I had a wonderful time at the Pontotoc Farmers' Market Saturday, July 11. Exhibits included information about the Lewis and Clark Trail, and a representative from the Chickasaw Nation. There were also the usual delicious fresh vegetables, and me singing and playing, with the help of several audience members. These two little girls picked up the rhythm right away, and seemed to really enjoy having someone take their picture!

Here's my schedule for the rest of the summer and on into fall.  Hope to see you at one or more of these events!
July 2 - Ms. Humanities Council's Hispanic Reading Program - Tupelo, MS
July 9 -Family Reading Program
July 11 - Pontotoc, MS  Farmers' Market for National Park Service Special Program 9-11:30 with myself on guitar and harp, Janis Tutor on fiddle
July 16 - Family Reading Program
July 19 - Harp -  First U. Methodist, Pontotoc, MS - 11:00 service
July 23 - Family Reading Program
Aug. 30 -Harp - First Presbyterian, Pontotoc, MS  - 11:00 service
Sept. 18 - Harp - Bodock Artist Meet and Greet - details  to be announced - Pontotoc, MS
Oct. 14 - Stories and Songs for students; Teacher Workshop - Thomas St. Elementary, Tupelo, MS

  A large crowd enjoys the stories at the New Albany Library. I love to have children (and sometimes adults!) take part in the stories, by acting out scenes, providing sound effects, and playing percussion instruments when we sing songs. The stories truly come alive when you take part!

   I always enjoy the Summer Reading Program in libraries throughout the State.  For this year's theme "Every Hero Has a Story" I chose 2 stories of reconciliation, where the hero/heroine solves problems using his or her wits, compassion, and kindness.  True heroes!

      Recently performed at the Myrtle, MS library for the summer reading program "Every Hero Has a Story." Wonderful group of children and parents!

Summer 2015 Schedule:

May 3 - Harp performance at Historic Lochinvar, Pontotoc MS

May 21 - History of the Harp, Stories & Music - Music Study Club, Pontotoc, MS

June 11 - 12:00 - Myrtle Public Library, Children's Summer Program "Heroes and Heroines"

June 11 - 2:00 - Union Co. Library, New Albany - "Heroes & Heroines"

June & July - Luciernagas Hispanic Family Reading Program - 7 sessions - Tupelo

Fall schedule will be posted soon!

Fall is my favorite time of year, and I'm looking forward to a number of performances . Here is my Fall, 2014 Schedule:


Oct. 11 -  Private - wedding - Oxford, MS
Oct. 21 - The History of the Harp with stories and music - Civitan Club -
                Pontotoc, MS
Nov. 11 - Private -  program at historic Lochinvar
Dec. 28 - First United Methodist Church, Pontotoc, MS; 11:00


There are a number of storytelling and music performances pending for this winter. Will update this when plans are finalized.

   I love to share the stage whenever possible. While children are usually eager to try their hand at acting or playing percussion instruments, it sometimes takes a little more persuasion to get adults to participate.  In the picture at right, I had excellent help with a song.  As I played keyboard, I had Lilian leading the audience in acting out the wild rumpus in Where the Wild Things Are while Clara played sax!








And here, (at right)  David Morgan of the Ms. Humanities Council adds his mean harmonica playing to a song as Lilian helps with the singing!

I sometimes tell people that I don't really tell a story, so much as direct a story. I have a big collection of hats, props, masks, and instruments that get audience members involved in becoming part of the story. At right, kids become the "wild things" in Where the Wild Things Are.

I love when everyone in the audience starts to feel a part of the action. In the picture at right, kids and adults take part in a "wild rumpus" as part of the story Where the Wild Things Are.

Telling a story is always well and good, but having children participate in the story makes it come alive for them. I love to let kids act out different parts and provide sound effects. I also bring in a song or two that go with the story, and audience members, both children and adults, are invited up to play some of my homemade percussion instruments. In the picture at the right, I had a couple of impromptu dancers as well!

We had a special treat during my program in Columbus last week. One of the parents offered to show us how to make tortillas. Check out the picture at the right - she had LOTS of help from the children, and they turned out delicious! This went well with the story I told called Magda's Tortillas.

Had a great time last week in Columbus! Told a story about a little girl learning to make tortillas (see the character played by an audience member, at right!)

Summer 2014 Schedule

It is going to be a busy and enjoyable summer!
June 4 - Pontotoc Co. Library 10:00 Summer Reading Program
June 5 - Avonlea - Tupelo - Harp and violin program
June 11 - Pontotoc Hospital Nursing Home  - Harp and violin program
July 24 - Ms. Humanities Council  Program - Columbus
July 26 - 8:30 - 10 AM - Children's Day - Pontotoc Farmers' Market
July 31 -  Ms. Humanities Council  Program - Columbus
Aug. 2 -  Ms. Humanities Council  Program - Columbus
Aug. 14 - Ms. Humanities Council Program - Columbus
Aug. 21 -  Ms. Humanities Council Program - Columbus
Au. 28 -  Ms. Humanities Council Program - Columbus

Pioneer Days at the Kidzeum - Grenada, Ms

 

 

              I was delighted to be part of the week long pioneer days project at Grenada Lower Elementary. Earlier in the week, students had packed a covered wagon and planned their trip. (Yes, a full-sized wagon was right in the middle of the Kidzeum!!)  I played the part of the pioneer woman they met on the trail. The stories were all true, coming from my family's history. I met with three groups, for a total of around 450 children!

              I also played the part of a Native American woman, playing the Native flute and telling traditional Native American folktales.

          Audience members always love becoming part of the story.

                  
                   Grenada Lower Elementary is K - grade 2 and these kids were great actors!
               

 

Audience members help me with a song.

Family Reading Bonds -Aberdeen

 

 

                     Children get involved in the song by playing homemade   
                                          percussion instruments.

 

                       Audience members at Family Reading Bonds program

 

            The discussion leader keeps everyone's interest with his funny
                                                      stories!

 

              Door prizes are handed out each week at Family Reading Bonds

                Stories and songs come alive when children can take part. These audience members become my back-up band in Aberdeen at the third Family Reading Bonds program.

             Chuck leads the discussion in the Family Reading Bonds  program- there is more to a story than just reading it. Each week has a theme, which is talked about after the stories are told.

            Great attendance in Aberdeen for Family Reading Bonds #3.

 

               Another song accompanied by my styrofoam ice chest (homemade) guitar and handmade percussion instruments. Kids learn that you can have so much fun for so little money!!!

 

Family Reading Bonds - Aberdeen - Wk. 2

 

 

                       June plays the Mbira (thumb piano) an African instrument, to set the mood for two African folktales: Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock and Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters.

           Anansi the spider and his friend Lion played by two audience members. I love to get kids involved in the story, rather than just listening!

            Little Bush Deer, played by another audience member, gets ready to teach Anansi a much-needed lesson.

Family Reading Bonds - Aberdeen, MS

 

                          Chuck shows the audience what greed looks like

                             25 children and 21 adults - great turnout!!

                       Audience members become the backup band !

  First session of Family Reading Bonds in Aberdeen - we had 25 children with 18 families represented. These programs are designed to encourage reading in the home, increase reading fluency, and show families how to use literature as a tool for both learning and family bonding.  Special thanks to the Mississippi Humanities Council for sponsoring these programs statewide!