Michael Searching Bear, a local Native American flute player, doesn’t let his rare artform stop him from making music.

“I want to show how different world cultures can fit together,” he said. Searching Bear has been a musician since he was six years old.

“I started with drums and moved on to guitar and bass,” he said. “By the time I was 13, I got my first paying gig.”

His two CDs -ÿVoice from Within and Unearthed were recently nominated for album of the year by the 2006 Just Plain Folks Music Awards and in 6 categories in the 2006 Native American Music Awards.

Searching Bear realized that even with his accolades, there wasn’t much interest in his art form in the past and turned to teaching his craft and selling his flutes through his Web site, http://www.searchingbearflutes.com.

“I noticed recently I was selling more flutes and, along with booking more lessons locally, I decided to perform again,” Searching Bear said.

Searching Bear will perform at 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Kent Stage. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

“I’ll be performing with my full band as well as dancers,” Searching Bear said. “This isn’t a concert, it’s a performance.”

Guest dancers Mary Vaccani and Lora Eves, both Kent State alumnae, will be a part of the performance on Friday.

“They’ll be here only for this show and will add to the performance,” Searching Bear said. He said tickets are $18 at the door and $15 pre-sale for the performance, which will he hopes will be recorded for a CD/DVD release, he said.

After the performance on Friday, Searching Bear has only a few more performances before he takes a break for the year.

“I try to slow down at the end of the year, with only two more shows in November,” he said. “I don’t plan on doing anything until the start of the year.

“I’ll be writing new material, selling flutes and teaching in other areas.”

Searching Bear said he’ll continue to perform and spread the customs and art of his culture through his performances and lessons – after a little break.

Contact off-campus entertainment reporter Zach Wilson at [email protected].