The music and dancing of Southern Arizona’s distinctive waila fashion shall be featured at a Saturday celebration at Why location of Desert Diamond On line casino on Saturday.

Waila is a Tohono O’odham social dance fashion and musical style derived from Spanish and German music and people sounds. Its sound is much like the polka and mazurka. 

Waila bands these days incorporate devices such because the alto saxophone, the accordion, the bass guitar, drums and the electrical guitar. The style is also referred to as “hen scratch.” It is likely one of the many sounds of the Sonoran Desert.

The free occasion will embrace meals and native arts and crafts distributors in addition to musical performances.

“That is the primary waila celebration to be hosted on the Why location close to Ajo,” in keeping with a Desert Diamond press launch. There was a waila occasion on the Sahuarita location earlier this yr.

The 4 bands that shall be featured on the occasion are American Indians, T.O. Natives, Native Creed and Carl & Buddies (Kwayila).

“We’re very proud to have fun the wealthy historical past of waila music with the group at our Why on line casino,” stated Treena Parvello, a PR consultant for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise.