September Events at the National Museum of the American Indian

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Entertainment. Discussion »

Film, Music & Blood

WASHINGTON - The following four events are scheduled at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian during September:

Saturday, September 10 - "Native Music with Dawn Avery, Larry Mitchell & Guests." Potomac Atrium, 1st level, Noon - 2 pm. Join us for an afternoon of contemporary and traditional Native music - sung in both English and Mohawk - by Grammy-nominated artist, Dawn Avery, a "daring cellist and vocalist," is how the "New York Times" described Avery. To celebrate the release of their album, "Our Fire," Avery will perform alongside award-winning musicians Johnny Whitehorse, Larry Mitchell, and Steven Alvarez (Mescalero Apache, Athabascan). This event is free.

Friday, September 16 - Quantum Leap: Does "Indian Blood" Still Matter? 2-4:30 pm, 4018-19, Fourth Level. This symposium features Native scholars who approach the concept of blood quantum-originating from archaic notions of biological race and still codified in contemporary policy- and its effect on determining tribal citizenship, access to services, and community recognition. Sociologists Eva Marie Garroutte (Boston College) and C. Matthew Snipp (Stanford) join historian Malinda Lowery (UNC Chapel Hill) and anthropologist Kimberly TallBear (UC Berkeley) in a discussion moderated by museum historian Gabrielle Tayac. This event is free.

Saturday, September 17 - Dvo&rtilde;ák's New World Symphony, 7 pm, Rasmuson Theater, 1st level. The Embassy of the Czech Republic invites you to a special concert of Dvo&rtilde;ák's New World Symphony. Maestro Murry Sidlin leads the Catholic University of America Orchestra in a performance of Dvo&rtilde;ák's "Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, From the New World." The event includes dramatic readings by actors Gary Sloan, Marietta Hedges, and special guests. This event is free.

Mayan Genocide

Thursday, Sept. 22 - Dinner & A Movie - "Granito: How to Nail a Dictator," 7 pm, Rasmuson Theater, 1st level. In 1982, filmmaker Pamela Yates released the film "When the Mountains Tremble," the groundbreaking documentary about the Mayan genocide perpetrated by the Guatemalan government of President Efraín Ríos Montt and his supporters. This seminal film introduced most of America to the activist Rigoberta Menchú Tum, the youngest individual in history to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Over two decades later, Yates is called to the Spain's Constitutional Court to testify against Montt's crimes against humanity. Invited guests include the director, Pamela Yates and producer, Paco de Onis. Cuisine from the Mitsitam Cafe will be available for purchase from 5 to 6:30 pm. This event is free.

Register for free online at National Museum of the American Indian,
Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW.
202-633-1000.

posted September 1, 2011 8:20 am edt