Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 13, 1985)
Springfield joins in the spirit of Chautauqua (auilMi photo 1 The Springfield Historical Commission presents "Sarah Win nemucca — The Woman Chief, ” featuring Vanessa Brown. ’ . ’ By Sheila Landry Of th* Kimruld fust as the word Chautauqua (pronounced sha-taw-qua) seems to slide gently over one's lips like many words whose roots are iiased in the language of Native American culture, its meaning also has soothing connotations for those sear ching for educational enrichment beyond the solid walls of institutions. The first Chautauqua, which means a gather ing for educational purposes presented in an entertaining format, was held in 1874 in New York oil the shores of lake Chautauqua. It. grew in popularity and gatherings soon spread across the United States, reaching a peak in 1920 when it is. estimated that one out of every three Americans attended a Chautauqua. Oregon's Committee for the Humanities is of fering people an opportunity; to enjoy education . in the same fashion as our ancestors by presenting the' fifth annual Oregon Chautauqua during August and September. . • ; Participants can tour the backroads and highways of Oregon through’ 30 towns across the state. The towns will offer free "lectures and a * variety of entertainment, including exhibits, dramat ic performances and "puppet shows Local residents will not have to travel far this ' year to take part in the. program, as the Spr ingfield Historical Commission is sponsoring a presentation of "Sarah WinnemUcca — The. Woman Chief" in conjuntinn with Willamalane Parks and Recreation. Due. to her courageous effort to maintain brotherhood between her people imd whites, Winriemucca is one of the ortly woman known to be named an Indian chief. The Paiutb Indian woman.- who lived 100 years ago, spoke five languages and was the. first Native American to write a book- (an auto-biography) in English. . Springfield playwright Dorothy Velasco 'adapted for stage presentation the sad story.of Winnemucca and the plight of the. Indian culture's struggle with white society. Velasco wrote the script with the consultation of Universi ty English Professor Barre Toelken. a noted folklorist, and emeritus history Professor Edwin Bingham Bingham also is the narrator of the presenta tion and will play several small roles during the performance, lie Is joined by Native Americans Vanessa Brown, who plays Winnemucca, and Michael John Matthews, who accompanies Brown on traditional drums and also plays a number of short roles. Bingham says that although he is somewhat intimidated about going otfstage due to his lack of theatrical experience, he fuels his teaching background enables him to deal with the tension of live performance. "Essentially, teaching is performance," Bingham says. "I'm always nervous before lec tures. but you learn to develop a healthy tension in which you can Ik? nervous, yet appear to be relaxed.” ... * Velasco says she's written several sc ripts and taught pfaywriting courses in many places, in cluding the University. since «sh« received her master 'sdegree in play writing from the Universi ty of Southern California. But she says recounting Winnemucca's story has been one of her most dif-° ’■ flcult endeavors due to the tragic sadness of the woman's life. "It's.difficult trying to get a little humor into such a sad story so that the audience t an leave with at least a note of hope at the end." Velasco says. "To this day. Sarah's, tribe is still fighting • for water rights on their homeland in Nevada. " In an effort to balance tragedy with gaiety. .Valesco' say's.she included three dances during the1 tfO-minute presentation, beginning with Brown performing a "Fancy Dance." followed by a "Traditional Dance" and ending with a rousing "Rouind Dance." in which the audience joins Brown in a circle after the ixirfortnance. The free presentation is set for Aug. 23 at 8 p m. in the Wlllainaiane Senior Adult Center. • A variety of entertainment. a diverse' array of exhibits and numerous carnival rides are scheduled for the annual lane County Fair, beginning today and runn ing through $unday. Daily musical performances at the fair begin with Loretta Lynn today, and. are followed respectively by.The Charlie Daniels Band, Janie Frieze., Air Supply and Arlo Guthrie. The last day of the fair will featurethe state competition for the . nationwide Wrangler Country” Showdown,, which features aspiring country musicians. Forty regional winners from across the country will meet in the national finals . at the Grand Ole Opry. Nashville. Tcnn., in November. .-♦/ . • . . .Fairgoei? also can view, any of the hum -.-dreds of exhibits that will be on display. Categories include anything from angora 'goats to wine and-art. Each day of the fair will feature special discounts, on carnival rides and admission..-. \ •.•' •„ . Tuesday is 7-Up"day, where children .under. 18 are admitted fr«*Tif they bring two 7-UP -cans between;. 10 a.m. and 5 pm. Camivai ride' prices also will be reduced for all ages during that time period . . Senior Citizen Day is Wednesday, and all those over .65 Will be-admitted free „ between 10 aim. and 5 p.m; Thursday is Pepsi Day., where children under 18 are admitted free with two Pepsi cans during the same ho.urs, and reduced prices for carnival rides are available for all ages during that time period. Fairgoers will be able to buy a special $10-ticket for camivai rides on Sunday that will entitle them to unlimited rides between noon and Si p.m. 1. Daily admission to the fair is $3.50 fur those lb and older and $2.50 for children ages 10 through IS..Kids under -10 will be admitted for free. Season tickets am $0.50 for those over bid and $5.50 for children ages id through 15. Tickets for the daily musical perfor mances art? $1. However. Steve Mc Culloch, fair manager, says tickets for Air Supply and The Charlie Daniels Band sold out in July. Daily concerts will be at 2 p.m. and 8 p.ni. : . ; ; » ; ' / 'i; • 1 ' Fairgoers can ride free shuttles from the downtown Lane Transit Station anti the River Road station. 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