Five Moons Dance Festival
August 24 - 25, 2024
The OU School of Dance is pleased to continue with the third annual Five Moons Dance Festival which will celebrate the legacies of Yvonne Chouteau (Shawnee), Rosella Hightower (Choctaw), Moscelyne Larkin (Peoria/Eastern Shawnee), Maria Tallchief (Osage), and Marjorie Tallchief (Osage). These five Native American ballerinas were born or raised in Oklahoma, and their courage, passion and perseverance propelled them to perform on the world’s greatest stages and leave a lasting mark on the dance world. This year’s event highlights the legacy and heritage of Yvonne Chouteau, co-founder of both the OU School of Dance and the Oklahoma City Ballet.
The Five Moons Dance Festival will include a series of panel discussions and events at the University of Oklahoma and the First Americans Museum, culminating in a performance on August 25th in the Reynolds Performing Arts Center on the University of Oklahoma’s Norman campus. Performing artists include the OU School of Dance, Oklahoma City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Tulsa Ballet, and the Native American community, as well as original work by guest artist Elisa Harkins (Cherokee/Muscogee).
Events
Saturday, August 24, 2024
The Five Moons Dance Festival, in partnership with the Shawnee Tribe, is hosting multiple events on Saturday. All events are free and open to the public.
Jacobson House Native Art Center
609 Chautauqua Ave, Norman, OK 73069
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Lenaweeki Hokiishatoonaawa Art Market at Jacobson House Native Art Center, featuring artists from the Five Moons’ respective tribal nations
3:00 PM: Louis Ballard & The Four Moons
Panel Discussion with Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate and Simone Ballard
4:30 PM: Madame Chouteau, Mom, Myra Yvonne
Panel Discussion with Christy Conway & Liz Impallomeni
First Americans Museum
59 American Indian BLVD, OKC, OK 73129
7:30 PM: The Sixth Moon; Upholding a Legacy
Panel Discussion with current Chiefs of the Five Moons’ tribal nations
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Troy Little Axe, Sr. & James Squirrel Memorial Stomp Dance
Coordinators Dennis Little Axe, Kanye Leatherman, & Corey Winesburg. Food trucks and concessions available. Bring a lawn chair!
Sunday, August 25, 2024
Matinee stage performance, 2:00 PM, Reynolds Performing Arts Center, 560 Parrington Oval, Norman, OK 73019
General Admission: $35
Student Admission: $15
Featured artists include OU School of Dance, Oklahoma City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Tulsa Ballet, Jerod Tate, and the Native American community, as well as original work by guest artist Elisa Harkins (Cherokee/Muscogee).
Introducing the Five Moons
Yvonne Chouteau
March 7, 1929 – January 24, 2016
Yvonne Chouteau (Shawnee) was born in Fort Worth, Texas and raised in Vinita, Oklahoma. She made her debut with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo at the young age of 14 and danced with the company for 14 years. In 1960, Chouteau became an artist in residence at the University of Oklahoma and established the Department of Dance, now known as the OU School of Dance, with her husband, Miguel Terekhov. She also founded Oklahoma City Civic Ballet, now known as Oklahoma City Ballet, in 1963.
Moscelyne Larkin
January 14, 1925 – April 25, 2012
Moscelyne Larkin (Peoria/Eastern Shawnee) was born in Miami, Oklahoma. At 15 years of age, she was accepted into and danced with the renowned Original Ballet Russe and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo companies. She and her husband, Roman Jasinski, founded the Tulsa Civic Ballet in 1956, later to become Tulsa Ballet Theatre. She organized the first Oklahoma Indian Ballerina Festival in 1957, where four of the Five Moons performed to honor their heritage. In 1991, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Tulsa for her international dancing achievements.
Maria Tallchief
January 24, 1925 – April 11, 2013
Maria Tallchief (Osage) was born in Fairfax, Oklahoma, just five miles away from one of the Osage Nation’s three cultural districts. She danced with the renowned Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo company in the 1940s. Tallchief is widely considered to be America’s first prima ballerina. She was a principal dancer with George Balanchine’s New York City Ballet, where he created several title roles for her. In 1980, Tallchief co-founded the Chicago City Ballet with her sister, Marjorie. June 29 is known as “Maria Tallchief Day” in Oklahoma.
Marjorie Tallchief
October 19, 1926 – November 30, 2021
Marjorie Tallchief (Osage) was born in Denver and spent her childhood in Fairfax, Oklahoma with her sister, Maria. She danced with various companies, including Ballet Theatre (now known as American Ballet Theatre), the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and the Harkness Ballet. Tallchief was the first Native American dancer to become a premiere danseuse etoile at the world-renowned Paris Opera Ballet. She served as the director of dance at Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida from 1989 to 1993. The University of Oklahoma in Norman presented Tallchief with a distinguished service award in 1992.
Rosella Hightower
January 10, 1920 – November 4, 2008
Rosella Hightower (Choctaw) was born in Durwood, Oklahoma. She danced with several influential companies including the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Ballet Theatre, Rene Blum’s Original Ballet Russe and Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas. In 1962, Hightower founded the Center for Classical Dance in Cannes, France and in 1981, she became the first American director of the world-renowned Paris Opera Ballet.