MassMu Hosts Michael Searching Bear Concert

Massillon Museum Hosts Michael Searching Bear Concert

Michael Searching Bear, a Native American of Eastern Cherokee and Powhatan descent, will perform at the Massillon Museum’s Rhythms Concert on Saturday, March 7. The doors will open for social time in the lobby at 7:30 p.m.; the concert will begin at 8:00 p.m.

An accomplished musician, Michael Searching Bear’s love of music and search for his native heritage led him to the Native American wood flute. With more than 35 years of experience as a performance and studio musician—as a drummer and percussionist—he developed his talents and perfected his gift for mastering intricate rhythms. He later learned the electric, acoustic, and classical guitars, as well as music theory, history, and ethnomusicology. With this knowledge, Michael Searching Bear desired to incorporate many types of instruments and backgrounds into his compositions.

Michael Searching Bear makes his entire career as a musician, performer, educator, and Native American wood flute maker. He teaches Native American culture across the country in historical societies, businesses, native arts organizations, colleges, day care facilities, and national events.

He was a 2008 Native American Music Award nominee and a Spirit Wind Records Silver Arrow Award winner for outstanding contribution to Native American music in 2008. He was a presenter at the annual Native American Music Awards (Nammy's) in 2007 and 2008, and he was nominated in 2007 for the Aboriginal People's Choice Awards in three categories. In 2006, he earned the Just Plain Folk Music Award for album of the year for “Voice From Within” and was nominated for song of the year for “The Gathering.” That year he was nominated in six categories for the Native American Music Awards. His music has been heard on The History Channel's "Windtalkers" weekly radio show; Kulture Kids; and spots for ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.

The $20 per-person pre-sale ($18 for Massillon Museum members) may be purchased in advance by calling the Massillon Museum at 330-833-4061 or by visiting www.massillonmuseum.org. Tickets will be sold at the door ($22 non-members, $20 Massillon Museum members) as long as seats remain available. Cash, checks, and Visa and MasterCard are accepted. The concert is open to the public.

Community members have stepped forward to make the Museum’s music series possible: In Tribute of Kevin Alden Hunt; Mel and Ann Herncane; Affinity Medical Center; A.A. Hammersmith Insurance, Inc.; Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffith and Dougherty Co.; FirstMerit; The Health Plan HomeTown Region; and The Eye Clinic, Inc. WKSU is the media sponsor. Grant support is provided by the Canton/Stark County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, Ohio Arts Council, and Arts in Stark.

The Massillon Museum hosts five out-of-the-mainstream concerts in the intimate setting of its main gallery to broaden the arts that it offers to the community. The final concert of the 2008–2009 season will feature trumpet virtuoso Dominick Farinacci (www.dominickfarinacci.com) on March 28.

The Massillon Museum is located at 121 Lincoln Way East, in downtown Massillon. Free parking is available on adjacent streets and in nearby city lots.

For more information, call the Massillon Museum at 330-833-4061 or visit www.massillonmuseum.org.

Media Contacts:

Christine Shearer, Massillon Museum Executive Director - 330-833-4061

Margy Vogt, Massillon Museum PR Coordinator - 330-832-8469 or 330-844-1525