Native Rhythms Festival

05/25/2026

Each year our Paula Ellis Memorial Flute Players' Competition features some very talented up-and-coming Native American Flute players. And we're proud of our past year winners who have gone on to success as professional performers. In recent posts here, we've highlighted some of them who have returned to our stage as headline performers, some of whom will be performing with us this year. One of the rewards for each year's winner is the opportunity to return to our stage as a featured performer the next year. Joining us here in 2026 will be out 2025 winner out of Central Texas, Sandi Horton. Sandi has a very impressive musical background, with 20 years as a professional classical flutist performing in regional orchestras, a woodwind quintet, and a jazz duo. She transitioned into Native American style flute performance and composition in 2018 and that is now her musical specialty. Watch for Sandi on Friday of festival weekend, and don't be surprised if she doesn't return sometime in the future as one of our headline performers, I think you'll agree she's that good.

05/09/2026

On the morning of November 9, 2018, eight flute players stepped onto our amphitheater stage as competitors in our Paula Ellis Memorial Flute Players' Competition. Later that day, the winners were announced, and the 1st place winner was Atlanta's Jamie Empert. She was up there solo for the competition, but the next year, taking advantage of the winner's reward, she appeared on our program as a scheduled performer. That time, she was joined by her husband, Joe, on percussion. Since that time, Jamie and Joe have refined and formalized their little duo under the stage name Earthsong Voyage. We've been watching their progress, including two albums and a handful of awards, and are now excited to have them back with us this year as full headline performers.

We're always proud when our players' competition winners go on to performer success, and then come back to become part of our program. Jamie will be joined this year by fellow former winners Holly Harris and Kimberly Kridler, 2/3 of Painted Raven. And with us last year was also former winner, Timothy J.P. Gomez. This year we'll also have Sandi Horton, winner of last year's competition, appearing with one of the rewards for that victory. You might consider the future possible as a winner of our players' competition and think about entering this year's Paula Ellis Memorial Flute Players' Competition.

05/04/2026

For all you Painted Raven fans, YES! Annette, Holly, and Kimberly will once again grace our Wickham Park amphitheater stage this November. And, if you love the Painted Raven drumming with flutes workshop, I believe we have an agreement to do it once more. They'll be here! Will you?

04/23/2026

We're honored to have Mark McGourley return to our stage after having joined us last year to lead our tribute to our passed inspiration, Dock Silverhawk Green. Mark composed and performed a song honoring Dock, in addition to performing his Universe Dance concert on flute. Mark also led a great workshop on playing guitar with flutes. We look forward to seeing you again in November, Mark...

04/21/2026

As we secure our performers for this year's Native Rhythms, we'll be announcing them here. First up will be the multi-talented storyteller, flute player, and world champion hoop dancer, Lowery Begay. You will see Lowery frequently throughout the weekend as he will also be serving as our Master of Ceremonies, introducing each performer as they come out. And stand by for our workshop announcements further downstream, for Lowery is going to do something very unique this year. Welcome back, Lowery!

03/26/2026

A new 2026 Vendors' webpage is now available on our Native Rhythms website at https://nativerhythmsfestival.com/2026-vendors/ . At this early date, the most important info on that page are the links to the vendor rules and agreement form, at the bottom of the page. If you are interested in becoming a vendor this year, go there to get all you need to apply.

03/21/2026

Please share! FIHA's Annual Native American Powwow- St Lucie County
This year Lash and Steel's John Bailey couldn't make it - so he arranged for Nate Middleton to join us! He makes his own whips and we are excited to have him join us.
Our event is mostly under cover, so it is rain or shine! We do have bleachers, but if you want to bring your own chairs, you are welcome to. Also, there is an ATM on site, but you may want to bring cash in case you want to purchase from any vendors that don't accept cards.
The committee booth will be selling t-shirts, coffee, water and some snacks. (we do have food vendors for meals, Native food and other items) All of the profits from these items goes back into putting on the next powwow- the more we raise, the bigger and better powwow for next year! We are a 501c3 run completely by unpaid volunteers.
Invite some friends!

03/10/2026

We have just contracted with the Candlewood Suites Hotel to once again be our official NRF festival weekend residence (Nov 13-15) in 2026. Guests can now call in their reservations directly to the Melbourne Hotel desk at 321-821-9009. Use the event code "NAR" to get the special Native Rhythms Festival rate of $109 (plus taxes) for a suite with either a single bed, or 2 double beds, per night. Check out their standard rates on line, and you will see this is a savings of about $90 per night. For more information on the Candlewood Suites at Native Rhythms, visit our Lodging/Camping webpage at: https://nativerhythmsfestival.com/lodging-camping/. It hasn't been unusual for all of the rooms blocked out for us at these outstanding rates to be booked long before festival weekend, so reserve your rooms as soon as possible. BTW, this is where our headline performers will be living festival weekend!

03/07/2026

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/keep-culture-alive-honoring-native-american-heritage-through-the-native-rhythms-festival--2026

🌟 Join us in Creating Change! 🌟At Native Heritage Gathering, we know that change starts with people like you. Every act of kindness, every dollar, and every moment of your time brings us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all, hono...

02/12/2026

Each year we print up thousands of post cards that we distribute at various locations and events around central Florida, throughout the year leading up to festival weekend. This is the eye-catching front side of this year's cards; more information is provided on the reverse. They'll be here this coming weekend. Let us know if you're going to be at an event where flute enthusiasts or others interested in Native American culture (e.g., festival or pow wow) will gather, and you'd like to help us promote this year's festival. We'll try to get you some cards in time to share there.