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I hope you enjoy the GON. I will really miss it this year. I don't know if you have your tickets yet, but you can order them on line and save yourself a lot of time in line to get in. You can purchase them ahead of time and pick them up at the "will call" booth. Have fun!!!
We had a great time at the GON. Great fry bread!!! We were there from about 3 PM until 8 PM. We did walk thru the vendor tent and got some screaming deals on Zuni fetishes. The dancing & drums were amazing but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had really understood the meaning behind each dance. Perhaps they told that before the dances would begin but my Mom & I sat next to a man who was quite the chatter box and it was just so loud (and HOT) in the Pit that I couldn't hardly make out what they announced at any rate. Song - I don't know if it would have been 'spiritual' enough for you as the venue was enoromous and oh so crowded. Plus I think being in competition (just my opinion here don't yell at me for it) makes it not quite as spiritualistic as if it had been for an actual ceremony... But it was still extremely moving to watch and hear the drums and chants (I finally stopped boo-hooing about the fifth or sixth dance). Some of the costumes were absolutely amazing... and I don't see how they did NOT pass out in them - it was pretty warm in the arena. The grand entry was terrific (running out of adjectives here) - unbelievable the amount of dancers they could get on the arena floor - I imagine there were some nervous fire marshalls there last night!!
Well the women traditional and jingle dancers are lucky, they carry feather fans that work better than paper ones =P. As far as dancing goes you really want to come back to GoN tonight around 8 to see all the adult competitions, you'll really get a feel for the dances and how they're supposed to be when it's the actual competition dances. I really wanted to be there for the women's hand drum but of course I have to pick my mom up at the airport when it's supposed to be taking place . Oh and the hoop dance is tonight also I believe, it's a really fun dance to watch. Anyhow I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!
As far as paragraphs, sometimes mine run together too even though I separate them. Don't know what's up with that but things like that usually don't bother me anyway.
Hoppy... my Mom will be so disappointed to have missed the Hoop Dancers - she really wanted to see them. Was the actual agenda of all the dances in the program? We didn't purchase one, and their (at least what I saw) website was vague... There's always next year! Maybe we can meet up and you can be our 'dance instructor'. LOL
Since I got VIP tickets I got a "free" program. It listed the general events of each day like which categories were dancing when (like tiny tots at 1 on Saturday). It also listed special hosted dances like the women's side jingle on Friday. So yeah it stated what time the hoop dance was supposed to be. If you want to get the DVD I'm pretty sure it will be on there, and no I'm not a part of merchandising for GON Lol. Anyhow I'm really glad you enjoyed yourself, it's always nice to hear/see the reactions of people who have never experienced GON before. I find that once you go to GON it's hard to avoid going the next year if you have the means to get there. I grew up going to GON and after I was relocated to Connecticut I missed GoN And New Mexico in general SO much, I'm just glad I'm able to go again. I hope you're able to make it out next year.
If you'd like more info on the Tipi Retreat in Stunning Montana check: Tipi Lifestyles
or Travel Heart - Home Page and the Native wisdom Page.
This event will begin July 26 thru July 30
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. Oh and the hoop dance is tonight also I believe, it's a really fun dance to watch. Anyhow I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!
Albuquerque Pow Wow - Gathering of Nations
