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 events also build relationships that make our communities stronger, and these themes (of resilience and community) are strong within our programming. Additionally, our workshops weave together seed saving 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-$150 (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-$150 (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
We 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. Traditionally, while beans were being snapped, stories were told and songs (often long and winding ballads) were sung. Memories were made and relationships forged!
Our Bean String Ballad Sing programs are a way to connect ballads to this traditional context, and create an enjoyable and educational opportunity for all. Participants and attendees to Bean String Ballad Sing programs will snap heirloom beans while listening to ballad singers and storytellers sing and weave tales.
Due to COVID-19, our first Bean String Ballad Sing event was moved online. We had a lot of fun in this first event, offered in conjunction with the NC Arts Council. You can view a recording of our event here.
We will host in-person Bean String Ballad Sing events on an annual basis (with the hope that our first in-person event will be offered in the latter part of 2021). We'll cook up beans, bake some traditional cornbread, and have a meal together in addition to listening to beautiful and haunting stories and songs. Keep up with us on our Facebook page and continue to check-in for updates.
The Bean String Ballad Sing is a spin on the classic practice of snapping (unzipping, or stringing) beans. Traditionally, while beans were being snapped, stories were told and songs (often long and winding ballads) were sung. Memories were made and relationships forged!
Our Bean String Ballad Sing programs are a way to connect ballads to this traditional context, and create an enjoyable and educational opportunity for all. Participants and attendees to Bean String Ballad Sing programs will snap heirloom beans while listening to ballad singers and storytellers sing and weave tales.
Due to COVID-19, our first Bean String Ballad Sing event was moved online. We had a lot of fun in this first event, offered in conjunction with the NC Arts Council. You can view a recording of our event here.
We will host in-person Bean String Ballad Sing events on an annual basis (with the hope that our first in-person event will be offered in the latter part of 2021). We'll cook up beans, bake some traditional cornbread, and have a meal together in addition to listening to beautiful and haunting stories and songs. Keep up with us on our Facebook page and continue to check-in for updates.
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/.
