History
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.
In 2024, the premiere of What Are You? became a major part of the festival, in addition to the Powwow, Art of Activism, and a screening of the documentary Bad River at Plaza Theatre.
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. Our theatre 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.
Turtle Island Trading is an Indigenous owned small business in the heart of Atlanta’s Little 5 Points neighborhood, just a block away from 7 Stages. Co-owned by Carmen Halagahu and tribally-recognized artist Yellowbird, Turtle Island Trading aims to provide economic opportunities to our Indigenous communities, raise awareness on whose land we are on, and offer an experience of “good vibes” between our vendors and buyers.
Zintkala Zi PowWow is led by Tatankala ‘Buffalo’ Yellowbird. Director of the Powwow performances and the Master of Ceremonies, Buffalo is a talented artist and leader within his community. He carries the heart of his culture on his sleeves as he travels the nation educating on the history of his ancestors. Zintkala Zi PowWow is well-respected in Indigenous communities across the US for planning and curating many Powwows with professional dancers across the southern US to build a stronger community of Indigenous representation in this region. Buffalo is a member of the Lakota Sioux Nation, and his festival leadership is crucial to building trust in the events by Indigenous community members.
Little 5 Points (L5P) Business Association’s mission is to promote the business interests of its members by educating them, providing networking opportunities, organizing events, marketing, promoting, and shaping L5P’s future while preserving the artsy, off-beat, historic neighborhood. The L5PBA attracts new customers to L5P while keeping the established ones by promoting its uniqueness, setting new trends, advertising its diversity, educating the public about the neighborhood’s history, and creating original and positive experiences for everyone in L5P. The L5PBA has been a partner since the first First Voices Festival and is instrumental in coordinating the city and county event permits and security.
Plaza Theatre, founded in 1939, is Atlanta’s longest-running independent cinema, known for its iconic Art Deco design and a vibrant mix of classic, cult, arthouse, and independent films. From cult classics to local premieres, it delivers a distinctive and nostalgic cinematic experience that’s truly unique. Together with its sister venue, Tara Theatre, the Plaza Theatre continues to celebrate and preserve the rich tradition of film in Atlanta, uniting history, community, and the love of cinema.
