Two Feet

[Iowa_Boy]

we've had the convo about the getting prize money in outfit (southern) versus northern. Remember, southern powwows end sooner, people typically have not that far to drive after powwow ends. Up north, powwows may last till 5am, then people have loooong drive, 16-18 hours, so they change while waiting for the tallies.

[WhoMe]

ya mean this one.

Yup. that one.

I understand the differences of dressed/southern and undressed/northern in order to collect prize money.

As I remember, the reason southern powwows initially told dancers to keep their outfits on to collect their prize money was so that they could have their pictures taken for the next years powwow program. For some reason, a lot of powwows in Oklahoma saw this and it became tradition even thought most powwows don't have powwow programs.

I think at northern powwows it is a convenience. Heck, I was at one powwow in Manitoba where they were still having the adult contests.... at 4 am on Monday morning!

[Iowa_Boy]

Yup. that one.

I understand the differences of dressed/southern and undressed/northern in order to collect prize money.

As I remember, the reason southern powwows initially told dancers to keep their outfits on to collect their prize money was so that they could have their pictures taken for the next years powwow program. For some reason, a lot of powwows in Oklahoma saw this and it became tradition even thought most powwows don't have powwow programs.

I think at northern powwows it is a convenience. Heck, I was at one powwow in Manitoba where they were still having the adult contests.... at 4 am on Monday morning!

it may just be me and my experiences, but in OK it seems that they tabulations get done so much quicker and they are ready sooner, and up north it takes forever!

[WhoMe]

it may just be me and my experiences, but in OK it seems that they tabulations get done so much quicker and they are ready sooner, and up north it takes forever!

Iowa,

No. It's not just you. The tabulations do get done quicker in the south. That's one reason why the powwows end earlier.

[chipster]

Never heard of GoN or anyone claim GoN to be the World Championship. Never really made claim on the website, posters, flyers. MCs don't announce it is or even other dancers make the claim or talk as it is either. It would also would state that the other dance categories would also lay claim to be a world champion at GoN. Only Schemitzun back in the mid 90's claimed to be called World Championship of song & dance. Then by 2000's it was just another powwow, & now.....

When Gus McDonald was recognized as World Champion & the Ponca tribe was given the right to host the World Championship, it was back in 1926. Been held there ever since. Even though Ponca powwow has been going on its 134th year, the World Championship of Fancy Dance has been going on for about 80+ years.

As for the songs, the old standbys are what you dance to. The same songs all the dancers dance to in years past. The reason dancers don't hear those songs up north or in other regions. Probably those southern drum groups haven' heard those songs or won't take time to learn the songs. Thunderhill is singing some of those old standbys. Kudos to them, those songs are short, sweet, & to the point. No superblazing beats, sudden trick stops, etc. Those tricky songs were usually sung after contest judging to exhibition & showcase the dancers. Now those songs are usually incorporated within the contest.

While the dance styles differ within the northern & southern styles, stopping on the last beat & with both feet on ground has been essential within the contest. For any category, basically. With fancy dancers that attempt the splits, some stop early & some, one beat over. That why it's called fancy "DANCE" not fancy spin. A little too much spinning, not much on the steps. Some dancers are probably dizzy from spinning too much, that they may not be able to catch the last beat. It's cool to see the break dance, pop & lock moves, just make them count. It's also within the songs that are being sung & how they sung.

[ndnsooner]

Most of the casino pow-wows are good about getting pow-wows over early.

[Iowa_Boy]

Most of the casino pow-wows are good about getting pow-wows over early.

yeah, they need the time for you to lose your winnings.

[ndnsooner]

seems like the first dancer i remember seeing stopping on one foot is Tommy Chaino....