First Nations Dance Company arrives at the USA Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai on September 28. First Nations Dance Company vibrantly represented the diverse and rich cultural heritage of Native American people to Chinese visitors to the Pavilion. |
First Nations Dance Company arrives at the USA Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai on September 28. Appearing at the USA Pavilion as both queue line and stage entertainment, First Nations Dance Company will vibrantly represent the diverse and rich cultural heritage of Native American people to Chinese visitors to the Pavilion, displaying the USA Pavilion's commitment to bringing all forms of American cultural performances to Expo.
In their first visit to China, fully sponsored by the USA Pavilion, the Company includes members of the Zuni Nation of Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico, members of the Navajo Nation from Arizona and New Mexico, and members of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. First Nations Dance Company was founded in 1991 by owner and director Richard Donaghey, who is an enrolled member of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. One source of pride in the company is that they do not come from a major American city; First Nations Dance Company is located in Fort Defiance, Arizona, on the Navajo Indian Reservation. First Nations Dance Company performs traditional Native American pow-wow music and dances which also include the works of Native American flute musicians.
First Nations Dance Company has been featured in a variety of venues, ranging from live theater performances, television, radio, and printed media, and has performed in Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Algeria, and Turkey, as well as several pow-wow competitions throughout the United States.
Being one of the most popular pavilions at Expo 2010, the USA Pavilion has kept a momentum of hosting 45,000 visitors per day, and is expected to receive more than seven million guests over the entire duration of the Expo.
At over 60,000 square feet (6,000 square meters), the USA Pavilion is one of the largest national pavilions at the Expo. With the theme of "Rising to the Challenge", the United States presence will showcase American culture, values, innovation and business in one of China's most dynamic cities, while celebrating the friendship and cooperation between the United States, China and the rest of the world.