Cama-i Dance Festival 2024

Welcome Cama-i! photo by Greg Lincoln

by the SouthWest Alaska Arts Group

March 15-17, 2024 at the BRHS gym in Bethel

Yuraq Paiciutekaput ~ Dance is Our Legacy

In Yup’ik culture, we embrace each other with a warm and welcoming greeting by offering a handshake accompanied by the exclamation, “Cama-i!” It is in that same spirit we announce that the Cama-i Dance Festival is arriving soon. The three-day event is sponsored by the SouthWest Alaska Arts Group (SWAAG) and begins on Friday, March 15th with doors opening at 5 p.m., ending Sunday, March 17th at 9 p.m.

The theme for this year’s festival is Yuraq Paiciutekaput – Dance is Our Legacy. It is customary for Cama-i to dedicate the event to at least one inspiring individual and pay tribute to the memory of another individual whose legacy helped to shape and preserve our cultural traditions in the delta. This year, the event is dedicated to the memory of Seliksuuyar Bob Aloysius of Bethel, and honors our living treasures: Ap’alluk Levi Hoover of Kasigluk and Atrilnguq Joseph Asuluk Sr. of Toksook Bay.

Cama-i strives to create an experience that is both entertaining and educational; aiming to celebrate our local culture, as well as transport us to different parts of the world through music and dance. There will be world-class crafts from local and regional artists, a qaspeq fashion show, up-close and personal seminars, and traditional dancers who will share their history through dance and music.

Visiting Bethel for the festival? Take advantage of the Alaska Airlines 7% discount code ECMK252 (some exclusions apply) if traveling between March 11-21, 2024.

The festival is only possible with generous help from volunteers who give their time and energy so that we can all share in these experiences. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Laura Ellsworth at [email protected]. Each volunteer receives a day pass to the event and a Cama-i pin.

SWAAG welcomes everyone to participate in planning meetings where you’ll find more information about the event, and have the opportunity to provide your valuable input. Connect with us on social media at the Cama-i Dance Festival and SWAAG Facebook pages to see regular updates and other exciting information. We hope you plan on joining us this year, as we celebrate our heritage and legacy of dance!