Drums Along the Hudson Celebrating their 20th Anniversary

New York, NY, March 24, 2022 - The 20th Annual DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON®: A Native American Festival and Multicultural Celebration will take place on Sunday, June 5th, 2022 in Upper Manhattan's Inwood Hill Park from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm, Rain or Shine. This event is free to the public and is presented by Lotus Music & Dance in collaboration with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, sponsored in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York City Council. Our special guest of honor will be Onondaga Chief Oren Lyons. The host for the event will be Sandra Bookman, weekend anchor for WABC-TV and host of "Here and Now" and the afternoon co-host will be Patrick Riley Pop Culture Expert/ Blogger. This year we will honor Katsitsionni Fox, Mohawk artist, educator and filmmaker of Akwesasne Mohawk Nation and Hezues R, Founder of S.I.C Film School and CCO of Creative Gods Agency.

Fox is Bear Clan, Mohawk Nation. She is an educator artist, and filmmaker. She works in many mediums, including printmaking, mixed media, pottery and video installation. Her film, Without a Whisper – Konnon:kwe, received awards at Woods Hole Film Festival, Best Short Film Winner at Female Voices Rock Film Festival and Best Documentary Short at Red Nations Film.

Huezus R, founder of the S.I.C. Film School and Chief Creative Officer of Creative God Agency, is a pioneering media entrepreneur. Latin Nation referred to him as a "Latino Mogul in the making." In 2014, HEZUES R was Honored by the White House and President of the United States. He has also consulted to previous President's Council on Financial Literacy. HEZUES has a passion for the arts and advertising. Branding products and infiltrating niche markets are talents that have elevated HEZUES' professional status. Creating brands like Boadicea the Victorious have made him an award-winning creative and international success. This has brought forth opportunities for him to be a keynote speaker (Harvard, NYU, UCLA), head United States Delegate on the Inter-American Committee on culture. HEZUES R is an innovative creator of content and industry enterprises with a strong focus on Social Impact.

Drum Along the Hudson features an open-air powwow, which is a celebratory gathering of Native American people that will be led by Louis Mofsie and the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers with Host Drums Heyna Second Sons. This multicultural family-oriented festival combines Native American heritage with the diversity of New York City with performances of world dance and drumming traditions. Featuring Tom Porter, Mohawk elder, Allegany River Seneca Nation dancers, Kalpulli Huehuethlatholli Aztec Dancers and Drummers, Song-Hee Lee Korean Dancers and Drummers, Batala Afro-Brazilian Drummers, Dancing Crane Georgian Dance Ensemble and more. Activities also include Native American crafts, storytelling and international cuisine. In keeping with the underlying theme of environmental awareness and education, Drums Along the Hudson will invite organizations such as The Coalition for Healthy School Food, Green Mountain Energy, Native Mobile Library and others to participate.

For more information, please visit: http://www.drumsalongthehudson.org.