DANCE

Discovery Green and Houston Arts Alliance present Houston Arts Alliance Showcase, monthly at the Anheuser-Busch Stage and Fondren Performance Space.

Saturday, March 21, 1pm – 3pm:  HAA Presents the South Texas Indian Dancers Association  performing Native American dances and storytelling of the Lipan Apache people.

The South Texas Indian Dancers Association was begun by the Soto family over 25 years ago. In 1972 the Soto family started dancing together as a group to help preserve a tradition that was taken from them many years ago. Our people were the Lipan Apache people who once ruled the south central and southwest region of our great nation and the northern parts of Mexico. We are proud of who and what we are and this is expressed through our intertribal dances. When we dance, we dance not for ourselves but for the memory of our ancestors before us and for future generations that will follow after us. We are forever thankful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the God-given ability to dance.

In 1977 we officially became known as the South Texas Indian Dancers. Since its origin, the organization has opened its membership to anyone who is of Native American descent or who would like to learn more about the rich heritage we have as a native people. The group consists of about 70 dancing and non-dancing members. We travel to approximately ten pow wows a year where our dancers have received many honors for their individual performances. The group averages about 80 performances a year to help educate the community in our culture. We share our culture through our dance, music and stories.

Pictured:  Carrie Banuelos.