Scottsdale Blog - Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona » Scottsdale Native Trails

Dancing from the Heart

JoAnne Zeterberg — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:57:29 +0000

Derrick Suwaima Davis. Photo courtesy of the Heard Museum

With a Valentine’s Day performance that came straight from the heart, Derrick Suwaima Davis (Hopi/Choctaw), artistic director of Native Trails, captured an unprecedented fifth World Championship Hoop Dance title at the renowned Heard Museum. Also among the top finalists in the competition was Tony Duncan (San Carlos Apache, Arikara/Hidatsa/Mandan), who also is a member of the talented Native Trails cast. Approximately 70 hoop dancers from across North America vied under sunny skies at the Heard’s 20^th annual competition where they were judged on precision, timing and rhythm, showmanship, creativity and speed.

In Native American cultures, the hoop represents the circle of life, including the continuous cycles of summer and winter, day and night, male and female. During the hoop dance, dancers create intricate formations representing animals, birds, clouds and other natural elements, while showcasing incredible speed and agility as they manipulate the hoops and stay in rhythm with the beat of the drum.

Join us for Native Trails and experience the excitement of championship-level hoop dancing, as well as a variety of other dances including Eagle Dance, Horse Dance and pow wow-style dances.

Native Trails, presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and produced by the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is a free event held most Thursdays and Saturdays through April 10 on Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. The event begins at 12:00 p.m. and also features Native American arts, crafts and food.

Scottsdale Native Trails Video Report

Josh Kenzer — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:09:20 +0000

For more information, check out ScottsdaleNativeTrails.com

Free Art, Cultural and Native American Experiences in Downtown Scottsdale

Josh Kenzer — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:25:16 +0000

Meeting planners looking to infuse art and culture into their group’s Scottsdale experience have a variety of options to choose from and at a very affordable price – free!

Designed by famed local architect Will Bruder, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) is a stylish space devoted to the art, architecture and design of our time. The minimalist building (an ingenious renovation of a former movie theater) includes a rare public “skyspace” by the acclaimed artist James Turrell, where groups can experience the ever-changing light of the desert sky. Attendees can see all of this and more every Thursday absolutely free. For more information, visit www.smoca.org.

A tradition that has taken place for more than 30 years, Scottsdale ArtWalk is the perfect opportunity for attendees to explore downtown Scottsdale and a diverse collection of art galleries. Every Thursday from 7-9 p.m., galleries open their doors and show off the works of some of the Southwest’s most extraordinary artists. Groups can view special exhibits with artists’ receptions and demonstrations, and a number of the galleries can even accommodate groups for private events. For more information, visit www.scottsdalegalleries.com.

Attendees seeking a glimpse into Arizona’s Native American history will want to check out Native Trails, produced by the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and presented by us, the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. Beginning Jan. 15, 2009, representatives from various Native American tribes take the stage most Thursdays and Saturdays through April 11 and inspire attendees with their memorable musical performances and traditional dances. The series of free festivals celebrate Native American society while focusing on the individual cultures of tribes who reside throughout the Southwest. Performers present their tribal history, pottery, textiles and more while musical performances incorporate traditional instruments such as flutes, gourds and drums and dances range from Navajo dancing to the new three artist hoop dance, a high energy performance with synchronized movements and cameo routines. For more information, visit www.ScottsdaleNativeTrails.com.

Valentine’s Day in Scottsdale

Josh Kenzer — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:50:15 +0000

Scottsdale is a great place for a Valentine’s Day romantic getaway. In addition to the great resorts, the weekend is packed with great events for you and your loved one to create a truly memorable trip. Here are just a few:

Cavalia
Opening February 14th under the big white tents on the corner of Scottsdale Road and the 101 Loop, Cavalia is an homage to the poinant history and facinating bond between human and horse.

Celebration of Fine Arts
Opening Monday the 16th, The Celebration of Fine Art is a fusion of the best of art galleries, art studios and art shows. A juried, invitational show, it features 100 of the finest artists from the United States, Canada and United Kingdom who work in an intimate studio setting, showing and selling their art to visiting art lovers.

Scottsdale Native Trails
On January 15, 2009, Native Trails presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and produced by the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, will debut its seventh season of free noontime festivals dedicated to exploring the rich and varied cultures of Native America. Located at the outdoor amphitheater at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, just north of the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, the festival features Native American music, dance, art and traditional foods.

5th Avenue Fine Art & Wine Festival
This popular event returns to the Fifth Avenue area for three days of music, wine and more than 60 artists, who will be displaying a wide assortment of original paintings, photography, glassworks and unique crafts.

Arabian Horse Show
Since 1955, the annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has set the pace in the Arabian horse world. It has grown from 50 horses to more than 2,000 horses, bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world competing for a chance to win.

2009 NBA All-Star Game
See all the exciting action of NBA All-Star weekend including the Rookie Challenge, Shooting Stars, a competition featuring NBA and WNBA players and NBA legends, Skills Challenge, a contest of top guards working against the clock to complete a series of passes, free throws, lay-ups and agility drills, and the Three-Point Shootout, where six of the best long-range shooters compete against each other and the clock in a test of accuracy. Of course no All-Star game would be complete without the Slam Dunk Contest, which will showcase some of the NBA’s best athletes as they take to the air mystifying fans with their gravity-defying creativity.