Native flute convention

UW-Eau Claire to host Native American flute conventionPerformances by Grammy-caliber performing artists will be among the highlights of the International Native American Flute Association (INAFA) 2008 convention set for July 9-13 at the Haas Fine Arts Center at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

The five-day event will be sponsored by the UW-Eau Claire department of music and theatre arts and hosted by Eau Claire's Clear Water Flute Circle.

In addition to individual performances, the convention will include day classes with recognized specialists, as well as vendors offering flutes, percussion instruments, music, crafts and more. Vendor areas will be open to the public at no charge.

Evening concerts will feature several acclaimed artists per night, including R. Carlos Nakai, Bill Miller, Frank Montano (Anadwad), Kevin Locke, Joseph Firecrow, Coyote Oldman (Michael Graham Allen and Barry Stramp), the Peter Phippen Quartet and others.Comment:  Who knew there was such a thing as a native flute convention? Not me.