FSU Panama City will host a public performance by Larry Yazzie and the Native Pride Dancers on October 29. The event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Holley Academic Center’s St. Joe Community Foundation Lecture Hall, located at 4750 Collegiate Drive. Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to register in advance at EventBrite.com.
Larry Yazzie, a two-time world champion dancer, will lead the performance, which aims to share the cultural history, traditions, and beliefs of America’s indigenous people through music, dance, and storytelling.
“By sharing life stories through music, dance and storytelling, we nurture meaningful communication among all people,” said Yazzie, who is also the founder and artistic director of Native Pride Productions. Yazzie grew up on the Meskwaki Settlement in Tama, Iowa, where he learned traditional practices from his ancestors.
Yazzie has performed at major venues including the Olympics, the Kennedy Center, and the Smithsonian Institute. This marks his second appearance at FSU Panama City.
In an interview with Cowboys & Indians magazine, Yazzie described his early inspiration: “I was inspired to dance at the age of 7 years old when I saw all the dancers at our annual Meskwaki Powwow. I wanted to be out there as well, so I asked my mom if she would help me. She gathered the material and pieced together a fancy dance outfit for me.”
In addition to dancing, Yazzie incorporates flute playing, hand drumming, and singing into his performances. He is recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts on Native American dance and has received several awards honoring his contributions.
