ABSTRACT: 00:45 Allison introduces the Heritage Stage and gives a brief introduction describing how she first became aquainted with the Coushatta Dancers when Jazzfest was still forming. 01:45 The Coushatta Indian dancers get on stage; they are from Elton Louisiana and are part of the Coushatta Indian Tribe 02:50 After apologizing for his grasp on speaking English, he explains how he reiginited the tradition of Coushatta practices 20 years prior 03:40 He formed the group with Indian drummer Alfaro Sr., his son Calvin Silstein, and his son-in-law is an Apache indian from New Mexico 06:08 The first song begins; a pulsing drum beat is accompanied by a traditional indian chants 10:19 They begin their second song which is led by the women of the village; they are dressed in hand-made clothing 14:48 The Coushatta describe a newer song called the ‘Fancy Song’ which the bands leader describes as a song used during a typical dance competition among the women of the tribe 17:23 The next song they play is The Flute Song, a song from the young men of the tribe used to initiate courtship among the men and women of the Coushatta community 20:05 The next song and dance describes when the men of the village came of age; the Seal and Spear Dance imitates two warriors fighting, one the victory and the other being killed 22:25 Winded from the last demonstration, the Coushatta Indian Princess, Lucy Alfaro, comes onto the stage to relieve the dancers; The Princess invites the crowd to Elton and describes her crown and its relevance to the Coushatta tribe 24:51 The lead dancer also advises the crowd to visit Elton, saying that they have a store, an arts and crafts shop, and cheap gasoline 25:53 They begin their next song, “Innertribal Dance” where all the ‘young men and young ladies’ participate 28:33 They start the Ruffle Dance which is supposed to be the fastest song of they demonstrated 31:38 The Fancy War Dance is next demonstrated; in this performance, each dancer has a moment where they dance alone in the center of the circle 35:10 Their last demonstration, the Round or Friendship dance which occurs in a circle 37:31 Coushatta invite the crowd onstage to dance the Friendship dance with them; the song continues as members of the audience dance with the Coushatta 40:02 The performance ends and the Coushatta offer to take pictures with the crowd
