Music fest at Casa Grande

Native American Music Festival to debut at Ruins

Musicians from across the U.S. slated at eventThe national monument's event will include traditional Native American flute, classical guitar and hand drum artists as well as storytellers and poets. Visitors will be welcomed to dance to traditional Native American rhythms and taste authentic foods from the past and present.

"The Ruins are an ongoing story," said Carol West, event coordinator. "We're hoping this event will bring that story back to life."

Other attractions will include basket weaving and jewelry making demonstrations, as well as other native foods and instruments. All performers and demonstrators will have a native connection, whether it be past or present and won't necessarily be locally connected, as the Ruins' were a thoroughfare for trade.

Occurring the same weekend of the event as Casa Grande's annual O'Odham Tash, Lott said he hopes to offer those guests an expanded Native American cultural experience while, at the same time, spreading the word about the monument.Comment:  Casa Grande is worth a visit if you're in the area,if you're driving between Phoenix and Tucson. But as I recall, it's a little out of the way--perhaps a dozen miles off the main freeway. So an event like this that increases awareness of it in a non-destructive way is good.

Below:  The first picture is one I took when I was there several years ago.