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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