Event Details

Date: May 19, 20, 21 2023
Time: Friday and Saturday: 10AM - 5PM & Sunday: 10AM - 3PM
Friday Opening Ceremony: 7:30 PM
Saturday Night D'DAT Concert: 7:30 PM
Location: Kayenta Art Village & Center for the Arts at Kayenta: 881 Coyote Gulch Court, Ivins, UT
Cost: FREE

Festival of the Americas

Native American Activities, Music & Dance, Demonstrations, Artisans, Native Food

Event Description

The Festival of the Americas Opening Ceremony is Friday, May 19th at 7:30 PM at the Center For the Arts at Kayenta indoor theater. Tickets are $10.

The Opening Ceremony of the Festival of the Americas will introduce the community to the breadth and depth of the Native American culture.

This ticketed Opening Ceremony Celebration will include:

Paiute Tribal Chairwoman – Corrina Bow

Shivwits Band Chairwoman – Hope Silvas

History of local tribes and the upcoming Restoration Pow Wow

Background information about termination and restoration of the Tribe

Drum performance by Ferg Grayman

Traditional youth flute and Hand Drum performances

Introduction of Paiute Royalty

Traditional mens and womens dance performance

Circle Dance with audience participation

Information on Tribal education scholarships

Special Saturday Evening Concert: May 20th features a special ticketed concert by D’DAT Trio Jazz band, inside the Center for the Arts at Kayenta theater, at 7:30 PM. D’DAT has been described as “Poetic, Complex, Forward Thinking, and Outside the Box.” Combining the hard- driving instrumental fire of award-winning trumpet player Delbert Anderson, the deep funk of international touring artist and drummer Nicholas Lucero, and the intellectually explorative and expanding groove of Mike McCluhan on bass, D’DAT has carved its own path with high desert-forged influences and world-class musicianship.

D’DAT Trio is represented by Indigenous Performance Productions, a nonprofit company.

The Kayenta Arts Foundation (KAF) is honored to present the Festival of the Americas May 19, 20, 21 2023. This three-day festival will feature an array of cultural art forms and customs.

Much of this year’s festival will focus on Native American art and culture and takes place in the outdoor setting of Kayenta Art Village and Center for the Arts at Kayenta. The area was once the ancestral home of Paiute Indians and showcases the stunning natural beauty of Kayenta.

Festival of the Americas will promote collaboration between diverse cultural groups in the region, with more than 40 artisans presenting their work and engaging with visitors about the connection of their work to their cultural heritage. In addition, the festival will create a celebratory community hub for the understanding and appreciation of the history and cultural fabric of our shared ancient American story and the land we now live on.

The earliest habitation of Native Americans in Utah dates back 10,000 to 12,000 years. Against the Ivins City Backdrop of ancient red rock, these exquisite and advanced cultures have been preserved through music, dance, fine art, storytelling, and sacred customs. Surrounded by the warmth of the Kayenta community, attendees will go deeper in their respective understanding of Native American cultures and customs.

As a nonprofit organization, KAF is committed to offering visitors and residents of all ages an outdoor arts festival program that provides a safe, healthy experience for people of all ages. This event will draw together distinct tribal communities for the greater good of preserving of sharing these ancient cultures with local residents and visitors to the region.

It is with the generous support of our sponsors that KAF is able to bring such high-quality experiences to southern Utah. Our gratitude to: Dixie State University Institute for Continued Learning (ICL) and Global Engagement, Ivins City Recreation Arts and Parks Tax, Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office, Kayenta Art Village, Kayenta Homes and Properties, National Endowment for the Arts, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Foundation, Utah Division of Arts & Museums, Washington County Recreation Arts & Parks, Washington County RAP, Webrand West, Xetava Restaurant.

If you are interested in participating as a food vendor or sponsor at either of these spring festivals, please email at Festivals@KayentaArts.com for information. If you would like more information on attending the festivals, visit www.KayentaArts.com.

About Kayenta Arts Foundation and The Center for the Arts at Kayenta

Kayenta Arts Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop and create an environment where diverse artistic endeavors can flourish. The Center for the Arts at Kayenta (CFAK) is the actual place where people in the greater southern Utah area come to learn, express, appreciate and celebrate art in all forms.

Celebrating the early cultures of the Americas through music, dance, fine art and regalia

Artists:

Booths:

Pottery
Weaving
Metalwork
Jewelry
Wood
Painting
Sculpture
Fiber/Bags/Hats
Rug
Beading
Carving
Native Foods

Demonstrations:

Performances:

Adrian Wall Trio - Music From Native America

Saturday May 14th, 2022 Evening Performance @ 7:30pm

The Adrian Wall Trio brings together the music and history of Native America. Using the contemporary western music influences of Rock, Americana, Pop and Jazz, the Adrian Wall Trio creates beautiful and innovative style of Native American Music. Adrian Wall Trio consists of Adrian Wall – Guitar, Flute, Vocals (Jemez Pueblo), Ehren Kee Natay – Percussion, vocals, Flute (Navajo) and Romeo Alonzo – Keys, Saxophone.
“Music From Native America” is a production that centers around the history of the Native American flutes as they apply to North America. The Adrian Wall Trio includes elements of storytelling, traditional/contemporary song and Native American flute supported by top notch musicians.
7:30pm $30/$10