SteppingStone Theatre Presents Larry Yazzie and The Native Pride Dancers, Thru 3/11

In an event described with "rainbow-colored headdresses, pulsating drumming, and fancy footwork are part of the excitement of a Native American powwow. World Champion Fancy Dancer Larry Yazzie and the Native Pride Dancers bring this excitement to the SteppingStone Theatre stage. They perform flamboyant movements passed down by their ancestors and sacred songs from the Northern Plains.

"Larry Yazzie (Meskwaki/Dine) is an international lecturer, educator, performer, and a World Champion Fancy Dancer. Raised on the Meskwaki Indian Settlement in Central Iowa, he began dancing at the age of 7. Throughout his childhood Larry was instructed on the traditions of the Meskwaki People, including the flamboyant and energetic fancy dance and the northern Plains style of singing.

"Yazzie explains, 'Through my dancing and singing, I experience a zone of free spirit, where everyday problems and worries are left behind. As a performer, it makes me feel good to share this positive energy with other people² He goes on to say, I enjoy working with children. Reaching out to diverse communities is part of my mission for a better understanding of our cultures and our community.'"

As a dancer and singer, Larry Yazzie has performed throughout North America, South America and Europe. Notable performances include the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games; the 1999 Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, Russia; 2005 at the Belo Horizante International Cultural Festival in Belo Horizante, Brazil; 2008 Young Audiences, Kennedy Center Performance, Washington, D.C.; and most recently in 2010 the World Festival of Children, Valenciennes, France.

Since the 1980s, Yazzie has performed with several notable performance companies, including the Woodland Singers and Dancers, the Discover Native American Dance Troupe, Lakota Dance Troupe, Foxwoods Dance Troupe, and the Kevin Locke Trio. Recently, while still continuing his successful solo show and duo show with his son Jessup, he formed his own company, the Native Pride Dancers. Formed in 2003 and directed by Larry Yazzie, the Native Pride Dancers strive to educate and entertain audiences of all ages throughout the world on the beauty, skill, and majesty of American Indian music and dance. Enjoy the beauty, athleticism, and majesty of the Fancy Dance, featuring freestyle movement with focused energy, dance regalia, and traditional songs from the Northern Plains. Enhanced by indigenous vocal and flute music, other dances like the Buffalo, Eagle, Hoop and Round Dances celebrate various animals, crops, the sun, and the wind. With blood-stirring rhythms and spectacular costumes, this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between the Native Pride Dancers and SteppingStone is a not to be missed experience.

About SteppingStone Theatre:
SteppingStone Theatre's productions are professionally created and produced, with talents drawn from the best in the Twin Cities and throughout the U.S. The young actors are rigorously trained, but remain fresh and vibrant, bringing their joy and sense of fun to all SteppingStone Theatre¹s productions. Enjoyed by all ages, adults as well as children, SteppingStone Theatre¹s productions are affordable, high-quality entertainment.

Performance Information:
All performances are in SteppingStone Theatre¹s new home, a beautifully renovated 100-year-old architectural gem located at 55 Victoria Street North, one block north of Summit Avenue in the Historic Hill District of St. Paul. Performances are appropriate for all ages. SteppingStone Theatre is fully-accessible to persons with disabilities, and has regularly-scheduled ASL & Audio Described performances. Interpreters can be scheduled for other performances at no additional cost upon request.

Ticket Prices:
Adults: $14.00
Children & Seniors: $11.00
Groups 20+: $7.00 (scholarships available)

Final Performance Date & Time:
Sunday, March 11: 3:00 pm

Performance times and tickets are available at (651) 225-9265 or www.steppingstonetheatre.org

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