ETHEL + Robert Mirabal: The River

Click on each item below to learn more about the performance and artists. 

This performance is sponsored in part by the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center, Cherokee Central Schools.

From An Kha Na to Peace Calls, through rushing rapids and still, sacred spaces, ETHEL and Robert Mirabal evoke the magic and majesty of The River which connects us all. In retreat together, at Mirabal's home on the Taos Pueblo, each of the artists brought original musical or poetic works with special significance to the group: Mirabal's own An Kha Na, his Taos-traditional Wi-Wa, Kip Jones' Tuvan Ride, Jay-Red and TSOMA, Dorothy Lawson's Gat'té, Ralph Farris' Rana-Run and Tsintskaro Memory (after the Georgian traditional Tsintskaro).

As the Pueblo River rushed past the door, storms came and went, and coyotes howled in the night, the pieces grew in scope and depth, each player contributing layers and insights. Influences were drawn in from Hawaii, Arizona, Mexico, Ecuador, Morocco, Nigeria, India, Mongolia, Tibet, Japan, and the country of Georgia. In sum, the sound is dazzling, and the spirit full of generosity, love, and gratitude. Every audience will find their hearts healed and their hope raised.

"Exquisitely nuanced flute playing" - New York Times

Robert Mirabal is Native America's most dynamic and best-selling artist. In addition to the music and instruments he creates, he is also a celebrated painter, poet and playwright. He is the author of A Skeleton of a Bridge, a book of poetry, prose and short stories.

Mirabal is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Award, three GRAMMY® awards, and the New York Dance and Performer's "Bessie" Award for composition. Mirabal is also a two-time Native American Artist of the Year winner.