TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Event Celebrates American Indian Music

ADVERTISEMENT

By GEOFF FOX, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 12, 2007

DADE CITY - It all started as a get-together in Dock Green Silverhawk's back yard, where a group of friends gathered to play flutes, sing and have a good time.

But it was quickly apparent that more space was required for the event now known as the Silverhawk Native American Flute Gathering.

'I have horses and land out here, but my place wasn't big enough,' said Silverhawk, who lives in Plant City. 'I started getting these calls about people wanting to come to my backyard barbecue.'

The fourth-annual event will be 9 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday at Withlacoochee River Park on Withlacoochee Boulevard. Admission, parking and camping are free, although there is a fee to use a power hookup.

Festivities include an arts and crafts show and about 25 food vendors, Silverhawk said.

The event will be held near an authentic Creek Indian village and an 1850s-style settlement featuring a small church, trails and a tower.

According to Silverhawk, about 700 people attended last year's event and he expects more this year. Besides flutists, there will be American Indian-style singers, dancers and storytellers.

The event is different than a powwow, which usually features competitive dancing, said Silverhawk, who is part Creek and Cherokee Indian.

'We're geared around the musical part,' he said. 'I go to powwows, but I was looking for something different, and I thought I'd just start it myself. This year, I've gotten calls from North Carolina, Tennessee, people coming down and camping for the weekend. It's really taken hold.'

Utah Farris, a flute maker who has attended the past gatherings, said the weekend will consist of practically nonstop entertainment.

'There's somebody at the microphone all the time,' he said. 'Most of it is native flute, but we do have some guys come over that play the Australian didgeridoo, and we'll probably have some drummers this year and a couple groups of singers.'

Farris, who is part Kiowa Indian, said he learned of the event after moving to Florida from Louisiana several years ago.

He said he is especially looking forward to hearing some of the younger flutists.

'I take my little tent and all my flutes, and we have a lot of fun,' he said. 'I'm 72, part of the older generation, but there are some young guys coming up, 17, 18 and 19 years old, that are really starting to shine. It's kind of time to do a passing of the torch.'

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Silverhawk Native American Flute Gathering

WHERE: Withlacoochee River Park, 12449 Withlacoochee Blvd., Dade City
WHEN: 9 a.m. 10/14 Sunday

FOR INFORMATION: Contact Dock Green Silverhawk at (813) 754-8990 or slvhawk@aol.com.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 948-4217 or gfox@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT