Living Traditions: Dakota, Nakota, Lakota Art, a traveling exhibit from the South Dakota State Historical Society, will open the season at the Nicollet Tower and Interpretive Center three miles west of Sisseton on Highway #10.  The exhibit will begin May 1 and run through July 7, 2008. Tours for school groups will be available during the month of May. To arrange a tour, contact Jane Rasmussen at 605 698 3025 or e-mail the Nicollet Tower at nicollettower@sissetonmuseums.org.  

        The Dakota, Nakota and Lakota people of South Dakota have produced beautiful art throughout their history. Bringing out the beauty in everyday objects led to strong traditions of decorative quillwork, beadwork, painting, and carving. Dance and ceremonies also have an important place in Sioux culture. Living Traditions: Dakota, Nakota, Lakota Art showcases artistic work done in three different time periods – the nomadic hunting period, the reservation period, and modern times. Text, photographs, and images of objects from the museum collection are shown on twenty text panels in five pop-up kiosks.          

   “The artwork featured in this exhibit is outstanding,” said Jay Vogt, South Dakota State Historical Society Director. “Using visual art from different historic periods shows how important traditions continue to be a part of life today.” This exhibition was funded by the South Dakota Heritage Fund and the State of South Dakota and is sponsored locally by the Heritage Museums of the Coteau des Prairies www.sissetonmuseums.org   and the Sisseton Arts Council www.sissetonartscouncil.org  

      Living Traditions: Dakota, Nakota, Lakota Art is one of five kiosk exhibits available from the South Dakota State Historical Society.  For more information about this exhibit and others that are available, visit the website at www.sdhistory.org or contact Kate Higdon, Curator of Exhibits, Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society, 900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD, 57501, telephone 605-773-4373, email kathryn.higdon@state.sd.us

Oral Interp showcase on April 28 - More information to Come Soon

 

QUADRE–THE VOICE OF FOUR HORNS PERFORMS AT THE NICOLLET INTERPRETIVE CENTER

(Sisseton, SD) QUADRE–The Voice of Four Horns, a California-based French horn quartet performs at the Nicollet Interpretive Center on Monday, May 5, 2008 at 7 pm.  Regarded as an ensemble that "zaps the myth that classical stuff's stuffy" (Birmingham News), the group presents original compositions from its latest recording, Citrus, by ensemble members Nathan Pawelek and Daniel Wood as well as music by Aaron Copland, J.S. Bach and “Tiger Rag” composer, Nick LaRocca.  Hear the horn roar and see why the International Horn Call remarks that their music features moments of “inspiration, sorrow, silliness, love, virtuosic display, but above all: just plain fun.”

Since 1998, QUADRE has toured throughout the United States and has been awarded nationally recognized music residencies from the San Francisco Symphony & Chamber Music America.  In its ten-year history, the ensemble has played more than 700 performances.  From the Mozart Festival in California to the Mobile Symphony in Alabama; from the Manhattan School of Music in New York to the Greater Grand Forks Symphony in North Dakota, its repertoire features classical works, the artists’ own original brass music and arrangements connected with the group’s wit, banter and humor.

With support from the Sisseton Arts Council, QUADRE will visit Sisseton High School and the Tiospa Zina Tribal School the day of the performance.  Artistic Director, Daniel Wood, is especially looking forward to collaborating with the drum class at the tribal school using his Swedish alphorn.  “Improvising with the students and creating a new sound that has never been heard before is a thrill,” he says, “that is incredible rewarding.”  Ensemble member, Nathan Pawelek, who performed with the South Dakota Symphony Woodwind Quintet and returns to Sisseton with QUADRE, is looking forward to the performance at the Nicolette Tower.  “With its dramatic views, it is a wonderful venue to share our music,” he says.  His Quartet #1, written while he was living in South Dakota and based on his experiences, will be performed. A portion of the piece is based on a composing project he did with the Sisseton High School band in 2002.