Make no mistake: there are rich cultural offerings throughout Spokane. From the annual Gathering at the Falls Powwow to the South East Asia Cultural Association’s events featuring internationally-renowned musicians and dancers, to Fiesta Spokane (the Hispanic Heritage Festival), Unity in the Community, and so much more. These events and gatherings weave together music, food, dancing, art, storytelling, and more, creating celebrations of heritage while welcoming people of all cultural backgrounds.
I am a prolific artist who is currently working with metal. I had the great fortune to attend Spokane Falls Community College for three years of art education in both 2D and 3D disciplines. My work at this point is metal covered boxes, jewelry, chains, etchings, hand-cast objects. I work at art for the better part of every day. I can’t imagine being happy doing anything else!
SAGA supports the expansion of The Alliance for Media Arts + Culture’s “Monday Movies.”
Native filmmakers Misty and Hope Shipman-Ellingburg receive SAGA support to create a short film exploring the topic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Tribal elder and Sanpoil/Spokane artist Diane Covington will hold ten workshops throughout 2020 integrating art making and artistic practice, seasonal stories and lessons.
Bon Odori is the “Beauty of Japanese Dance”. We are a traditional Japanese dance group that loves to perform as well as teach Japanese folk dances to audiences, wearing colorful traditional kimonos or yukatas. This style of Japanese dance is performed during the Obon Festival, a Japanese festival time of Gathering, Gratitude and Celebration. Obon is a Japanese Buddhist custom that honors the spirits of one’s ancestors and has a 500 year history. Our instructor is Jacqui Pierce, a 14-year student of Wakahisa-kai Asian Traditional Dance & Music Foundation, Inc. We are accompanied by vocalist Narong who sings traditional Japanese folk songs.
Spokane Taiko is “Thunderous Entertainment” (Chey Scott, Inlander). We are a non-profit community group founded in 1997 that plays the traditional music and rhythms of Japan on Taiko drums and other instruments. We are a performing group that also conducts hands-on workshops, where the audience gets to play the big drums. The culture that surrounds the art of taiko is one that involves patience and discipline in every aspect of our lives. We perform and do workshops with all ages.
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