John Rainer, Jr. Passed Away

John Rainer, Jr., who was the early inspiration in the Native American flute to one of our own flute circle members, has died. The obituary of his death, June 14, 2011, is quoted on the forums of the Flute Portal.

At the recent June meeting of the Finger Lakes Flute Circle, Ken told the story of how he heard John Rainer, Jr.'s music playing on audio cassette tape in the open air in Taos, New Mexico many years ago. He was drawn to the source, and met the man himself and learned of the Native American flute. John Rainer, Jr. and his music had a profound effect on Ken, starting him on his own journey with the Native American flute. John Rainer, Jr., through his flutes and his music, and through Ken to me, has so had an effect on my own life.

I was saddened to learn this morning through the Flute Portal of John Rainer, Jr.'s passing. I went to his web site, www.johnrainerjr.com, and his music, originally on audio cassette, may now be purchased on Compact Disc. In honor of his memory, in appreciation of his music, and in support of his family, I placed an order for his music and offered my condolences.

John Rainer, Jr. and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

June 2011 Finger Lakes Flute Circle Meeting

Please note that the June meeting of the Finger Lakes Flute Circle is one week early this month, on Thursday, June 9, 2011, 6:30 pm. Brookside School, Arts and Crafts Room, waypoint: 1680 S Winton Rd, Rochester, NY 14618

Beginners are welcome; we expect there will be other beginners there as well. Please bring your interest and enthusiasm, and flutes and hand percussion. Let's make some music and enjoy the Native American flute!

Beginner Native American flutes and instruction books will be available for purchase.

We request a $5 contribution for the facility rental fee.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Native American Flute Festivals

There are two "nearby" Native American Flute Festivals. Most of the others are in Florida or out west.

The Potomac Native American Flute Festival is later this month, and has enjoyable workshops, concerts, and vendor hall. It's in Arlington, VA, about 7 hours drive from Rochester. Grammy winner Bill Miller will be one of the performers.

Potomac Native American Flute Festival
Friday, June 24 - Saturday, June 25, 2011
Arlington, VA
www.potomacflutefestival.org

We haven't yet visited the SunWatch Flute and Art Gathering, in Dayton, OH, but it is largely a NAF music venue, with vendors. It's about 8 hours drive from Rochester.

SunWatch Flute and Art Gathering
Dayton, OH
Friday, August 26 - Sunday, August 28, 2011
sunwatch.org


Not specifically NAF, our regional Native American Dance & Music Festival at Ganondagan in Victor, NY is an all around wonderful event.

20th Annual Native American Dance & Music Festival
Ganondagan State Historic Site, Victor, NY
Saturday, July 23 & Sunday, July 24, 2011
10am - 6pm
www.ganondagan.org

The Native American Dance & Music Festival is Ganondagan's annual summer event that features a wide range of Native American traditional dancers, musicians, storytellers, and artists sharing their cultural heritage, crafts and arts with festival goers.

This event also features the ever popular children and adult workshops such as cornhusk doll making, native foods such as fry-bread, interpreted programs in the Visitor's Center and Bark Longhouse, guided trail walks, and the family drum jam.

Ganondagan's Native American Dance & Music Festival is the only event of its kind in Western New York and over 4,000 people attend each year from 37 countries and 20 states.