Lorrie Church, powwow part of American Indian Month festivities in Onamia

ONAMIA -- The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will celebrate American Indian Month in May with performances by the American Indian Dance Theatre and American Indian country star Lorrie Church, as well as a powwow and American Indian arts and crafts show.

Church will perform at dinner theater concert May 14 at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the performance at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are on sale now.

Church has won several Canadian country music awards. She grew up on the Sweetgrass First Nation Indian Reservation in Saskatchewan. She began singing at an early age and formed her own band in high school. She has been named entertainer of the year, female vocalist of the year, and most promising entertainer of the year by the Saskatchewan Country Music Association and has recorded regularly in Nashville.

Grand Casino Mille Lacs, in conjunction with Am Vets Post 53, will host the sixth annual American Indian Powwow on May 4 at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs Events & Convention Center. Guests will experience an authentic powwow, among the most traditional and meaningful American Indian celebrations. Hundreds of dancers are scheduled to participate. Admission is free. Grand entries will begin at noon and 4 p.m.

Also May 4, American Indian goods and wares will be on display and for sale at the sixth annual American Indian Arts and Crafts Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grand Casino Mille Lacs Events & Convention Center. Admission is free.

The American Indian Dance Theatre will perform 8 p.m. May 9 at Grand Casino Hinckley. In honor of American Indian Month, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is offering tickets to the public for the American Indian Dance Theatre for $10, which includes an appetizer party before the show. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. April 5.

The American Indian Dance Theatre, a group of Indian dancers, singers and drummers that was formed in 1987, performs authentic tribal dances combined in a colorful and theatrical setting. All of the dances performed are traditional and authentic. They represent several tribal cultures. Among the performers are Ojibwe, Menominee, Navajo, Ute, Cree, Sioux, Nez Perce, Blackfoot and Zuni tribal members.

Tickets for Lorrie Church and the American Indian Dance Theatre can be purchased at the Grand Casino Hinckley or Grand Casino Mille Lacs box offices, calling Ticketmaster at (651) 989-5151, contacting any Ticketmaster outlet or visiting ticketmaster.com.