showcase directorymolib.org/2014archive/conference/2011/mlaperformersshowcase.pdf · take-home...

Performers ShowcaSe

Directory

2011

M i S S o U r i L i B r A r y A S S o c i A t i o N

2 Missouri Library Assocation | 2011 Performers showcase

Abra-Kid-Abra314.608.6547 [email protected] www.abrakid.com

Abra-Kid-Abra teaches and performs magic and related entertainment—juggling, animal balloons, clowning, etc. We bring out the kid in each of us—from youngsters to adults. each year we write a new show based on that year’s summer reading theme that combines a theatrical stage set, comedy magic, lots of audience interaction, a take-home item, and a reading theme. our 2011 show was Around the World in 80 Books. our teen program is Tales from Beyond. We tell a series of eerie stories illustrated with actual artifacts from the Salem Witch trials, the titanic, and the Murder of Lizzy Borden. each vignette involves some weird and amazing things. this is a very memorable riveting program that your teens will talk about for a long time!

AgeS Summer Programs for ages 4-12 teen Programs for ages 12-18

DUrAtioN Summer 45 minutes and teens 1 hour

coSt $250 plus travel from St. Louis

Babaloo888.583.9514 [email protected] www.babaloomusicandfun.com

Babaloo is a highly interactive and energetic one-man musical comedy act for kids. With a guitar and a trailer full of props, Babaloo connects with kids from preschool through elementary with a full hour of wacky songs, interactive play and goofy gags guaranteed to fill your library with laughter. Parents have a good time, too!

• Member of Missouri Arts Council Touring Performers (Grants available to help fund shows).• First- and Second-Place Children’s Category winner, International Songwriting Competition (the largest songwriting contest in the world)• Named “Best Music for School-Aged Children” by Children’s Music Web Awards• Namd “Best Children’s Entertainer” by St. Louis Magazine’s “A-List” AgeS Pre-K and elementary

DUrAtioN 1 hour

coSt $300 plus travel

3Missouri Library Assocation | 2011 Performers showcase

The Black Rep314.534.3810 [email protected] www.theblackrep.org

the Black rep offers an exciting array of entertaining, instructive touring shows for all ages. they include a Hip Hop Aesop show, favorite Bible stories, a new play concerning AiDS, and A Few Good Men, exploring the lives and impact of great men from Martin Luther King Jr. to Malcolm X, from JFK to Obama. In addition, a variety of in-school residencies and workshops are available. AgeS K through college and community groups of all ages

DUrAtioN 1 hour touring shows, 1 hour to 1-5 day workshops and residencies

coSt touring Shows $775-$1700; Workshops $150 - $350, (ask for estimates for residencies)

Bobby Clubbs573.225.6579 [email protected] www.about.me/clubbs

Professional storyteller and certified Missouri teacher Bobby clubbs has been teaching high school speech and theatre for 10 years. He is available for storytelling performances as well as workshops on storytelling and creative dramatics. His approach combines traditional telling along with teaching and encouraging young performers. The “Storytelling Toolkit” interactive workshop introduces participants to basic physical and vocal characterization. AgeS Ages 8 and up

DUrAtioN 2 hours

coSt $200 plus travel expenses


Brian Wendling: Juggling! Comedy! Energy!816.561.4695 [email protected] www.brianwendling.com

Award-winning juggler Brian Wendling does some amazing juggling, spinning, bouncing, and roping at the same time that engages audiences young and old. Brian has an appealing sense of humor and will keep you laughing as you are amazed by his magic. Brian tells how one day when he was a kid, he saw a juggler, and then went to the library to find a book on juggling. the result: a lifelong passion that he did not expect – reading and juggling!

AgeS All Ages

DUrAtioN 45 – 50 minutes

coSt $220 base fee in the Kansas city area. outside of the Kansas city area - $200 plus mileage considerations. group bookings can reduce travel costs!

Dino O’Dell816.309.7636 [email protected] www.DinooDell.com

Dinosaur o’Dell’s interactive music and storytelling shows engage children of all ages through singing, dancing, fill-in-the-blank lyric writing, finger plays and counting songs. thematic programs include Summer reading, National tV turn-off Week, National Library Week, Back-to-School, christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, and Halloween. School assemblies meet Missouri GLEs (Grade Level Expectations).

AgeS Ages 3 - 9

DUrAtioN 45 minutes

coSt $225 - $400


8 Silly Rabbits Magic785.443.1029 [email protected] www.8sillyrabbitsmagic.com

Moon-Jumping Fun! The 8 Silly Rabbits Magic Show features great interactive participation designed to help kids see that when you read, good dreams can come true just like magic. When you want to Dream Big @ your Library, why not take a magic leap jammed with comedy, silliness, stories, and magical surprises?

AgeS All Ages


coSt $250 plus mileage

Elsenpeter Productions217.335.3338 [email protected] www.elsenpeterProductions.com

Dream Big with elsenpeter Productions. We represent several performers all over the country from animal acts to Western ropers with a cornucopia of acts in between.

Whether you need a single entertainer, someone to round-out your summer reading program, or the entire summer reading program set up, elsenpeter Productions can and will help. you give us an area to perform, the hours you want us to perform, the budget to work within, and we’ll do the rest!

AgeS All Ages

DUrAtioN 45 minutes - 1 hour

coSt Varies Depending on Act


Happy Faces Entertainment816.309.2460 [email protected] www.happyfacesentertainment.biz

2011 marks the 10th year of smiles and laughter brought by Happy Faces Entertainment. Over the past decade, thousands of people have enjoyed play, illumination and entertainment from HFE. thirteen different programs are available for all ages. Workshops include juggling, balloon art, magic and improvisational comedy. Performances include circus, pirates, sock hop, game show, holidays, murder mystery and more.

AgeS PreK - Adult

DUrAtioN 45 minutes

coSt $200 - $350

Hiccup Productions Inc.913.219.4815 [email protected] www.hiccupbooking.com

Hiccup Productions represents several of the leading family acts from the Midwest. We believe live music is an integral part of a child’s educational and social development. Music is meant to be shared and experienced in our schools, communities and families. our acts provide positive, interactive concert experiences. Stop by to learn more about “Booking the Midwest’s Coolest Kid Rockers,” including, Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove, Dino O’Dell, The Okee Dokee Brothers, The Sugar Free Allstars, Brandon Draper, The Doo-Dads, The La La’s and Funky Mama.

AgeS All Ages

DUrAtioN 45 minutes to 1 hour

coSt Fees vary depending on the act and travel Block booking rates are available.


The Jack Snaps816.914.1166 [email protected] www.thejacksnaps.com

the Jack Snaps perform upbeat and danceable original songs that teach and promote social skills coping tools and self-esteem. the Jack Snaps involve the kids in dancing, playing hand instruments and audience participation. the Jack Snaps can perform solo or with a small band. Kids are given kazoos to play along and as a part of an anger control song/lesson. See also www.youtube.com/theJackSnaps.

AgeS Ages 2 - 10

DUrAtioN 45 minutes

coSt Negotiable depending on travel and participants ($75-$300)

Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” CosgroveAvailable through Hiccup Productions Inc.

913.219.4815 [email protected] www.jimcosgrove.com

Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove knows what kids like to laugh and sing about. He believes children are the stars of his shows, not him and that music becomes more accessible and fruitful as a teaching tool when kids and adults participate together. During his high-energy interactive concerts there are opportunities for children and adults to play along in one of several impromptu “jam” sessions. From songs about hopping bugs, dancing dinosaurs, and red wagons, Jim takes audiences on a musical adventure that encourages everyone to express their personal rhythm. Whether with his band or solo the entire family will enjoy a Mr. Stinky Feet concert.

AgeS PreK- 10

DUrAtioN 45 minutes

coSt Fees vary depending on travel and whether solo or with the band. Block booking rates are available.


Jo Ho, Storyteller913.461.4504 [email protected] www.johostoryteller.com

Cozy Quilt Tales. Wrap up in a comfy quilt and get cozy in some PJs as storyteller Jo Ho presents charming blanket tales. Audiences are guaranteed stitches of laughter and a bit of quilt-making history. in her program Bedtime Tales and Lullabies, young audiences will snuggle up for some “tuck me in” stories and songs that welcome the arrival of nighttime and bedtime.

AgeS Ages 2 and up

DUrAtioN 45 minutes

coSt $125 Mileage fee outside of Kansas City

Joyce Slater, Storyteller816.523.5038 [email protected] www.slatertales.com

Joyce is a storyteller, workshop leader, actor and visual artist who loves to combine all talents whenever possible. She tells stories for listeners age preschool through adult with songs and puppets. Joyce has been the artistic director for the Kc Storytelling celebration in Kansas city, Mo for the last 12 years and the Director of river and Prairie Storyweavers for the last three years. She also teaches storytelling classes to all ages and has a new class beginning this year for Communiversity, “Everything you wanted to know about Story Slamming but were afraid to Tell.” Joyce is offering a new Summer reading Program, Dream Big-Read: Own the Night. She also offers programs on historical themes (Civil War), workshops for storytelling art and theatre, Shakespeare, ghost stories, and holidays.

AgeS Ages 3 - Adult including teens and special needs


coSt $200 plus mileage Multiple programs fee negotiated


Kansas City Young Audiences816.531.4022 [email protected] www.kcya.org

Now celebrating our 50th year! Kansas city young Audiences works with a roster of nearly 200 teaching artists to provide dynamic and educational arts programs to children in schools, libraries, community centers, and hospitals throughout the greater Kansas city area. With performances, residencies, workshops, and after-school programs in nearly every artistic discipline and covering numerous academic subjects KcyA’s school and community programs reinforce core curriculum as well as cultivate artistic expression, unleashing ideas, creativity, and individual problem solving skills.

AgeS K - 12th grade

DUrAtioN 45 - 50 minutes

coSt Varies

Laughing Matters 913.660.3162 [email protected] www.leslieandjay.com

2012 Library Program - Jay and Leslie--Lucky Stars

Jay and Leslie cady of Laughing Matters are the lucky stars of this fun program of juggling tricks, wacky humor, and new twists on classic bedtime stories. Follow your lucky stars to the library for this dream come true for the whole family!

this program is designed to go with the 2012 Summer reading Theme “Dream Big--Read!” See our website for videos from past library shows.

AgeS Ages 3 and up

DUrAtioN 45 minutes



Mad Science of Greater Kansas City and Southwest Missouri913.888.8877 [email protected] www.madscience.org/kansascity

Dream Big with Mad Science After Dark - Discover what makes a lightning bug light up, glow sticks glow, and the secrets within household chemicals. terms that will be discussed; bioluminescence, and chemiluminescence. Mad Science® is the world’s leading fun science provider, with a 20-year track record of delivering exciting, hands-on and educational science experiences to your library or school setting. AgeS Ages 6 - 100

DUrAtioN 1 hour

coSt $250

Magic by Eric Vaughn913.262.7561 [email protected] www.magicbyericvaughn.com

Magic is making the impossible possible. Be amazed and astonished as magician eric Vaughn and his trusty sidekick prove that anything is possible when you believe. implausible predictions and incredible outcomes will materialize before your very eyes in eric Vaughn’s Magic: Impossible!

AgeS Ages 4 - 104

DUrAtioN 45 minutes



Music Works217.473.5889 [email protected] www.dulcimerguy.com

His combination of music, storytelling, and humor has made Mike Anderson one of the most sought-after performers from canada to the gulf and all points in between. Under the auspices of the illinois State Board of education, Mike has conducted many teacher workshops for developing literacy through the art of storytelling. His early childhood shows are legendary. While the mountain dulcimer, guitar, banjo, jaw harp, bones and nose flute are a part of his musical storytelling trade, his power to guide teachers to help students is his greatest strength. Mike is a regular performer at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.

AgeS All Ages

DUrAtioN 45 minutes – 1 hour

coSt Depends on block – bookings and how many shows. i will try very hard to be affordable.

Parasol Puppets660.684.6825 [email protected] www.parasolpuppets.com

Parasol Puppets offers a variety of puppet shows ranging from Nursery Rhymes and Tales for very young children to variety shows like Circus and The Pied Piper for older children. We also offer family shows, as well as Halloween and christmas shows. Most of the shows are performed with hand puppets; some include shadow puppets and simple marionettes.

AgeS Families


coSt Library shows are $235 plus travel fee. Library tours may share travel expense.


Paul Mesner Puppets, Inc.816.756.3500 [email protected] www.paulmesnerpuppets.org

Paul Mesner regularly collaborates with local and national artists, musicians, fashion designers and crafts people to create puppetry that showcases his unique brand of humor. He presents performances using many different types of puppets, from simple finger puppets to rod and stick puppets, marionettes, shadow puppets, and even bigger than life-sized puppets worn by performers. this year’s efforts include collaboration with Jules Feiffer on two of his works. In The Daddy Mountain a little red haired girl is about to do something extremely daring and will show the audience step-by-step her perilous journey to the top of her daddy. in the award-winning Bark, George, george, a dog, is unable to bark when his mother tells him to bark. Find out what happens in this fast, foolish funny farce.

AgeS Ages 2 and up

DUrAtioN 40 minutes

coSt $850 - $1500

Priscilla Howe, Storyteller785.331.6181 [email protected] www.priscillahowe.com

Storyteller Priscilla Howe offers a variety of shows including, Wide-Awake Stories for Lively Kids: Bright-eyed and bushytailed stories for kids who are wide awake and ready to go! Priscilla tells goofy action-packed stories mixed up with silly songs. Her mouthy hand puppets come along for the ride. On a Dark Dark Night: Priscilla tells slightly scary stories—just enough for shivers, not enough for nightmares. Her hand puppets join the fun in between the stories. Nighty-Night Stories and Songs: From silly to sleepy with a little bit of raucous in between. Priscilla tells some of her favorite nighttime tales with a song or two and help from her hand puppets. Spine-Tinglers for Teens: Do you know what’s out there in the dark? Not for the faint of heart these creepy stories are for older kids only—if they dare.

AgeS Varies

DUrAtioN 45 minutes

coSt $200 plus mileage for public libraries and museums; $350 plus mileage for other venues


Richard Holmgren (The Flying Debris Show)785.819.1993 [email protected] www.flyingdebrisshow.com www.facebook.com/flyingdebrisshow The Flying Debris Show is an hour packed with comedy, zany stunts, and lots of audience participation. A show that is appreciated by literally all ages! Whether it be performing in an ice house at the Winter City Festival in Toronto, Canada or taking the show to remote villages in Mexico audiences love The Flying Debris Show. Richard continues to enhance his skills along with his show. it’s a project that never ends and never should. Always thinking of the next great joke to go along with the next great stunt, The Flying Debris Show is richard’s life long passion!

AgeS All ages

DUrAtioN 45 minutes

coSt $350 - $550

Rockin’ Rob913.963.1513 [email protected] www.musicandmovementrocks.com

rockin’ rob offers interactive and educational concerts, classes and workshops. children will learn through the benefits of music, movement, and fun. Sing and dance to songs about colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. children will enjoy a rockin’ roller-coaster of exercise, music, and imagination while they clap their hands and stomp their feet in rhythm to the choo-choo train heading to Bug city.

AgeS 2 - 10

DUrAtioN 1 hour

coSt $350


Rosie Cutrer785.271.1982 [email protected] www.rosiecutrer.com

rosie cutrer is a storyteller and songwriter who has been telling stories professionally for the past 15 years. Her greatest joy in life is watching folks become entranced by a good tale. For younger groups she tells her own original stories, folktales, and ghost stories. She also has a program for the 2012 summer reading theme titled Grandpa’s sleepover and other nighttime tales. For adults she has original stories, folktales with adult themes, irish stories and stories based on literature. rosie is dynamic and engaging, able to entertain large crowds and highly recommended.

AgeS Preschool - Adult

DUrAtioN 45 - 50 min. for school age kids, 30 - 35 min. for preschoolers 60 - 70 min. for adults

coSt $200 plus mileage for one program $150 per program when two or more programs are booked on the same day $100 per program if several days worth of booking can be obtained.

Sandi Sylver: Storyteller-Ventriloquist-Songstress630.896.8242 [email protected] www.sandisylver.com

Having taught herself ventriloquism from a library book, Sandi Sylver is now living her dream! When she tours nationally, she brings along her guitar and puppet family (both animal and people puppets). Her interactive shows are wildly smart and funny and convey pro-reading and character counts messages (many adapted from library books). Some of her puppets even talk by themselves and are all interactive storytellers too. You can choose themed shows (The Dr.Seuss Show; The Swell Shel Silverstein Show; Book Island; and Monsters in the Bathroom! among others) or an eclectic show. She is an illinois Arts Council Artist and a Creative Arts Program Artist of Fairfax County, Virginia, and has performed for six consecutive years at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival.

AgeS Pre-K – grade 6


coSt $250 and up


Sister Act Face Painting913.593.5104 [email protected] www.sisteractfacepainting.com

Sister Act Face Painting offers more than just face painting, they also have glitter tattoos, airbrush tattoos, and crazy hair designs. they can entertain any crowd with their fast, fun and amazing designs. they have entertained for many Summer reading kick-off parties, music festivals, holiday events and more—we are that great extra addition that your event is looking for.

AgeS All

coSt $75 per hour

Stephanie Goodman Productions816.943.3421 [email protected] www.wattshaysletters.com

Stephanie goodman is an actress steeped in the past. She is proud to present Border War Reflections 1855 -1863, as told by Julia L. Lovejoy and Margaret Watts Hays, in which she portrays two women in a first person reenactment of the pre-civil War Missouri/Kansas Border conflicts. Border War Reflections is more than a history lesson, it is a heart-tugging reflection of life just prior to our nation’s brutal civil War, based on primary sources. Presenting both sides of the conflict without choosing sides, this performance includes music of the era and authentic costumes constructed using historic patterns and fabric. (As a result of this play, Marian Franklin, a descendant of Margaret Watt Hays, has generously donated the Watt Hays letters to the Jackson county Historical Society.) AgeS 4th grade - Adult

DUrAtioN 35 - 60 minutes (Three plays are available)

coSt $250 - $850


StoneLion Puppet Theater816.221.5351 [email protected] www.stonelionpuppets.org

StoneLion Puppet theater offers many options both in theme and size of professional puppet shows and workshops. Suggested titles for Summer of 2012 include Starry Starry Night, our award-winning puppet show of star stories and constellations which is a favorite of the National Air and Space Museum/Smithsonian institute these past three years. The Monkey’s Dream is StoneLion’s latest creation. it asks the question: What does a large banana, a small chimp and a surprise present have to do with conquering fears of the unknown and fulfilling your dreams? check out this silly and touching story by the crazy kids at StoneLion.

AgeS PreK – 6th Grade and Family Audiences

DUrAtioN 25-35 minutes

coSt $175 - $350

Thad Beach785.820.2859 [email protected] www.thadbeach.com

thad Beach has delighted audiences for more than 25 years with his talent, wit and easy-going style. He is a dynamic performer, demonstrating his talent on ukulele, guitar, harmonica, jaw harp and kazoo. For summer 2012, Beach has created The Dreaming Hat Farm! All the hats grown on “The Dreaming Hat Farm” symbolize songs and stories that will captivate and cultivate your imagination! Beach likes to “get crazy ideas and turn them into songs.” Expect wild and wacky stories and songs!

AgeS All Ages

DUrAtioN 45 minutes

coSt contact me for rate quotes in your area Great discounts for district and block bookings


Wild Heart Music573.645.7087 [email protected] www.wildheartmusic.com

WildHeart is the emmy® Award winning singers and songwriters, Parents’ choice® recommended duo of Jan and george Syrigos, conservation educators and entertainers who have performed at Silver Dollar City, Missouri Botanical Gardens, Missouri State Fair, Kansas city Zoo, and libraries throughout the Midwest. Both Jan and George are University of Missouri graduates with degrees in Forestry and Fish & Wildlife management respectively. For summer 2012, get ready to meet a dreamy, wild animal in their show Dream Big and Wild with WildHeart! come along on a musical adventure exploring the wildest of animals and their marvelous lives. Discover just how far a tiny monarch butterfly can fly, or just how long a hairy bat can hang by its toes! How can nature inspire you to dream big? it’s WildHeart…bringing the heart of the wild to the heart of the child.

AgeS Families, Adults, Children

DUrAtioN 1 hour

coSt $200 - $300 (multiple bookings lowest price)

Wings of Love Inc. Bird Shows816.353.9964 [email protected] www.wingsofloveinc.org

Since 1970, Wings of Love has utilized birds for education. yvonne Patterson had three parrots on display amongst acres of flowers she was responsible for. the public was fascinated with the birds’ beauty and intelligence.

years later, the Wings of Love exotic bird exhibit opened where the public viewed finches, parrots, toucans and owls on elaborate branching systems, amongst tropical trees and waterfalls.

Wings of Love crowds usually break record attendance. to encourage reading we have two children discover live birds inside our book. the most popular programs are the performing bird shows where they roller skate, ride a bicycle, bowl, spell words, raise the flag, speak on cue and more. AgeS Ages 2 - 102

DUrAtioN 20 minutes - 1 hour

coSt $80-$375 plus travel


The Wornall and Majors Historic Houses816.444.1858 [email protected] www.wornallhouse.org www.alexandermajors.com

the education department at the John Wornall House and the Alexander Majors Historic House and Museum offer several different interactive programs dealing with life on the Missouri frontier during the 1850s-1870s. they may be geared for children and/or adults. examples include civil War medicine, make-and-take period crafts, tea parties and etiquette, among others. Many programs feature reenactors, costumes, and music and all are guaranteed to be fun, interactive and educational.

AgeS can be geared to any age or special need


coSt $150

kclibrary.org | 816.701.3400

T H E K A N S A S C I T Y P U B L I C L I B R A R Y

Welcome to Kansas City for the 2011 MLA Annual Conference

Missouri Libraries

EnvisioningTomorrow

Missouri Library Association — 2011 Annual Conferenceoctober 5-7, 2011 | Kansas city, Missouri

showcase directorymolib.org/2014archive/conference/2011/mlaperformersshowcase.pdf · take-home...

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