Themed Programs
Themed Programs
Stories and Poems
The following programs are just a few of many possibilities. I am very flexible and can tailor a program around particular interests. There is a wealth of my material I can draw on to fashion a program based on a different theme than the ones listed below.
To contact me about any of these programs
send an email to:
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Crisscrossing America
Stories and poems from nearly
four decades of traveling
A program sharing experiences from the old-hitchhiking days beginning in 1971 through various cross-country poetic journeys: US 20 (the longest US Highway) from Boston to Newport, OR; US 2 from Houlton, ME to Everett, WA; 30 days along the Mississippi River from MN to LA; Niagara Falls to El Paso on US 62; and many “little journeys” in-between.
I'll share these road experiences through stories, poetry and haiku.
An open reading of “travel” poems or stories could follow the featured reading if the host desires. This would give local writers a chance to share a short bit of their own work.
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Bird Stories, Bird Poems
They are everywhere in our presence: in cities, throughout woods, over fields, along shorelines. They appear in our dreams, in our myths, in our symbology.
This program will focus solely on birds. Poems I've written that they appear in, stories of personal experiences with them. Raven, crow, kinglet, chickadee, cedar waxwing, snowy owl, bald eagle. First-hand encounters and shadowy dark presences seeming to say something in a language I sometimes feel like I understand, but then again, maybe not.
Anyone who has an interest in birds, whether as an avid birder, a casual observer or someone who just enjoys the fact that they are part of our existence, will find something to relate with in this presentation.
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Father and Son
Songs, Poems, Stories
Next performace
November 18 - Canastota Public Library, 7 PM.
Some comments from the Premier performance of "Father and Son."
"An excellent idea for a program. The pieces are all members of the final product, but the father-son relationship is the greater strength. A true example of how the whole can be more than the sum of its parts."
"I enjoyed the "father/son" idea a lot. It was very moving."
"Nice job with the premier performance. I'd love to hear more of this."
In 1970 Cat Stevens released a song on his “Tea for the Tillerman” album called “Father and Son.” As a young adult, still living at home and having difficulties relating with my father, the song became a very meaningful one for me.
Now my oldest son, Grayson, is nearing the age I was when “Father and Son” was making an impression on me. We have a much different relationship than the one
I had with my father. However, the words from
the song,
“But it's them they know, not me”
will always ring true, no matter how close a
relationship is.
I absorbed words and music back in my younger days but never played an instrument or sang. Grayson does both: plays guitar, sings and writes his own songs. I write poetry and tell stories and have made that the main focus of my life, along with small press publishing. Music is becoming a big part of Grayson's life. Whether it becomes a main focus is yet to be seen.
With his growing passion for music and my eternal passion for poetry and stories, it seems good timing to consider performing together. Grayson has played open mics but has never been a featured performer. His list of songs, originals and covers, is expanding and he's ready to take the music experience a little further down the road.
The two of us have traveled cross-country together twice, Grayson accompanying me to poetry readings I was giving. Now we both feel the desire to go on the road as TWO artists: a singer/songwriter and a poet/storyteller. A Father and Son experience so much different than the experience Cat Stevens' song relates.
What we present is a multi-generational, multi-artistic program. A late teens musician, a late 50s poet and storyteller. A fresh face going out into the performing world for the first time and a weathered face that's been down this road many times before.
A typical program consists of two sets. The first set has both of us on stage at the same time, weaving together music, stories, poems and experiences that play off the theme of Father and Son. Original and cover material will be performed that connects with the theme.
After a short break, Grayson performs solo, playing only original material, followed by a short poetry reading by me. We then close the program with a final piece performed by both of us.
The program could also be performed with just the first set, which would be approximately 45 minutes long.
This program should appeal to a wide audience, both adult and youth. With music, storytelling and poetry being part of the presentation, it should have a broad appeal. Also important is the multi-generational aspect of the program. Whenever we can draw a mixed-generation audience to a performance it has to be viewed as a positive thing. The chasm that Cat Stevens so well related in his song doesn't need to exist by default. By drawing together the generations we are taking a step toward bridging the chasm, taking a step toward “knowing” more than just the “them” of Cat Stevens' song, taking a step toward. . .
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Granite Cliffs,
Crashing Waves
Three weeks along the coast of Maine, from Kittery to Calais
This program consists of Photographs, Haiku and Stories
relating a three-week journey along the coast of Maine
from June 10 - June 30, 2008.
Projected photos taken during the journey will be the backdrop to a program of haiku interspersed with creative non-fiction stories from the journey itself. Cities and towns, shore and woods, history and spontaneity, poetry readings and quiet reflection - all of this and more will be presented in a visual/oral program that will be entertaining and inspiring. Suitable for literary and travel oriented venues.
Some Comments About the Program
“Enjoyed poetry with visuals of nature.”
“Loved your spirit.”
“Beautiful, don’t change a thing!”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you. Next time, more folks, same program.”
"Thank you for your enchanting presentation in Big Flats last evening, with pictures and words so beautifully supporting and enhancing each other."
"I thoroughly enjoyed your reading tonight! I especially loved some of the haiku. In one, you spoke of the "far east" which I thought was rich because you were far east in this country but were alluding to the Far East."
"Made one feel like they were on the trip with you."
"Thank you so much for your inspirational presentation - it is good to be reminded that life is an adventure, a journey, and we are in the driver's seat."
