PHILADELPHIA – The energy was high, “Wahzhazhe, an Osage Ballet” performers were nervous, Osage singers were clearing their throats, waiting to begin their performance. Masses of people from around the world waited in anticipation for his Holiness Pope Francis to make his appearance in Logan Square.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 27, Pope Francis, standing in his vehicle and waving, made his way down Benjamin Franklin Parkway escorted by the Philadelphia Police Department. At nearly the same time the Wahzhazhe cast had just taken the stage and was ready to perform.
They stood still for a moment, gathered to the center of the stage and began to wave as the pope drove by. He waved back.
“It was such a good sight to see all of God’s work coming together,” said Osage Tribal Princess Alissa Hamilton, who had traveled with her mother Andrea Kemble, Osage lady singer, and the Wah Zha Zhe Ballet cast on their charter bus.
The Festival of Families took place at Benjamin Franklin Parkway outside the Philadelphia Art Museum and was open to the public. His Holiness Pope Francis arrived in Philadelphia on Sept. 26 and he conducted mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. The Wah Zha Zhe Ballet cast and crew had just made their arrival to their dressing area and were across the street from the cathedral during the mass.
A philanthropic idea
It all started when a dear friend of Osage choreographer Randy Tinker-Smith had an idea to perform in Philadelphia.
John Danner, a philanthropist whose main mission was to get people together to end world hunger, had written a diverse play and had spoken with Tinker-Smith about taking a part of his play and presenting it to the U.S. Congress. He also wanted to present a part of the Wahzhazhe Ballet so they could do its Opening “Prayer” Scene while Pope Francis was in Washington, D.C.
Danner became ill and the trip had somewhat come to a pause, Tinker-Smith said. At the time, they thought the connection had been lost. But, the ballet pursued with the idea and went forward with the initial plan and made it to Philadelphia.
In the beginning, money was an object. Tinker-Smith knew she had to have enough money for a charter bus, food, hotel stay and any unexpected costs for all the performers, which included 12 performers and nine Osage singers. Luckily, a few sponsors of the trip had previously seen the ballet when it was performed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and were able to get the ballet connected with the World Festival of Families.
A journey
The Wahzhazhe Ballet cast and crew began their journey to Philadelphia on Sept. 24 and departed from Dance Maker Academy in Pawhuska. Approximately 50 attendees were able to join the ballet on their trip to Philadelphia, to witness the ballet’s performance and attend Pope Francis’ mass.
Tinker-Smith had been working on the trip for about seven weeks. The focus had always been to represent the Osage people and to do it well, Tinker-Smith said. The story was choreographed and written by Osages.
“I communicate with my motions and with movement,” said Jenna Smith, Tinker-Smith’s daughter who choreographed the prayer scene in Wahzhazhe Ballet, and who also owns and operates Dance Maker Academy.
There were a few speed bumps along the way and at one point it seemed as if the trip would be canceled.
“I told the kids at the studio that they were going to see the Pope, and I truly believed in that. And you know what? We did. We got to see the pope!” Tinker-Smith said.
Before they embarked on the trip, they began with a prayer. “We believe that everything should begin with a prayer,” said Randy Smith, Tinker-Smith’s husband who is also a pastor. The participants of the ballet have a ritual they go by before every performance; they come together and pray.
Hamilton handed out Osage meatpies to everyone on the bus as they began the trip. One could say the trip started off with a full stomach and with good vibes.
The Wahzhazhe Ballet set forth to make a positive impact by coming together for the trip, Tinker-Smith said. A little Osage history was made that day by attending the festival. Every performance could be viewed on 40 global trons on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
Osages are praying people and the practice Catholicism or the Native American Church.
“Dancing is different,” said Amity Bebard, who performed in the ballet. “Ballet means something, it’s who you are, and you feel like you’re dancing for something.”
Hamilton had taken six rosaries with her to be blessed during the Papal Mass that was held on Sept. 27. One was for her grandmother, Irene Hamilton LaZelle, who passed away on Sept. 28 in Hominy, shortly after Hamilton returned to give her the beads.
To most, the trip seemed surreal and to some they would remember this moment for the rest of their lives.
By
Chalene Toehay-Tartsah
Original Publish Date: 2015-10-02 00:00:00
