![](http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm176/Marion_Deeds/female%20dancer%20resized_zpsg7nycsbt.jpg)
Female dancer
The local Pomo Youth Dancers group performed at the Farmers Market on October 11. The group was founded by Joe Salinas, a staffer at the Sonoma County Indian Health Project. I hadn’t heard of them until this Sunday, but I’m impressed! I like how many young children are learning about their heritage and practicing the discipline of dance.
The costumes are beautiful.
The women danced second. I loved their costumes and the arabesques of color their skirts made when they spun. It was a warm day and I felt bad for them, but they were pros, and if they were feeling the heat, it didn’t show.
![](http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm176/Marion_Deeds/female%20dancers%201%20resized_zpsek1bkwyk.jpg)
Twirling.
![](http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm176/Marion_Deeds/female%20dancers%202%20resized_zpshxrghe9j.jpg)
Female dancers
The first boys’ dance looked very much like a flock of foraging birds. I would assume wild turkeys, although turkeys weren’t native to this area.
![](http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm176/Marion_Deeds/male%20dancers%201%20resized_zps1ejzqovz.jpg)
Boys’ Dance
The second dance was the Deer Dance. The double feathered prongs in the headdresses represent antlers.
![](http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm176/Marion_Deeds/the%20deer%20dance%20resized_zpsxwautwq3.jpg)
Deer Dance
![](http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm176/Marion_Deeds/deer%20dancer%201%20resized_zpswuigaljc.jpg)
Deer Dancer
The musicians let us know that the appropriate audience response is to shout, “Oh!” and to draw it out, like, “Aaaoooh!” at the end of a dance.
![](http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm176/Marion_Deeds/male%20dancer%201%20resized_zpsxlsapxxq.jpg)
Male Dancer
![](http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm176/Marion_Deeds/tiny%20male%20dancer%20resized_zpssyayl8ra.jpg)
The smile!
Here is a fund-raising link. And this artist’s site has some beautiful photos and interesting art as well as information about the group. If you get a chance to see them performing, take it!