Circumpolar Music Series: Asikłuk Topkok and the Pavva Iñupiaq Dancers
On Tuesday, March 18th at 11:30am in the Davis Concert Hall, the Circumpolar Music Series will host AsikÅ‚uk Topkok and members of the Pavva Iñupiaq Dancers as part of the Department of Music's ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Native Music course. In this event, aspects of Iñupiaq culture, song, and dance will be discussed and demonstrated.
The Pavva Iñupiaq Dancers are residents of the Fairbanks area and were formed to preserve the culture and traditions of the Iñupiaq peoples through song and dance. Sharing our culture through performances to both ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Native and non-Native peoples help us keep strong in our heritage. Fairbanks is in the interior of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ and the name "Pavva," in Iñupiaq means 'away from shore, landwards, toward the mountain' was chosen. The group chose this name because they live away from the Northern region where their parents and grandparents originally lived. Although most of the Iñupiaq people in Fairbanks may have danced with family or other dance groups, they formed the Iñupiaq dance group in 1999 to be able to share dances, to learn from one another, and to perform for others. The group practices on a regular basis, twice a month through the school year, and still perform throughout the year. As members perform for groups, other Iñupiaq and others who have a high interest in Iñupiaq culture and beliefs have come to join the group.
This event is open to the public.