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Stinkbug Bugaloo
"Stinkbug Bugaloo" is a one-person variety show co-created with
the audience in celebration of bugs. The program entertains all ages with
a mix of songs and folktales led by Maichack, and includes audience-participants
in gorgeous headdresses, acting out a funny Anansi story. See dangerous
yams-yes, yams!-chase Mr. Tiger. There's a really funny stinkbug/insect
imitation dance by kids, "Stinkbug, stinkbug, stinkbug bugaloo, the
dance named for an insect that makes you say, 'P.U.'" a terrific
bee, flea, fly poem called "Combinations," by Mary Ann Hoberman,
even silly bug jokes. Listeners young to old have been entranced by the
Greek myth of the world's first spider, Arachne.
Click here for media kit
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Meowls & Growls
"Meowls & Growls" is really a one-person variety show co-created
by the audience in celebration of animals. The program entertains all
ages with a mix of songs and folktales led by Maichack. In "Ticky-Picky
Buzz Buzz," audience-participants in masks play dangerous yams who
chase Mr. Tiger. In "The Most Precious Possession," an Italian
folktale told with mandolin, a merchant's feline gift to a king brings
him royal riches. You'll be invited to waltz with imaginary bears, and
sing along to songs of animals. Hear the "Fox and the Crow"
with participatory song refrain. It is designed to be lots of fun for
all ages adult and is about an hour long.
Click here for media kit
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Classical Tales Brought to Life
It's always surprising to see these ancient stories engage even very young
listeners. Then again, there's nothing like a three-headed dog, a trip
to the underworld or golden apples from Aphrodite to interest any listener
of any age! Includes: Aesop's Fables ("The Tortoise and the Hare," "The
Boy Who Cried Wolf" in first person); "Atalanta" (Raised by bears, this
girl outran all.); Phaeton, driver of his father's sun car; "Orpheus &
Eurydice." This program is all storytelling, adjusted for the age groups.
Perfect tie-in for Ancient Civilizations curriculum frameworks.
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Medieval Life in Song & Story
Perfect for grades studying this period of history, everyone of any
age will enjoy this lively intro and celebration of the Middle Ages. Dressed
as a minstrel, Mary Jo appears as if at a medieval banquet. You're the
guests as she presents poems, stories and music authentic to and representative
of the time. Includes, in part: "Sir Eglamore," song of a valiant knight
and 600 year old song; "The Keeper," with singable choruses for participation.
Medieval tales "Burd Ellen," "The Swan Maiden," and Munsch's beloved and
hilarious "The Paper Bag Princess," (instantly acted in costume by students),
revels dance with students, music on recorder, guitar, violin and voice.
Medieval bobble puppet tells one short tale from the wisdom of Chelm.
They'll love it! So will adults. You'll also learn about this colorful
period and be inspired to learn more.
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Stories to Illuminate the Cosmos
Multicultural Myths to Illuminate the Cosmos are viewed through different,
ancient cultural lenses. Japan's sun goddess, "Amaterasu-Omikami" is told
with interwoven music sung and strummed. The Vietnamese tale of the sun,
The Tlingit (Native American) "Raven Brings Light" always bring laughs.
A Wise Man of Chelm (medieval bobble puppet) decides which is greater,
the Sun or Moon, the Greek myth of Phaeton, the boy who had to drive his
father's sun car -- so many stories and songs of light! A version of this
show also works well for Winter Holiday celebrations.
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Stories & Songs of Girls and Women
By recognizing archetypes and stereotypes of women we learn how old ideas
permeate our own current ideas and expectations. These stories provide
entertainment and food for thought. Some stories: "Little Daughter" (African-American
version of Little Red in which she saves herself); "Amaterasu-Omikami,"
Japanese sun goddess; "Atalanta," Greek myth of the girl who was left
to die because she was a girl, then went on to outrun all the boys; "Swan
Maiden," Russian folktale about the price of spreading one's wings; The
Paper Bag Princess -- but of course!; and "Sally Cato," a hilarious tall
tale.
"You had all of us spellbound --including those of us who are storytellers
ourselves!" -- Nancy Jordan, Director, Children's Services,
New Britain, CT, Library
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Folklore & Songs of the Sea
"How the Sea Became Salty," Swedish style, in a sorcerer's apprentice
motif; the "Unlucky Sailor" (paper folding surprise story with help from
audience puppeteers); Blow Ye Winds of Morning, chanteys, a hornpipe dance
and more make a rousing show. Do the pirate's cheer!
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Congenial Ghost Stories for All Audiences
These come in two versions, Pumpkin Fun for the very young, and Howlarious
Halloween for older listeners. Never in bad taste, but definitely full
of shivery fun, kids AND adults will share jittery laughs with these timeless
tales of trick-or-treaters, rude and dangerous pumpkins, even a stubborn
skeleton dancing to the fiddle. This is a terrific way to put folklore
and language arts into one of kids' favorite holidays. Book early!
"Your stories and songs were very entertaining, and just right for
the night! The night was a huge success and it was wonderful to have you
here. Your performance was clearly the highlight of the evening."
- Carol McCray Davies, Director of Education, Forest Park Zoo, Springfield,
Mass.
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Inspiring Children to Read
Inspiring young listeners to read, this show evolved into a 1999 NAPPA
(National Parenting Publications) Gold Award winning audio tape. Both
offer lively songs celebrating the library and the power of books, multicultural
stories that honor stories -- "Anansi Gets Sky God's Stories," "The Tailor,"
VanLaan's The Big Fat Worm, and the bend-in-half-laughing instant
story theater version of Munsch's Paper Bag Princess. You will
love and be amazed by the warm variety of this show and its many ways
of getting kids happily to interact! Perfect for preschoolers through
grade 3, but older will love it, too.
"Your songs and stories truly celebrated the power of literacy. The
children were eager to participate and they loved being actively involved
in your show. The combination of storytelling, singing, and music provided
a fantastic mix that kept the audience completely engaged....You made
our family night an overwhelming success."
-- Bridgewater Mass. Elem. School Reading Teachers
Order the Tape!
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Stories and Songs to Celebrate Diversity
This show is a mix of stories from many cultures, interspersed with music
sung, strummed and fiddled. One story is enacted by audience children
in instant theater style. As with most shows, this one's packed with participation,
variety, and a rootin' tootin' good time. For young listeners, Timbertoes,
the limberjack dog, (operated by two children) brings the show to a rousing
finish as he dances to the fiddle.
"Your command of your material and your obvious love of what you do
had a wonderful effect on our audience. I do hope we can have you again
in the future."
-- Sharrie Alechman, Wilton, CT Library
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Stories of the African American Experience
Book early for January's celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King and February's
Black History. This show is very popular. The message? Share, be fair,
and enjoy this wonderful culture's songs and stories. Features "The People
Could Fly," an empowering tale of slaves who find wings; "Little Daughter,"
who sings her way out of the wolf's woods; "The Talkin' Cooter," riddle
tale of freedom told with fiddling turtle; "Mm, Mm, Mm, Martin Luther
King", storypoem of the man's life by C. Blake-Alston. Children act out
"Rabbit & Elephant" in mask and with African rhythm instruments. Also,
spirituals and a dance from the Gullah-speaking Sea Islands. Takes listeners
from the struggle to the soaring spirit. Even wise old 6th graders have
risen, cheering, in response.
"Students K-8 loved it."
- Sr. Corinne, Principal, Mater Dolorosa, Holyoke, MA
"Highly recommended"
- Leon McKinley, Principal, Mayberry E.S., East Hartford, CT.
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Tales & Tunes of the American Frontier
Grease the axles; Darlin', and hang the milk bucket. From tall tale Sally
Cato to pioneer dance to tales of the trail, this show turns you into
a Conestoga traveler. You will learn about the settling of the West, sing
along with miners and '49ers, hear of rivers and Native Americans. I won't
forget the fiddle. Yep, they was tough and terrible times, but this show
is near nothin' but fun.
"Your show was lively fun, and entertaining -- what a nice musical
voice!"
-- Elaine Crane, Wilbraham Public Library
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Stories from Peoples Across North America
Stories are culled from different areas of North America and include selections
from the following: "Strawberries," Cherokee; "Turtle Talks Too Much,"
"Chestnut Pudding," Iroquois; "Raven Brings Light," Tlingit; "The Girl
Who Was Sick" (drawn in story knife style), Napaskiak; and more. While
this show is predominantly storytelling, listeners in smaller groups learn
an authentic dance and songs.
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Tales and Tunes to Honor Nature
Perfect for Earth Day or anytime you want to teach respect for the environment,
also multicultural, this program offers the Japanese story of Kikosaburo
and how a walk through his boyhood forest changes his heart. "The White
Deer of Onota Lake," a Berkshires, Mass. tale from the fur trapping days;
a tale of the sun and pollution from Vietnam, "Rat-a-Tat-Tat, Blackbird's
Drum," an Asian Indian folktale in which a king learns never to underestimate
the small. Songs exhort kind treatment of our earth and are catchy and
fun.
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