Diamond Creek Crown Dancers

On April 26th Through the 28th the Gathering of Nations, the largest powwow in the United States was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There were over 3500 dancers (this is not a misprint) in the Grand Entry seen by over 80,000 attendees. 785 tribes were represented from the U.S. and Canada. It was a spectacular event.

This image is of a spirit dancer from the White River Apache Diamond Creek Crown Dancers group that participated and performed out on the open avenue in front of Tingley Arena. They are members of the White Mountain Apache tribe and have performed all over the United States.

Their performance was one of the hits if not the high point of the various dance groups that performed over the length of the event. An entire article, actually an entire book, could be written about the meaning of the dances they perform, the regalia they wear, the songs they sing, and the symbols they paint on their bodies, but that will have to be left for another time. For now this image represents their amazing culture and traditions and they deserve a debt of gratitude for sharing it with us.

Denver March Powwow

Quick shot taken with my iPhone. Yes real photographers use their phones once in a while

Short Post today. I’m shooting the famous Denver March Powwow this weekend and as always it is fantastic. This is the Grand Entry from Friday night and as you can see not only was it well attended but everyone was dressed to the nines and it was incredible. If you get a chance go to the Denver Coliseum and take in this amazing spectacle. More later.

Crow Fair 2015 Grand Entry

This post has been moved to OpenChutes.com. All future postings of Powwows, Indian Relay Races, Rodeos and Rendezvous will be posted there from now on exclusively. So if you’re looking for new images and posts for all those events attended this year, plus all the old posts posted on BigShotsNow.com check out OpenChutes.com. See you there!

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The Grand Entry at Crow Fair is the beginning of all the festivities that take place in the Arbor. The Dance contests, ceremonies, the general get together when everyone dances for the sheer enjoyment of it. It is the center of all the social activities. It always begins with the color guard presenting the flags.

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A dancer performs a special dance to complete the flag presentation.

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Then the procession begins with the Royalty entering the circle. These are all the Princesses that have been selected by the various tribes participating to represent them.

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The men follow.

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The elder warriors leading the men into the circle.

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Followed by the women dancing their way around the arbor

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There are  many different emotions displayed by the participants. This is a very special time for all.

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They continue dancing, gradually completing the circle.

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Everyone who can, participates.

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Each category of dancers enters in their turn.

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The men’s group puts maximum effort forth as they enter.

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Each dancer showing his own style as they enter.

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Women take their place in the circle.

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Young mothers with their children dance and bring their young ones into the circle as soon as they can carry them into the arbor.

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An elder warrior pensively completes another round as everyone that can fit enters the arbor.

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Younger warriors enter in their turn

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As the circle tightens and fills towards completion the dancers begin to pick up the pace.

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There is movement and color everywhere one looks.

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The drummers are tireless. The beat, the songs, the energy, keep everyone focused and the dancers are totally dependent on them. The ceremonies couldn’t take place without them. They are the heroes in the background, usually unseen but always heard.

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The circle is complete. All the participants are inside the arbor, the circle has tightened to make room for everyone and the Grand Entry is complete. Soon the dancing will start and continue until the fair is over.

Over the next few days we e will bring you the Dancing, the Parade, Portraits, the Rodeo, and the Closing ceremonies. Stay  tuned.