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PRESS RELEASE - Spetember 1, 2010
New age of Natives set to display talents at Navajo Nation FairWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – A new age of Natives will be making an appearance in Window Rock for the 64th Annual Navajo Nation Fair to display their skills in dance, rhythm, turn-styles and art. This new wave of Natives cannot be found at the infamous Gallup Ceremonial or the Santa Fe Indian Market, because that’s not the kind of art form that fully displays these talents. This new age of Natives is found on the dirt streets of the “Rez”, the back alley of our nation cities. Starting Friday, September 10, as a part of the Navajo Nation Fair’s youth entertainment, the new wave of Natives will be taking it to the Window Rock Sports Center, displaying their art in the form of Poetry Slams, MC Battling, Graffiti Art competition, DJ Battling and break dance. “This younger generation of Natives has been here for awhile, it’s just that we’ve never had the opportunity to display their talents on such a large scale production, such as the Navajo Nation Fair,” stated Fair Manager, Norma Bowman. “Our youth are really talented in what they do, and we want to reward them for their talents and who they are.” Because of generous donations from Shi Heart Home Health, Wells Fargo and Navajo Oil and Gas, the youth will be rewarded immensely for their talents. For the three-on-three B Boy Battle that will be taking place at 5 pm on Saturday, September 11, the winners will be awarded $1,500. In the DJ Battle, Graffiti Art contest, and MC Battle, the winner will be awarded $500. And for the Poetry Slam, the first place winner will go home with $200 and the runner-up will be awarded $100. With such high payouts for each event, it shouldn’t be a hard time to find the best Native talent, but even without it the fair’s youth entertainment coordinator, Kim Smith, believes that the best talent would show up anyways. “We’re already receiving a lot of interest for the event and people don’t even know the payouts. Sure when they hear about it, it only motivates them more, but they’re really just excited to show off their talent.” “We’ve never been featured at such a large scale event.” Because of the notoriety of the Navajo Nation Fair, there will be several celebrity judges making an appearance at the event. Boogie T., Marvel, Remind and Wewhum will judge the B Boy Battle, DJ Abel Rock and Cedro will judge the DJ Battle, Brez, Bhetone and Werewolf Micah will judge the Graffiti Art contest and Quese IMC, Ras K’Dee, Mike 360 and Rowie Shebala will judge the MC Battle and Poetry Slam. While the event will be heavily hip-hop themed, it will connect traditional native heritage to the hip-hop art form. In addition to all the events taking place, there will also be a youth panel discussion that addresses Native youth and the influence of hip-hop. There will also be an art show that will feature unique perspective from some of the reservation’s best young talent. “This event will be great, not only because our young Native artists will show the world what they can do, but because it will be a movement of a new way of thinking,” exclaimed Smith. “As young Natives, we struggle balancing our traditional upbringing with the modern world that confronts us. But through our art, we get to display that struggle for what it really is…beautiful.” The youth event, which will run September 10 - 11, will begin with the Poetry Slam at 6 pm on Friday and end with an awards and honoring ceremony at 8 pm on Saturday. In between those times, there will also be a hip-hop dance, a youth market, and a live concert featuring surprise St. Louis MCs. The youth entertainment will be open to the public and everyone is encouraged to enter. Entry is free. For additional information please visit www.navajonationfair.com or contact Kim Smith at 505-573.8171 or the Fair Office at 928.871.7052. ### 9.7.10 Mercy Me set to headline second day of Navajo Nation Fair 9.4.10 Skaters join in on the fun 9.3.10 Navajo Nation Fair ready for first day of action 9.4.10 “49 Laughs” takes main stage at Navajo Nation Fair 8.6.10 Fire Rock Casino lays foundation for Navajo Nation Fair 8.3.10 Navajo Nation Fair gets Christian with low prices 6.22.10 Special Review of the 2008 and 2009 Navajo Nation Fair “Constructive Criticism”
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