Daniel Curry and fellow dancers demonstrate the grass dance.
Minnesota Orchestra players shared a warm cultural exchange with members of the Ojibwe community last night in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, as part of the Orchestra’s Common Chords project.
Violinist Céline Leathead looks on as Breana, 15, and Alecsis, 5, prepare for their evening ahead.
The evening opened with a taco and fry bread feast before Orchestra musicians unpacked their instruments and offered music by Dvorák and the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. Ojibwe dancers, wearing traditional regalia, took the gym floor next in a whirling demonstration of tribal drumming and intertribal dances. The conclusion: a circle dance involving everyone. “Our communities are richer when we share,” said Daniel Curry, who led the Ojibwe presentation—and then offered an Ojibwe farewell. “Giga-waabamin, we’ll see you again.”
Steve Campbell, tuba, and Kari Sundstrom, trombone, sign musician “trading cards” for Jacob, who later served as one of the Ojibwe drummers.
Violist Ken Freed and Ojibwe community member Daniel Curry exchange notes.
A circle dance for whole community brought the evening's cultural exchange to a close.
View more photos from our residency in Grand Rapids on our Facebook page.
The Ojibwe cultural exchange was nothing short of pure magic!
High Quality and such good planning. It will be a pleasure to see the long term results !