Bill Bell & Friends In Concert

Sample some of Bill Bell's music and don't miss our Fourth Sunday concert:
Video: From The Vicar's Son

 













Details: 3 p.m. Sunday, Gathering Hall, 127 N. San Gorgonio Ave., Banning, CA
$10 benefits Dorothy Ramon Learning Center's work to save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.

Fourth Sundays: Bill Bell & Friends

Courtesy of Bill Bell

We're excited about our new concert series!
Music from all cultures will benefit Dorothy Ramon Learning Center. Our first concert will feature Bill Bell & Friends on Sunday, FEBRUARY 26,  from 3-5 p.m. The Center’s Gathering Hall, 127 N. San Gorgonio Ave., Banning, CA.
Join us for Celtic and American fiddle music.
From foot-stomping hoedowns to poignant airs, laments, and waltzes, Bill and his group interpret Irish, Scottish, and American melodies.

Courtesy of Bill Bell

Bill began playing the fiddle after being inspired by his grandfather, a Texas farmer and fiddler.
Bill’s musical career has included composition, film scoring, and producing several recording projects.
Since moving to the Pass, Bill has concentrated on traditional fiddle music and is known locally as the “Fiddler of the Lincoln Shrine,” where he recorded a live CD of Civil War music, “Under the Dome.”
Bill also includes several original fiddle tunes in his concerts that draw on his family and musical roots. Joining Bill will be guitarists Dan Richardson and Paul Burton, cellist Eddie Young, and special guests.
$10 will help The Center Save & Share Southern California’s Native American Cultures, Languages, History, and Arts.
Information: 951.849.7736. More music:
MARCH 25: Silver Sounds Flute Ensembles ... A flute choir
APRIL 22: Lionheart Performs A Concert for The Earth
MORE TO COME ... Every Fourth Sunday!

Songs & Stories: An Evening With the Yazzies

Navajo Tribal Nation member Marvin Yazzie and his wife,
Jonette, were raised near Canyon de Chelly in the Four
Corners area of Arizona. A relative, W.F. Coyote, taught them traditional flute-making ways. 

People around the globe play Yazzie flutes.

The Yazzies have been volunteering and supporting The Center since we began nearly 10 years ago. Their annual Native American flute-making and flute-playing workshop with Ernest H. Siva, leader of Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, is still going strong.

Come spend a memorable evening with the Yazzies.

Join them on MONDAY, FEB. 27, starting at 6 p.m., at The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians Gathering Hall at The Center, 127 N. San Gorgonio Ave., Banning, CA. Information: 951.849.7736.

Your $5 Donation at the Door Will Help Save & Share Southern California's Native American Cultures, Languages, History, Traditional Arts.

COMING EVENTS at The Center with YAZZIE FLUTES:
MUSIC! Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling, March 10, 1-3 p.m. FREE Family Fun!
FLUTE-MAKING WORKSHOP, May 4-6, Reserve Your Spot NOW.

Flute fun

Second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling!

Ernest Siva (left) with Antonio Flores (Murkland Photo)

Crowd at the Center, making flutes (Murkland Photo)

All ages make flutes with Antonio Flores (Murkland Photo)

Center President Ernest H. Siva tries out a flute he made. (Murkland Photo)

Discovering the voice of a newly made flute (Murkland Photo)

Elderberry sticks in varied stages of transformation (Murkland Photo)

Everyone is enthused about the emerging flutes (Murkland Photo)

Discovering the music (Murkland Photo)

People of all ages and cultures came to make their own Pomo-style wooden flutes with Antonio Flores on Saturday. Some drove from Hemet and other areas. Three were walking a dog past the Center when they were drawn into the excitement. We thank Antonio Flores for trekking from Oakland to share his flute-making zest. The Inland Empire Flute Circle was meeting as well. And later that evening was our monthly Native American flute class. A musical start to a year full of activities at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

Generation to Generation

We are honored that Dorothy Ramon Learning Center's first 2012 Dragonfly Lecture will feature Walter Holmes, Jr., leader of the Morongo Bird Singers. Come share an evening with a Native American culture bearer, traditional singer, and minister. 

Details: 6 p.m. Jan. 9, 
Gathering Hall at 127 N. San Gorgonio Ave., Banning, CA. 
A $5 donation at the door will help the nonprofit Center save and share Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history and traditional arts. Information: 951.849.7736

Flutes in January

He's always a crowd favorite. We'll welcome back Antonio Flores to our Second Saturday Storytelling Event on January 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. Learn how to make a Native American flute from local elderberry wood and learn how to play it. Make and take your flute home! Free family fun! Learn about area Native American music. In front of the Center, at the corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street in Banning. (We'll move inside if it rains.)

Second Saturday To Be REscheduled

We're sorry to say we'll be rescheduling the basketry program we had planned for this Saturday's second Saturday Sidewalk Storytelling program. So, no second Saturday event on Dec. 10. See you next month.