The Indian Arts Cultural Festival

Cortez, CO. – The award-winning Ninth Annual Mesa Verde Country(R) Indian Arts and Culture Festival scheduled from May 22 through May 31, 2009, celebrates the archaeology and Native American culture of the Southwest. Festival highlights include a world-class juried Indian Art Market, Indian Dances, Navajo rug auction, special archaeological tours and exhibits, special performances of the outdoor drama: Black Shawl, and a Hopi/Dine Roots Reggae Concert by Casper Lomayesva.

This year’s Indian Art Market’s featured artist is Navajo Jeweler, Benson Manygoats. Benson’s specialty is intricate inlay work. He has won numerous awards including the Santa Fe Indian Market and The Red Earth Show in Oklahoma City. The festival raffle piece this year, donated by Manygoats, is a Sterling Silver Curve Bracelet and Ring, inlay with Mother of Pearl and Pen Shell, valued at $1050. To learn more about Benson’s work, and to view the raffle piece, visit the festival website: www.mesaverdecountry.com.

The Indian Art Market, located in the parking area near Far View Terrace in Mesa Verde National Park, will run from 10:00 – 6:00 on Saturday, May 23 and 10:00 – 4:00 on Sunday, May 24. An artist’s reception for Benson Manygoats will be held on Friday, May 22nd at the Cortez Cultural Center in
Cortez, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. A special performance of the outdoor drama: Black Shawl will be performed at the Center following the reception.

On Saturday, May 23, at 7:00 PM, Casper Lomayesva performs Hopi/Dine Roots Reggae in concert at the Historic Mancos Opera House in Mancos. Tickets for the concert are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12, and may be purchased at Southwest Sound in Durango, Artisans of Mancos in
Mancos, and at Rocky Mountain One Stop and the Mesa Verde Country(R) Tourism Office located in the Colorado Welcome Center in Cortez. Tickets will also be sold at the concert. To listen to sound clips of Casper’s music, visit the Mesa Verde Country(R) website, www.mesaverdecountry.com.

An extraordinary Navajo Rug Auction will be offered on May 23rd at Far View Terrace. A rug seminar, beginning at 10:00 will provide an introduction to the various styles of Navajo weaving, and what to look for when purchasing a Navajo rug. An auction preview follows from 10:30 – 12:00, and the auction will take place from 12:00 – 2:00.

At the Ute Tribal Park on Saturday, May 23, Porcupine House will be open to the public. This special tour is offered from 9:15 – 3:00. A tour of the Anasazi Sun Calendars and Petroglyphs found in the Tribal Park will be offered from 9:30 – 1:30. The cost for these special tours is $27. Regular full day
tours of North Lion Canyon will also be conducted on May 23 for the reduced price of $27. Reservations should be made with the Tribal Park at 970-565-9653. Also, at the Tribal Park headquarters a Ute Bear Dance Presentation is scheduled for 8:30 AM.

Other Festival activities include the Anasazi Heritage Center exhibit: “The Old Spanish Trail: A Conduit for Change” and special behind-the-scenes collection tours on Tuesday – Friday, May 26 to May 29. The Cortez Cultural Center presents evening Native American Dances and Cultural Performances, alternating with the outdoor drama: Black Shawl beginning at 7:30 PM.

The Indian Arts and Culture Festival highlights many of the stops along the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway–the only National Scenic Byway totally dedicated to archaeology. Byway and Festival attractions include Mesa Verde National Park, the Anasazi Heritage Center, the Ute Tribal Park, and the Cortez Cultural Center. For further information on the Festival, visit www.mesaverdecountry.com or call 800-530-2998.

Written by ITKT Media Partners