New York, NY, April 6th2010-  The Eighth Annual DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON®: A NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL  will take place on Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 in Upper Manhattan’s Inwood Hill Park from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm, rain or shine. This event, which is FREE to the public, is presented by Lotus Music & Dance in collaboration with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, sponsored in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, WABC-TV, JPMorgan Chase and Councilman Robert Jackson. Sandra Bookman,

 DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON® features Manhattan’s only open air pow wow, which is a celebratory gathering of Native American people. This year’s pow wow will be led by the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers with Host Drums Heyna Second Sons and Silver Cloud.

A multi cultural family-oriented festival, DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON® includes exhibitions of world dance and drumming traditions as well as Native American crafts, children’s activities and international cuisines. The festival combines a celebration of Native American heritage, culture, and art with the diversity of New York City itself. In keeping with the underlying theme of environmental appreciation and education, DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON® will continue to feature an Environmental Tent which will include lectures and demonstrations by organizations and artists dedicated to promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle. Captain Planet will be our special guest. 

During the day, we take time to honor individuals and or organizations for their contributions to either Humanitarian Services or the Environment. This year’s honorees are Louis Mofsie, Artistic Director and Founder, Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, Grammy nominated Singer/ Songwriter, Melky Jean, Founder, The Carma Foundation/ Haiti, and actor, contemporary folk, pop artist and multi Grammy winner, Tom Chapin. Tetiana Anderson, reporter for NY1, will be a special guest at this year’s event.

  Inwood Hill Park can be reached on the #1 train to 215th Street or the A train to 207th Street. Entrance to the park is at 218th Street and Indian Road, four blocks west of Broadway. By car it is just north of the Dyckman Street exit from the Henry Hudson Parkway. To learn more about Drums Along The Hudson or to see a schedule of the performers for May 23rd,, , please visit our website: www.drumsalongthehudson.org.