First Posted: 4/17/2014
PEMBROKE — The fourth annual River People Music and Culture Festival, during which American Indian music will be celebrated, begins today at the Givens Performing Arts Center on the campus of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
The three-day event, which is spread out over four days, kicks off at 5 p.m. with the River Roots Arts Showcase, a free event during which patrons will be able to admire or purchase work from local artisans, including basket weavers, jewelry makers and painters. The showcase ends at 9:30 p.m.
Saturday is the festival’s main event. From 6 to 10 p.m., there will be performances from Grammy Award-winning American Indian singer Star Nayea, up-and-comer Shane Baker, former X-Factor contestant and local artist Tyler Cole, and a reunion of the popular late 1990s American Indian a capella group Ulali. Tickets for Saturday’s event are $10, or $5 for UNCP students.
On Monday at 10 a.m. there will be a free concert for students of the Public Schools of Robeson County. Though the performance is one that is intended for a younger audience, all are invited to take part.
This year’s festival is the continuation of a partnership that began last year with the River Roots Arts Guild, which had been simultaneously holding its own festival, the River Roots Arts Showcase.
“It is just an excellent display of talent, not just Native talent but talent in general,” said organizer Charly Lowry, who is not only a member of the Arts Guild, but a new member of Saturday headliner Ulali. “Just awesome music for both the showcase and the culture fest.”
Lowry will be performing with her own band, indie rock outfit Dark Water Rising, during the free art showcase today as well as on Monday, as will local blues rock artists Lakota John and Friends.
“I think it is important because it showcases some of our local talent, and gives them another opportunity to perform in front of everyone,” Lowry said. “It isn’t like we have music venues on every corner for artists to perform.”
James Johnson may be reached at 910-272-6144 or on Twitter @JJohnsonRobeson.
