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Performances

Indigenous Cultures Institute offers performances for celebrations, educational events and other functions. We collaborate with Native American artists and provide them with referrals from presenters who request their services. Our organization is also listed on the prestigious Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster. Support may be available to assist with our booking fees through the Arts Respond Performance Support grant application. For funding information visit Texas Commission on the Arts.

Please contact us to arrange one or more of the following performances.

Aztec Stories

Michael Heralda’s “Aztec Stories” presentations are highly interactive and engage audiences in an educational, fun-filled experience. Heralda inspires listeners to be proud of their heritage and at the same time motivates them to investigate and discover their own unique gifts that will allow them to reach their full potential. Using dozens of hand-made indigenous instruments to share, Heralda brings the beauty of the Mexica/Aztec culture to life and leaves audiences with a newfound respect for this ancient and influential culture. Contact: Michael Heralda at (323) 633-9599, PO Box 50221, Los Angeles, CA 90050, website: www.AztecStories.com

Eagle Dance, Singing, Drumming and Educational Performance

Mark Standing Eagle Baez offers performances, which include the Eagle Dance. Baez uses a hand drum to accompany himself in traditional singing and he provides informative facts about his regalia, the heartbeat of the drum and many other Native American customs and traditions. These performances are inspirational, educational, and fun for both adult and children audiences.
Contact: Mark Standing Eagle Baez at (210) 410-6123, PO Box 1548, Ft. Defiance, AZ 86504

Native American Flute Playing and Storytelling

Dr. Mario Garza plays the flute and performs storytelling for adult and children audiences. For school children Dr. Garza presents a program on Native American culture, traditions, and ways of life, both historical and contemporary. His performance includes a combination of storytelling, flute playing and learning activities. The objectives of these presentations are to teach basic facts about Native Americans, dispel commonly held stereotypes, and enhance self-esteem and creativity.

Aztec Dance, Pre-Columbian Music

Cuicani In Xochitl are members of a family-oriented tradition, which utilizes motion as a medium to develop spiritual self-awareness. The Xitontequisa, or Aztec dancing as it is commonly known is a native tradition of ancient Mexico that survives today in spite of cultural and spiritual biases. Its survival in modern times is a testimony of its immense spiritual and cultural value.

Native American Music

Aaron Pyle, Choctaw, and his music ensemble Hakloka, play original compositions that are based on traditional Native music, which is enhanced by modern and jazz influences — an extraordinary, beautiful, unique style. Pyle also performs solo on the Native American flute.

Grupo Pakal Mayan Performing Arts

Grupo Pakal Mayan Performing Arts proudly celebrates Mayan culture through sacred ceremonies and ancient rituals that integrate festive dance and traditional native music. Live performances exhibit stunning wardrobe and elaborately feathered headdresses, all individually handcrafted works of art.

Native American Storytelling

Emma Ortega is an Apache, Coahuiltecan storyteller who has been performing for the past thirty years. She is also a visual artist who paints and produces corn husk sculptures, and is a constant participant in powwows statewide. The objectives of her presentations are to teach basic facts about Native Americans, dispel commonly held stereotypes, and enhance self-esteem and creativity.

Native Poetry

Ramon Juan Vasquez performs his original writings that span a range of topics beginning with intensive love poems that uncover the tender heart of an indigenous warrior, to epic stories told from the perspective of traditional characters like the jaguar and the hummingbird. A new style of writing never before heard from a Native voice that speaks for everyone.

Indigenous Music, Educational Program, Storytelling, and Interactive Displays

Tejas Winds entertains and educates their audiences with both original and traditional music, as well as traditional storytelling, displays and demonstrations. Chief and Julie Lani perform Native American flute playing, vocals and drumming for a fully-rounded performance. Tejas Winds offers a wonderful experience for children and adult audiences.

Traditional Stories and Native American Flute

Kathy Lynn, Cherokee, and Joe Copeland begin this program by playing a few songs on one of her Native American flutes and then giving a brief presentation on the Native American flute itself. Members of the audience then get the opportunity to play along on a variety of other instruments, such as the frog percussion drum, various shakers and rattles. This is certainly a fun and educational program and indeed a relaxing experience that can be added to any of Water Beetle's programs and presentations. See www.anniesbook.com