It's because I'm brown skinned, isn't it??? (Postings from the dark side)

It's official - I've been nominated

2008-07-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

I've been officially nominated for the 2008 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards in 3 categories: Best Flute CD, Best New Artist, Single of the Year. If you want to find out more about this, or if you'd like to vote for me, please visit the website. Oh look, over there on the left. Under "My Favorite Links' where it says Vote Vote Vote...

You do have to sign up to vote, but there's no cost involved, only your time and inclination. Round one is in process from now through August 15.

I'm just sayin'......

Thanks for your support...
Phillip

Native People's Magazine review

2008-07-09T08:36:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, Native People's Magazine gave my Arctic Voices CD a review in their most recent edition. Here' what they have to say:

"Aarnaquq (Sun Valley Recording Co.) features the compositions and work of Phillip John Charette (Yup'ik), better known for his amazing masks. Seven different flutes used on the 11-track CD provide a beautifully and subtly shifting tonal range, as on the traditional Yup'ik healing song 'Tarvarnauramken,' performed with a myrtle wood flute."

(Note: they got the name of the CD wrong. It is Arctic Voices, not Aarnaquq.)

Never having had a music review, it's hard for me to say if this is a good review or just a so-so review, but I like to think of it as a good one. :-)

If you want to take a listen and give your feedback, I'm always happy to hear from people. You can hear some of the songs at my MySpace music site, http://www.myspace.com/phillipcharette

Upcoming event

2008-07-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

July 18, 19, & 20th is the Baker County Miners Jubilee. If you are anywhere Eastern Oregon and looking for some fun, it's a fun thing to do. If you make it, stop by my booth in the park and say "hi."

Relay for Life is an awesome cause, helping to support all cancer research. For those of you who want to buy some of my music, you can support the Baker County Relay for Life survivors team by buying one of my CDs from them in the park any time that weekend. They'll have them for sale for $15. I'm donating $5 of each purchase directly to them. (Baker County team only).

If you'll be here August 1, please show your support for the cause by joining them at Baker High School. Opening ceremony happens between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. I'll be playing my flute as part of the ceremony, starting at approximately 9:30 (time not yet verified).

Washington State History Art Market

2008-07-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

The Washington State History Museum Show and Museum Exhibition titled, "In The Spirit" June 29-30, 2008 was a little slow this year. It was competing for with The Taste of Tacoma" and it was quite warm. The Museum Exhibition was well done and had several Artist from the region showcasing their art and selling at their booths. A few collectors were on hand to purchase large works of art but the market is a far cry from larger more established art markets. This market is in its infancy and I am looking forward to seeing how this market matures when it hits it's tenth year. Next year will be year 4 and I plan on marketing this show to as many of my collectors as possible and at other markets I do. Overall, the dance performances, live music, and other activities went very well. Thanks to the help of hard working museum staff and many volunteers, the exhibition and Native Art Market went off quite well. If you get a chance, see the work at the Museum which will be on exhibit over the next month.

As an artist, my sales were ok. But, I am wanting to see the sales improve over the next couple of years. How did any of the other artists do in terms of sales? What recommendations do you have to make this a more established and better Native American Art Market showcasing the top Pacific Northwest Native American art? Perhaps low sales could be attributed to the economy and price of gas. I handed out about 500 business cards but my sales were definitely down from previous years.

Share any thoughts you have on this market.

It's Because I'm Brown Skinned, Isn't It?

2008-07-02T13:14:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to do a blog but wasn't sure what to focus on. So, I saw a shirt from a tee-shirt company that said, "Its because I am Brown Skinned, Isn't It!" After I stopped laughing, I realized that what I was laughing at was my own experience as a Native American brown skinned man and the funny and/or interesting situations I found myself in because of it. I decided to started blatantly saying to people, "It's Because I'm Brown Skinned, Isn't It", when I sense I am being discriminated against or not being treated equally. The reactions have been quite interesting finding that most people are quite embarrassed when they are called on it. This is usually followed by, "I have an Indian friend" or "I am...or...someone in my family is Native American". Then, I am expected to know all the answers to questions about all the tribe in North America.

So, lets hear any stories you have of being brown skinned and the situations you found yourself in.