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, 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, and serve as an effective tool for connecting children and
adults 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 platform 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 and abilities 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 and simple folk dances from different parts of the world as
well. Stories are told in engaging and interactive ways.
Yurtfolk bring their own books to complement their
presentations---and, where appropriate, are happy to assist 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.
