Song to Seed Programs & Events
The work of tradition keeping is community work. We believe that old-time music and seed saving are all a part of the same social context. Corn-shuckings, cane-boilings, and other "working bees" and community gatherings are the ideal setting for sharing traditions, and forging the important networks that keep those traditions going. These themes are strong within our programming. Additionally, our workshops weave together demonstrations, seed-sharing, storytelling, history and music to educate and entertain audiences.
If you're interested in scheduling a talk or presentation in your community, please fill out our contact form on our home page. We can't wait to learn, sing, and laugh with you!
Please note that the sliding scale rate for our typical hour long presentation is $50-$100 (travel stipend not included). We value the sliding scale model as a way to increase accessibility to these conversations. Other creative payment options can be discussed. Online presentations are currently being offered.
If you're interested in scheduling a talk or presentation in your community, please fill out our contact form on our home page. We can't wait to learn, sing, and laugh with you!
Please note that the sliding scale rate for our typical hour long presentation is $50-$100 (travel stipend not included). We value the sliding scale model as a way to increase accessibility to these conversations. Other creative payment options can be discussed. Online presentations are currently being offered.
Bean String Ballad Sing (Upcoming Event)
**Update: We are pleased to announce that we have received the Henry Reed Fund Grant from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for this program!
The Bean String Ballad Sing is a spin on the classic practice of snapping (unzipping, or stringing) beans. Often these moments would feature singing and storytelling, and was the natural setting for the kind of winding, long ballads and stories that really weren't made for the stage. Having 32 versus to "The House Carpenter" makes a lot more sense when you are singing while working your way through a pretty repetitive task!
Participants and attendees to The Bean String Ballad Sing will snap heirloom beans while listening to ballad singers and storytellers. Originally the plan was to do all of this in person, cook up the beans, bake some traditional cornbread (GF), and have a meal together! However, due to COVID-19, there has been a change in plans. We will host our in-person event in 2021. For now, we are are planning an exciting virtual event, with details coming soon!
The Bean String Ballad Sing is a spin on the classic practice of snapping (unzipping, or stringing) beans. Often these moments would feature singing and storytelling, and was the natural setting for the kind of winding, long ballads and stories that really weren't made for the stage. Having 32 versus to "The House Carpenter" makes a lot more sense when you are singing while working your way through a pretty repetitive task!
Participants and attendees to The Bean String Ballad Sing will snap heirloom beans while listening to ballad singers and storytellers. Originally the plan was to do all of this in person, cook up the beans, bake some traditional cornbread (GF), and have a meal together! However, due to COVID-19, there has been a change in plans. We will host our in-person event in 2021. For now, we are are planning an exciting virtual event, with details coming soon!
Bongalis, Mae, and Lyntha Scott Eiler. Mae Bongalis strings beans for drying. The dried beans are known as leather britches. Naoma Raleigh County West Virginia, 1996. October 5. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/cmns000686/.
