EVENT: Concert of contemporary Native rock by Tonemah

Native American singer-songwriter Tonemah, whose music shows influences from folk to rock, will perform at the University of Rochester during Native American Heritage Month. His concert, which will include storytelling and improvisational dance performances to his songs by two University students, sophomore Isis del Orbe and junior Jessie Sepulveda, will be at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Strong Auditorium on the River Campus.

A nominee for three Native American Music Awards including Best Male Artist, Tonemah has combined the sounds of rock, folk, country, and blues to create a musical niche he calls "Native Americana." Known for his energy, emotion, and spontaneity on stage, he has performed with groups such as Hootie and the Blowfish, Foreigner, and Credence, and played during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

Tonemah has recorded four CDs since 1992: Can You Hear Me, The Ghosts of St. Augustine, Journal of My Misperception, and his most recent, A Time Like Now. The musician also appeared in the movies DMZ and The Last of the Mohicans.

Tonemah, who has a doctoral degree in counseling psychology, also will give a free wellness workshop on topics such as healthy relationships, communication, goal setting, and empowerment for students and the community earlier on the day of the concert, at 2 p.m. in the Gamble Room of Rush Rhees Library on the River Campus.

A Kiowa/Comanche/Tuscarora Native, Tonemah was born in Niagara Falls. His appearance at the University is sponsored by Outside Speakers Committee, the College Diversity Roundtable, the Office of Minority Student Affairs, and Wilson Commons Student Activities.