Fairbanks, Alaska - The 20th century will end with a bang- the bang of Native drums, that is- during the 1999 Festival of Native Arts on March 4-6 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Charles W. Davis Concert Hall. This year's theme, "Dancing Our Stories," illustrates traditional ideas behind Alaska Native performance art. Twenty-five dance groups and at least 40 Native artisans are expected to participate in this year's festival, making it the largest ever.

For over a quarter of a century the Festival of Native Arts has brought Native communities from across the state to share and preserve Native culture. Beginning in 1973, the Festival of Native Arts was organized by Native students and UAF's Student Orientation Services as a way to maintain traditional forms of cultural expression. The first festival, held over four days, focused on a specific Alaska Native culture such as Yup'ik and Athabascan each night.

Today, the Festival of Native Arts has grown in its depth and focus, and now features Native dancers and representatives from Dillingham to Arctic Village. Most dance groups attending the festival are able to do so through their own efforts, such as by hosting "cake walks" or through grants from organizations that support the arts. Festival artisans specialize in both traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, such as ivory carving, beadwork and skin-sewing, and offer a variety of items designed in Athabascan, Inupiaq and Yup'ik styles.

Dancers and craftsmen are only a part of the festivities, however. UAF students, faculty and community volunteers, with support from local, state and federal governments, have been planning this year's festival for months. Volunteers are still needed with the production of the three-day event.

The Festival of Native Arts is free and open to the public. Audience members should arrive early as seating in the concert hall fills quickly. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. each evening with performances continuing until midnight.

For further information, please call FNA Coordinator Dena Ivey at 907-474-6889 or write to Festival of Native Arts, c/o Alaska Native Studies, P.O. Box 756300, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6300. Visit our website at <www.angelfire.com/ak2/festivalofnativearts/>.

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