Don’t miss the amazing entertainment at the Opening Reception on Thursday, October 15. The entertainment begins at 7:30 PM with a Native American Grammy Nominated Flutist followed by a Native American Hoop Dance. This dance is a form of storytelling dance incorporating anywhere from 1 to 30 hoops.
I am an American Indian (Navajo) born and raised in Monterey, CA USA. My father, Rex Redhouse was the son of a Medicine man who was revered in Indian country. After serving in the US Army during WWII in the Pacific Theater (Philippine Islands) he would marry my mom, Maria and raise his family in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I started playing woodwinds at the age of 7. I was blessed with having great music teachers and mentors who inspired me to not only play music, but their example made me want to make music-to be a musician. In 2003, at 48 years old and having come back to music for basically my second or third career, I had my first two albums nominated for Grammy’s. It was and is a reminder to me that the gift that we are given to share is never taken back.
Most of the recognition that I have gained is from what I have done on the Traditional Native flute. I really love Classical music and Jazz. What a contradiction of music it would seem. To me, they are both beautiful and musical languages that demand a great study and commitment to be fluent and expressive. I believe beyond the technique and clichés is a place where music becomes the song that transcends all and is the Universal language.
"I believe music is more than what we hear but something that we feel at a very deep place. I think of music as a spiritual event that we participate in-the musician as well as the listener. Navajo people have always been regarded as spiritual people and my family through the generations was known for its medicine men-my grandfather Hosteen Redhouse was greatly respected in Indian Country. I believe those gifts continue to be passed to us just as physical characteristics are, except these are spiritual. My music carries the Spirit of my dad and his fathers and I am keenly aware of this especially when I play the Native Flute and when I compose music. Music for me is one of the greatest expressions of spirit and heart and healing and it is the gift I am blessed to share."
Hoop Dance
Charlotte and Lenny Redhouse
Hoop Dance is an exhibition dance done by many tribes. This dance tells a creation story and a unique story by each hoop dancer who does it. It requires great skill to make butterfly, basket and animal designs with the hoops and simultaneously dance in time with the drum at intense speeds. This dance also symbolizes the harmony in which the creator made all things to co-exist and how we need to make a choice to be in harmony with all things that surround us.
The Redhouse Dancers were started by Rex Redhouse, a member of the Navajo Nation, in the late 60’s. The Hoop Dance is performed by Redhouse family members Charlotte and Lenny. Initially, the group performed in California, in the area around Monterey Peninsula. When Rex and Maria moved the family to Tucson in the early 70’s, The Redhouse Dancers began performing in schools, community cultural events, colleges, and Pow-wows in the Southwest and anywhere the public could be educated about Native Dances, songs, and spirituality.
