First Voices Festival Returns for its Third Year
First Voices Festival – November 7-29, 2024
Located in Atlanta, Georgia on Muscogee (Creek) land, 7 Stages joins forces with Turtle Island Trading, Zintkala Zi PowWow, the L5P Business Association and Plaza Theatre in producing the third annual First Voices Festival, A Celebration of Indigenous Cultures.
November 2024 activities will include the world premiere of What Are You? by Nicolette Emanuelle, a two day outdoor Powwow with Native American performers and vendors, a special screening of the documentary Bad River at Plaza Theatre, and other activities centered on Indigenous peoples.
–What Are You? – Nov. 7-24, 2024
What Are You? is an exploration of what it means to be multiracial in America. Created and performed by Nicolette Emanuelle, who has roots in the Lumbee tribe of North Carolina, this original theatrical production delves into the complexities of racial identity using absurd humor, original music, dance and even a game show to confront the relentless question “what are you?”. Nicolette weaves together striking and moving commonalities found in interviews with other multiracial individuals, highlighting their unique struggles and the beauty of their identities.
-Powwow – Nov. 16-17, 2024 – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tatankala “Buffalo” Yellowbird of Zintkala Zi PowWow returns to Little 5 Points with the third annual First Voices Festival Powwow, in partnership with 7 Stages, Turtle Island Trading and L5P Business Association. This event features intertribal celebrations of culture, dance, song, crafts, food and pageantry.
At noon both days, the Grand Entry fills the circle with a company of dancers in full regalia, taking audiences and participants on a journey of storytelling and cultural sharing through a variety of traditional dances. The dancers are surrounded by Indigenous jewelry, art, crafting tents, demonstrations and food, including fry bread from our friends at Three Sisters Soulfood! Our special guest is Muscogee (Creek) elder, storyteller and flute maker William Harjo, returning for his third year. Entry to the Powwow is free, family-friendly and everyone is welcome!
-Film Screening at Plaza Theatre plus Q & A – Nov. 29 – 7 p.m.
Bad River is a new documentary film which chronicles the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band and its ongoing fight for sovereignty, a story which unfolds in a groundbreaking way through a series of shocking revelations, devastating losses, and a powerful legacy of defiance and resilience which includes a David vs. Goliath battle to save Lake Superior, the largest freshwater resource in America. As Eldred Corbine, a Bad River Tribal Elder declares: “We gotta protect it… die for it, if we have to.”
This special presentation will feature an introduction by a Bad River representative and a post-show Q&A.
History of First Voices Festival: In 2022, 7 Stages teamed up with Turtle Island Trading, Zintkala Zi PowWow, and The Little 5 Points Business Association to bring a multifaceted festival to the city of Atlanta that celebrates Indigenous cultures, people, and practices. Many groups of performers, vendors, and various tribes were invited to a PowWow in Little Five Points, which is the home of 7 Stages and many cultural institutions.
The Powwow was accompanied by an Art of Activism dialogue with Muscogee (Creek) elder and fine flute maker William Harjo, and complimentary meals provided by Three Sisters Soulfood. We also welcomed singer/songwriter and Native American flute player Shelley Morningsong (Northern Cheyenne and Scandinavian) and Fabian Fontenelle (Zuni/Omaha) for an evening of performances at 7 Stages.
Following the success of the first year, we extended the Powwow to a two day event in 2023, invited William Harjo back for storytelling and flute performances, and partnered with Plaza Theatre for a special screening of “RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked The World”.
About 7 Stages:
7 Stages brings local, national, and international emerging artwork of social, political, and spiritual importance to Atlanta audiences. Since 1979, artists of all kinds have found 7 Stages to be a haven for the development of new work.
7 Stages has resided on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Muscogee (Creek) people for over 43 years. While we produce content that spans nationally and internationally, it is essential for us to keep such inequities at the forefront of all that we do. We aim to honor these communities past, present and future through conversations, practices and programming that imagines and initiates what reparations look like for all. For every ticket sold, we include an Indigenous land use fee. The proceeds are donated to our Indigenous partners annually.
Our Mission: 7 Stages is a professional, non-profit theatre company devoted to engaging artists and audiences by focusing on the social, political, and spiritual values of contemporary culture. 7 Stages gives primary emphasis to international work and the support and development of new plays, new playwrights, and new methods of collaboration.
Our Vision: Our theatre will be a global center for the creation of vital conversations through collaborative performance.
Learn more about our First Voices Festival partners at 7stages.org/shows/first-voices-festival/
7 Stages Theatre
1105 Euclid Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
404-523-7647
www.7stages.org
All press inquiries:
Devi Wells – Marketing Coordinator
devi@7stages.org
Images available upon request.
First Voices Festival Media Kit
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