The 2008 Family Arts Festival Saturday, July 12
Street Painting: From 1pm
Drumming Workshop : 2-3pm
with Terry Hall, for ages 3-9
Stiltwalking 4-5pm
With Mark Alexander, for ages 10 and up
Music and Dancing: 4-9pm
The Family Arts Festival will mark its seventh year with great performances from returning favorites, including storyteller Eshu Bumpus, The David Grover Big Bear Band (the Berkshires' most beloved children's band), and Li'l Anne and Hot Cayenne (zydeco) as well as newcomers Two Dollar Goat (bluegrass.)
“What makes this year special is all the opportunities for anyone and everyone to participate and get involved,” says Jenny Hansell, NECC’s Executive Director. “You can paint a square on the street. You can join the drumming or stilt-walking workshop, and learn skills that will amaze your friends and family, or even start you on a lifetime of performing yourself! And if you just want to sit back and enjoy the music, these performers are unbeatable.”
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Li’l Anne and Hot Cayenne, (playing from 7:30 on) one of the most popular zydeco groups in the northeast U.S., is led by accordionist and vocalist Anne Stork, a former dancer who, she likes to say, “plays to the feet.” This irrepressible and irresistible band features the dynamic lead vocals of Phil Sanguedolce andlead guitar of Bob Halperin, while Rick Kline, Doug Chatman, and Lew Papenfuse nail down the signature Cajun sound on bass, drums, and rhythm guitar, respectively. |
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As residents of New York State’s Hudson Valley, Two Dollar Goat (playing from 6:30 - 7:15) can be found all over the region and beyond enthusiastically playing tunes new and old in the Bluegrass style. At parties, on porches, festival parking lots or at a venue near you, ‘The Goat’ share their unique sound and upbeat song interpretations at every available opportunity. With tight vocal harmonies and a driving rhythm infused with a light-hearted approach to music, this trio thoroughly entertains. Their energetic renditions get feet stomping while preserving an authentic feel and obvious dedication to the ‘High Lonesome’ sound. Strong believers in acoustic music performed live, Two Dollar Goat are happiest on the stage, making listeners smile and keeping the old songs alive.
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David Grover (playing from 4:45 - 5:30) asks: Are you serious about the music your child listens to? So are we - we play original and traditional music for kids of all ages. We call it folk music, but the influences behind the music are the performers and writers we love. It's Pete Seeger and the Beach Boys … it's the Beatles … and Harry Belafonte. Paul Simon and Kermit the Frog. It's Broadway and the Carpenters, Peter Paul and Mary and the Grateful Dead. And it's Woody Guthrie and Martin Luther King. It's folk music of the 21st century. It's real people playing real instruments playing songs we love, to people we love. The David Grover Big Bear Band appears regularly in Great Barrington and around the Berkshires.
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Eshu Bumpus (appearing at 4:00) is one of the most popular and beloved performers ever to appear at the Family Arts Festival. A renowned storyteller, and a master at physical characterization, he captivates his audience by telling a variety of African, African-American and World folktales leavened with music, humor and mystery. “I use my storytelling performances of Multicultural or African and African American Folktales…as a method of modeling principles of originality and non-violence.” He has performed on the Exchange Place stage at the National Festival (1998), and performed 36 sold out shows in 13 days at the Smithsonian (1997). After appearing at the 10 Annual Connecticut Storytelling Festival (1991), Eshu was acclaimed as," … a fresh, responsible and knowledgeable voice... distinct and compelling... the hit of the Festival.” |
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The audience, young and old, enjoyed the 2007 show.
Street painting: Local artists can create large works in pastel on the South Center Street pavement. Enter as an individual or team - kids are welcome. It’s not too late to enter as an artist or a sponsor — call NECC for more iinformation or 