Hosted by Youth Mentorship Gourd Dance Organization (YMGD)
Join the Youth Mentorship Gourd Dance Organization (YMGD) for the 3rd Annual New Year’s Eve “Cheers to Sobriety” Gourd Dance & Round Dance on Thursday, December 31, 2026, at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico!
All Gourd Dancers, Singers, Royalties, & Spectators are invited to come a celebrate the New Year!
EVENT DETAILS
Event: 3rd Annual New Year’s Eve “Cheers to Sobriety” Gourd Dance & Round Dance
Host Organization: Youth Mentorship Gourd Dance Organization (YMGD)
Date: Thursday, December 31, 2026
Location: Albuquerque Convention Center
Street Address: 401 2nd Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Admission: Free to the public
Parking: $5 parking
Contact Phone: 505-410-8475
Event Theme: Celebrating the New Year through culture, community, and sobriety.
Proper Protocols: Long-sleeve shirt, Dress pants, Moccasins or dress shoes, No hats (except an otter turban)
BRING YOUR OWN CHAIRS!
EVENT SCHEDULE
Gourd Dance — 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Dinner/Break Period — 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Evening Gourd Dance — 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Round Dance — 10:00 PM; The round dance begins at 10:00 PM and will feature the theme “Sing, Swing, & Sway N2 ‘2027.’” All Hand drum singers are invited to participate.
HEAD STAFF
Head Youth Singer: Mati Xokoyotsin Padilla Saiz: Nahua & Purepecha, Los Lunas, New Mexico, 13 years old, 9th grade, Mentor: Leroy Saiz (father)
Head Gourd Dancer: Mr. Griffith Smith: Diné, Vanderwagen, New Mexico, Kiowa Tia-Piah Society member
Emcee: Mr. Rick Gray Sr.: Diné/Kayenta, Arizona; U.S. Navy Desert Storm veteran; Vice-President of the Western Intertribal Gourd Society
Arena Director: Mr. Kayden Daviish: Diné/Farmington, New Mexico, Cheyenne Bowstring Society
Honored Veteran: Mr. Earl Neconie: Kiowa/Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, 12 years, Kiowa Gourd Clan, Kiowa Black Leggins Warrior Society
Host Drum: Mati Padilla Saiz/Shield Chief
Water Carriers:
Keeshawn Les Norton: Diné/Kayenta, Arizona, 8 years old, 2nd grade
Joseph Jooba Harry: Diné/Nageezi, New Mexico; 11 years old; 5th grade
LOCATION:
Albuquerque Convention Center
401 2nd Street NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
The Youth Mentorship Gourd Dance Organization welcomes:
- All gourd dancers
- Singers and hand drum singers
- Tribal and community royalty
- Veterans
- Families and community members
- Visitors and spectators
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For additional event information, please contact the Youth Mentorship Gourd Dance Organization at: Phone: 505-410-8475
Pow Wow Information
Date: December 31, 2026 -
Location: Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM , 87102
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