photo by @herrhanz

The Good Medicine Indigenous Music Festival

November 15, 2025 6:00 PM

November 15, 2025 11:00 PM

Trinity Episcopal - 1015 Holman St.

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The Good Medicine Indigenous Music Festival
Nameless Sound co-presents day 2 of the event.

Free of charge - Donations Greatly Appreciated

Curated by Houston composer/musician Aryn Ward (Mvskoke), The Good Medicine Indigenous Music Festival is the first event of its kind to be held in Houston. The festival brings together important Native American musical voices from around the US, creating a platform where classical, traditional, and experimental indigenous music can share space with community storytelling, connection, and celebration.

The festival will feature acclaimed Indigenous artists, including Raven Chacon (Diné), Laura Ortman (White Mountain Apache), Dr. Jaqueline Wilson (Yakama), Dr. Kirsten Kunkle (Mvskoke), Mark Billy (Choctaw), Keigan Ryan (Cherokee), and Aryn Ward (Mvskoke), performing works written by Jerod Tate (Chickasaw), Joy Zickau (Seminole), Connor Chee (Diné), Kunkle, Wilson, Ward, Ryan, Chacon, Ortman, and others.

Composer/artist Raven Chacon (New Mexico/New York), the first Native American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music, will perform a 30-minute solo improvisation for electronics. Violinist/composer Laura Ortman (New York) will present a 30-minute solo set for amplified classical violin and Apache violin. Composer/bassoonist Dr. Jacqueline Wilson (Washington) will perform Everglades by Joy Zickau (Seminole). Baritone Mark Billy (Minnesota) and cellist/composer Kiegan Ryan (Oklahoma) will perform Coyotes by Connor Chee (Diné). Soprano Dr. Kirsten Kunkle (Ohio) will share her original work Witch of November in the White City and join Billy and Ryan in excerpts from Jerod Tate’s (Chickasaw) opera Loksi Shaali (Shell Shaker) and Kunkle’s Hotgun on the Death of Yadeka Harjo. Kunkle and Ryan will also collaborate on Tate’s Hózhó (Navajo Strong). Composer/multi-instrumentalist Aryn Ward (Houston) will present selections from her Mvskoke Months Suite and a Yuchi opening song

Event Instructions (click to expand)

The following are guidelines, recommendations, and directions for this event.

‍Cameras, recording equipment, and cell phones are strictly prohibited at the Hill.

‍The performance will begin at 3pm. We will check-in all guests at Ranch Road 2317 (directions below) from 2pm-2:30 pm. Check-in is mandatory and will close at 2:30pm.

Please be on time, as we won't be able to admit anyone once we close the check-in. You can park on the side of the road. After you check in, shuttles will be available to take you to the Hill from 2pm-2:30pm. You are also welcome to walk to the Hill from this point, which is approximately two miles away. If walking, please allow time to get to the site by 3pm.

We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Sunblock is advised (a hat might be a good idea too). We will have drinking water and light snacks available, but recommend that you bring a thermos with water. Portable toilets will be on site.

The Hill is technically in the Central Time Zone and El Paso is in the Mountain Time Zone, which is one hour behind major Texas cities to the East (Houston, Austin, Dallas). For the sake of clarity, we are listing the event in Mountain Time (the time in El Paso).Although phone service is unreliable, you can call 409-497-5018 on the day of the event for further directions. Because of unreliable service, we can't guarantee that we will receive your call.

‍Directions: Here is Google Maps link for Cornudas, Texas: https://goo.gl/maps/eopSAhqzCAZy5V8A9

‍To get to the Hill from El Paso:Travel East on Highway 180. The turn-off for The Hill is Ranch Road 2317 off of Highway 180. This turn-off is 26 miles past the U.S. border checkpoint. (They have dogs that sniff for bodies and substances.) The exit is on the right. We will have a small sign posted.If you pass May's Cafe/Cornudas on the left on 180, you've gone too far. Parking will be below the site, along the left side of Ranch Road 2317.

For questions please contact Nameless Sound by email at administration@namelesssound.org or by phone at 713-928-5653.

If calling on the day of (or the day before) the event, please call 409-497-5018.See you soon! Nameless Sound & The Cornudas Mountain Foundation.