Juggling Jeff has been amazing audiences for over 15 years. Through stunts of silliness, stamina and bravery, he engages and enlightens. The Juggling Jeff Show is high-energy, fast-paced, comedic juggling show that includes danger, suspense, lots of audience interaction and a single magic trick! It’s great family entertainment that both kids and adults will enjoy. Jeff’s use of comedy and audience participation make him an audience favorite time and time again. Jeff’s programs, no matter if they are educating about the library, Shakespeare, Med-evil Jesters or simply entertaining, are perfect for almost any type of event both inside and outside.
30 minutes set-up, 30 minute take down, table is preferred for stage performances, Wireless mic (headset or lav) and sound system may be required for audiences of 250+
Judy Domeny Bowen is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable performer of traditional Ozark ballads, contemporary folk music, farm songs, and original songs written especially for teachers. Perfect for community concerts, festivals, and school and library presentations, Judy enthralls audiences of all ages with her songs, witty rapport, distinctively clear voice (read this–you can really understand her words!), and solid guitar playing. Senior citizens thrill to hear songs such as Red Wing, The Strawberry Roan, and The Letter Edged in Black from their childhoods once again. Children and adults love the stories and imagery within her songs. Judy’s extensive repertoire includes ballads dating back to the 1300’s, pioneer songs from the 1800’s, popular Ozark songs of the early 1900’s, cowboy songs, Civil War songs, farm songs, and original songs about being a schoolteacher. Specialty programs include Songs Mama Sang, Life on the Farm, Folk Music for Children, So You Want to Be a Teacher, and Legends of the Nativity. Judy’s clarity, warmth, good humor and spontaneity wins the audience over every time!
Sound system with two microphones on individual floor stands
Joyce is a storyteller for everyone from pre-school through adult. Her stories range from participatory for the little ones to personal experiences for adults. She tells stories about Missouri history, Holiday tales, Ozark adventures, Ghost stories and more. Stories from folktales, fairytales, fables, myths and legends come to life with puppets and songs. Her stories bring people of many cultures together through her own work in schools, libraries, retirement centers and festivals and the storytelling festival she serves.
Joyce teaches workshops for adults and children. Beginning Storytelling, Telling your Personal Story, Storigami and more.
She is a storytelling coach for other storytellers and public speakers from all walks of life.
She is the Artistic Director for the KC Storytelling Celebration and the President of Missouri Storytelling Inc.
Joyce Slater is available for Virtual programs on Zoom, YouTube and Facebook and will adapt to other platforms. She will also travel.
Electrical outlet
A life-long passion for the American West and music has taken Johnny Kendrick around the nation to share his art and knowledge. Respected for his music and scholarly abilities, his fascination with cowboys and their stories led to his developing a program tracing the history of the west through its music using traditional songs, through movie-era cowboys to contemporary performance. Besides appearances at cowboy events such as Echoes of the Trail and the Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering, his interests extend to early country music and he can structure programs revolving around the music and life of Jimmie Rodgers and other old-time and western swing musicians.
Two mics on boom stands; PA system; backless stool.
The Jim Widner Big Band is a 17 piece Jazz Orchestra playing music in the styles of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, and Maynard Ferguson, yet with a distinct sound and style all of their own. The band is comprised of former members from the bands of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson and others. It has recorded six critically acclaimed CD’s some of which can be heard digitally on Spotify, Pandora and You Tube. They have also performed with artists such as Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, Buddy DeFranco, John Pizzarelli, Marilyn Maye, Steve Lippia, and Lou Marini. The band’s recording of “CARAVAN” served as a catalyst to the movie “WHIPLASH“. Celebrating their 33rd anniversary, The Jim Widner Big Band has established itself in an educational setting, presenting concerts, clinics, festivals and summer jazz camps.
Available on request
Jeff Miller’s programs are “Laughter Guaranteed!” An award-winning poet, performance artist, and storyteller, he is featured nationally at poetry, storytelling, music, and folk-life festivals. His performances are highly-original, filled with unusual oral histories he has personally collected, jokes and stories embellished and turned into narrative poems, and outrageous and inspirational gems (sometimes within the same story!) birthed from his vivid imagination or adventurous experiences. Workshops include “Tapping Your Creativity”, “Writing and Performing Poems”, and “Creating Empathy through Storytelling”. His three books have been described as “much, much funnier than anything Stephen King has ever written.”
With meandering roots from the Missouri Ozarks all the way to Tubingen, Germany, Ironweed brings you only the finest in bluegrass, vintage country and good ol’ hillbilly twang. The band features champion, Kelly Jones on fiddle, Joe Wieneman on mandolin, Jane Accurso on guitar and lead vocals, Dierik Leonhard on banjo, and Matt Bossaller on upright, slap bass. From Jimmy Martin to Hazel Dickens, you can expect a bucketful of tunes about trains, moonshine, dirt, heartache, pigs and girls named Sophronie. Ironweed is available for festivals, sidewalk gigs, parades, dances, school events, workshops and just about any sort of celebration you’re itchin’ to do.
2 main speakers, 4 vocal mics, 3 instrument mics, 1 direct line, 2-4 stage monitors, 1 qualified sound tech, 1 long table.
The Intercultural Music Initiative is an innovative concert and educational outreach program featuring classical and contemporary works by composers of African, Hispanic and Asian-descent, along with standard repertoire. Our programs offer a unique concert experience and help integrate new musical works by lesser-known composers into existing performance repertoire. Concerts, Lectures, Lecture-recitals and short-term artist residencies are customized to fit your departmental budget.
Concert stage for chamber musicians. PA system with 2 speaking microphones.
The Rep’s Imaginary Theatre Company, the touring ensemble of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, invites teachers and their students to share all the wonder, poetry, wit, drama and excitement that only live theatre can bring. ITC’s high quality stage work will not only nurture love of the arts but will also enhance teachers’ educational programs. The literature-based productions honor and value a story well-told while supporting the Missouri Learning Standards. ITC’s specialty is taking audiences into a magic world that will spark the imagination.
Hudson and the Hoo Doo Cats focus on swinging Americana roots music: blues, 1950s rock and roll and rockabilly, and medium tempo dance music (West Coast, Lindy Hop, Imperial, etc.) as well as many original songs written by founder and songwriter, Hudson Harkins. The band’s extensive experience and professionalism are reflected in their ability to adapt to any performing environment including festivals and concerts.
PA system appropriate to venue size, and sound tech, lighting if needed.