Free Event Celebrating Indigenous Arts and Culture at Penn State
Date: October 12
Time: 6 PM
Location: Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center
Penn State’s Center for the Performing Arts is hosting the Joyfull: Feast Edition, an event aimed at celebrating Indigenous arts and culture. The evening will feature Stuart James, a Dakota Sioux rapper, songwriter, and producer from North Dakota’s Spirit Lake Reservation. Attendees will enjoy a buffet catered by Paul’s Provisions while engaging with the event’s theme, “Indigenous People in the Modern World.”
James’s music emphasizes resilience, mental health, and Indigenous pride. He aims to highlight the storytelling tradition within Indigenous culture, stating, “I believe natives are some of the best storytellers on Earth…”
Additional Activities
- Resistance Day Rally: Noon – 1 PM, HUB-Robeson Center Monumental Staircase
- “Laugh Now, Cry Later” Comedy Show: 5 PM – 6 PM, Lion’s Lair
- “The Life and Times of Shy Rez Boy”: 3 PM – 4 PM, Flex Theater (Oct. 13)
- “Humor-Healing: A Journey of Empowerment and Healing”: 3 PM – 4 PM, Foster Auditorium (Oct. 14)
Note: The Joyfull series promotes community engagement by pairing live performances with culturally significant meals. Registration is required for the Feast Edition but not for the related events.
This multifaceted event seeks to showcase the contemporary contributions of Indigenous peoples, moving beyond traditional representations. Future Joyfull series themes include Women’s History Month and Pride.
Organizers: Center for the Performing Arts, Indigenous Peoples Faculty/Staff and Student Alliances, and the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.
