Year

1961-05-21

Video Details

22:52; b&w; sound and silent; V-199 FLDA002; S.1579; Media 1979-2

Description

This film contains footage of participants and performers at the 1961 Florida Folk Festival held at the Stephen Foster Memorial in White Springs, Florida. It opens with the artist and Oklahoma Creek Indian Fred Beaver standing on the banks of the Suwannee River, recounting the history of the Seminole Indians and the origin of the Suwannee River's name. Next, four Seminoles sing in the native Seminole language. Through translator Frank Shore, Seminole Billy Tiger explains how he uses a medicine branch to cure the mentally ill. Jessie DeVane of Lake Placid talks with Seminole Chief Billie Bowlegs III about his adventures hunting bear, deer and turkey. Nancy, Mary Jane and Molly Shore, daughters of Seminole Frank Shore, sing "Jesus Loves Me" in their native language. A group of young men from Tarpon Springs dressed in traditional Greek attire dance. Whip-crackers Curly Dekle and Claude Sheppard demonstrate tricks. There are additional shots of visitors touring the park. The film ends with a choir dressed in period costumes singing. Produced by Peter Elgar Productions.

Contributors

Peter Elgar Productions

Corporate Subject

Florida Folk Festival
Florida Folklife Program
Stephen Foster Memorial Park (White Springs, Fla.)

Geographic Subject

White Springs

Personal Subject

Beaver, Fred
Bowlegs III, Billie
Dekle, Curly
DeVane, Jessie
Sheppard, Claude
Shore, Frank
Shore, Mary Jane
Shore, Molly
Tiger, Billy

Subject

Creek Indians
Folk art
Folk dancing
Folk music
Folklore
Promotional films
Seminole Indians