Capital District 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 1-3 of 3

Program
Category
Description
Fee

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

The Tale of Tristan & Iseult: An Arthurian Legend Literature- Other,
Music,
Performing Arts- Storytelling

This most famous of all classic love stories was originally set in Celtic antiquity, and an important component of the Arthurian legends. In the 12th century, the tale was already 600 years old when it captured the imagination of Medieval France’s famous storyteller-poet-musicians, the troubadours. The powerful story continued its long journey through the ages... inspiring many works in turn, including Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet). Bells & Motley present a telling that is authentic, yet lively, accessible, highly charged, and mysterious - full of all of the original symbolism, intrigue, and purpose. In ancient bardic style, it features a simple setting, rich language, and complex emotions evoked through the power of music. Rare historic instruments include the Medieval keyed fiddle, low-voiced recorders, ancient gut-strung bray harp, and Celtic harp. Musical selections include the same historic pieces that were part of Medieval tellings, as inspired by this enduring tale.
$351- $500

‘Making A Hand-Bound & Decorated Medieval Book’ SUMMER READING PROGRAM Literature- Other,
Visual Arts- Drawing,
Visual Arts- Crafts

Everyone knows it is wise to heed your dreams! Our dreams and ideas are rich treasures that deserve special attention, and when recorded in a special book, can serve as inspiration for all manner of creative endeavors. The workshop leader is also a playwright and visual artist, and testifies that that act of writing fleeting dreams and ideas down in a specially prepared book is the surest route to the creation of new plays, poems, and much more. Participants will take their inspiration from the illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages, and learn how to create their own hand-stitched, hand-decorated chapbooks. Best of all, they will discover the important truth that EVERYONE is an artist - it’s just a question of learning these tools of the trade. You will truly be amazed.
$201- $350

Page: 1

Records 1-3 of 3

* 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
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
The Tale of Tristan & Iseult: An Arthurian Legend	Literature- Other, Music, Performing Arts- Storytelling	This most famous of all classic love stories was originally set in Celtic antiquity, and an important component of the Arthurian legends. In the 12th century, the tale was already 600 years old when it captured the imagination of Medieval France’s famous storyteller-poet-musicians, the troubadours. The powerful story continued its long journey through the ages... inspiring many works in turn, including Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet). Bells & Motley present a telling that is authentic, yet lively, accessible, highly charged, and mysterious - full of all of the original symbolism, intrigue, and purpose. In ancient bardic style, it features a simple setting, rich language, and complex emotions evoked through the power of music. Rare historic instruments include the Medieval keyed fiddle, low-voiced recorders, ancient gut-strung bray harp, and Celtic harp. Musical selections include the same historic pieces that were part of Medieval tellings, as inspired by this enduring tale.	$351- $500
‘Making A Hand-Bound & Decorated Medieval Book’ SUMMER READING PROGRAM	Literature- Other, Visual Arts- Drawing, Visual Arts- Crafts	Everyone knows it is wise to heed your dreams! Our dreams and ideas are rich treasures that deserve special attention, and when recorded in a special book, can serve as inspiration for all manner of creative endeavors. The workshop leader is also a playwright and visual artist, and testifies that that act of writing fleeting dreams and ideas down in a specially prepared book is the surest route to the creation of new plays, poems, and much more. Participants will take their inspiration from the illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages, and learn how to create their own hand-stitched, hand-decorated chapbooks. Best of all, they will discover the important truth that EVERYONE is an artist - it’s just a question of learning these tools of the trade. You will truly be amazed.	$201- $350