The Incomparable Celtic Indian Arvel Bird Performs in Old Town

Cottonwood AZ (September 21, 2021) – The Old Town Center for the Arts is pleased to present the incomparable Celtic Indian Arvel Bird on October 2nd at 7:00 PM. Arvel Bird, named by the prestigious Cowboy and Indian Magazine, as one of the top 4 favorite Native American Musicians, along with Buffy St. Marie and R. Carlos Nakai, is a violinist, flutist and composer who brings to life the dramatic connection between Native American and Celtic traditions, stirring up scenes that echo from North American memory.

Arvel’s Animal Totem Concert combines Animal Spirit essence with his specially composed music to evoke the characteristics and powers of birds and animals.  His stories paint a visual description of not only his own Power Animals, but also historical anecdotes of how traditions around the world have engaged in Shamanic practice using the animal totems as guides, oracles, and protectors in non-ordinary reality.  Come enjoy an evening of violin, storytelling, Shamanic Journey, and self-revelation.  Look within to know the truth.

Arvel has won the coveted title of Artist of the Year at the Native American Music Awards (Nammys), quickly followed by Best Instrumental Album at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (Cammys) and others.

Arvel is a classically trained violinist who has played with such top country stars as Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Ray Price, Louise Mandrell, and many more. His mixed-blood heritage of Southern Paiute Indian and Scottish is the inspiration for his new compositions. He has created such a unique and universally appealing sound with his blend of instruments and styles that it can best be described as World Native Fusion.

The third installment in Arvel’s Animal Totems series runs from the whimsical and raucous to the orchestral and inspirational, following his first two Animal Totems albums which earned him three awards in the United States and Canada for Best Instrumental album and Artist of the Year.  Arvel will also feature a new song entitled ‘Leave No Trace,’ another composition that expresses his deeply felt connection to the land.

Recently, Arvel was selected as an artist-in-residence to produce for the 20th Anniversary of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in Southern Utah, five original musical works based on his three week residency in the 1.9 million acres of mostly undisturbed land.  The project included a writer from Brooklyn and a family of photographers from North Carolina.  Arvel will be talking about and performing some of these magnificent new pieces from this experience.  The DVD created from the works of these three artists will be on sale at the National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah.

Although once based in Nashville, TN, he now calls Cottonwood, AZ, home and still connects with audiences the old-fashioned way…live. Arvel explained “This concert will be The Animal Totem concert, pulling music of Animals from my 3 Animal Totem CDs in genres from Native American inspired to Contemporary to World music.  Welcome to my journey into the Lower Kingdom of the Animal Spirit Helpers. I will be your Tour Guide. Join me for an evening of music, stories, and Animal Wisdom.”

This is where Arvel’s emotionally driven performance thrives, igniting concert venues, symphony halls, festivals and more, leaving his audiences inspired, transfixed and transformed. In a recent interview Arvel remarked, “If I had to pick one venue to call ‘home’, it would be OTCA.  I love the energy that Christie, Bill and Elena bring to each show and can’t wait to get back.”

Don’t miss this intimate, inspirational and enjoyable evening with Arvel Bird.

Tickets for Arvel Bird are $20 in advance and $22 at the door, $25 Priority seating in the first 3 rows. Tickets are available online at www.showtix4u.com in Cottonwood at Desert Dancer; and in Sedona at The Sedona Film Fest Box Office. Old Town Center for the Arts is located at 5th Street & Main in Old Town Cottonwood.  For more information visit www.oldtowncenter.org.