2nd Annual Winter Stories Of Health & Spirit

Proceeds from ticket sales go to The Loft Cinema’s Indigenous Film Committee! All are welcome at this event!

This year, we will be focusing on the Power of Song and screening the documentary Songs of the Colorado.

Our special guests will be the Bird Singers from Cocopah (Yuma, AZ) and a performance by Alex Soto.

Songs of the Colorado tells the story of the traditional songs of the Yuman-speaking people and how those songs connect them, through story, language and history.

At least 10 Indigenous Peoples along the Colorado River speak the Yuman language, including the Cucapa, Havasupai, Quechan and Yapavai. It is believed to be one of the oldest languages on the continent.

Unfortunately, because younger generations are not learning the language and Elders who do speak it are slowly passing away, the language is at risk of being lost – and with it, the unique songs and stories of all Yuman-speaking people.

Knowing this and hoping to spark an interest in reviving the language, Quechan filmmaker Daniel Golding set out to document Yuman songs, with grant funding obtained by Quechan Elder and Lead Singer Preston Arrow-Weed.