Our Native American Dance program is our signature program, which showcases local indigenous dancers, drummers, and singers who share their traditional stories and songs with the community in the Center’s outdoor plaza and dancing circle. For over 25 years, we have presented this nightly program throughout the Summer, June - August, where the traditional dances and songs have been passed down through four generations of performers. Audience members are encouraged to participate with the performers in the Circle Dance and engage directly with the dancers after each performance.

The Native American Dances are an hour-long performance that happen five nights per week for an 8-12 week period.

Over 2,000 audience members of all ages attended 60 performances in 2023 and we expect more this year due to increased marketing and promotion with our networks.

38 Ute and Dinè singers, dancers, drummers, and storytellers from four generations ranging from 3 to 78 years old, performed with one another and their audiences.

The Native American Dance program is free to the audience, but the performers are paid an honorarium for each and every performance through grant funding.

The Cultural Center is most known for our Native American Dances and visitors to the area make it a point to attend. As the tourism Director for Montezuma County once said, “Visitors to our area usually come for Mesa Verde National Park and/or Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Then they go to the Native American Dances at the Cultural Center.” Then they come into the Cultural Center and get to meet our Cultural Specialist, get information, and view our exhibits.