Yurtfolk
concerts/programs can accommodate any age, and often are promoted to
"Children and Families." Songs and stories are
shared
from different
cultures
and in different languages. For example, we might open a program by
teaching an easy-to-learn traditional Nigerian song (accompanied by the
djembe, a drum from West Africa) of welcome along with a
traditional handshake from there, and in very little time have the
audience
singing with us, helping us tell the stories. The folk dances are
easy and fun to do too and can be a very effective tool for connecting
children to learning about other places and ideas (and the many books
written on these themes!).
Different
musical instruments are introduced as well as varying styles of music
and dance explored. For example, The "zapateado" is a sort of
footwork that acts as percussion accompanied by the jarana (jarocho
style instrument from Mexico) and performed on a small wooden stage
that Yurtfolk totes along. Audiences are invited to participate
by dancing along the wide red ribbon that unwinds. There is plenty of
variety in the programs to keep those of all ages interested. We also may share
some fun
information on what it is like to live in a yurt (offering folks a
chance to look into a doll-house size model yurt). Yurtfolk
appreciates
folk music, and enjoys teaching short folk dances from different parts
of the world as well. Stories are told in engaging and
interactive ways. Yurtfolk bring their own books to compliment
their presentations---and they are happy to assist library staff in
finding books to set up a display that touch upon themes presented in
their programs.
Reading,
creativity, respect for other cultures, and interaction are welcome and
encouraged.
The title of our
most recent CD was inspired by the children's book, Horace
and Morace Join
the Chorus (but what about Delores?) written by children's
author,
James
Howe. It's possible to review the CD, Yurtfolk:
Anyone Can Sing by
going to CD Baby's website at www.cdbaby.com/cd/yurtfolk.
You
can click on each song in order to get a 30 second sample of
each song, some of which we present in our programs. Additionally, samples of our
music can also be sampled on our myspace page at www.myspace.com/yurtfolk.
Song Samples
Joseph Had a
Little
Overcoat - book written by Simms Taback
Two to three volunteers are able to assist in this story about
resourcefulness
(told completely in song with a lively old German button accordion and with the help of a couple of volunteers and a felt board)
about Joseph's little overcoat that got old and worn. Listen
to
Joseph
La Raspa -Traditional Folk Song from Mexico This
dance (sung in both Spanish and English) is done with any number of
people in a circle and is accompanied by the "jarana" which a
traditional instrument of a Jarocho style of music from the state of
Veracruz, Mexico. Listen
to La Raspa
Sasha! - Traditional Russian Folk Song This dance involves counting to 3
in Russian as we dance with our hands, feet and elbows with a partner. Listen to Sasha
The Dreamer,
the Tree
and Me - Kathy Sherman, SJ
A date tree tells the story (acted out in song) of a “dreamer”
who
planted a date tree seed, knowing that they would not live long enough
to see the tree come into fruition, yet knowing that (as the easy to sing along chorus repeats) “Yes, I've always known
that we must live by the love of
what we may never see...”Listen
to
the Dreamer
Despierta/Wake Up
- Traditional Serenade Sung
in Spanish and English, this traditional wake-up serenade traditionally sung after midnight is a fun
example of how a romance language contrasts with its demonstrated
English translation.
