Caddo Nation: Fish Dance

Caddo Nation: Stirrup Dance

Pictures from TEXANA at Getzendaner Park 09/27/2008

PS the paper towels and aluminum foil wouldn't normally be in the picture the wagon wasn't totally set up yet :)

Texana at the Chautauqua 9-27-2008

I recently attended part of the Texana event at the Chautauqua in Waxahahchie, Texas yesterday. I visited pioneer reenactment set ups in the park. They had an original Chuck Wagon. Which for pioneers was usually a smaller farm wagon for hauling stuff on the farm converted into a chuck wagon. This particular wagon was all original except the bottom floor had to be replaced due to rotting. The campfire setup and tents were run by reenactors in period clothes. I did not get to see the official reenactments. I did get to hear Caddo Nation tell their story and perform their dances. They talked about how their people were major deerskin traders with the French. I had heard about this when researching the Halberd head at the Ellis County museum. Jay Blaine had participated in the identification of a caddo site near cedar creek where French coins and trading items were being found, It was a major international trade and I believe took place in the 17th century. Deerskin was bringing good money in Europe at the time.

The next speaker of the evening was a historian who tied in Spain to the development of Texas. How the Spanish had designed their conquista based on what they took from being dominated by the Muslims at one time. How even spanish foods and words came from the Muslims. For example arroz the name for rice is of Arabic origin. How the Alamo and Goliad are examples of Muslim construction. How the use of a cavalry was learned by the Spanish from being defeated by the Muslims.

Very intertaining and learning experience.

--------------------------TEXANA---------------------------

Chautauqua 2008
Texana: A Texas State of Mind

Texas History, Texas Music and Texas Heritage Come Alive!

Celebrate the sights and sounds of the Lone Star State's early days with music, poetry, storytelling, historical reenactments, and a Chuck Wagon Dinner.

Featuring: The Caddo Indian Nation, AKA Vocal Ensemble, The Light Crust Doughboys, Early Texas Life Reenactors, and a
Concert by the Dallas Wind Symphony

Saturday, September 27 12:30 - 9:00 pm
Chautauqua Auditorium - Getzendaner Park

Tickets (available at the door):
All Day (12:30 - 9:00 pm) Adults $10.00 Students $2.00
Evening Concert Only (7pm) Adults $5.00 Students $2.00

For more information:
info@waxahachiechautauqua.org

Tredway and Friends at the Chautauqua

GROUP HANDS OFF TO A HAROLD SAXOPHONE SOLO.

The evening of July 5th was the beginning of hopefully something special. Though only a small crowd from 5:30 pm to 10ish pm, it was something that is needed in Waxahachie. Talent and and even wishful talent needs a place to spread it's wings. Randy Tredway has a vision to bring Waxahachie into the music world. I stopped by after work and gave a listen. I left to go searching for the Beauty Shop house used in Places In The Heart. No luck. When I came back with my grape snow cone, I found my long time family friends Alan and PJ Searsy(PJ is the director of the Waxahachie Community Theater.) I heard some Hippy look'n fellas sing about making love under the catfish moon. Absolutely great fun! I noticed a fella named Harold had been sitting in the back playing a saxaphone since I had left 3 hours earlier. Harold added a nice compliment to the songs. I believe he is in his 80's and I thought I heard was Randy's Granpa. My favorite song was the one about "if want to ride with the devil he'll be wanting to drive". Something like that. I really enjoyed the lyrics and the music. I am really looking forward for the songwriter's concerts to catch on. Hopefully we can get some writers to write about the rich History of Ellis County.


Tredway plans on having the Songwriter Concerts once a month from now on beginning with the July 5, 2008 performance.

“The songwriters that we have been talking about performing at Chautauqua are excited about performing there because of the history of the place. People like Will Rogers have performed there,” Tredway said. “We have had nothing but support from the city and we believe that we can make this happen. However, we need the community supporting us by coming out to the event.”-Randy Tredway

http://www.tredwayandfriends.com/

REMAINING SONGWRITER'S CONCERT DATES
AUGUST 16TH
SEPTEMBER 6th
OCTOBER 11th
NOVEMBER 8th
DECEMBER 13th
2009
JANUARY 10th
FEBRUARY 14th
MARCH 14th
APRIL 11TH
MAY 9TH
JUNE 13TH
JULY 11TH
AUGUST 8TH
SEPTEMBER 12TH
OCTOBER 10TH

NOVEMBER 14TH

DECEMBER 12TH