Friday, December 12, 2008

Thematic Photographic 28: "Bright" v.2.0 Lords of the Dance


"Fancy Dancer I"
Raleigh, NC - November 2008 (Click to embiggen)

Thematic Photographic hosted by Carmi - Button Image by Smarmoofus Hosted by Written Inc.

"Fancy Dancer II"
Raleigh, NC - November 2008 (Click to embiggen)

Thematic Photographic hosted by Carmi - Button Image by Smarmoofus Hosted by Written Inc.

"Traditional Dancer I"
Raleigh, NC - November 2008 (Click to embiggen)

Thematic Photographic hosted by Carmi - Button Image by Smarmoofus Hosted by Written Inc.

No trifecta today, but I would be remiss if I let this week's "Bright" prompt pass by without the display of bright colors from the 13th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration that took place just before Thanksgiving in Raleigh. The first two dancers were performing what was simply called "Fancy Dance", which the MC says is not actually a traditional dance. The purpose is simply to move with as much vigor as possible while maintaining the rhythm. The dress for these dances is somewhat more involved as well. Typically, traditional dancers wear only one or two bustles (again, according to the MC -- I'm not an expert on the subject at all!) while fancy dancers typically wear four (or more).

The third dancer in this set is actually performing a traditional dance, but I couldn't hear well enough to catch the name of it. I think at this point my ears were pretty well frozen, so maybe that's why. But if I was cold in my ski jacket and boots, I can only imagine what these guys felt like in what they were wearing. So I offer my props to these dancers and the others who performed that day, freezing their tail feathers off to give the rest of us a glimpse of their heritage. Thanks guys!


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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

These are great pictures, Mojo. I love the bright colors. The one thing missing from my portfolio is pictures of people. It's not really a conscious thing, but I tend to focus more on still-life and scenic subjects.

Dianne - Bunny Trails said...

Great shots. The colors are so much fun! It's amazing to watch these dances and the stamina and energy they have.

Kaylia Metcalfe said...

Wow... what great shots.

Someday I will have a grown up camera... but I doubt I wll ever be able to do anything as impressive with it.

Daryl said...

They look like HOPI .. okay so maybe just Hoppin'

:-Daryl

sealaura said...

Wonderful pictures. Very vibrant.

kenju said...

In that top one, the movement is really evident.

carmilevy said...

Those colors are massaging my eyes as we speak. Love them! And I think it's so cool that you wrote about the temps. Because it now makes me wonder if the facial expression of the performer in the top picture is due to the cold, concentration, or both.

As always, your story behind the shoot has made the photos that much more compelling.