Townsend, Tenn. – With an expected 1,000 attendees, Renaissance of the North American Flute Foundation (RNAFF) is holding its inaugural gathering from June 6-8, 2013, at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend, Tenn. – a three-day festival of exhibits and performances.
RNAFF is a nationwide non-profit organization that welcomes anyone with an interest in Native American flutes. Performances will start each day at 10:00 a.m. and run until roughly 9:30-10:00 p.m. Evening concerts begin at 6:00 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as large crowds are anticipated.
For tickets and a full schedule of events, visit rnaff.org. Pricing is $20 for a one-day pass and $50 for the entire three days. Heritage Center members have the opportunity to purchase evening concert tickets for $10 each.
RNAFF was originally envisioned in 1972 by R. Carlos Nakai and Ken Light at the Chant of the Wind Whistlers gathering in Grand Junction, Colo.
As a central part of many tribes’ culture and heritage, the Native American flute continues to this day to serve a vital role in both the remembrance and continued evolution of tribes’ cultural vibrancy, not only in the Great Smoky Mountains but also nationwide.
“We have flute circles that meet throughout East Tennessee on a regular basis, but this is the first national-level event of its kind to come to the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center,” said RNAFF board member and Knoxville resident Randy McGinnis, whose flute recordings have earned national honors. “People of all cultures, backgrounds and ages will enjoy the performances and really gain a fresh insight into the indigenous cultures that created this music.”
As an art form, the Native American flute and the cadre of nationally known artists who perform continue to gain momentum with fans from every background and walk of life – not only in the United States but internationally.
The event will provide participants with practical knowledge, tools, cultural and philosophical frameworks, practical application, and artistic exploration in order to access this unique instrument in the context of personal self-knowledge through musical expression.
Various workshops will be directed by some of those that perform in the Gathering. Performers Jonny Lipford, John Sarantos, Randy Granger, Danny Bigay and Geri Little John will host the workshops. Please note that prices to attend the workshops vary by presenter and are not covered by admission to RNAFF.
Vendors will be on site to sell a variety of different Native American style flutes and instruction books. Vendors in attendance Texas based Butch Hall Flutes, Tree of Life Designs, Red Handed Trade, and many others.
Up to 600 chairs will be provided for seating. As a result, and unlike the Heritage Center’s usual concerts, no chairs may be brought in to this event. However, in the event all seats are taken, visitors may want to bring a cushion or blanket for seating on the grass, as an alternative.
RNAFF’s intent is to respect and hold in high regard the experiential traditions that are and will continue to become the ongoing history of North America’s indigenous flute.
Their goal is to continually acknowledge all aspects regarding the Native American flute, including craftsmanship, performance and derivations that serve to reinforce the importance of the musical instrument in the cultural realm, both past and present.