Hopping Toward the Art Hop

Storytelling, singing, and crafts will help create a Native American festival within Banning’s downtown Art Hop on May 7.

It will all add up to free family fun — and learning about American Indians — at the nonprofit Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

The Banning Cultural Alliance leads the Art Hop, offering a day of free arts and culture annually to thousands of people.

The Center will be in the center of it all!

DETAILS: 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. MAY 7 ... The Center at the corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street in Banning, CA.

A few of our planned activities:

Free flute-making. In his previous visits Antonio Flores has been surrounded by a large crowd of people of all ages who enjoy making and taking home their Pomo-style wooden flutes.

© Pat Murkland

Demonstrations of pottery, basketry and other traditional arts. Children also can make their own small baskets in cultural arts workshops led by Jacque Nunez (Acjachemen).

Serrano Indian tools and toys. Tools to try, and toys to make and take home, with volunteers from San Bernardino County Museum. Learn how to work a prehistoric drill, for example, or make a toy that was once used to hone hunting skills.

Or play a fun guessing game!

There's much more:

Storytelling and singing with the California Indian Storytellers Association and tradition-keepers from throughout Southern California.

Presenters will include Center President Ernest Siva (Cahuilla/Serrano);

Ernest Siva Photo © Carlos Puma for the Center

Jacque Nunez (Acjachemen);

Other presenters are Barbara Drake (Tongva);

Barbara Drake Photo © Carlos Puma for The Center

Kim Marcus (Cahuilla/Serrano);

... And Kat High, director of Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center near Los Angeles.

Still MORE: A film, Songs of the Colorado. SEE A PREVIEW HERE.

Daniel Golding’s film explores Native American music traditions along both sides of the Colorado River. The songs have been passed down through generations and the film chronicles the culture bearers’ work to keep the songs alive. The film will be shown at 4 p.m. at the Center.

Native plant uses. Discover the many traditional uses of plants in the Pass and other Southern California landscapes as food, medicine, and tools. Presenters include culture bearers Barbara Drake and Kim Marcus. Learn, for example, how to make wewish, an acorn dish that once was a staple food of American Indians.

There also will be art for people of all ages to make and take home, including the Center’s popular dragonflies.

Come hopping at the Art Hop to The Center's Open House.

Come discover The Center and join the volunteers working to save and share Southern California’s Native American traditions and knowledge. Learn about plans for a native plant garden and expansion and renovation of the Center on the corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and Hays Street.

Work on the adjacent Gathering Hall continues and we hope it will be completed in time for the Art Hop.

Information: (951) 849-7736.

Marvin Yazzie

Meanwhile, the Center’s annual flute workshop with master flute-maker Marvin Yazzie (Navajo) and his wife, Jonette, will again be under way throughout the Art Hop. Participants in the three-day workshop from May 6-8 will make a six-holed wooden Plains-style flute with the Yazzies and learn the basics of playing with Ernest Siva, who will also share music of the First People of Southern California. Registration is still open, but the class will be limited to 10 people. The fee is $300. Information: (951) 849-4676. E-mail: siva AT dishmail DOT net