Crow Fair 2015 Women’s Dancing

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 women enter the arbor and join the circle to start the festivities for the 2015 Crow Fair. All of the different categories and styles are represented. As the afternoon progresses each one will have their moment in the spotlight but right now there is the excitement that reigns as everyone dances in together and completes the circle.

During the competition the men and women dance separately, each group having the opportunity to showcase their particular style of dancing, from the youngest to the oldest everyone gets their moment in the sun.

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It’s a moment to wave hello to friends in the audience

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Or a moment to demonstrate some of the steps that you will see later in the individual competition.

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Everyone is looking their best

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Walking to your appointed place for the next dance gives everyone a chance to see the incredible designs and beadwork of the various dancers

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As the dances commence there is a whirlwind of color and perfect footwork

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Some of the dancers display what must be hundreds of hours of painstaking beadwork on their dresses.

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Throughout the days and nights it is the drum that holds everything together. Without it  there would be no continuity to the festivities. Its steady beat is the thread that ties everything together.

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Style and poise are the norm as every dancer gets her opportunity to impress.

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Each dancer does her best to display the emotion of her particular style of dancing

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Some dances are quiet with careful footwork and perfect positioning of the fans carried.

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While others give an opportunity for more expression

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Many of the dancers are lost in the moment

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While  the judges keep a careful eye on every move. They are also participants at times and know every move and gesture that should be made.

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Perfect form and composure is constantly on display

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Some styles are more traditional

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Yet there are new things added as time passes

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It is also the opportunity to show the incredible beauty of the design and workmanship of their dresses and the regal bearing of the dancers

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The drummers wait for the moment the next dance begins

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While the singers add their voices to the soundtrack of the day

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Since footwork plays such an important part of the dances, it helps to have the best looking pair of moccasins in the competition.

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The afternoon is wearing  on and still they dance.

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As the light changes to the golden glow of late afternoon one of the final dancers is bathed in its glory. The color of her shawl made even more spectacular by the intensity of the coming sunset she dances in celebration of her heritage.

The dancing is over for this afternoon but after a short break for dinner they will be back and dance late into the night. The dances being one of the main reason for the gathering are performed throughout the length of the fair. It is so woven into the fabric of the Crow Fair that there wouldn’t be a fair without it.

In case you’re tuning in late here are the links of the 2015 Crow Fair that have been posted so far.

http://www.bigshotsnow.com/crow-fair-2015/

http://www.bigshotsnow.com/crow-fair-2015-mens-dancing/