NEWS RELEASE
Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
http://www.nsula.edu/news
7/17/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES – River cane basket makers John and Scarlett Darden of the Sovereign Nation of the Chitimacha in Charenton and fiddler H.P. “Buzz” Salard of Natchitoches are the 2007 inductees into the Hall of Master Folk Artists in the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University.
The Dardens and Salard will be honored in ceremonies Saturday at 1 p.m. in Prather Coliseum as part of the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival.
Both John and Scarlett Darden come from a long line of basket makers. Each learned from grandmothers, who were themselves taught by their mothers and grandmothers. The Dardens weave river cane into baskets that reflect Chitimacha traditional designs — blackbird eyes, snakes, hearts, turtles, alligators, and fish. The Dardens are also passing on this craft and tradition as their daughter has begun making baskets, and their granddaughter is beginning to learn the process.
Music from the Grand Ole Opry and house dances were early influences on Salard at his home near Cloutierville. In the mid 1940s, Salard started playing guitar and fiddle. By the late 1960s, Salard renewed his interest in fiddling and began jamming and picking with bluegrass groups. He has played with a number ofgroups including Southland Bluegrass, All Points South, Bluegrass Buddies, Twice as Nice and the Cox Family.
While he no longer plays with a band, Salard readily joins in jam sessions every chance he gets. Salard has made a conscious effort to keep alive the fiddling music of the early 1900s, playing music that he heard as a child.
“Passing It On – The Next Generation,” is the theme of the 28th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival which will be held July 20-21 in Prather Coliseum on the Northwestern State campus. The Festival theme highlights next generation artists who are carrying on family and community traditions.
The Festival will be held from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Friday, July 20 and from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 21. Tickets are $11 for a weekend pass purchased in advance, $8 for an all-day pass, $5 for the evening only and $3 for children 7-12. Children six and under admitted free.
The 2007 Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival is supported by grants from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Music, food, authentic crafts, children’s activities and narrative sessions will be part of the Folk Festival. The annual Louisiana State Fiddle Championship will be held Saturday, July 21, from. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Prather Coliseum’s Main Stage.
For more information on the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival, call (318) 357-4332 or go to www.nsula.edu/folklife.
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