Cain’s Ballroom to host first full Indigenous lineup for Tulsa’s Native American Day

(TULSA, Okla.) The historic Cain’s Ballroom will showcase its first full lineup of Native musicians in honor of Native American Day on Monday, Oct. 12, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom will feature acoustic sets from country music singer Blaine Bailey, R.C. Edwards of the Turnpike Troubadours, Choctaw singer-songwriter Samantha Crain, Cherokee-language songwriter Agalisiga “Chuj” Mackey and Cherokee-Muscogee tenor Kalyn Fay. The event is open to all ages, and tickets are $20 plus fees.

The event was the brainchild of Bailey and his wife, who saw Tulsa’s annual Native American Day as an opportunity for the storied venue to host its first-ever all-Indigenous artist lineup, showcasing a range of musical styles and tribal influences.

“Me and Kelly just had the idea that maybe we could have an event where it's all Indigenous artists, because there was nothing like that around here.”

Bailey, who hails from Tahlequah, is a citizen of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

“Natives need more recognition, and we’re just trying to do our part,” Bailey said.

He and his wife have coordinated the event, including booking artists and promotion. Bailey said this event is about sharing Indigenous culture in old and new ways.

“People will get to experience our culture through traditional songs and traditional dance that dates back thousands of years while we incorporate modern instruments like guitars,” he said.

Bailey explained that while Native people were forced to adjust to the new world after colonization, they didn’t lose their traditional songs. Today, many Native people express these traditions through contemporary approaches to music.

“We're still here and still practicing all of our traditions,” Bailey said, adding that Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom gives Native artists a platform to be seen and heard.

“I believe it is a way for us to stand up and say, ‘We are still here,’” he said. “Despite everything we have been through, we are still here and resilient.”

Mackey, a 21-year-old citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, writes and performs all of his songs in Cherokee. He said he is looking forward to performing with musicians he admires in an environment that feels comfortable and natural. He also hopes this event shines a light on the contributions of Native artists more broadly, especially in the music scene.

“There's a lot of artistic mediums that Natives are really thriving at and making their own,” he said. “They're not just trying to do what Hollywood's doing or what's going on in New York. They're taking ideas that have either already existed and making them Native.”

During the event, all the artists will be on stage together and will take turns performing. This “song swap” allows each artist to share the story behind their song before performing in a sort of musical roundtable.

Bailey believes Indigenous Day at Cain’s will be an educational opportunity for audience members who aren’t Native and don’t know any Native people.

“Natives are more than what we're perceived as in the mainstream,” he said. “We're not all out here still living in teepees and running across the plains... Some people don't know Natives still exist.”

Bailey hopes the show inspires Native youth and leads to more events like it.

“Anything's possible if you put your mind to it,” he said. “Just believe in yourself. Native people are some of the most resilient people on the earth, and the proof is there.”

While Native American Day is not an official state or federal holiday, Tulsa and many other cities (as well as some states) have officially replaced Columbus Day observance with celebrations and commemorations of Native contributions on the second Monday of October each year. This year marks Tulsa’s tenth annual celebration of Native American Day, which Mayor Nichols has called “an opportunity to recognize and honor the Native nations whose history, culture and sovereignty are deeply connected to the story of Tulsa.”

For more information on Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom or to purchase tickets, visit Cain’s website or Facebook event page.