2006 International Native American Flute Associations Convention
This year the INAFA convention was held in the San Francisco area (a town called Belmont) on the campus of Notre Dame Du Muir, a private university. I was a day late getting there due to car trouble, but it was probably just as well since it was non-stop fluting from beginning to end! I don't think I would have lasted another day, even though I was having so much fun!
It was really great to see so many friends and also to be able to put faces to the names that I've know for so long. The convention was full of activities and workshops and concerts, but since I was a vendor I didn't see most of them :-( . I did, however, see a lot of flute players!
I also had a chance to snap some pictures here and there, which I've included below. For a more complete run-down of the convention and some proper reporting, check out Mike Oitzmans blog at http:naflute.blogspot.com. Mike is the head of the Northern California Flute Circle and his blog (one of several that he creates) is truly inspiring. Check it out!
In the meantime, enjoy the pics!
The Earth Tone Flutes rack set up upon arrival in our first location (we moved to the campus library on Friday--a vast improvment in space and noise control).
Mac Lopez dispenses some flute-wisdom.
Jeff Ball and Kenneth Hooper hold the fort.
Kenneth gets the ultimate sterophonic experience from a Huaca, played by the multi-talented Raphael Bejarano.
Flute maker Russ Venable and I shoot each other across the room.
Leonard Lonecrow joins the fun!
Peter Phippen and Ash Dargan treat the room to a shredding flute duo on two drones (Alaskan Yellow Cedar and a Phoenix Drone belonging to Angel Cruz.)
Jeff and Kenneth strike a pose in front of some side-blown bass flutes. Jeff sports his new copy of "Imagination" by Elysium Calling.
Posing with three of the local Flute Gods. From left to right: Mark Holland, Me, Jeff Ball and Peter Phippen.
R. Carlos Nakai in conversation with Gary Stroutsos and Dr. Kathleen Joyce-Grendahl.
My first view of the vendor area after I set up. That is Mac Lopez down at the end in front of his table.
Mark Holland and Kenneth Hooper practice technique on Michael Allens Anasazi flutes.
Michael Allen having a chat with Ash Dargan.
An interesting discussion on music composition and performance. (photo courtesy of Angel Cruz)
