The 38th Annual Pow Wow celebration at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) will take place on the campus’ central quadrangle on Saturday, Mar. 8 and Sunday, Mar.9. Admission and parking for the American Indian social event are free.
The pow-wow at CSULB is an American Indian social celebration and is the largest spring event of its kind in Southern California. Focused on displaying the university’s strong American-Indian presence, the two-day event will feature American Indian dancing, arts, crafts and food beginning at 11 a.m. each day and running until 10 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday.
In addition to contests and inter-tribal dancing, there will be gourd dancing with dancer registration closing at 2 p.m. on Saturday. All dancers and drums are invited.
“We are privileged to have a fine head staff as well as the many fine dancers, singers and their families attending this year’s celebration,” said Anna Nazarian-Peters of CSULB’s Student Life and Development. “We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy this event.”
The event’s tentative schedule for Saturday includes gourd dancing at 1 p.m., grand entry at 2 p.m., dancer registration until 4 p.m., a special by the American Indian Student Council at 5 p.m., a dinner break, California Indian presentation from the Ti’at Society at 7 p.m., grand entry of the Men’s Northern Traditional Special sponsored by Leroy “JR” LaPlante and family, and closing at 10 p.m., which includes a “dance out.” On Sunday, the schedule includes gourd dancing, grand entry and closing awards, retire colors and dance out.
As always, American Indian vendors will be selling both traditional and contemporary American Indian Art and foods such as corn soup, Navajo tacos, fry bread, and Indian burgers.
The event is presented by CSULB’s American Indian Studies Department, American Indian Student Council, American Indian Student Services, Native American Alumni and Friends Chapter, the Division of Student Services, and Associated Students Inc.
CSULB is located at 1250 Bellflower Boulevard. For more information about the 38th Annual Pow Wow celebration at CSULB, call (562) 985-8528 or go to www.csulb.edu/aiss.
