Press Releases

ECHO PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL, MARCH 10


(NEW BEDFORD, MA) – Marking one of its final public appearances, the ECHO Performing Arts Festival Troupe performs at the New Bedford Whaling Museum on AHA! Night, Thursday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Cook Memorial Theater. Admission is free.

Titled “Celebrate – Song, Dance and Story!”, the performance takes us on a journey down life’s paths, from childhood to love and marriage and beyond. This rousing 45-minute program offers an entertaining mix of music, dancing and stories combining the talents and cultures of the Yup’ik, Iñupiaq, Hawaiian, Mississippi Choctaw and Wampanoag peoples as embodied by the performers on this tour. Through their songs, dances and stories of challenges and triumphs, we learn the wisdom and values of these communities – whether it is about teaching respect for ancestral ways or warning of the dangers of jealousy and vanity.

The troupe will be available after the performance to talk with the audience and includes Stephen Blanchett (Yup’ik) – Alaska Native Heritage Center, Ani Lokomaika’i Lipscomb (Hawaiian) – Bishop Museum, Tony Bryant (Iñupiaq) – Iñupiat Heritage Center, Casey Bigpond – Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and Annawon Weeden (Wampanoag) – Peabody Essex Museum. Ed Bourgeios of Alaska is Stage and Tour Manager.

The public is strongly encouraged to attend what may be the final tour of this eight year old collaboration. ECHO (Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations) – the U. S. Department of Education grant which makes possible this unique cultural partnership across America – is due to expire later this year. Don’t miss this opportunity to see these geographically separated but spiritually linked cultures together on the same stage.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the world's most comprehensive museum devoted to the global story of whales and whaling. The cornerstone of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum is located at 18 Johnny Cake Hill in the heart of the city's historic downtown and is open daily. For a complete calendar of events, visit the Whaling Museum online at www.whalingmuseum.org. Join the Museum's online community at flickr.com, facebook.com, Twitter, and blog at www.whalingmuseumblog.org.