Kicking up dust at the Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance

Friday - June 14, 2024 by Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
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Youth dancers kick up the dust on Sunday, May 2 before the sun sets and night dancing begins. Dancers and singers from the three Ute tribes gathered in Towaoc, Colo. for the 135th Annual Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance, held Friday, May 31 through Monday, May 3. Dancers of all ages adorned their best regalia as they danced, welcoming the new year and spring season.
Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance Chief, Terry Knight Sr. and Southern Ute tribal elder, Ramona Eagle dance together for a line dance on Sunday, May 2, adorned in bright colors and bead work dancers from each Ute tribe gathered for the annual celebration.
The Bear Dance corral was filled with dancers on Sunday evening, dancers of all ages came together to celebrate the new year.
Dancers Terry Knight Jr. and Zuriah Baker pair up for a dance at dusk.
Southern Ute tribal member Shayne White Thunder takes to the corral for an evening dance, White Thunder also represented the Tribe as Little Miss Southern Ute during the 135th Annual Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance.
Southern Ute tribal member, Marvin Pinnecoose served as Catman on Sunday, helping to keep dancers moving smoothly.
Towaoc singers provide songs for dancers throughout the evening ahead of the last dance.
Young dancers head to the line after selecting their dance partners. Bear Dance is a woman’s choice dance and partners will “cut” into pairs as directed by the Catman after the start of each song, moving in time with the rhythm and their respective partners.
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
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Bear Dance was in full swing during the 135th Annual Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance held Friday, May 31 – Monday, May 3 in Towaoc, Colo. Attendees gathered to enjoy traditional Ute dancing and singing. The corral was filled with brightly colored regalia and dust clouds as dancers brought their best moves to the floor, singers from each Ute tribe kept the Bear Dance music going all day and into the evening during the four-day spring celebration. 

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