Dance Circle, June 1961
Today's photos have many admirable qualities. Vivid colors, an interesting subject matter - the performers at the Dance Circle over in the Indian Village - and nice compositions. BUT... the focus is just a little bit soft. What can ya do.
Sometimes we've seen impressive crowds gathered to watch these Native Americans as they performed various dances from various tribes - on busy days the Indian Village was quite popular. I love the late-afternoon lighting, so warm and inviting.
I've always thought it would be interesting to read an account of what life was like for these performers. Did they enjoy their roles? They were preserving Native American culture, and presenting it in a respectful manner; I assume that there would have been a nice camaraderie among the performers as well. But... maybe things were not that rosy, either.
I like this view, with the people over on Tom Sawyer Island watching from that lookout across the river. I'm assuming that the waterfall that appears to be right behind them (coming from that rock) is actually Cascade Peak, and the lens has flattened the perspective.
12 comments:
major-
So many of the images of the Indian Dance Circle are bursting with incredible colors. Even thru the 'focus haze', we can see the colors shining through.
Thanks, Major.
I like the pose of the leftmost dancer in the first photo. It tells a story all by itself. I just don't know what the story is.
And look at those giant people swarming over Castle Rock! Without the people (and the flag), it would look like a big rock formation typically seen in the desert Southwest, off in the distance. The masts and sails of the Columbia might be a bit out of place for the desert as well.
Nice, colorful action shots, Major. Even if they are a bit "soft".
I want to think that the costumes and dances in the Indian Village were as meticulously researched and authentic as other design elements in Disneyland, and that the performers all got along and enjoyed their work. I have no reason to think otherwise, but will probably never know for sure.
These gentlemen in todays pics appear to be putting their hearts into their work, and people are noticing, even across the River.
We watched a dance program at the Indian Museum in Albuquerque several years back, highly recommend the dances, exhibits and the food in the restaurant. There are a number of tribes represented there, and some of the costumes appear similar, but I have no idea whether these Disney costumes are real or a combination of styles. Also, there is a very fine new Smithsonian museum on Capitol Mall in DC with tribal exhibits ranging from Hawaii to New York, Alaska to Peru and another excellent cafeteria, but no dancers that we saw. Indian foods are very interesting, especially when viewed as precursors to some familiar Mexican and Tejano dishes. Food is a very conservative aspect of culture.
Major, I agree, the waterfall is Cascade Peak and I love the views of onlookers from the Island, even the Columbia makes an appearance. Really great shots today!
JG
The last photo also features both Cascade Peak and the Matterhorn. That’s not too common.
Wish I could remember the Dance Circle.
Question - can you hold a square dance in a dance circle?
Nanook, that’s the bummer about these photos… they are so nice, except that our photographer didn’t know how to focus!
JB, I just hope that the story is not a scary story, because then I will have nightmares and I will cry. Castle Rock is fun because the Imagineers knew that people have an innate desire to climb to the top of stuff. Plus they actually put in a separate “up” staircase and “down” staircase, like all of the best rocks in nature.
JG, I would assume that the Indian performers would have had some input for the costumes, even though I acknowledge that there is some theatricality going on as well. If you compare photos over the years, the dancers come and go, I’m sure that they got tired of doing the same routine six times a day (or whatever). Even if you like your coworkers, you’re gonna get grouchy! Gosh I’d love to go back to DC and visit all of the Smithsonian museums, I haven’t been since I was a little kid. I could literally go there and just do museums all day and be perfectly happy!
Chuck, that was probably one of the days when they were sweeping underneath the Matterhorn, and they rolled it closer to Cascade Peak. Just for 30 minutes or so! Your question is one that has haunted philosophers for millennia. The answer is “no”!
Major, we did just that in 2019. Traveled to DC and spent most of a week doing the Smithsonian Museums. Exhausting work, but very interesting and informative. There are a lot of new museums and the architecture alone is spectacular, to say nothing of the exhibits.
There is a lot of thought put into the food programs also. I recall as a kid, the food was mostly hot dogs and steam table mac and cheese. The Indian and Black history museums in particular had extensive dining options consistent with the museum programs, so you were learning every minute of your visit.
The worst part of the whole trip was the "airline level" security at every museum, taking off shoes and belts three times a day gets pretty old.
JG
The soft focus is worth it for being able to catch the dancers mid-step like that. And you can still make out the details of their gorgeous costumes. I’ve always been a big fan of the hoop dance. I still go back and watch Nakotah LaRance’s dance videos occasionally.
JG, that sounds like a great trip to me! Of particular interest are the Air and Space museums, but I love a good Natural History museum, art, you name it. Interesting about the food, I don’t remember eating during my visits to the Smithsonian, but I’d be curious to see what they might offer at those museums featuring other cultures. YES, that security, while understandable in this day and age, is a big bummer.
Melissa, as long as you look at just the thumbnails, you can hardly tell that they aren’t crisp. My brother was just telling me that he saw Indian dancers performing at the Santa Barbara Mission, and now that he says that, I think I might even have some photos from long ago.
JG, I got tired of taking off my belt and shoes at the Smithsonian, too. I finally just decided to go without. My pants wouldn’t stay up, so I left them at the hotel, too. So much easier and way more comfortable. When I got to the American History Museum, they gave me a free ride in a police car and a no-cost meal that didn’t require forks or knives. What a bonus!
@ Chuck-
Please plan my next trip-! It sounds dreamy.
Beautiful colors!
—Sue
Chuck, doing that in San Francisco or LA wouldn’t cause anyone to turn a hair, or a hare.
JG
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