MARCH 30, 2005

Unity Fest 2005 to Feature Free Spirit Music Festival

Grand Junction, Colo. - As part of Mesa State College's annual Unity Fest, the Native American Student Council will host the Free Spirit Music Festival on Friday, April 8 at 7 p.m. in the Brownson Arena.

"The Free Spirit Music Festival will bring three talented groups to Mesa State College for one great evening of music," said Justin Landry, vice president of the Native American Student Council. "The groups' styles range from traditional Native American music to blue grass to punk rock and alternative; the evening's program should appeal to wide range of music lovers."

Cherokee singer and songwriter Michael Jacobs fuses contemporary and traditional sounds into songs that are stories of the past, present and future. While written for Native America, Jacobs chooses song themes that resonate in the hearts of everyone who has experienced life, love, hope and heartache. His debut solo album, "Sacred Nation," received the 2003 Native American Music Award for "Best Independent Recording." Jacob's second solo project, "They Come Dancing," was nominated for the same award in 2004.

The Pagosa Hot Springs are known for their "newgrass" style which combines traditional bluegrass principles with original acoustic music works. The original members of the quartet, mandolin player Josiah Payne, guitar player Jared Payne and fiddle player Carson Park, have been creating music together since they were ages 11, 9 and 7 respectively. They are joined by bass player Lech Usinowicz. The Pagosa Hot Strings have won numerous awards including the 1997 Rockygrass Bluegrass Band Contest and the 1999 Telluride Blue Grass Band Contest. In addition, they have also garnered individual awards. Josiah was the 1998 Colorado State Mandolin Contest champion and the 2000 National Mandolin Contest champion. His cousin Carson was the 1998 Colorado State Fiddle Contest champion.

Comprised of two brothers and a sister who were born into the Navajo Nation, Blackfire's high-energy, politically-charged music reflect the hopes, freedoms and barriers of today's world. The group's style combines traditional Native American, punk rock and "alter-native" styles with strong socio-political messages about government oppression, relocation of indigenous people, eco-cide, genocide, domestic violence and human rights. Blackfire, which played its first show in 1989, has toured national and internationally, including ten European tours, treks to Canada and Mexico and two visits to Africa's sub-Saharan deserts. The group's first album, "One Nation Under," received the "Best Pop/Rock Album of the Year" award at the 2002 Native American Music Awards.

Tickets for the Native American Student Council's Free Spirit Music Festival are $8 for MAVCard holders and $12 for the public, and are available at the Mesa State College Bookstore. Tickets will also be available at the door. For additional ticket information, call 970.248.1664.

###