With spring snow not yet melted at the High Country Guest Ranch, Darren Thompson tries out the stage of the outdoor amphitheater where he is set to open for Brulé in 12 admission-free concerts in July. Photo by Talli Nauman

Indian flute player keeps busy summer schedule
Darren Thompson uses talent for ‘reconciliation of the cultures
By Talli Nauman
Native Sun News
Health & Environment Editor
www.nsweekly.com

RAPID CITY –– When Darren Thompson pulls off his apron and clocks out from his coffee shop job, he dawns his wool vest and heads for the hills with his case of musical instruments. Like performers the world over, his employment as a barista ends when the stage appearances begin.

Thompson’s winter time service behind the counter draws to a close shortly after April 2, the date his spring-summer engagement schedule kicks in with a half hour of his Native American flute tunes welcoming visitors to Rapid City’s free premiere of the local indie film “Crying Earth Rise Up” at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of the Dahl Arts Center.

With 180 shows booked for the season, Thompson, an Ojibway-Tohono O'odham transplant to the Black Hills, expects to demonstrate the once nearly lost art of the wooden flute to at least a million people between now and October.

Only a little daunted by the sheer weight of commitments that he has accumulated without even so much as an assistant, Thompson says he is excited about the increasing popularity of his presentations.

Read the rest of the story on the all new Native Sun News website: Indian flute player keeps busy summer schedule

(Contact Talli Nauman at talli.nauman@gmail.com)

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