Native American Flute Music and “Grass” Dancing on Stage in Bigfork

On September 16, a family oriented program of traditional Native American music and dancing will be at The Edge in Bigfork. The smooth sounds of flute playing and the flowing grace and beauty of Native American “grass” dancing by Art Cleveland Red Horse will treat the audience. He is an enrolled member of the Din’e Nation and taught himself to play and make Native American flutes, plus he designs and creates his own regalia’s beadwork and headgear including porcupine hair roach, spreaders and feather plumes. The performance will be at 7PM on Sunday September 16. The price of admission is $10 per adult, $5 for children and $20 per family. Children will get the opportunity to receive an autographed copy of the performance poster and meet this extraordinary artist.

Grass dancing, reflecting the importance of grass in the warrior’s life, has origins that probably go back to the practice of stomping down a flat area of an encampment or Pow Wow in an earlier time. The grace, balance and symmetry of the performance is characterized by a broad range of moves and kicks to a medium beat that are often unique to the dancer, but all reflecting the history and tradition of the practice.

One tradition about the origin of the Native American flute is an inspiration from the sound made by the wind through a tree with holes in it from a woodpecker looking for termites.  The result was an instrument used by a warrior for courting. Early examples of the flute reportedly go back 60,000 years and is one of man’s earliest musical instruments. They can be made from different types of wood, depending on what is available, and include a various number of holes. Used for dancing, spirit calling, courting and many other purposes, Art Red Horse will play flutes made from Cedar and Black Walnut with six holes when he performs in Bigfork

The following is from material provided by the artist:

Art Cleveland Red Horse has always loved creating art; as a child he would draw on paper grocery bags with the charcoal from the wood stove used to heat the family home. Red Horse was inspired in high school by a teacher who encouraged him to do various art projects, which he would send on to art shows…(he attended)...the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Red Horse received an Associates Degree in Fine Arts in May 1980…with a Native American Drum group called the White Eagle Singers (he) made several nationally known recordings. After leaving the drum group…(he)...has won numerous dance competitions for performing the Grass Dance...

Red Horse met his wife, Nicomas in 1998 at a wacipi (powwow) in North Dakota… they both attended SDSU in Brookings, SD…taught Native American Dance...at the Expanding Harmony Dance studio in Brookings…started a Native American Dance Club for children at a BIA boarding school…(performed in)...a cultural presentation in Poland…(and presently)...live in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Red Horse is best known for his oil paintings on canvas, leather and buffalo skulls, where he depicts natural landscapes, wildlife, and culture...His paintings have won award...(and one)...of his murals “Fancy Dancers” can be seen at the Red Rock State Park outside of Gallup New Mexico…

Above is Art Red Horse and Nicomas in Poland.


Bring your whole family to see this very talented musician, artist and performer at The Edge Center and maybe leave with a special appreciation for his talents and a signed poster for your children.