NEWS OF "DANCING FROM THE HEART" AND TEWA DANCERS FROM THE NORTH

"DANCING FROM THE HEART" SCREENED AT

NEW MEXICO FILMMAKERS' SHOWCASE

Andrew Garcia and Marilyn Hunt's documentary, "Dancing from the Heart," was shown in May 2006 in the New Mexico Filmmakers' Showcase, at the Guild Cinema, Albuquerque. Gene Grant, well known journalist and blogger of "The Dreadlocked Flaneur,"  commented, "Three generations of a family of dancers, led by Andrew Garcia. I defy you to find a more honest man on film talking about his past struggles and his subsequent triumphs. Very inspiring stuff." "Dancing from the Heart" has screened at many film festivals. Go to Film Screenings

“DANCING FROM THE HEART" WINS NATIVE VISION AWARD

AT BARE BONES INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

"You have done a beautiful piece of work, I learned from it, and I hope it gets wide distribution so that others can learn. Congratulations." –Tony Hillerman

That is what best-selling author Tony Hilllerman, born and raised in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma, wrote to producer and director, Marilyn Hunt, who was born and raised in Oklahoma City. The New Mexico-made film was an official selection at Muskogee (Oklahoma)'s Bare Bones International Film Festival, April 2006. It was shown twice, including a special showcase screening on closing day, April 23. That evening, at the closing Indiewood Awards Gala, "Dancing from the Heart" received the Native Vision Award. Marilyn Hunt was in attendance at the festival and accepted the award.

SCREENING WITH ANDREW GARCIA FOR YOUTH INTERNS AT EXPLORA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

In March 2006, "Dancing from the Heart," which is especially appropriate for highschool students, as well as adults, screened very successfully for the Youth Interns and public at the Explora Children's Museum in Albuquerque, NM, as a part of the nationwide KIDS FIRST! Film and Video Festival. Andrew Garcia and Marilyn Hunt attended, for a lively interchange with the young people.

TEWA DANCERS AT LIVING RITUAL: WORLD INDIGENOUS DANCE FESTIVAL, TORONTO

In July 2006, "Dancing from the Heart" was shown in tandem with appearances by Andrew Garcia and dancers and Marilyn Hunt at the Living Ritual: World Indigenous Dance Festival, held at York University, Toronto.

Artistic director of the Festival was Santee Smith (Mohawk) [ www.santeesmithdance.com ], dancer-choreographer and director of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre. Living Ritual was co-sponsored by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre and the World Dance Alliance.

In addition to the Tewa Dancers’ shared evening onstage in York University's theater, and their post-film questions and answers, Andrew Garcia and the dancers taught a well-attended master class in traditional Tewa dance. Andy also took part in a panel discussion on the meaning of dance to the panelists. He and the dancers made a strong impression among the distinguished attending artists and audience members.

In addition to introducing "Dancing from the Heart" and its participants, Marilyn Hunt was on a panel in which she spoke about the background of the film project.

                                                                                    FALL 2006 TO SPRING 2007

The Tewa Dancers from the North danced at the Santa Fe Opera in September for a full-house benefit performance titled "Under the Stars, We Dance," for dance scholarships for young people. Other participants included Dancing Earth Indigenous Dance, under the direction of Rulan Tangan [ www.dancing earth.org ] ; guest artists from American Ballet Theater; Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company; and Danza Folklórica de México, as well as organizers Moving People Dance Theatre.

In October, a private screening of "Dancing from the Heart," hosted by Andrew Garcia and Marilyn Hunt, took place in Santa Fe for a nation-wide mini-reunion of Marilyn's Wellesley College class. Andy and his wife Verna were guests afterwards at a gala dinner at Los Mayas Restaurant. Two comments from class members: "The dance program, Q & A, and website were beautiful and provocative revelations about Native American culture today." (Ellen and Woody Chu, Bethesda, Maryland) "Of all we saw and did, your video and Andy Garcia's talk gave us the most authentic experience of what that beautiful country is all about. ... You captured the dancers for us to see and appreciate." (Tucker Harris, class president)

"Dancing from the Heart" was chosen for screening in January 2007 for the new "ReelHeART Monthly Film Series" in Toronto. The series consists of award-winners from previous ReelHeART International Film Festivals, as curated by the film festival's director, Shannonn Kelly. It takes place in association with the ACA Gallery. "Dancing from the Heart" was first-place winner in the Dance and Music-Related Films category at the 2005 festival.

Andrew Garcia is currently teaching at the Ohkay Owingeh Community School in the areas of alcohol abuse prevention and traditional Tewa dances and culture.

                                         "DANCING FROM THE HEART" AND THE TEWA DANCERS VISIT BRAZIL

In April 2007, the Tewa Dancers from the North traveled to Sao Paulo, Brazil for an indigenous dance festival, "Cultural Indigena," and also toured smaller locations in connection with a substance-abuse prevention program. They showed the 2004 version of "Dancing from the Heart," with its in-depth discussion of substance-abuse issues.

                                                                                            NEW VERSION DEBUTS!

The new version of the film, now officially called "Dancing from the Heart: Journey of a Pueblo Dance Family," debuted with a colorful new DVD case and disc design, by Asphalt Apache, designer of this website. The revised film was entirely re-edited with the renowned editor of PBS television dance and musical programs, Girish Bhargava. At 44 minutes in length, it concentrates on the dance and culture of Ohkay Owingeh/San Juan Pueblo, presented as before by Andrew Garcia and his Tewa Dancers from the North. More extensive dance sequences are complemented by Andrew Garcia's performance of one of his own compositions, a Buffalo Dance song.

                                                                                 NEW VERSION'S FESTIVAL PREMIERES

Southern Winds Film Festival, the new festival in Shawnee, Oklahoma was the scene of the "Dancing from the Heart: Journey of a Pueblo Dance Family" festival debut, in September 2007. Festival director James Bridges wrote: "You have a great film to be proud of." Sidelight: The city of Shawnee was the site of the first performance by the film’s central figures, Andrew Garcia and his dance group, in 1975.

The Tulalip Film Festival in Washington state presented its film festival in August, under the auspices of the North West Indian College:  "Dancing from the Heart" received BEST PICTURE AWARD.

Andy Garcia, dancer-daughter Dorea Garcia and Dan Pantoja traveled to San Francisco to represent "Dancing from the Heart" at the prestigious American Indian Film Festival in November 2007.

The White Sands International Film Festival, Alamogordo, New Mexico held three screenings of "Dancing" in March 2008. The film made a return visit to the Festival in April 2009.

                                                                                TEWA DANCERS KEEPING BUSY!

Among the many appearances of the Tewa Dancers from the North, they performed at the studio of the late renowned Apache sculptor Allan Houser, near Santa Fe in July 2007 before a visiting group. They also danced at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new mental health hospital in Espanola, NM, and for an elder-health convention at Sandia Casino. Andy Garcia was one of the judges for the clothing and regalia contest at Santa Fe Indian Market in August.

Andy talked with an advanced class at the Institute of American Indian Arts in October and showed the film; the event was open to the public and was well attended. It was sponsored by the Indigenous Liberal Studies Department of IAIA.

He also showed "Dancing" and spoke with 8th and 12th graders at the Santa Fe Indian School in January 2008, among several talks he has given there. He discussed the importance of education and respect for elders and teachers and the dangers of drugs and alcoho from his own experience.

                                                                                TEWA DANCERS PHOTO SHOWS

In September 2007, the first of a possible series of photo shows took place to publicize "Dancing from the Heart," at El Gancho Fitness Club, Santa Fe. The photos of the Tewa Dancers from the North were made by Marilyn Hunt when they were performing at Chaco Canyon, at Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

                                                                                       SPREADING THE WORD

A front page story on "Dancing from the Heart," with color photo, appeared in the Santa Fe New Mexican, Sept. 10, 2007. The story, by staff writer Staci Matlock, was picked up by several websites, including Native American news sites. It was  also reproduced on the Soy Chicano website. Comments there included, "That's just absolutely beautiful!" "This is something I will need to watch." and "Thanks for the post. Good article. Will have to check the documentary."

In the same week, Bob Ross interviewed Marilyn about the film on his radio program, "Gardens, Food & Santa Fe," on KSFR (90.7 and 101.1 FM, Santa Fe).

"Dancing from the Heart" was an invited film at the 4th annual film festival at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. The festival is put on by the Stories N' Motion film club and took place in March 2008 with special guest, actress Elaine Miles. It welcomes both the college community and the general public.

            SCREENING HITS THE SPOT WITH GRADE-SCHOOLERS IN DENVER MAGNET SCHOOL FOR GIFTED CHILDREN

Thanks to dedicated parent Jacqueline Kruszek, a group of first to fifth graders at Polaris at Ebert Elementary School in Denver were treated to a series of classes on Native American and Alaska Native culture around Thanksgiving time 2007, culminating in a showing of dance and cultural excerpts from "Dancing from the Heart."

The series was intended to bring to life the rich history and current vitality of Native Peoples. A special highlight of the session was the opportunity for the students to meet and talk with Joe Garcia, former governor of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo where "Dancing from the Heart" is set; Mr. Garcia was named president of the National Congress of American Indians. Ms. Kruszek said that the film "provided wonderful insights into Pueblo culture" and that the boys were unusually enthusiastic, especially about the Butterfly Dance.

    EXCERPT FROM "DANCING FROM THE HEART" GRABBING INTEREST ONLINE: YOUTUBE, NATIVE AMERICAN TUBE      

See for yourself:

[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZWOHG-qHZQ ] or

[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06RWjDyWoho ]

and: [ http://www.natube.magnify.net/item/WR35WYX5W20H9KD3 ]

The YouTube excerpt has also been picked up by various other video sites in Spanish and Thai as well as English; in Cuba and India; and sometimes amusingly confusing the star of "Dancing from the Heart" with the Hollywood actor Andy Garcia.

                                      TEWA DANCERS ENRICH POETRY SLAM AT SANTA FE INDIAN SCHOOL, FILMED BY HBO

"Dancing from the Heart" brothers Curt and Darron Garcia became part of a poem by Joy Harjo that was declaimed with spirit by two SFIS students on a cool May evening, 2008, at the distinctive Paolo Soleri Amphitheater, on the grounds of the venerable school. The poem, which opened the Arts Fest program and blessed the space, was called "Eagle." The students were members of the school's Spoken Word Club, and the dancers portrayed their familiar roles as Tewa Eagles, accompanied by Andrew Garcia and Butterfly Garcia singing and drumming.

Later in the evening, the dancers' Zuni cousin Hillary Ustalou, who is a sophomore at the school, spoke her own vivid poem about the Butterfly Dance, while Kayla and Jahneah Martinez represented the butterflies and Curt and Darron the warriors. Following that, Andy and Butterfly played for the four dancers to present their traditional Tewa version of the dance.

The event made the front page of the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper (May 17, 2008). Seven of the students, comprising Team Santa Fe, were invited to represent the school for the second time at the national Brave New Voices: 22th Annual International Youth Poetry Slam Festival in Washington DC in July. HBO, which covered the Slam, focused on profiling the SFIS team on its home territory; the agile but self-effacing cameraperson became part of the evening, filming onstage and from all angles.

One of the closing acts was Butterfly Garcia's group, "Surrender." Butterfly sang and drummed his song dedicated to the Lord, and Curt was one of two guitar players.

      GHOST RANCH, NM, PLANNING SCREENING OF "DANCING FROM THE HEART" IN A CROSS-CULTURAL COURSE

The well-known adult summer classes at Ghost Ranch, the former home of Georgia O'Keeffe north of Santa Fe, were to include a cross-cultural course showing "Dancing from the Heart." Participants of the 2008 course were then to attend a Feast Day at one of the Pueblos.

                                          DANCER DOREA GRACIA WINNING KUDOS WITH HER POTTERY AND SCULPTURE

Dorea has been showing and selling her pottery and sculpture for several years. In 2008, she took classes in micaceous pottery at Poeh Arts Center with well known Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo potter Clarence Cruz (who appears in "Dancing from the Heart" in Andy's UNM class). In August, Dorea was to have her first regular booth at the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market, sharing the booth with Clarence Cruz.

In another honor, Dorea has been commissioned to make a large pottery sculpture for Pojoaque Pueblo's recently-opened Buffalo Thunder Casino and Resort.

Dorea Garcia's e-mail address is: doreagarcia@yahoo.com.

                                  THE FILM AND THE DANCERS APPEAR AT THE PRESTIGIOUS ROTHKO CHAPEL, HOUSTON

"Dancing from the Heart" and the Tewa Dancers made their Houston debut in Sept. 2008, under the aegis of the imposing Rothko Chapel, dedicated to the late renowned painter Mark Rothko's moving series of dark, contemplative paintings. The two performances took place outdoors in the Chapel's idyllic, grassy park, as part of the Chapel's annual cultural series.

                                                                    ANDY AND CURT'S BOOK "DANCING RAINBOWS"

"Dancing Rainbows," which depicts Andy and Curt preparing for a feast day dance, has become part of a textbook for grade-schoolers. Written and photographed by Evelyn Claire Mott, it was first published in 1993 and is now out of print as a stand-alone book. Recently teachers have praised the book and "Dancing from the Heart" on YouTube (in connection with an excerpt from the video) as a great pairing for bringing Pueblo current-day tradition alive for their students.

                                            WEEK-LONG TOUR OF PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Lots has been happening for the Tewa Dancers in the past year--gigs, a video appearance and so on. Starting Nov. 9, they are appearing on campuses in Pennsylvania, including Penn State. They're dancing, showing "Dancing from the Heart" and speaking about their care of their traditions.