Sixth Annual Native Rhythms Festival Set Nov. 7-9
By Space Coast Daily // November 5, 2014
ABOVE VIDEO: Painted Raven, the female Native American flute and world music duo of Annette Abbondanza and Marsha Harris, performing the song “Wildflowers” at the 2013 Native Rhythms Festival in Melbourne.
At Wickham Park, Free and Family-Friendly
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the Native Heritage Gathering, Inc., and the Indian River Flute Circle will host a Native American music, arts and crafts festival at the Wickham Park amphitheater in Melbourne.
The festival, set for November 7 – 9, is free with musical performances scheduled throughout each day – with headliner performances starting in the late afternoon through 10 p.m.
Multiple award-winning musicians from all over the United States will be performing throughout the weekend, including a Saturday and Sunday performance by Two-time Grammy Award winning Native American flutist and performer Robert Mirabal.
Other headliner performers include Arvel Bird, Scott August, Jonny Lipford, Randy Granger, Michael Brant DeMaria, Dock Green Silverhawk, Ed Wind Dancer, Painted Raven, and Mark McGourley.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVAL
This family-friendly festival will also host free workshops that focus on flute playing, history of the instrument, beading, guitar playing, drumming and much more.
In addition, over 40 vendors will sell musical instruments, native-style and environmental arts and crafts and food.
Presentations by a variety of non-profit and historical preservation groups round out the educational experiences.
And for the first time, we are hosting flute playing classes intended for the intermediate and advanced flute player.
This is a new program in addition to the free workshops offered at the Festival.
Wickham Park, a beautiful wooded park, has ample free parking. The Wickham Park Campground is adjacent to the event area and offers campsites with full hookups as well as rustic sites. Motels and restaurants are close by and offers discounted accommodations for event visitors.
A full description of the event, including a list of headlining and featured entertainers, performance times, workshop schedules and registration, participating vendors, camping and accommodation specifics can be found at NativeRhythmsFestival.com
