News Release

Ancient Beat: Indigenous World Music Festival Rocks Anchorage

Oct. 15, 2007, Anchorage, Alaska – Modern sounds combine with traditional rhythms during AlaskaFest at the Alaska Native Heritage Center’s Fourth Annual World Music Festival, October 20, 2007, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

“Indigenous peoples have music in their souls,” said Steven Alvarez, Director of Cultural Education and Strategic Initiatives at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. “Native musicians are constantly caught in the dichotomy of marrying old and new ways of experiencing and influencing the world. That juxtaposition, that blending of cultures, allows for incredible innovation in the musical realm. ”

The Fourth Annual World Music Festival boasts a wide array of indigenous and non-indigenous talent. Hawaiian, South American, Latino and Reggae groups will play in a line up that contains some of the biggest names in Native American and Alaska Native music. Performers include: Joy Harjo and the Arrow Dynamics Band, Alma Andina, Bare Roots and Hector Ortiz & El Combo Tropical Latino, as well as Alaska Native dancing by Miracle Drummers, Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim, Sivuqaq Dancers and Imamsuat.

Admission is $9.95 for adults and $6.95 for children. Members of the Alaska Native Heritage Center are free.

The Fourth Annual World Music Festival is part of AlaskaFest- two weeks of festivities and retail events in the State’s largest city. AlaskaFest celebrates the turn of the season with food, entertainment, shopping, and theater from Oct. 12 - 28, 2007.

The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by the lodging association. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund and one-third goes to the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center construction project. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.

Media Contacts:

Shelly Wozniak
Public Relations Manager
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
swozinak@anchorage.net
(907) 257-2331 direct
(907) 250-5285 cell
(907) 222-3752 fax

Nance Larsen, APR
Vice President, Communications & Marketing Programs
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
pr@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
Explore www.Anchorage.net