $2 discount off the ticket price for Arvel Bird’s April 17 violin and flute concert with the Rochester Chamber Orchestra (David Fetler, conducting) at 3:00 pm at the Hochstein Performance Hall. To receive this discount, FoG members should call Julie Doescher at the RCO Box Office, 585-442-9778. Mr. Bird will premiere The Path Made of Rainbow, a work he wrote for the RCO and the Bach Children’s Chorus, which describes the Paiute story of how the Grand Canyon came to be.

CALENDAR

What: Arvel Bird Workshops, presented by Friends of Ganondagan
When: Saturday, April 9, 1-3 pm; and Thursday, April 14, 7-9 pm
Where: Quaker Meetinghouse, 84 Scio Street (corner of Scio and Charlotte), Rochester
Tickets: $35/ general public; $20 / Friends of Ganondagan members; $15 / students with ID.

Pre-registration is encouraged; visit www.ganondagan.org/programs/ArvelBird.html or call (585) 742-1690.

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