Larry Yazzie, artistic director of Native Pride Dancers, performs for students at Central High School in Phoenix as part of the NABI "Chasing the Sun" promotional campaign.Courtesy photo, Red Note Inc.
Crowd Gathers for 'Chasing Sun' Powwow
May 1, 2009
PHOENIX—Opening day has arrived for the first "Chasing the Sun" pow wow, which kicks off May 1 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
The local community surrounding the stadium has been bustling with activity and excitement as "Chasing the Sun" attendees arrive in Glendale to witness history being made. A large and eager crowd is expected to attend opening day at the University of Phoenix Stadium to see Native American culture honored on the same field where the Arizona Cardinals won their first NFC Championship title.
Stadium gates open at 4 p.m. with the Gourd Dance beginning at 5 p.m. Pow Wow Grand Entry will start at 7 p.m. Pow wow contestants from all over the world will compete for over $100,000 in prize money, making "Chasing the Sun" a definite stop on the pow wow circuit and a major contender for biggest pow wow in the world. Online pow wow registration is now closed, but participants can still register onsite for a $10 registration fee.
The creators of the Native American Basketball Invitational (NABI), the first all Native American basketball tournament certified by the NCAA, in partnership with the Arizona Cardinals, Ak-Chin Indian Community and the University of Phoenix, are hosting the inaugural NABI "Chasing the Sun" 10K Race and Pow Wow May 1-3. The Native American-themed event, the first to ever be held in an NFL stadium, is open to the general public and everyone is welcomed and encouraged to participate in this three-day celebration of Native American people, culture, and traditions.
Even before the start of "Chasing the Sun," the event enjoyed favorable projected attendance numbers, with the host hotel, The Renaissance in Glendale, sold out of rooms, more than 100 artisans and vendors confirmed, sold-out food vendor slots and several hundred pre-registered powwow dancers and 10K runners. NABI is expecting hundreds more dancers and runners to register on the day of the event. The Native American and local Phoenix community have also responded positively to the pow wow's "recession-friendly" prices, with free admission on Friday night, May 1, and $12 admission on Saturday and Sunday with free admission to seniors 60 and over and children 6 and under.
The buzz and anticipation surrounding the event can be credited to strong word of mouth circulation and the massive media campaign launched by NABI and Red Note Inc., the production company behind the media drive for "Chasing the Sun." It included billboard and mall ads, radio spots, and television coverage. Red Note also hit the ground running with guerilla-style street team promotion with the creation of Myspace and Facebook pages and setting up information booths at various pow wows to pass out flyers and spread the word.
In addition, NABI ushered in Larry Yazzie, the artistic director of the Native Pride Dancers, and the dance group for a series of performances at local Phoenix Union High Schools as a part of the promotional drive for "Chasing the Sun." The Native Pride dancers performed colorful traditional dances for the students and staff at Camelback High School, Central High School and Betty Fairfax High School. Native Pride has toured around the world in such places as Australia, Brazil, Ireland and most recently Japan.
The NABI "Chasing the Sun" 10K race was created to encourage implementing exercise as a part of daily lifestyle and to promote health and wellness in Native American communities. The "Chasing the Sun" 10K race begins at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2. Native American performances and entertainment will mark the 10K route. 10K first-place winners will receive $500, second-place winners will receive $250, and third-place winners will receive $125 All 10K recipients will receive a commemorative T-shirt. In addition to the race, the NABI "Chasing the Sun" 1 Mile Family Health Walk/Run will commence at 7:30 a.m., which is free and open to the general public. Online 10K registration is now closed, but participants can still register onsite the day of the race.
NABI is pleased to announce that the "Chasing the Sun" 10k and Pow wow is an "alcohol-free" event. For more information, visit the NABI Web site. Proceeds from the "Chasing the Sun" 10K and Pow wow will benefit the NABI Foundation.
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