The Museum of the Cherokee Indian will be offering two special events on Nov 8-9 to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. A “Cherokee Experience” for families will be offered on Saturday, Nov. 8 and Cherokee Hymn Singing will occur on Sunday, Nov. 9. The Museum Store will feature a new “Cherokee Ultimate Bookshelf” of staff picks for browsing and purchasing.
Bo Taylor, Museum of the Cherokee Indian executive director, will present a program on Cherokee music and dance during the “Cherokee Experience” at the Museum from 10am – 2pm on Saturday, Nov. 8. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)
“We want to provide an in-depth cultural experience,” said Bo Taylor, executive director. “People can learn more about our history and culture, meet some of our artists, and taste our food, and spend a family day at the Museum.”
The “Cherokee Experience” for families runs from 10am – 2pm on Saturday. It starts with a tour of the Museum’s award-winning exhibits. A program on Cherokee music and dance will involve the audience in traditional dances, presented by Taylor whose recent CD of dance songs received a NAMMY—Native American Music award. A “tasting lunch” of Cherokee foods will include bear meat, bean bread, chestnut bread, beans and hominy, herb tea, and blueberry bread. During lunch, storyteller Freeman Owle will share traditional tales. After lunch, parents and children can try their hand at making a traditional Cherokee bowl or other craft.
On Sunday afternoon at 2 pm, the Snowbird Choir will lead singing in the Cherokee language from the new Cherokee Hymnbook. Joyce Cooper will provide piano accompaniment as well. If you don’t know the Cherokee language, fluent speaker Shirley Oswalt will provide instruction in singing with the phonetic words provided. The Cherokee Hymnbook is on sale in the Museum Store and online at www.cherokeemuseum.org
To register for the “Cherokee Experience Family Day,” call the Museum Store 497-3481 x2. The cost is $25 for adults and children 13 and up and includes Museum admission, lunch, dance program, storytelling program, hands-on craft workshop and materials for the workshop. Registration must be paid by Wednesday, Nov. 5 to insure a place in the program. The Cherokee Hymn Singing is open to the public free of charge.
Info: Museum Store 497-3481 ext. 2, bduncan@cherokeemuseum.org
– Museum of the Cherokee Indian
