August 24, 2024 - August 25, 2024

FIVE MOONS DANCE FESTIVAL

This Year’s Event Highlights the Legacy of Yvonne Chouteau (Shawnee)

The weekend of August 24-25, the University of Oklahoma School of Dance will host its third dance festival honoring the renowned Native American ballerinas from Oklahoma, known as the Five Moons. Events will be held at the University of Oklahoma Norman campus and First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. This year’s festival, presented in partnership with the Shawnee Tribe, will highlight OU School of Dance founder Yvonne Chouteau and celebrate her artistic legacy and Shawnee heritage. (Jump to event schedule)

The five ballerinas—Yvonne Chouteau (Shawnee), Rosella Hightower (Choctaw), Moscelyne Larkin (Eastern Shawnee/Peoria), Maria Tallchief (Osage) and Marjorie Tallchief (Osage)—each led trailblazing careers in the dance world during the 20th century.

The schedule boasts a full line-up of educational, cultural, and social events on Saturday, August 24, in Norman and Oklahoma City, including an art market, panel discussions, and stomp dance. The festival will culminate in a special dance performance on Sunday, August 25, in the Reynolds Performing Arts Center at the University of Oklahoma.

The Sunday matinee program features performing groups such as American Ballet Theatre, Oklahoma City Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, and students from the OU School of Dance. Elisa Harkins (Cherokee/Muscogee) is this year’s featured artist and composer, performing an excerpt from her celebrated evening-length work Radio III.

Events on Saturday, August 24, are free and open to the public. Tickets for the performance on Sunday, August 25, will go on sale Monday, July 8, through the OU Fine Arts Box Office.

The Shawnee Tribe will offer charter bus travel on both days of the festival, with departures from Miami and Tulsa. Overnight lodging in Norman, OK, is also available. All accommodations are first come, first served. Complete details and registration info are available here.

View the full festival schedule below (tap/click to open in new tab). Contact: fivemoons@shawnee-tribe.com.

Back

More Events

August 11, 2025

LUNCH & LEARN: IMPROVING COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Communication is the foundation of healthy relationships. Learn how to express yourself clearly, listen actively, and navigate conversations effectively to strengthen personal and professional relationships. This meeting is part of Lunch & Learn Mondays from Shawnee Tribe Behavioral Health, which aims to create a supportive and engaging Zoom community dedicated to learning about mental health, psychology, and […]

Learn More
July 28, 2025

LUNCH & LEARN: UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING FEAR

Fear can hold us back but understanding it can empower us. This class will explore the roots of fear and provide techniques to manage it so you can move forward with confidence and courage. This meeting is part of Lunch & Learn Mondays from Shawnee Tribe Behavioral Health, which aims to create a supportive and engaging Zoom […]

Learn More
July 14, 2025

LUNCH & LEARN: SETTING AND ACHIEVING GOALS

Effective goal setting is essential for personal and professional growth. This session will provide a structured approach to defining clear, attainable objectives, overcoming obstacles, and maintaining motivation. Learn practical strategies to turn aspirations into actionable steps and achieve lasting success. This meeting is part of Lunch & Learn Mondays from Shawnee Tribe Behavioral Health, which aims to […]

Learn More
See All Events