[SuzzeQ4]

Originally Posted by witiku

Can someone please answer a question? If a grass dancer did a performance, say at an elementary school or a cub scout gathering, would it be inappropriate or unusual for him to dance to a hand drum instead of the usual powwow drum? Would this matter?

Thank you!

I think before some of us answer we'd like to know if your asking as a grass dancer (but then you'd probably know), a cub scout leader or someone from a school (like a teacher) who wants to bring someone into their classroom.

[witiku]

Originally Posted by SuzzeQ4

I think before some of us answer we'd like to know if your asking as a grass dancer (but then you'd probably know), a cub scout leader or someone from a school (like a teacher) who wants to bring someone into their classroom.

---------------------

No problem. I am writing a novel from the perspective of a boy who sees a friend with Cree ancestry performing a grass dance at a culture night/talent presentation put on by his cub scout troop.

The boy is very moved by the reverent seriousness and level of skill displayed my his Cree friend.

In this episode I hoped to have two older brothers beating hand drums and singing for their younger brother to dance to. This is why I asked about the appropriateness of hand drums as accompaniment to the dance in this context.

I have nothing but the highest regard and respect for all Native-related subject matter. Therefore I come to you as a reliable source of accurate information in this case. I want to get it right on the details.

Thank you,

~Jon

[Kaina1128]

well, if it was an exhibition performance, yeah there might be hand drums (but only for convenience sake). ive done exhibitions to boom boxes and big drums, but i guess i could see a hand drum...

[billyjoejimbob]

How about hand items? Some dancers hold nothing, some a hoop, some a fan, some the traditional crane stick, some use 2 of these items.

[SuzzeQ4]

Originally Posted by billyjoejimbob

How about hand items? Some dancers hold nothing, some a hoop, some a fan, some the traditional crane stick, some use 2 of these items.

Good point, don't think we've discussed this. Locally I have mostly seen hoops of sweetgrass but generally it's the teen and adult dancers. My 6 year old is a grass dancer, he doesn't carry anything, but I made that choice based on his age, since he can easily be distracted by say a snow cone, I'm thinking he may not be ready for such a responsibility.

Oh wait Sookout mentioned this in the initial post, but anyway, who here carries hand items? Did you when you were little?

[sookout sh'nob]

Added hand items and a link to the preferred fringe type thread ... will be back to clean it up a bit later!

[keeler]

I use to carry hand items...mirror board, loose fan. Since coming back to the trail; recently; I haven't. I Did dance with a sweet grass hoop that had sage and tobbaco bundles tied to it, but only at the Pow-wow right after I returned from Afghan;when my G-father gave it to me. I also remember when grassdancers carried bandanna style scarves while danceing(80's). does anyone else remember this?

[sookout sh'nob]

Originally Posted by keeler

I also remember when grassdancers carried bandanna style scarves while danceing(80's). does anyone else remember this?

Yup - I see a few guys who wear them as a sort of bracelets or attached to the corner of their cuffs closest to their wrists. I've seen a few young guys wear them instead of cuffs too.

[Elke]

Hand drum for dance demonstrations-.-----sorry I didn't saw the last posts...



Try it...

ok, maybe I am not the one who knows all the rules and don'ts, but I think you can just take what you have-very simple.

I think it is more important what your heart says and what you feel well. If your heart didn't like the situation-- don't do it.- If there are people arround, you like and you want to dance with them, do it-- no matter wich size the drum is.

Drums keep dancing in your head. and your heart.

Elke

[prestonb]

Does anyone know how to build the side tabs? Do you sew fringe on it at all? Or do you only sew it on the bottom so it doesn't bunch up with the apron fringe? Also, what kind of material do you use for the H harness? Thanks for any ideas and advice!

[SuzzeQ4]

Originally Posted by prestonb

Does anyone know how to build the side tabs? Do you sew fringe on it at all? Or do you only sew it on the bottom so it doesn't bunch up with the apron fringe? Also, what kind of material do you use for the H harness? Thanks for any ideas and advice!

In some of your other posts (white people at powwows & new dancer) you informed us that you were not NDN, so I'm not going to answer this question because you already know how we feel about that. I am however going to thank-you in advance for being respectful enough not to push the issue...thanks.

[Bear Boy M.]

hmm...

[Bear Boy M.]

i danced to a hand drum at a elementary school. now for the hand items. i carry a bandana and a stick with horse hair...sometimes a fan and a stick with horse hair...

[sookout sh'nob]

Hey Preston - go back and READ the FAQ itself, clikc on the links and read. Look at pictures, and then use your imagination...I bet you'll come up with the answers to your questions.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by prestonb

Does anyone know how to build the side tabs? Do you sew fringe on it at all? Or do you only sew it on the bottom so it doesn't bunch up with the apron fringe? Also, what kind of material do you use for the H harness? Thanks for any ideas and advice!

I am new to grass dancing.I was watching a video about the grass dance outfit and it talked about hot gluing a lot. So I was wondering what was best: Hot gluing the ribbon onto the apron, side tabs, and cape or sowing was the way to go?

[jed]

Hot glue? Puh-lease.

Only time I have ever used hot glue was to glue horse hair to a plastic rosette to back a beaded rosette.

Sew.

If it is made of cloth....sew.

[Iowa_Boy]

Originally Posted by dhays9

I am new to grass dancing.I was watching a video about the grass dance outfit and it talked about hot gluing a lot. So I was wondering what was best: Hot gluing the ribbon onto the apron, side tabs, and cape or sowing was the way to go?

Was the person in the video a native?

No he was not. He was though brought into the Hidatsa Grass Dance Society.

[Iowa_Boy]

Originally Posted by dhays9

No he was not. He was though brought into the Hidatsa Grass Dance Society.

throw the video away.

[SuzzeQ4]

Originally Posted by dhays9

I am new to grass dancing.I was watching a video about the grass dance outfit and it talked about hot gluing a lot. So I was wondering what was best: Hot gluing the ribbon onto the apron, side tabs, and cape or sowing was the way to go?

Like everyone else, I say sew! Here's why. Visual: You can tell a well made regalia from a half azz job without being up close. Hot gle is for tacking something down (thats not cloth) as an aide to keeping it in place while you finish it properly. On this note aides like heat n bond are for the same purpose. Use heat and bond or stitch witchery as a replacement for sewing and it will look half azz. Second reason: Respect. We take great care in making and looking after our regalias. Going half azz, does not show this respect. ADVICE : Don't listen to white people on the net, in books or videos, dispite what they claim. He says he is broght in to the society but how do you know he is telling the truth?
Take your time, Get to know some real grass dancers and learn from them. THEN make your regalia. This may take a year or so but you will be out there knowing what your doing, having shown respect by your patience and care to learn.