Grandma's family goes nationwide on TV

 

I n the television broadcast of "30 Days," a reality series on the FX Cable Network, show host Morgan Spurlock spent 30 days of 2007 on the Navajo Reservation, in the hogan of Deborah Jackson-Dennison and Karl Dennison.

The segment was called "Life on an Indian Reservation" and was aired nationally in July. The Navajo Times featured the Dennison family matriarch, Annie "Grandma" Holyan-Dennison, a resident of Buffalo Pass, N.M., north of Tohatchi.

Holyan-Dennison was featured in an article detailing her life as a rancher. Local merchants know Holyan-Dennison from their dealings with the family. When her husband, the late Eugene Dennison, passed away, the merchants showed their respect to the rancher who once cared for a flock of 2,000 sheep.

That number decreased over the years but people can still recall a time with a large dust cloud would be visible for miles as the sheep were moved from the summer camp in the Chuska Mountains to the family ranch.

In her younger days, Grandma competed in horse races where the prizes were saddles, food rations, jewelry and even some prize money.

She also told of Chief Manuelito, her grandfather, who bore a scar near his rib cage where he was shot with an arrow.

As Spurlock helped unlock an important part of history, the story of Navajo people on the reservation was told nationwide.

Standing ovation greets ‘Navajo Oratorio’

The first-ever oratorio based on an indigenous creation story, "Enemy Slayer: A Navajo Oratorio," was performed before sold-out audiences Feb. 7 and 9, at the Phoenix Symphony Opera House.

The performance was the centerpiece for the symphony's 60th anniversary. The Feb. 7 performance won a 10-minute standing ovation.

Composer Mark Grey recruited award-winning Navajo poet Laura Tohe to write the lyrics, a role better known as libretto, which helped the visionary concept succeed.

The oratorio is a 70-minute piece that featured a chorus of 140 singers and a full symphony orchestra, including baritone soloist Scott Hendricks. Visual effects were provided by the Southwest landscape photography of Deborah O'Grady, which were projected on a huge screen.

The piece was done in a respectful manner so that Navajo people, if given the chance to view the performance, would not be offended.

The Plateros thrill audiences

Levi Platero is a 16-year-old kid who plays his guitar like a seasoned professional and has already made waves throughout the country as he performed at venues like the Hollywood Casino & Resort in Florida.

The band includes his father Murphy Platero (bass and vocals) and cousin Douglas Platero (drums). They are looking to release their debut album in March 2009. In the meantime, the band released a CD of Christmas tunes.

Levi Platero's live performances are exhilarating as he rips into his guitar. The band rarely performs on the reservation but, hopefully, with the help of the band's debut album that will change soon.

People who want to catch his performance can do so through Youtube.com or Myspace.com/theplateros.

The Plateros will be part of the U.S. presidential inaugural events at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Arlington, Va., on Jan. 20, 2009, as part of the "Native Music Rocks" program sponsored by Hard Rock International and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Music festival features indigenous talent

The annual Native Roots & Rythms music festival in Santa Fe, during the Indian Market in August, didn't disappoint.

Emergence Productions, along with the Santa Fe Indian School and sponsors, showcased a diverse array of indigenous talent from around the world.

Buffy St. Marie headlined the first night for an audience familiar with her work and life.

The second night was all reggae and the performance was topped by two outstanding performances by New Mexico's own Native Roots and New Zealand's Katchafire.

Native Roots got the crowd on their feet dancing and cheering as vocalist Emmett "Shkeme" Garcia showcased his fancy footwork as his band backed him up.

Katchafire is definitely a band to see if they ever make it back stateside.

Listening to the band and watching them switch positions to play various instruments is one thing but the best part was the music itself. It was breathtaking to hear and soothing the senses.

Sanostee resident, local producer win Nammy

A simple meeting at the Sanostee Senior Center led to a recording session and a new CD called "Traditional Navajo Shoe Game Songs."

Chieftain Tracks owner Frank Smith and Sanostee resident Gilbert Begay Sr. were surprised that their collaboration won the 2008 Native American Music Award for best traditional recording.

"Shil hózhó (I'm glad)," Begay said.

Clearly Begay wasn't looking to win anything when he recorded. He only thought of sharing what he knew of this classic form of winter entertainment in Navajo culture. He also hoped the recording would be a tool for the younger generations to use.

Benally wins best actor award for ‘Mile Post 398'

Actor Beau Benally, who played "Cloyd Begay" in the movie "Mile Post 398," won the best actor award at this year's Talking Stick Film Festival in Santa Fe.

Benally's best-actor award is the latest honor for the film, which was also named the Native American Voices/Best Narrative Feature at the 2007 Fargo Film Festival and won best screenplay and best drama at the 2007 Tulalip Film Festival.

Actor and comedian Ernest David Tsosie III, who played Begay's friend "Ray Yazzie" in the film, was named best supporting actor at the 2007 American Indian Film Institute Festival, and the film was an official selection at the 2007 Best of the AIFIF, a separate event sponsored by the Tule River tribe.

Filmmakers Shonie and Andee De La Rosa, of Kayenta, produced and directed "Mile Post 398."

Since its release in late 2006, Benally wondered how viewers perceived his performance as a young husband and father struggling against poverty and personal demons.

"I wondered, did I do a good job or not?" he said about the film. "I'm sure that's what all the other actors do, you know, to improve themselves."

Father, daughter release CD

Navajo singer Jay Begaye collaborated with his daughter, Tiinesha Begaye, and released a CD through Canyon Records titled "Night of Northern Lights."

Jay Begaye is known as the lead singer for his northern singing group Cathedral Lakes, which uses the Navajo language in some songs.

Tiinesha Begaye released her debut CD "Rhythm of Love" a couple of years ago and has found success composing her own hand-drum songs.

Singing became a family tradition for the Begaye's. Tiinesha Begaye picked up singing naturally at the age of two, when she mimicked her father's singing. From there the natural ability to sing began to show.

Eventually as Jay Begaye performed, he would bring his daughter on stage and they sang together, which ultimately led to the question, "When are you two going to do a CD together?"

"Night of the Northern Lights" puts the questions to rest but now fans are expecting another CD.

 

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