PETER SIEGEL & FRIENDS MINIRESIDENCY & FOLK WORKSHOPS

Peter Siegel & Friends's fee includes a full concert and for schools, a choice of the following workshops or related classes. Following are contra dances and workshops tailored more to folk festivals and folk concert producers. Please feel free to choose from all.

Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Afraid To Find Out: The Rise and Fall
and Rise of Real Community

Where has our sense of democracy gone? In a personal (and not so personal) tour, Peter guides you through the history of involvement by looking at the history of the Masons, town meetings, campus clubs, and other community events and organizations. As an officer of the Montague, MA Grange #101, Peter will reveal the intriguing and perhaps strange rituals that have made popularity for "fraternal orders" wax and wane over the last 150 years. We end with a look at the probabilities of political and organizational involvement on your campus.

The Last Word: Corporate Influence on the Media

In the "worlds biggest democracy" have you ever wondered whether you are actually hearing the truth about world events? How does big business influence the information that we receive? Peter Siegel, who has studied the media for the last 10 years wants you to understand how even the freest media in the world has limits imposed from within. Using the last century as a backdrop, we will explore the influence of big business on the course that TV, radio, and the internet have taken through song and discussion.

Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Communication & Our Connections with Nature

Does modern technology put us completely out of touch with our cultural roots? How has communication technology influenced our connection to nature over the course of civilization? Through handouts, discussion, and song we will explore how language, different forms of symbolism, and our methods of communication have evolved to reflect our connection and disconnection with nature.

Lift Every Voice: Songs as an Agent in Social and Political Change

Music can change the world! We will explore how music has helped to win fights against oppression, for freedom and social justice, and against war all over the world. Peter especially likes to tailor the workshop to reflect the issues of the participants and sponsoring organizations. Handouts include some word sheets, book and CD recommendations and web sites.

For The Festival And Folk Sponsor

photo by Marcia Webster

These titles are suggestive of workshops that might act as a fee co-generator for the folk sponsor with a workshop in the afternoon and a concert in the evening.

Peter is happy to participate in any Songmaking, Guitar, Mandolin, Bodhran, or Banjo style workshops as well as those below. Festivals can offer a Contra Dance or a children's program, or use the titles below as a suggestion for Peter Siegel & Friends' placement in your Festival or Workshop series.

Contra Dance with Peter Siegel and Friends

A contra dance called by David Kaynor and played by a trio that includes Peter and may include Ellen Clegg, David Kaynor, Michael Kerry, Britany Orlebeke, or Alicia Jo Rabins.

Songs for a new Paradigm

Change the way you think to change the world. With wry and biting humor, Peter makes his points with the songs of others and his own.

Songs to Make you Move and Shake

Socially conscious (and deliberately offensive) goofy songs for kids of ALL Ages for the liberated children's stage.

Contra Dance Band 101

Peter will talk about how to build a kickin' contra dance band using all kinds of chords, tunes, and rhythms.

Pro--Earth Songs

Defending the earth with a low-flush toilet and a people-food equalizer, Peter makes the case for preserving what we all need.

Making your Instrument (and your body) a Rhythm Machine

Peter will work on how to use your feet, hands, mouth, and instrument to accompany a melody--bring guitars, banjos, drums, mandolins, feet, and voices.

Designed & Managed by Peter Chan