South Central Region: New York State Performers, Programmers & Related Resources for Public Libraries & Groups


Performer Information
Stage name:	Bells & Motley Olden Music, Dance, and Storytelling
Performer name:	Sondra & John Bromka
Phone:	315-673-2995
Mailing address:	36 South Street Marcellus, NY 13108
E-mail address:	sbromka@earthlink.net
Website:	http://www.bellsandmotley.com
Previous appearances at:	1) 30 Years at Sterling Renaissance Festival - presenting Concerts, Musical Theater, Storytelling, Historic Dance Instruction, 2) NYS Heritage and Canal Fest Events for Communities, Libraries, Schools, 3) School & Community residencies and pageants across NYS, Northeast, and Europe, 4) Historic Site thematic specialty programs for Lorenzo, Crailo, French Azilum, Sackets Harbor, Olana, many more; also France, Germany, & Belgium, 5) Libraries across all areas of NYS, and locally in Marcellus, Onondaga Hill; see our website for complete lists Contact information for New York State Public Libraries
Information last updated:	05/15/2012

Records 1-10 of 27 Next >

Program
Category
Description
Fee

Christmas Musical Folk Traditions Around the World & Across Time History,
Multicultural- Other,
Performing Arts- Dance

The evocative sounds of the arraye of rare historic and folk musical instruments will lead you into the nooks and crannies of France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the British Isles in a celebration of Christmas traditions in many lands. From festive tunes for dance and procession, to evocative ballads and songs for chorusing - this rich and festive holiday musical program features seasonal aires, songs, and traditions. Instruments include the hurdy gurdy, French and Northumbrian bagpipes, Celtic harp, Swedish nykleharpa, Irish pennywhistle, and much more.
$351- $500

Dig that Canal! ‘15 Miles on the Erie Canal' Family Fun Folk Operetta; With free companion options - Folk Instruments of Many Cultures Along the Canal; Intro to Theatercraft History,
Music,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

'15 Miles on the Erie Canal' is a colorful and very participatory historic musical storytelling event for the whole family. Enjoy this lively collage of Tall Tales, Costumes, Music and Sing-along Songs as the artists share an unforgettable story of New York’s famous waterway. Presented in 19th century 'folk opera' performance style, it sparkles with canal-era music from cultures along the canal, performed on a rare collection of historic instruments including hammer dulcimer, banjo, fiddle, hurdy gurdy, early squeezeboxes, canal horn, and more. Our story unfolds as Captain Simon Slick and Irish cook Sallie Waters meet up with Sal, a truly amazing mule who makes quite a splash (and also happens to be guest from the audience!). Together they set off on a rollicking journey down The Grand E-ri-e Canal, 8th Wonder of the World! Great characters, great stories, and an unforgettable historic enrichment experience for Summer Reading Programs! NOTE: For a gala event, our “15 Miles” performance may be expanded with your choice of NYS Canal Cultural Heritage workshop activities: expanded singing roles for a children’s/family chorus; lively canal-era folk dancing; and even student-written Tall Tale vignettes for the Grand Finale. Custom-designed programs, special events welcome.
$351- $500

Historic Music and Dance Celebrations of Many Cultures History,
Music,
Performing Arts- Dance

Bells & Motley's International Instruments, with International Folk Dances for Families; Special topics include Celebrating NYS Heritage with Dutch Music and French Cultural Heritage Concerts, Performances, Celebrations See www.bellsandmotley.com website for detailed information, photos, and much more.
$351- $500

Colonial Conviviality: Music for George Washington and His Revolutionary Friends History,
Multicultural- Other,
Music

What was musical entertainment like in George Washington’s day? Ballroom jigs, minuets and cotillions, popular songs, meeting-house anthems, and harvest ballads and choruses meet together here in a lively and intruiguing program combining music and history. Introducing the pieces will be anecdotes about the roles of music and dance, and concerning Friends of the Revolution Lafayette, Jefferson, Franklin, and Washington. Sondra and John Bromka’s instrumentation for this program includes historic harp, hurdy gurdy, hammer dulcimer, French & English bagpipes, recorders, Baroque oboe, Spanish guitar, and cittern. The cittern, with 8 wire strings, was also known in Colonial America as the 'English guitar.'
$351- $500

Timeless Tunes, Timeless Tales, and their Musical Secrets Multicultural- Other,
Music,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

Discover the stories and secrets behind some of the most rare, mysterious, and magical musical instruments of history. How were they invented? How do they work? Hear the tales that are told about the person who was said to be the first player of the bagpipes in ancient Rome. Discover the secret behind stories that claim that fiddles actually have magical powers. What is the tallest stringed instruments ever invented? Are there actually wind instruments that you don't blow into? Can a harp ever play itself? What happens when you touch it? Children will be invited to try the harp and find out for themselves! Bells & Motley have discovered that young children (as well as adults) are enthralled by the unusual sounds and stories behind their unique collection of historic instruments, including rommelpot, hurdy gurdy, early bagpipes, harp, hand-made fiddles, and tromba marina. Audiences are especially excited to hear that the Bromkas, in addition to being musicians, historians, and veteran storytellers, are also expert instrument builders. An unforgettable interactive enrichment experience.
$351- $500

Dig Into China! 'BAWSHOU & the DRAGON' Traditional Chinese Folk Pageant for SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2013 Multicultural- Other,
Music,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

Dig deep into a cave of the earth--the Sun has been captured by a Fearsome Dragon and hidden away. The hero of our tale is Bawshou, a young man who courageously rises to the challenge of freeing the Sun. With the help of a golden phoenix, a small parcel of earth, a magic robe, and a heroic dream, Bawshou travels afar to seek out and rescue the Sun, for the good of his people and all the land. Children actively participate as they portray the flowing river, the sounds of the sea, the playing of the gong, the dancing stars, and much much more! The artists evoke a magical atmosphere in this important Chinese tale, employing authentic oriental techniques and traditions including stylized dramatic forms and movement, mythology, exotic costumes, and music. Chinese folk instruments (erhu, p’i p’a, guzheng harp, sona, Chinese Theatre drum, flutes & whistles, and gong) are featured, combining to make this unforgettable performance piece a joyous celebration of oriental culture. 'Bawshou' was commissioned by the Springfield MA Museum of Fine Arts in 1994. (see accompanying Chinese Dragon Mask Workshop/Parade).
$351- $500

'THE HURDY GURDY CHILDREN'S CONCERT: INSTRUMENTS TO TREASURE' Summer Reading Program 2-for-1 Special History,
Music,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

The artists' extensive early instrument collection features a joyous diversity of historic Medieval, Renaissance, & traditional instruments. Playing upon the intriguing and rare historic hurdy gurdy to enrich our theme and setting, we are pleased to accompany our performance journey with an early music mini-concert specially designed for children, highlighting a diverse collection of early instruments of all shapes, sizes, and materials. Imaginations are courted with the mysterious and evocative sounds. As you enjoy this exploration of historic instruments from bagpipes to 'whittle and dub' you will marvel at the wonderful ways human kind has used wood, animal horn, reed, leather, and ingenuity to invent instruments that create a rainbow of musical sounds. This program is being packaged as a 2-for-1 with 'STONE SOUP: DOUBLE TREASURE' These two complementary programs unite perfectly to appeal to all the senses, a memorable and meaningful TREASURE for the eyes, ears, and imagination!
$351- $500

Concert of Nature's Music on World Instruments from Many Cultures - SUMMER READING PROGRAM Multicultural- Other,
Music,
Nature- Environment

Nature, Music, and Instruments Around the World and Across Time! Through time, the sounds of nature have inspired wonderful musical, poetic, and artistic dreams all around the world. From rushing waterfalls, to gentle drops of rain and melting icicles… to birdsong and crickets... to diverse sounds of the four seasons, Bells & Motley are excited to bring young audiences on a musical journey using a gamut of evocative instruments including harp and medieval fiddles, exotic zithers from Turkey and China, and many other rare exotic historical instruments, for a good measure of total surprise. A beautiful introduction to the evocative powers of music for audiences of all ages.
$351- $500

Erie Canal Tall Tale Writing Residency and Performance Event History,
Literature- Other,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

Workshop participants will study the art of the 'Tall Tale,' and then create their own original tale. This residency draws upon the Erie Canal for theme and inspiration, and includes songs and dances that reflect our multicultural heritage. The program will conclude with a joint artist/student performance for the community, wherein participants perform their tale, songs, and dances as an integral part of the artists’ musical theatre performance piece '15 Years on the Erie Canal.' (see related program listings.) The final performance will be geared towards family audiences, and includes participation for all. The presentation will feature music on the artists’ unusual collection of authentic historical instruments. All participating children will gain hands-on experience in a range of artistic disciplines, including writing, poetry, dance, music, and storytelling/theatre. Children will be exposed to actual Tall Tales of the Erie Canal Era; they will learn factual information about our county’s famous canal; about the era’s multicultural heritage.
$501- $1000

A Celtic Mid-Winter Revel: Music for the 12 Days of Christmas Multicultural- Other,
Music,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

Celtic Christmas and Mid-Winter celebrations through the centuries were a twelve-day flurry of spirited songs, mythical airs, quaint traditions, and mirthful customs and stories. The duo of John and Sondra Bromka offer an evocative and festive collection of seasonal music on their diverse array of Celtic instruments including harp, hammered dulcimer, 2 kinds of historic bagpipes, button accordeon, Irish cittern, bodhran, and guitar.
$351- $500

Page: 1 2 3 Next >

Records 1-10 of 27

* Inclusion in this database does not indicate endorsement of any performer or program by the NYS Education Department, the Office of Cultural Education, the NYS Library or the participating library systems, nor does it eliminate the need for reference checks and appropriate standard screening procedures.

Program	Category	Description	Fee
Christmas Musical Folk Traditions Around the World & Across Time	History, Multicultural- Other, Performing Arts- Dance	The evocative sounds of the arraye of rare historic and folk musical instruments will lead you into the nooks and crannies of France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the British Isles in a celebration of Christmas traditions in many lands. From festive tunes for dance and procession, to evocative ballads and songs for chorusing - this rich and festive holiday musical program features seasonal aires, songs, and traditions. Instruments include the hurdy gurdy, French and Northumbrian bagpipes, Celtic harp, Swedish nykleharpa, Irish pennywhistle, and much more.	$351- $500
Dig that Canal! ‘15 Miles on the Erie Canal' Family Fun Folk Operetta; With free companion options - Folk Instruments of Many Cultures Along the Canal; Intro to Theatercraft	History, Music, Performing Arts- Storytelling	'15 Miles on the Erie Canal' is a colorful and very participatory historic musical storytelling event for the whole family. Enjoy this lively collage of Tall Tales, Costumes, Music and Sing-along Songs as the artists share an unforgettable story of New York’s famous waterway. Presented in 19th century 'folk opera' performance style, it sparkles with canal-era music from cultures along the canal, performed on a rare collection of historic instruments including hammer dulcimer, banjo, fiddle, hurdy gurdy, early squeezeboxes, canal horn, and more. Our story unfolds as Captain Simon Slick and Irish cook Sallie Waters meet up with Sal, a truly amazing mule who makes quite a splash (and also happens to be guest from the audience!). Together they set off on a rollicking journey down The Grand E-ri-e Canal, 8th Wonder of the World! Great characters, great stories, and an unforgettable historic enrichment experience for Summer Reading Programs! NOTE: For a gala event, our “15 Miles” performance may be expanded with your choice of NYS Canal Cultural Heritage workshop activities: expanded singing roles for a children’s/family chorus; lively canal-era folk dancing; and even student-written Tall Tale vignettes for the Grand Finale. Custom-designed programs, special events welcome.	$351- $500
Historic Music and Dance Celebrations of Many Cultures	History, Music, Performing Arts- Dance	Bells & Motley's International Instruments, with International Folk Dances for Families; Special topics include Celebrating NYS Heritage with Dutch Music and French Cultural Heritage Concerts, Performances, Celebrations See www.bellsandmotley.com website for detailed information, photos, and much more.	$351- $500
Colonial Conviviality: Music for George Washington and His Revolutionary Friends	History, Multicultural- Other, Music	What was musical entertainment like in George Washington’s day? Ballroom jigs, minuets and cotillions, popular songs, meeting-house anthems, and harvest ballads and choruses meet together here in a lively and intruiguing program combining music and history. Introducing the pieces will be anecdotes about the roles of music and dance, and concerning Friends of the Revolution Lafayette, Jefferson, Franklin, and Washington. Sondra and John Bromka’s instrumentation for this program includes historic harp, hurdy gurdy, hammer dulcimer, French & English bagpipes, recorders, Baroque oboe, Spanish guitar, and cittern. The cittern, with 8 wire strings, was also known in Colonial America as the 'English guitar.'	$351- $500
Timeless Tunes, Timeless Tales, and their Musical Secrets	Multicultural- Other, Music, Performing Arts- Storytelling	Discover the stories and secrets behind some of the most rare, mysterious, and magical musical instruments of history. How were they invented? How do they work? Hear the tales that are told about the person who was said to be the first player of the bagpipes in ancient Rome. Discover the secret behind stories that claim that fiddles actually have magical powers. What is the tallest stringed instruments ever invented? Are there actually wind instruments that you don't blow into? Can a harp ever play itself? What happens when you touch it? Children will be invited to try the harp and find out for themselves! Bells & Motley have discovered that young children (as well as adults) are enthralled by the unusual sounds and stories behind their unique collection of historic instruments, including rommelpot, hurdy gurdy, early bagpipes, harp, hand-made fiddles, and tromba marina. Audiences are especially excited to hear that the Bromkas, in addition to being musicians, historians, and veteran storytellers, are also expert instrument builders. An unforgettable interactive enrichment experience.	$351- $500
Dig Into China! 'BAWSHOU & the DRAGON' Traditional Chinese Folk Pageant for SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2013	Multicultural- Other, Music, Performing Arts- Storytelling	Dig deep into a cave of the earth--the Sun has been captured by a Fearsome Dragon and hidden away. The hero of our tale is Bawshou, a young man who courageously rises to the challenge of freeing the Sun. With the help of a golden phoenix, a small parcel of earth, a magic robe, and a heroic dream, Bawshou travels afar to seek out and rescue the Sun, for the good of his people and all the land. Children actively participate as they portray the flowing river, the sounds of the sea, the playing of the gong, the dancing stars, and much much more! The artists evoke a magical atmosphere in this important Chinese tale, employing authentic oriental techniques and traditions including stylized dramatic forms and movement, mythology, exotic costumes, and music. Chinese folk instruments (erhu, p’i p’a, guzheng harp, sona, Chinese Theatre drum, flutes & whistles, and gong) are featured, combining to make this unforgettable performance piece a joyous celebration of oriental culture. 'Bawshou' was commissioned by the Springfield MA Museum of Fine Arts in 1994. (see accompanying Chinese Dragon Mask Workshop/Parade).	$351- $500
'THE HURDY GURDY CHILDREN'S CONCERT: INSTRUMENTS TO TREASURE' Summer Reading Program 2-for-1 Special	History, Music, Performing Arts- Storytelling	The artists' extensive early instrument collection features a joyous diversity of historic Medieval, Renaissance, & traditional instruments. Playing upon the intriguing and rare historic hurdy gurdy to enrich our theme and setting, we are pleased to accompany our performance journey with an early music mini-concert specially designed for children, highlighting a diverse collection of early instruments of all shapes, sizes, and materials. Imaginations are courted with the mysterious and evocative sounds. As you enjoy this exploration of historic instruments from bagpipes to 'whittle and dub' you will marvel at the wonderful ways human kind has used wood, animal horn, reed, leather, and ingenuity to invent instruments that create a rainbow of musical sounds. This program is being packaged as a 2-for-1 with 'STONE SOUP: DOUBLE TREASURE' These two complementary programs unite perfectly to appeal to all the senses, a memorable and meaningful TREASURE for the eyes, ears, and imagination!	$351- $500
Concert of Nature's Music on World Instruments from Many Cultures - SUMMER READING PROGRAM	Multicultural- Other, Music, Nature- Environment	Nature, Music, and Instruments Around the World and Across Time! Through time, the sounds of nature have inspired wonderful musical, poetic, and artistic dreams all around the world. From rushing waterfalls, to gentle drops of rain and melting icicles… to birdsong and crickets... to diverse sounds of the four seasons, Bells & Motley are excited to bring young audiences on a musical journey using a gamut of evocative instruments including harp and medieval fiddles, exotic zithers from Turkey and China, and many other rare exotic historical instruments, for a good measure of total surprise. A beautiful introduction to the evocative powers of music for audiences of all ages.	$351- $500
Erie Canal Tall Tale Writing Residency and Performance Event	History, Literature- Other, Performing Arts- Storytelling	Workshop participants will study the art of the 'Tall Tale,' and then create their own original tale. This residency draws upon the Erie Canal for theme and inspiration, and includes songs and dances that reflect our multicultural heritage. The program will conclude with a joint artist/student performance for the community, wherein participants perform their tale, songs, and dances as an integral part of the artists’ musical theatre performance piece '15 Years on the Erie Canal.' (see related program listings.) The final performance will be geared towards family audiences, and includes participation for all. The presentation will feature music on the artists’ unusual collection of authentic historical instruments. All participating children will gain hands-on experience in a range of artistic disciplines, including writing, poetry, dance, music, and storytelling/theatre. Children will be exposed to actual Tall Tales of the Erie Canal Era; they will learn factual information about our county’s famous canal; about the era’s multicultural heritage.	$501- $1000
A Celtic Mid-Winter Revel: Music for the 12 Days of Christmas	Multicultural- Other, Music, Performing Arts- Storytelling	Celtic Christmas and Mid-Winter celebrations through the centuries were a twelve-day flurry of spirited songs, mythical airs, quaint traditions, and mirthful customs and stories. The duo of John and Sondra Bromka offer an evocative and festive collection of seasonal music on their diverse array of Celtic instruments including harp, hammered dulcimer, 2 kinds of historic bagpipes, button accordeon, Irish cittern, bodhran, and guitar.	$351- $500