Native American Flute Circle Welcomes All

On Friday evening, July 17, sweet songs will drift in the wind at Moorpark College as Redbird’s Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow gets underway…softly.

The songs will be generated by one of mankind’s most ancient instruments…the flute.

For many generations it was an instrument played by a man to court a woman, and an instrument which could be used to communicate with plants, animals and spirits.

The Native American flute is made from a variety of materials, and there is no standard size or type. Most popular today are hand crafted wooden flutes, but reeds and even clay are materials still used to produce one of a kind instruments with signature sounds.

An American adaptation of the aboriginal Australian Digeridoo is made with the spent flower stalks of the yucca, a plant which grows in our local mountains. The Ocarina is a small, roundish clay piece with six to eight holes, usually elaborately painted, which is popular in South America.

Today, women as well as men play the flute, and everyone will have an opportunity to play on Friday evening, July 17, at the opening evening of Redbird’s Children of Many Colors Powwow at Moorpark College.

The flute circle is open to all wind instruments and their players, as well as visitors. This year’s circle will be dedicated to the memory of Peter Lovio, a man who touched the lives of many people with his music and brought together people form all walks of life, united in song, in generosity of spirit, in universal appreciation.

In the custom of Native American people, the first year following a person’s journey to the spirit world, friends and relatives avoid speaking the person’s name; a custom many non-native people find unusual. Peter will be referred to as “brother”, “beloved”, “friend”.

In addition to playing flute, a number of those who will attend the gathering are also flute makers, so the circle is a great opportunity to meet flute players, talk to them about their craft, experience their different styles of flute making and purchase quality hand-made instruments.

Everyone is welcome to play in this friendly, supportive atmosphere. No tribal affiliation or music degree are required. Admission is free. Bring a blanket, a folding chair, a loved one, and enjoy an evening under the stars.

For more information please visit http://www.redbirdsvision.org/manycolors.htm