Redbery Books

Now in its 12th year, come join us for the Namekagon Art & Music Fest on Saturday, July 10 at the festival grounds at the Mooselips Java Joint in Seeley hosted by the Cable-Hayward Area Arts Council (CHARAC).

CHARAC and artists are setting up their booths and art tents for an opening at 10 a.m. Our event traditionally hosts music on our stage provide by local professional musicians and entertainers.  There will be more music lined up soon.  And, we are very excited about the special event we are adding this year!

The Literary Stage and also new this year, a Writers Lab, is hosted by Redbery Books of Cable.  Bev Bauer is coordinating.

We have been able to secure dancers from the Lac Courte Oreilles Bank of Ojibwe who will perform Jingle Dress and Fancy Dress dances.  The most beautiful tinkling sound, like that of rain on a tin roof, can be heard thanks to the lovely Jingle Dress Dance.

The Jingle Dress Dance originated among the Ojibwe people long ago.  According to one legend, a medicine man of this tribe had a cherished granddaughter who became rather ill.  Of course, her grandfather was very concerned and his spirit guides appeared to him in a dream one night about the matter.  They showed him several women wearing the Jingle Dress and doing the Jingle Dance.  In the dream, he was taught how to make the dress, how the steps were to be performed, and what sort of songs would be appropriate.  He was told that the dance was one of healing; that his granddaughter would be healed if she did this dance.

In the morning, the medicine man and his wife put the dress together according to the directions given to him by his spirit guides.  When the dress was finished, the medicine man and his wife took the dress to their granddaughter.  She wore it into the Circle and had to be carried the first time around.  During the second time, she could walk a little with assistance.  The third time, she was walking on her own, and by her fourth time around she was dancing the Jingle Dress Dance!!  She was healed.  Ever since, the Jingle Dress Dance has been known to be a medicine dance.

CHARAC is collaborating with Cathy Begay of LCO who will emcee and dance.  We will be hosting 6 dancers; two traditional dancers, one female and one male; one grass dancer, one jingle dress dancer and one fancy shawl dancer and one male fancy dancer.  Along with 4 singers/drummers they will perform the dances and provide the cultural background and history for all our festival visitors.

Other events that happen at our festival include a

·         Pottery by Covelli, host Mary Covelli, a Pottery tent for kids of all ages to work at the pottery wheel and create their own pot.

·         Poetry Jam, host Kristine Lendved, Poetry competition for all ages

·         Department of Natural Resources: Rangers; River and forest education and special guest, Smokey the Bear.

·         Storyteller Suzanne Pagnucci captures young imaginations by weaving beautiful Children’s Stories while the children are working on art projects in the

·         Kid’s Art Tent, hosted by Jackie Olson, an elementary art teacher who provides opportunities for Art for all ages.

All of these educational and fun opportunities are enhanced by the 30+ artists who have brought their wares to show and sell for the day…a traditional fun community day with art, music, education and activities.