Texas Touring Roster for performances from September 1, 2022-August 31, 2024

Alley Theatre

Alley Theatre, acknowledged leader in American theatre, holds Applied Theatre, integrating drama in education, community, or therapeutic contexts, among its core values. The Alley Character Education Series (ACES) presents interactive touring assemblies for K-5th grade students. Delightfully wacky, the 'Oskar' plays are described as 'vaudevillian—SNL for K-5th graders,' and teach important life skills such as becoming an upstander against bullies, understanding the importance of diversity, social-emotional competence, resiliency, and coping with trauma. Comments such as 'The kids were super excited from our last show and this show lived up to the hype!' 'I loved the English/Spanish captions,' 'The music and special effects made a big impact!' 'Resilience was taught in a way the students could relate,' and 'The presentation kept the students engaged the whole time,' are common. With small casts, a portable, easy-to-assemble set, and an interactive digital guide, plays are designed for school auditoriums, gymnasiums, and multipurpose rooms. They provide a framework for post-performance discussions in the classroom and beyond. The Alley is also available to visit classrooms and community centers with programs like Staging STEM, First Draft personal narrative, SLAM Poetry, and Playwriting, as well as evidence-based professional development programs for teachers. Photo by Rachel Wagner.

contact
Elena Valladolid-Rivera
615 Texas Ave.
Houston, TX  77002
phone 713-315-5424
phone#2 713-315-5423
e-mail elenavr@alleytheatre.org
public performance/concert $433 - $595
school performance $433 - $595
workshop fees $150 - $3,000
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $2,000
website https://www.alleytheatre.org/education

 

ARCOS

ARCOS experiments rigorously to discover adventurous new forms of contemporary performance. Integrating overlapping layers of older and newer technologies in ways that question dominant understandings of the world and examine the turbulent processes of traditions in flux, their internationally award-winning, interdisciplinary work is accessible, relevant, and directly engaging to a diverse range of contemporary audiences. Recognized by critics for their 'kaleidoscopic artistry' (Austin American-Statesman) that is 'fierce and weird and wonderful' (Austin Chronicle) and 'thinks squarely outside the box' (Scotsman), ARCOS tours throughout Texas, nationally, and abroad to contemporary art centers, festivals, and academic residencies and symposia. Programs available for touring are a combination of existing repertoire and original commissions tailored to presenters’ specifications and various venue types, including performances suited to a theatrical studio or proscenium setting, site-responsive or immersive pieces in outdoor or alternative spaces, and interactive installations in galleries or libraries. While on tour or in residency, ARCOS also complements performances with innovative outreach and community engagement offerings, such as informal post-show conversations, interdisciplinary workshops or masterclasses, and volunteering for local charities. Photo by Eliot Gray Fisher.

contact
Erica Gionfriddo
1207 Southport Drive #106
Austin, TX  78704
phone 860-983-5974
phone#2 505-690-0194
e-mail a@arcosdance.com
public performance/concert $1,500 - $20,000
school performance $800 - $4,800
workshop fees $150 - $7,500
travel/per diem/lodging $40 - $9,600
website http://arcosdance.com

 

Austin Troubadours

The Austin Troubadours (AT) is an Austin-based group of instrumentalists and singers whose mission is to revive the beauty of musical masterpieces from Medieval and Renaissance Europe. AT was founded in 2008 by the award-winning lutenist and early music specialist Slobodan Vujisic. Mr. Vujisic has performed hundreds of concerts in Europe throughout the '80s and '90s including Berlin's Schauspielhous, Theater St. Marten in Paris, and the Dubrovnik Festival. Seven musicians in Renaissance costumes with more than 30 authentic period instruments perform the music of Medieval and Renaissance Europe. The shows are high energy and unconventional, with performers that include members of the Austin Opera, University of Texas faculty, Fulbright Scholars, and winners of Austin Statesman's Critics Choice Awards, funded in part by the City of Austin Cultural Commission. AT are proud to say that they have been approved for inclusion on the Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster since 2014. Program 1 - Introduction to Renaissance Music (6-7 musicians); Program 2 - Music of Shakespeare's Theatre (6-7 musicians); Program 3 - Mediterranean Journey (Medieval music from Mediterranean countries, 6-7 musicians); Program 4 - Lute Song (Soprano and lute duets, 2-4 musicians). For more, please visit www.austintroubadours.com. Photo by Maya Sokovic.

contact
Slobodan Vujisic
13276 Research Blvd, #201
Austin, TX  78750
phone 512-983-0600
phone#2
e-mail slobodanvujisic@gmail.com
public performance/concert $2,500 - $6,000
school performance $1,000 - $2,000
workshop fees $1,000 - $3,000
travel/per diem/lodging $350 - $1,500
website http://www.austintroubadours.com

 

Ballet Austin

Founded in 1956, Ballet Austin has been under the capable leadership of Artistic Director and choreographer Stephen Mills for two decades. The company’s repertoire is grounded in classical ballet and defined by a focus on innovation and the incubation of new work. Ballet Austin makes its performance home in Austin and extends its reach through regional, national, and international touring engagements. The company has performed at the Joyce Theater in New York; the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC; and festivals, choreographic competitions, and on tour in Canada, France, Italy, Slovenia, Israel, and China. Ballet Austin’s main company tours both full-length and mixed repertory programs. Full-length work includes Stephen Mills’ celebrated Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project and The Nutcracker. Mixed repertory programs include works by Mr. Mills, George Balanchine, and other internationally-recognized choreographers. Ballet Austin II tours family-focused story ballets including The Ugly Duckling, Peter & The Wolf, and Not Afraid of the Dark, a special glow-in-the-dark ballet featuring music and concept by Joe Scruggs. Beyond performances, Ballet Austin's programs also include school performances with accompanying curricula, on-campus dance workshops for elementary students, and creative movement workshops for young children in community spaces. Photo by Tony Spielberg.

contact
Bill Sheffield
501 W 3rd Street
Austin, TX  78701
phone 512-476-9151
phone#2
e-mail bill.sheffield@balletaustin.org
public performance/concert $7,500 - $50,000
school performance $500 - $7,500
workshop fees $50 - $3,000
travel/per diem/lodging $500 - $10,000
website https://www.balletaustin.org

 

Azul Barrientos

Azul Barrientos is an acclaimed musician dedicated to uncovering and conserving the cultural influences and interconnections between Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Mexico. Born in Mexico City, Azul moved to San Antonio, Texas as a young woman, where she developed a reputation for building bridges between Mexicana and Chicana cultures. Her career has focused on the preservation of traditional songs from Latin America and the exploration of their diverse musical histories. Azul rejoices in her Latina roots, giving new life to the rhythms and stories of previous generations. She currently serves as Artist in Residence at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center in San Antonio, Texas. Available programs include solo concerts and performances with accompaniment. Azul performs with guitar and jarana at all concerts. Accompaniment may include piano and bass for a jazz-style concert; harp, cello, and percussion; or other variations including full band and duets. Children’s performances featuring traditional songs, games, dancing, and storytelling are also available. Multimedia presentations providing context on cultural themes may also be incorporated by request. Photo by Josh Huskin.

contact
Azul Barrientos
14439 NW Military Highway 108 #508
San Antonio, TX  78231
phone 210-897-3582
phone#2
e-mail info@azulmusica.com
public performance/concert $600 - $6,000
school performance $400 - $3,000
workshop fees $400 - $2,000
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $3,000
website https://www.azulbarrientos.com

 

Chris Barton

Write what you know,' the saying goes. But in author Chris Barton's Write What You’d Love to Learn presentation, based on his experiences with both playful picture books (including bestseller Shark vs. Train) and rigorously researched nonfiction (including 2020-21 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List book What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan), he encourages young audiences to improve their own writing by giving the not-yet-known a try. Born and raised in Sulphur Springs and now a resident of Austin, Chris is the author of many other picture books, including both fiction (Fire Truck vs. Dragon, 88 Instruments, Mighty Truck) and nonfiction (The Day-Glo Brothers, Dazzle Ships, All of a Sudden and Forever, and Whoosh!). He's shared Write What You'd Love to Learn with first graders in just 30 minutes, he's delivered a full-day version to educators and librarians, and he's adapted it for many ages and lengths in between. It can include an emphasis on (and many examples of) the importance of research, revision, or collaboration. His 3 to 4 sessions per day can also include writing workshops for both fiction and nonfiction. Photo by Heather Gallagher Photography.

contact
Chris Barton
PO Box 66104
Austin, TX  78766
phone 512-827-8266
phone#2
e-mail chris@chrisbarton.info
public performance/concert $750 - $3,000
school performance $1,650 - $2,250
workshop fees $1,650 - $2,250
travel/per diem/lodging $200 - $500
website https://www.chrisbarton.info

 

The Bike Zoo

Ringmaster, co-founder, and UT Austin mechanical engineering graduate Jeremy Rosen and the Bike Zoo create life-long memories. Since unveiling their bike animals at the Austin First Night Parade in 2005, the Bike Zoo has rapidly expanded, performing at festivals, parades, and schools across the US and Mexico. Millions of people have experienced the Bike Zoo since its inception. They present a magical, immersive, and interactive environment for people of all ages. A unique addition to any festival, public space, corporate, family, or educational event, the Bike Zoo's ever-growing family of playful, hand-built bicycle creatures includes the giant 80-foot 6-rider Rattlesnake, seven giant Butterflies, the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat, the Barn Owl, the majestic Bald Eagle, the Praying Mantis, the 10-rider Bicycle Carousel, and the latest, the Giant Armadillo! You can count on the Bike Zoo to engage visitors of all ages and captivate the imaginations of those who see or interact with the larger-than-life zoo. The Bike Zoo’s creatures offer the public the opportunity to realize their fantasy of flight. Where else can you ride a 12-foot butterfly or an 80-foot rattlesnake? Some creatures serve as a stage or mobile activity booth and can accommodate people with special needs. Photo by Juliana Halverson.

contact
Beth Danziger
13730 Immanuel Rd
Pflugerville, TX  78660
phone 512-338-1832
phone#2 512-479-0420
e-mail yes@groovelabs.net
public performance/concert $1,500 - $20,000
school performance $0 - $20,000
workshop fees $3,000 - $25,000
travel/per diem/lodging $500 - $5,000
website https://austinbikezoo.org/blog/

 

Blue Lapis Light

Blue Lapis Light (BLL) is a site-specific aerial dance company based in Austin, Texas, and founded by Artistic Director Sally Jacques. Using aerial techniques informed by classical, interpretive, and modern dance, BLL creates transcendent works of beauty, inspiring audience members of all ages and backgrounds. BLL offers aerial dance performances adapted to each location, making every show a unique event. The apparatuses used are determined by the site. The company specializes in aerial silks, harness work, Spanish web, and tiger stands. Custom music and costuming elements are chosen to reflect the theme of each event. BLL creates pieces on every scale, from one dance on a silk to an entire ensemble on the face of a building. Photo by Earl McGehee.

contact
Sally Jacques
PO Box 1821
Austin, TX  78767
phone 512-280-6688
phone#2
e-mail info@bluelapislight.org
public performance/concert $3,500 - $35,000
school performance $3,000 - $10,000
travel/per diem/lodging $500 - $25,000
website https://www.bluelapislight.org

 

Brave Little Company

Brave Little Company is theater for everyone. Since 2013, they’ve been creating original plays about, with, and for kids and their grown-ups. They create theater the way kids play. When children engage in unstructured, imaginative exploration, their creativity is at full power, and they are at the center of the story. BLC's plays may include found object puppetry, sensory storytelling, and a meaningful role for the audience in making the story happen. Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion as limitless as Texas, they bring bilingual performances and workshops to schools, libraries, and community venues. Their current productions include the bilingual play First Day, Nueva Escuela, about a girl who overcomes her fear of reading by writing herself into stories; and Wooden O, a sensory Shakespeare adventure for ages 3-5. BLC offers theater workshops for everyone, including creative collaborations with students with learning differences. BLC also facilitates THE BIG “US” PROJECT, a community-driven theatre piece led by 100 members of Texas’s refugee communities, now in its second year. They’re proud to tour Texas-wide through Young Audiences of Houston. Bookings include extension activities for teachers to implement in their classrooms. Visit www.brave-little.com for upcoming productions. Photo by Alan Nguyen.

contact
Zach Neville
675 Bering Dr., Suite 300
Houston, TX  77057
phone 713-520-9267
phone#2
e-mail zach@yahouston.org
public performance/concert $195 - $500
school performance $195 - $500
workshop fees $120 - $250
travel/per diem/lodging $50 - $200
website http://www.brave-little.com

 

Casa Manana Theatre

Casa Manana is a professional theater located in Fort Worth. They have been operating since 1958. Over the past 10 years, they have toured throughout the US and Texas with such shows as Frog & Toad, Junie B. Jones, Mr. Popper's Penguins, and more. They currently have a tour scheduled to go out in October of 2020 entitled Grace for President. Photo by Casa Manana.

contact
Brad Simon
2 Klarides Village Dr #337
Seymour, CT  06483
phone 212-730-2132
phone#2
e-mail brad@bsoinc.com
public performance/concert $6,000 - $9,000
school performance $3,500 - $6,000
travel/per diem/lodging $750
website http://www.casamanana.org/

 

MCP Shows/Margaret Clauder

Margaret Clauder is an internationally known award-winning storyteller/puppeteer/ventriloquist who has traveled the US and abroad performing for audiences of all ages. She is a costumed variety performing artist and performs as one of her 9 original characters. Characters include her original Mother Goose, THE Bookworm, Meteorologist Maggie, Astronomer Annie, Masai Maggie (a safari clad performer), Imma Sleuth (detective), Senorita Margarita, Mother Nature, Alphie the Elf, Mrs. Claus, and many more. Her programs align with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards and encourage children to enjoy the wonder of reading by promoting books, stories, and their imaginations. Children's imaginations burst with wonder when they see her puppets magically talk and sing with Margaret's outstanding ventriloquism, an art that she has worked on diligently for over 30 years. As a columnist for various children's performer magazines such as The Calliope and The Funny Paper, and a sought-after lecturer for performance conventions, such as the International Ventriloquist Convention, The Texas Clown Association, The International Association of Kids Show Professionals, The Tejas Storyteller Association, and the Society of American Magicians, she has mentored hundreds of variety arts performers from around the globe. She is open to travel in Texas, the United States, or abroad. Photo by David Thomasson.

contact
Margaret Clauder
916 Wayland Dr
Arlington, TX  76012
phone 817-265-5696
phone#2 817-980-1760
e-mail margaret@mcpshows.com
public performance/concert $300 - $1,000
school performance $300 - $895
workshop fees $500 - $2,000
travel/per diem/lodging $100 - $475
website http://www.mcpshows.com

 

Conteño

The fundamental characteristic that distinguishes the unique sound of Conteño is the harmonious balance of styles distinctive to regional Texas-Mexican music including the genres of conjunto, tejano and norteño. Conteño, hailing from the border town of Brownsville, TX, has a signature style that is an explosion of upbeat, modern rhythms rooted in traditional sounds. These unique characteristics have created a faithful fan base in the Rio Grande Valley and throughout the state of Texas. The front men of the group, Juan and Federico Longoria, are considered masters in the regional tradition of Texas-Mexican accordion and bajo sexto performance. Conteño’s music appeals to all age groups and performances can accommodate any size crowd from small, unplugged, intimate sessions to large outdoor festivals in every region of Texas. Conteño prides itself in not only performing the rhythms of conjunto, tejano and norteño music, but educating the public about the cultural traditions of regional Texas-Mexican music and its significance to Texan culture. Photo by Telegrafico Promos.

contact
Juan Longoria
5105 Boca Chica Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521
phone 956-466-4454
phone#2 956-545-4416
e-mail grupoconteno@gmail.com
public performance/concert $2,500 - $6,000
school performance $500 - $2,500
workshop fees $500 - $3,000
travel/per diem/lodging $500 - $1,500
website https://www.grupoconteno.com

 

Decee Cornish

Raised in Houston's Fifth Ward, Decee attended Prairie View University, then joined the military and served around the world. He traveled and lived among peoples of five continents experiencing their culture, learning their history, and hearing their stories. Decee began his storytelling career at a nonprofit youth facility for disadvantaged and at-risk children. He uses his stories to teach, motivate, inspire, and often just to entertain. Decee continues to bring smiles and laughter to troubled youth through the 'I Have a Dream' Foundation. Decee received numerous storytelling awards, including the prestigious John Henry Faulk Award for outstanding contributions to the art of storytelling. Decee's programs include plenty of audience participation, drumming, and music, providing fun for all. Texas, Civil War, multicultural, United States, and world histories are some of the many curriculum-related programs available. He performs ghost stories, myths, tall tales, multicultural folktales, or just fun stories for entertainment. For over 20 years, Decee has provided storytelling in schools, libraries, local and national festivals, corporate, and special events. He has been a featured storyteller at festivals where he entertained audiences big and small, from ages eight to eighty. Photo by Paul Porter.

contact
Carole Weitzel
118 Beach Mountain Cove
Georgetown, TX  78633
phone 512-914-2596
phone#2 682-347-7107
e-mail carole@authorsandmore.com
public performance/concert $550 - $1,500
school performance $800 - $2,000
workshop fees $500 - $1,500
travel/per diem/lodging $150 - $1,000
website http://www.deceecornish.com

 

Creative Action

The plays were amazing! My students were totally engaged,' Ms. Ortiz, Ridgetop Elementary. 'It’s really cool how we talked to the characters and got to act,' 7th grader, Ojeda Middle School. Since 1997, Creative Action has delivered Interactive theater programs for preK-7th grade that offer an immersive classroom experience through role play, characters, puppets, song and movement. Through engaging, multi-day residencies performed by professional actor-teachers, students develop age-appropriate academic, social, and emotional learning skills, including conflict resolution, bullying prevention, leadership, and empathy. Annually, they visit 500+ central Texas classrooms and engage 10,000+ youth. Each grade-level specific performance unfolds over four consecutive days, with a fifth follow-up session 3-6 weeks later. Examples: The Heroes/Los Heroés (1st) is a bilingual performance in which students take a journey from Barton Springs to Costa Rica to Mt. Kilimanjaro to discover the four steps to peace; The Courage to Stand (4th) explores historical acts of courage from the Civil Rights Era and the Holocaust as students become courageous bystanders; Crossing the Line (6th-7th) addresses consent as characters navigate social media bullying and harassment. They also provide extension activities, parent workshops, professional development, and community events to deepen program impact and build inclusive school communities. Photo by Creative Action.

contact
Lynn Hoare
1023 Springdale Road, Bldg. 3, Suite A
Austin, TX  78721
phone 512-442-8773 Ext. 122
phone#2 512-442-8773 x128
e-mail schoolbased@creativeaction.org
school performance $300 - $600
workshop fees $60 - $720
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $600
website https://creativeaction.org/programs/school-based/brave-schools/

 

Creativity Shell

The Creativity Shell is on a mission to use creative trades to educate and inspire the next generation of makers. The organization teaches sewing/textile arts and other creative trades classes to students in their mobile studios, libraries, schools and shelters that rescue children from homelessness, trauma and human trafficking. Classes and events led by the Creativity Shell are designed to educate and inspire children by teaching them essential life and practical skills. The sewing/textile arts and other creative programs can last anywhere from a 2-hour workshop to a 15-week semester. To give students creative outlets to showcase their work, the Creativity Shell has launched two major annual events in Houston. The Munchkin Market is a popular event among K-12 students. Students participating in this event learn to make their own items and sell it to the public. The second event is the annual fashion show called Creativity Rocks! For students to participate in Creativity Rocks, they must design, make and model their own outfit based on the annual theme of the show. The Creativity Shell’s ability to make classes fun and exciting for children creates a positive atmosphere with children willingly enrolling in the programs. Photo by Shelancia Daniel.

contact
Shelancia Daniel
1580 Kingwood Drive #A
Kingwood, TX  77339
phone 832-943-9767
phone#2
e-mail sdaniel@creativityshell.org
public performance/concert $300 - $4,500
school performance $600 - $6,000
workshop fees $300 - $2,500
travel/per diem/lodging $600 - $2,500
website https://www.creativityshell.org

 

Joseph Dixon

With over twenty-five years’ experience, Joseph Dixon works in the areas of art for education and community outreach. Dixon has conducted over a thousand workshops, residencies and performances in the Houston, Dallas, Beaumont and San Antonio areas through collaborative partnerships with schools and organizations. Currently, Dixon serves as a teaching artist for various nonprofit art organizations, including the River Performing and Visual Arts Center, ArtReach, Young Audiences of Houston, and Avondale House, where he implements fine arts programming in music and visual art designed to aid communication and social development and encourage fine and gross motor development for students with autism and other disabilities. Dixon also provides children's performances through his Early Inspirations Performances Series which offers interactive, educational performances designed to encourage creative thinking, promote team learning, and foster social development through the presentation and engagement of the arts. Each performance is Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills-aligned. Dixon provides curriculum guides for all performances to aid educators in building knowledge and skills. Performances: History and Songs of the Mardi Gras Indians, Let’s Play Together Drum and Strum /Jawad African Rhythms and Spirituals. Photo by JD Art.

contact
Joseph Dixon
2011 Plum Falls Ln.
Pearland, TX  77581
phone 281-896-2914
phone#2
e-mail dyoungartists@yahoo.com
public performance/concert $450 - $900
school performance $450 - $900
workshop fees $250 - $450
travel/per diem/lodging $77 - $190
website https://www.josephdixonart.com

 

Elizabeth Ellis

Elizabeth Ellis' work has been described as 'invariably moving and amusing.' A repertoire of more than four hundred stories makes it possible for Elizabeth to create programs tailored to fit the needs of the presenter and the age and interest of her listeners. Tales of Texas, Appalachian, and heroic American women are much requested, but stories of Elizabeth's own life are arguably her best. Adult concerts include How Women Won the Vote and Tougher than Woodpecker Lips (challenges). Children's concerts include There's Always a Troublemaker and A Trip Around the World in Folktales. Raised in the Appalachian Mountains in a family of storytellers, Elizabeth has shared her tales with over a million children and countless adults in her forty-one-year career. A perennial favorite at schools and libraries across Texas and at the National Storytelling Festival, she is a recipient of the John Henry Faulk Award and the National Storytelling Network's Lifetime Achievement Award. Elizabeth can awaken the storyteller and story collector in anyone. Workshops about collecting family stories are a specialty. Photo by Paul Porter.

contact
Elizabeth Ellis
6218 Wofford Avenue
Dallas, TX  75227
phone 214-282-7701
phone#2 214-381-4676
e-mail storyellis9@gmail.com
public performance/concert $150 - $1,000
school performance $350 - $900
workshop fees $150 - $900
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $1,500
website http://elizabethellis.com

 

The Ensemble Theatre

The Ensemble Theatre (TET) was founded in 1976 to preserve African-American artistic expression. TET produces a main stage season of six contemporary and classical works devoted to the portrayal of the African-American experience by local and national playwrights and artists. Theater programs benefit a multicultural audience that is diverse in age, income, ethnicity, and culture. The Ensemble's touring program provides live performances for students in schools, churches, and community organizations. Curriculum materials are designed to enhance the impact of the program and link plays to specific Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and STEAM. Touring performances include Uncle Remus’ Br’er Rabbit, adapted by TET founder George Hawkins, a fun-packed story of African-American folklore and American popular culture. I, Barbara Jordan, by Celeste Bedford Walker, explores Jordan’s journey to greatness and those who inspired her. Additional touring offerings are developed yearly and may be derived from social-emotional learning concepts, standard children’s literature, national celebrations, or historical events. (See website for additional plays and season information.) Photo by David Bray.

contact
Tour Coordinator
3535 Main Street
Houston , TX  77002
phone 713-807-4317
phone#2 713-520-0055
e-mail toured@ensemblehouston.com
public performance/concert $1,200 - $15,000
school performance $800 - $950
travel/per diem/lodging $325 - $4,000
website https://www.ensemblehouston.com

 

FLY Dance Company

Entertainment with wholesome, universal appeal,' NY Times. Founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Kathy Wood, FLY Dance Company offers a variety of concert performances as well as educational shows, workshops, and residencies available for booking locally, nationally, and internationally. Labeled an artistic phenomenon, FLY crosses street dance with classical choreographic principles. Their technique is hip hop, very creative, gymnastic, and highly masculine. FLY's concerts are clean-cut, wholesome artistry designed to cross all audience boundaries, young and old, men and women, sophisticated and unsophisticated, with pieces combining styles and cultures to reflect contemporary Americana. FLY's community outreach reaches an average of 50,000 kids annually with educational shows, residencies, and workshops that are unmatched in variety and positive social impact. Put it all together and you will agree, 'There is no other group like FLY Dance Company,' the Gentlemen of Hip Hop. FLY’s educational shows are fun and fast-action; scripted and designed to deliver entertainment, knowledge, and important social messages to school-aged audiences. Concert offerings are available as full-length or mini-concerts and are adaptable for college student activities and youth concerts. Performances can vary in length and cast size, with performing fees adjusted accordingly. Photo by J. Del Fierro.

contact
Jorge Casco
15433 Chichester Ln
Houston, TX  77040
phone 713-835-5499
phone#2 832-660-5879
e-mail jorge@flydancecompany.com
public performance/concert $5,000 - $12,000
school performance $900 - $2,500
workshop fees $500 - $1,000
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $1,000
website https://www.flydancecompany.com

 

Flying Balalaika Brothers

The band Flying Balalaika Brothers was founded in 1995 by guitar virtuoso Zhenya Rock. The band has featured Balkan, Ukrainian, Romany (Gypsy), Jewish, Russian, and Cossack folk music with crossovers into bluegrass and even country music. The group’s name comes from the uniquely shaped instrument known as the balalaika. A balalaika is a triangular-shaped instrument you can see in the photo of the band. Flying Balalaika Brothers successfully perform at festivals and present educational programs in three languages (English, Spanish and Russian). The cross-culture educational program includes musicians and dancer performing in native costumes. Presentations combine music performances with the exploration of sounds, rhythms, and cultural history of traditional Slavic folk instruments combined with traditional American instruments. The musical journey compares and contrasts the rich musical heritage and traditions of two cultures. The in-class workshops offer children a chance to touch and experience the musical instruments first hand. The band also has a special program, Application of STEM Standards with Music Concepts. In this program, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics applications are demonstrated by a musical presentation. Students can apply the information that they will learn through the presentation in classroom activities and problems. Photo by Katie Smith.

contact
Nataly Rock
12320 Bainbridge
Austin, TX  78750
phone 512-962-8494
phone#2 832-317-8502
e-mail balalaikaunlimited@gmail.com
public performance/concert $500 - $7,000
school performance $300 - $2,000
workshop fees $100 - $1,500
travel/per diem/lodging $150 - $1,000
website http://www.flyingbalalaikabrothers.com

 

Forklift Danceworks

Founded in 2001 by Artistic Director Allison Orr, award-winning Austin-based Forklift Danceworks engages diverse communities in the creation of innovative civic dance projects. Drawing inspiration from the movement of work and everyday life, Forklift’s performances highlight the skilled movement and often unheard stories of the people whose work sustains our daily lives. From city sanitation employees to Venetian gondoliers, local baseball players to recycling warehouse workers, Forklift’s partners are cast as the primary performers and have included firefighters, pool maintenance workers, a symphony conductor, electric utility workers, college campus employees, and many others. Forklift artists have garnered local and national attention for outstanding choreography and artistic excellence, with commissions by Fusebox Festival, National Performance Network, the International Community Arts Festival, and the University of Houston. Forklift’s uniquely collaborative process is best toured by commissioning the company to create a site-specific work for the host organization, involving employees or community members and local artists as performers. Allison Orr and Associate Artistic Director Krissie Marty can also set work on professional or student dancers and/or community members for theater-based performances. The company offers school residencies from pre-K to college, professional development for classroom teachers, leadership training workshops, and keynotes. Photo by Jonica Moore.

contact
Gretchen LaMotte
2023 East Cesar Chavez
Austin, TX  78702
phone 512-222-5287
phone#2 609-468-8968
e-mail info@forkliftdanceworks.org
public performance/concert $2,000 - $50,000
school performance $500 - $3,500
workshop fees $500 - $10,000
travel/per diem/lodging $300 - $3,000
website https://www.forkliftdanceworks.org

 

Guy Forsyth

Guy Forsyth migrated to Austin in 1990, quickly making his musical mark. As a regular onstage at Antone’s, he formed the Asylum Street Spankers, went solo, formed the Hot Nut Riveters and a blues band, toured the world, won many Austin Music Awards (winning 2019 honors for Best Blues/Soul/Funk Band and Best Miscellaneous Instrument-harmonica, and 2018’s Best Male Vocals award) and toured the world some more. He’s toured the globe and shared stages with acts like Ray Charles, B.B. King, and Lucinda Williams. Guy regularly performs in solo/duo/blues band or string band configuration(s). Mixing humor, irreverence, devotion, and deep knowledge of musical history, he’s earned his status as one of the city’s top talents— a status he now proudly shares with his favorite partner, his wife, Jeska Bailey Forsyth. Their newest release, Conspirators, rose to #1 Song of the Month and #5 Top CD of the Month in July 2019 on the Folk DJ radio chart. As co-conspirators in life and song, they’ve proven that the whole can indeed be even greater than the sum of its formidable parts. As a proud TCA Texas Touring Roster member, they have traveled the state to present educational programs at schools and libraries. Photo by Rene Maldonada.

contact
KT Gardner
4505 Bull Creek Rd
Austin, TX  78731
phone 512-207-0825
phone#2 512-207-0825
e-mail ktrootstock@gmail.com
public performance/concert $1,200 - $7,500
school performance $900 - $2,000
workshop fees $900 - $3,500
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $1,500
website https://www.guyforsyth.com

 

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra is made up of 66 internationally-recruited musicians who have brought world-class symphonic performances to rural communities across Texas for over 35 years. The FWSO is nationally recognized for its artistic excellence and dynamic approach to music education programming. With the help of an experienced managerial and artistic staff, the Orchestra frequently presents inspiring public or student-focused performances in concert halls, community centers, and schools. Whenever possible, the FWSO seeks to make symphonic music accessible to children and adults who, due to geographic constraints, might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a live, professional orchestral performance. The Orchestra regularly presents a wide range of traditional and contemporary works that are audience-specific and age-appropriate, both in Fort Worth and throughout neighboring communities. Also, education programs include study materials, provided in advance of each performance to prepare students for their concert experience. Based on availability and the presenter's budget, community concerts can feature soloists, incorporate choral support, and take place in outdoor venues. The FWSO's unique programs are constantly being updated. Please consult their website or contact the FWSO for current details. Photo by Julien Lambert.

contact
John Clapp
330 East Fourth Street, Suite 200
Fort Worth, TX  76102
phone 817-665-6107
phone#2
e-mail jclapp@fwsymphony.org
public performance/concert $20,000 - $30,000
school performance $10,000 - $15,000
workshop fees $1,000 - $5,000
travel/per diem/lodging $2,500 - $12,000
website https://fwsymphony.org/in-the-community/community-events

 

Ruthie Foster

Those who have followed Ruthie Foster’s eclectic musical history know that she can ignite any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk, and gospel. Ruthie’s astonishing voice has taken her on an amazing ride from humble church choir beginnings in rural Texas, to a tour of duty with the US Navy Band, and finally back to Austin and an award-filled music career. Ruthie has received 2009, 2012, and 2014 GRAMMY Award nominations for Best Blues Album; 9 Blues Music Awards, of which 7 are for Best Traditional Blues Female Artist; and three-time Best Female Vocalist and Texas Hall of Fame inductee in 2019 from Austin Music Awards. Ruthie Foster can perform solo with her guitar, or in duo, trio, quartet, quintet, and big band configurations. Her show includes originals and covers in the areas of blues, folk, soul, and gospel music. Photo by Riccardo Piccirillo.

contact
Tom Gold
PO Box 440326
Somerville, MA  02144
phone 617-969-0810
phone#2
e-mail tom@concertedefforts.com
public performance/concert $4,000 - $20,000
school performance $4,000 - $20,000
workshop fees $4,000 - $15,000
travel/per diem/lodging $100 - $1,000
website http://www.ruthiefoster.com

 

Glass Half Full Theatre

Glass Half Full Theatre was lauded by the Austin-American Statesman for their 'inventive blend of puppetry and physical storytelling that employs gestures and expressions in tandem with props and sets to convey the narrative along with a variety of puppetry techniques.' Based in Austin, the company's current touring roster features sophisticated shows for multigenerational audiences includes the critically acclaimed Cenicienta: A Bilingual Cinderella Story, which won Best New Play from Austin Critic's Table and launches a national tour at the Kennedy Center in April 2021. The story features Belinda, an emerging Latina poet who uses her considerable imagination to re-enact the story of Cinderella through object theater (puppetry with everyday objects). Also on offer this season are Trash Talk with Polly Mermaid, a new interactive show that inspires audiences to divert plastic waste from landfills, Once There Were Six Seasons, which demonstrates effects of climate change on cultures and features 'tiny puppets, ingenious sets made of recycled materials, and gorgeous music from around the world,' and The Circus, a silent clown and puppet show featuring the underclass performers at a circus. Glass Half Full is known for their 'precise, engaging, and humorous' approach to real-world issues and imaginative solutions. Photo by Michael Ferstenfeld.

contact
Caroline Reck
1119 Omega St
Austin, TX  78721
phone 347-907-5428
phone#2 512-541-9192
e-mail caroline@GlassHalfFullTheatre.com
public performance/concert $500 - $3,000
school performance $500 - $2,000
workshop fees $250 - $1,000
travel/per diem/lodging $500 - $2,500
website http://www.GlassHalfFullTheatre.com

 

Great Promise for American Indians

Since 2004, Great Promise for American Indians has performed across the state of Texas with the mission of preserving the traditions, heritage and culture of American Indians. Their culturally authentic programs are both entertaining and informative. Traditions, stories, and history come alive through song and dance. Audiences are introduced to the sights and sounds of the modern-day powwow which is still a relevant and disciplined form of artistic and cultural expression. Dance styles and regalia are explained and demonstrated. Narration, live singing and drumming, and audience participation enhances the overall experience. Programs Director and individual artist Nan Blassingame (Cheyenne/Arapaho), an accomplished dancer and craftsperson, is also available for craft and dance workshops. Nan offers educational programs that feature hands-on participation and the sharing of her talents and experiences on a personal level with audiences of all ages. Great Promise programs are flexible and tailored to the needs of the presenter ranging from one artist to a larger group. Presentation size, time length, and content can be adapted to fit most events, venues, audiences, and budgets. School and classroom programs compliment Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards for arts, music, and social studies. Photo by Great Promise for American Indians.

contact
Jessica Scott
3710 Cedar St., Box 19
Austin, TX  78705
phone 202-441-3197
phone#2 512-371-0628
e-mail jnotts4@hotmail.com
public performance/concert $500 - $2,500
school performance $300 - $1,500
workshop fees $300 - $2,500
travel/per diem/lodging $100 - $2,000
website http://www.austinpowwow.net

 

Stockton Helbing

Stockton Helbing is a Dallas-based jazz drummer and bandleader whose dynamic performances have been heard throughout the United States-- first, while he was a member of the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band, then as a drummer for jazz trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson, and now as a drummer for Tonight Show legend Doc Severinsen. Since 2016, Helbing has directed a program in the Dallas-Fort Worth area called the Helbing Jazz Initiative, whose mission statement is to 'encourage, educate, and embolden people through jazz music.' With this program, Helbing and his band have given masterclasses, concerts, clinics, and lectures for thousands of students and adults by celebrating the diversity of the great artists throughout the history of jazz, and how those artists both musically and socially overcame the challenges of their day and age to positively impact lives in the United States. Stockton Helbing and his various sized groups offer presentations on jazz masters including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dave Brubeck, and many more. These presentations may be custom tailored and/or combined for any age group and demographic and may be performance-based, educational, interactive, or a mixture of all three. Photo by Troy Medinis.

contact
Stockton Helbing
1136 Valley Oaks Dr
Lewisville, TX  75067
phone 940-390-4111
phone#2
e-mail stocktonhelbing@gmail.com
public performance/concert $1,250 - $5,000
school performance $1,000 - $5,000
workshop fees $500 - $1,250
travel/per diem/lodging $100 - $1,000
website http://stocktonhelbing.com/

 

Terri Hendrix W/Lloyd Maines

Recognized by Acoustic Guitar magazine as one of Texas’s 20 essential contemporary songwriters, San Antonio native Terri Hendrix has independently released eighteen albums; co-wrote a GRAMMY Award-winning instrumental for the Dixie Chicks; and garnered a star on the South Texas Walk of Fame, Art of Peace Award by St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Distinguished Alumni Award at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, and an induction into the Women’s Hall of Fame in San Marcos. On vocals, harmonica, and guitar, she tours with legendary pedal steel, guitar, and dobro player Lloyd Maines. As a GRAMMY Award-winning producer and musician, the Lubbock-born Maines has been featured at the Bob Bullock Museum and inducted into both the Buddy Holly and Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. Together, and as a trio or band, they have played every major venue and festival in the country. They even represented Texas at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival at the Washington Mall. They have taught songwriting and music business workshops at the Kerrville Folk Festival, Texas Tech in Lubbock, and Boston's Berklee School of Music, among others. They also offer a music therapy program for people with disabilities, and tour behind their award-winning children's album, doing concerts at libraries and schools. Photo by Dave Hensley.

contact
Terri Hendrix
415 N Guadalupe Street
San Marcos, TX  78666
phone 512-426-7288
phone#2
e-mail office@terrihendrix.com
public performance/concert $1,750 - $4,000
school performance $750 - $3,500
workshop fees $1,500 - $3,500
travel/per diem/lodging $250 - $750
website https://www.terrihendrix.com

 

Henry Brun & The Latin Playerz Orchestra

Percussion dynamo Henry Brun has accumulated over 835 recordings, which include GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY Awards, Univision Premios a La Música Latina, and multi-platinum recordings. His body of work includes original compositions, radio and television commercials, motion pictures, featured on Televisa’s 'Raza de Campeones,' Austin City Limits Live, Black Entertainment Channel, and a documentary produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation, to name a few. In 1990, Henry created the Latin Playerz to express his passion and conviction of world rhythms. His music covers a cavalcade of Latin styles, ranging from the slow tempo of a Cuban cha-cha and the more upbeat mambo to the conga and rumba, guanguancó, songo, charanga, son montuno, timba, and merengue rhythms. The band integrates these with rhythm and blues, swing, and straight-ahead jazz. They’ve become a touring force, popular in the United States and around the world. Past performances include concerts and educational workshops in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Texas, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Chicago, Louisiana, Taiwan, South Korea, Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Jazz a Vienne in France, and many more. As a percussionist, his increased popularity has placed him in demand nationally and internationally, in all genres of music. Photo by Al Rendon.

contact
Henry  Brun
PO Box 12545
San Antonio, TX  78212
phone 210-445-1444
phone#2 210-733-3806
e-mail henry@henrybrun.com
public performance/concert $3,000 - $5,000
school performance $3,000 - $5,000
workshop fees $300 - $1,000
travel/per diem/lodging $500 - $1,500
website http://www.henrybrun.com

 

State Artist Sara Hickman

Texas State Musician Sara Hickman is a singer/songwriter who has performed at house concerts, hospitals, prisons, theaters, children’s events, conferences, festivals and all the way to Carnegie Hall and the Tonight Show. Her concerts are uplifting, connective and full of joy whether with 50 people or 5000. She has released 14 albums for adults and 3 for children, winning multiple awards for her music and humanitarian efforts in the U.S. and abroad. She performs solo, duo or with band and has taught songwriting, creativity and music industry workshops at the Kerrville Folk Festival, Boys & Girls Club, Swannanoa Gathering, Sisters Folk Festival and for corporate and private events. She has performed, recorded or toured with Willie Nelson, John Prine, Shawn Colvin, Terri Hendrix, Dan Fogelberg, Jimmy LaFave, Robert Earl Keen, Eliza Gilkyson, Asleep at the Wheel, Nanci Griffith, Billy Bragg, Richie Havens and many others.

contact
Sara Hickman

Austin, TX 
phone 512-203-2580
phone#2
e-mail booksara@sarahickman.com
public performance/concert $1500 - $10,000
school performance $850 - $2,000
workshop fees $850 - $6,500
travel/per diem/lodging $100 - $250
website http://www.sarahickman.com

 

Hot Club of Cowtown

Austin, Texas-based hot jazz and western swing trio Hot Club of Cowtown blends the early western swing of Bob Wills and Milton Brown with European hot string jazz of the same era. The band also writes its own material and reinterprets everything from hoedowns to American songbook standards in its own original style. Voted Ameripolitan Western Swing Group of the Year 2015 and inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame in 2004, HCCT has toured with Bob Dylan and others and represented Texas music throughout the world for the US State Department from Azerbaijan to the Sultanate of Oman. Ten studio albums, a global following, and the relentless passion of its live shows are the band's continuing trademark. 'This trio's stylistic genesis, as well as title, stems from the realization that the great heritage of strings (guitars and violins) originates mutually with the Manouche gypsies of France and the no-less virtuosic hillbilly pickers and fiddlers of Oklahoma and Texas….the threesome of high-heeled violinist Elana James, guitarist Whit Smith and bassist Jake Erwin showed from the beginning that jazz and country music could exist together on the same page, a highly commendable achievement if ever there was one.' -Wall Street Journal. Photo by Dave Creaney.

contact
Elana James
PO Box 66203
Austin, TX  78757
phone 512-470-1259
phone#2
e-mail info@hotclubofcowtown.com
public performance/concert $2,500 - $7,500
school performance $500 - $1,000
workshop fees $500 - $1,000
travel/per diem/lodging $500 - $1,000
website https://hotclubofcowtown.com/

 

Houston Grand Opera

Houston Grand Opera offers two touring programs serving children: Opera to Go! and Storybook Opera. Opera to Go! (OTG) delivers high-energy opera to schools, libraries, and community centers in a fully staged, 45-minute performance for grades pre-K through 8. Performances are sung in English or English/Spanish. OTG brings costumes, sets, and beautiful music to life! Shows are available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Teachers receive a study guide in advance. The 2020-21 season features a world-premiere opera, Katie: The Strongest of the Strong, which tells the true story of Kate Sandwina, a strong woman who toured with P.T. Barnum and fought for women’s rights in the early 20th century. An engaging and enjoyable introduction to opera for young children (pre-K through grade 2), Storybook Opera brings singing storytellers to schools and libraries for 30 minutes of captivating fun with opera-based books! English or bilingual programs are available on weekdays or weekends by request. Photo by Lynn Lane.

contact
Chelsea Lerner
510 Preston Street
Houston, TX  77002
phone 713-546-1241
phone#2
e-mail clerner@houstongrandopera.org
public performance/concert $75 - $1,100
school performance $75 - $1,100
travel/per diem/lodging $50 - $1,350 (per day)
website http://www.houstongrandopera.org/community-programs

 

Houston Symphony

Founded in 1913, the Houston Symphony is an internationally recognized orchestra known for its artistic excellence, innovation, and service to the community. Each year, the 88 full-time musicians of the Houston Symphony perform more than 250 concerts, recitals, education, and community programs and events that impact the lives of more than 400,000 people, including over 97,000 children and students and more than 100,000 who attend performances free of charge. In addition to concerts in major performance spaces, the orchestra regularly performs in hospitals, schools, and other community centers throughout the city. The Houston Symphony offers a wide variety of programming options that can be customized to meet the diverse needs of its presenters. In addition to concerts featuring classical masterpieces and popular programming, the Houston Symphony can perform interactive family concerts, multicultural programs, and engaging educational concerts that are TEKS-aligned. Also available for the tour are performances of the orchestra's multimedia HD Odyssey film projects: 'The Planets,' 'The Earth,' and the recently completed 'The Cosmos.' Photo by Anthony Rathbun.

contact
Vicky Dominguez
615 Louisiana Street, Suite 102
Houston, TX  77002
phone 713-238-1473
phone#2 713-224-4240
e-mail vicky.dominguez@houstonsymphony.org
public performance/concert $50,000 - $100,000
school performance $15,000 - $50,000
workshop fees $500 - $5,000
travel/per diem/lodging $500 - $45,000
website https://www.houstonsymphony.org

 

Donna Ingham

Tale teller and author Donna Ingham takes the ancient art of storytelling and gives it a Texas twist in her finely crafted stories from history, folklore, and her personal experiences. A recipient of the Tejas Storytelling Association’s John Henry Faulk Award and a National Storytelling Network ORACLE Award, she is also a champion liar, having been named the Biggest Liar in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Denton, and, yes, the whole state of Texas. A college English professor in her former life, she is an award-winning writer and producer of spoken word CDs, with six books and five CDs to her credit. Her stories reflect her native roots in the Lone Star State, and she chooses appropriate stories for all ages and stages. She continues to offer her popular 'Tall Tales and True' programs adaptable for all ages, with some stories complemented by guitar, ukulele, or washboard accompaniment. Representative stories allow for multicultural elements and geographic scope. In addition to programs and performances for schools, libraries, conferences, and festivals, she also offers keynotes, luncheon and after-dinner speaking, author visits, workshops, and residencies. Photo by C. Y. Ingham.

contact
Donna Ingham
1025 Coventry Road
Spicewood, TX  78669
phone 512-656-8186
phone#2 830-693-1641
e-mail tell.write@gmail.com
public performance/concert $350 - $1,500
school performance $450 - $1,000
workshop fees $450 - $1,000
travel/per diem/lodging $50 - $1,000
website https://www.donnaingham.com

 

J Muzacz

Houston-born J Muzacz is a muralist and public artist with 15 years of experience painting large-scale murals for both public and private clients. He is also an educator and author/illustrator with two books to his credit, both bilingual in English and Japanese, from his time teaching overseas in Japan. He has lived and worked in Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand, having painted numerous notable murals abroad, one of which found its way into a Samsung commercial, as well as the cover of Hong Kong Airlines magazine. Connecting his passions for art and travel, J is eager to tour and engage with schools and communities all over the state of Texas, making and facilitating mural and mosaic art that uplifts, educates, and inspires people of all ages for years to come. Recently J has been commissioned across the country for commercial murals in Florida, California, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. He has also been invited to festivals as a featured artist in Austin, Houston, and Flint, Michigan, just to name a few. Photo by Luis Armando.

contact
J Muzacz
1717 E Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX  78702
phone 512-497-1492
phone#2
e-mail jmuzacz@gmail.com
public performance/concert $500 - $12,000
school performance $500 - $12,000
workshop fees $500 - $12,000
travel/per diem/lodging $250 - $2,500
website https://jmuzacz.com

 

Joel Laviolette & Rattletree

Joel Laviolette & Rattletree offer a variety of offerings catering to the specific needs of the event. Rattletree is a must-see multi-sensory live show experience of electronic percussion and one-of-a-kind hand-built African marimbas triggering driving synth sounds, bursts of color, and dynamic live video projection. Rattletree primarily plays evening festivals and venues where their multimedia art experience and captivating electronic sounds shine. Kupira Marimba is their highly versatile fully acoustic family-friendly offering. Kupira's music creates a foot-stomping, heart-pounding, and hand clapping experience for people of all ages. Laviolette has over 25 years of experience studying and playing traditional music with his teachers in Zimbabwe. Kupira Marimba brings joy and cultural experience to schools, libraries, museums, city concert series, and outdoor community festivals. Joel Laviolette also offers solo interactive multi-media performances that incorporate live music, interactive video projection mapping, and audience participation. These installations are a big hit at lighted-arts festivals, museums, and art galleries. All performances may include an optional hands-on workshop or educational demonstration/assembly. Every show is customized to the needs of the presenter, and we are excited to make your next event something that people will be talking about for years! Photo by Ismael Quintanilla III.

contact
Joel Laviolette
300 Crockett St. #112
Austin, TX  78704
phone 512-905-9329
phone#2
e-mail joel@rattletree.com
public performance/concert $1,500 - $10,000
school performance $1,800 - $3,500
workshop fees $1,000 - $5,500
travel/per diem/lodging $200 - $1,000
website https://joellaviolette.com

 

Stephanie Urbina Jones and the Honky Tonk Mariachi

Blazing trails from Texas to Mexico, Stephanie Urbina Jones and her history-making Honky Tonk Mariachi are telling a new story in American music, blowing hearts and minds wide open with their mix of classic country rock with a twang and the intoxicating, joy-filled sounds of Mexico. This new style fondly called 'country music with chili peppers' is inspiring and building bridges between worlds. From the first gritos to the last yee haws, from the hallowed stage of the Grand Ole Opry to the two-stepping dance halls of Texas to festivals around the world, Jones and her fiesta platter of love (percussion, trumpets, violins, vihuelas, guitarróns, guitars y mas) are sharing culture, stories, and songs that bring people together. Stephanie tours internationally, having performed in fourteen countries, including appearances at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival, Magic Town Music Fest in Mexico, Festival Country Rendezvous in France, Country Gold in Japan, Gstaad Festival in Switzerland and the Belladrum Tartan Heart Fest in Scotland; plus the CMA Music Festival, Americana Music Festival, Wille Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic, and performances on the Grand Ole Opry. Stephanie is a Kerrville New Folk Finalist, #1 Texas Country Artist, and #1 Billboard Country Songwriter. https://stephanieurbinajones.com Photo by David Bean.

contact
Preston Sullivan
909 Division St. 200
Nashville, TN  37203
phone 615-405-3103
phone#2 210-378-5897
e-mail preston@globaleyesentertainment.com
public performance/concert $4,500 - $12,500
school performance $2,500 - $3,500
workshop fees $2,500 - $3,500
travel/per diem/lodging $600 - $1,200
website https://www.stephanieurbinajones.com

 

The Juicebox Jukebox

The Juicebox Jukebox was created by Dallas-based singer/songwriter and father-of-three Bradley James Skistimas. Their mission is to enrich children’s lives through fun, positive, and educational music and videos that parents and teachers can enjoy, too. They focus their songs on core subjects and character-building themes with a fresh perspective for students primarily in pre-K through 2nd grade. In 2019, the Juicebox Jukebox launched the Kindness Tour, a live concert experience for schools, libraries, and festivals featuring a unique blend of live music performance and video production from their growing catalog of songs. This fun and engaging program features live versions of Juicebox favorites like 'The ABCs of You,' 'Kindness,' and 'Thankful,' and is all about encouraging a community of kindness. Videos by the Juicebox Jukebox have currently collected over 200,000 views on YouTube and are growing daily. Several of them are the result of direct collaborations with Texas Independent School Districts and were safely filmed right inside elementary schools with principal, teacher, parent, and student participation. These have been some of the Juicebox Jukebox's favorite and most popular projects and they plan on more school collaborations in 2020. Photo by Kelly Skistimas.

contact
Kelly Skistimas
205 Goodnight Lane
Waxahachie, TX  75165
phone 214-457-3677
phone#2 214-476-3334
e-mail kelly@sevenplacesmusic.net
public performance/concert $500 - $2,000
school performance $500 - $2,000
travel/per diem/lodging $100 - $500
website http://thejuiceboxjukebox.com

 

Elizabeth Kahura

Elizabeth Kahura is a native of Kenya, Africa. Living in the United States since 1995, she shares the African 'beat' with audiences through the African Safari program. As a storyteller, musician, and teacher, Elizabeth educates while at the same time entertaining audiences through storytelling, puppetry, music, language arts, and hands-on art projects. Schools, libraries, museums, and festivals enjoy her inspirational countenance, her displays of African artifacts, and her ability to build a bridge of understanding. She demonstrates the similarities and differences between US and African cultures through several popular programs. A Day in Africa highlights geography and culture. A Jungle Walk highlights the flora and fauna of Africa. Folktales from Africa highlights interactive tales, poems, and chants. African Art highlights carvings, clothing, and instruments. Sound of Africa highlights the art of drumming and dance. Holidays around the World highlights Kwanzaa as it relates to other world celebrations. Programs align with school curricula such as social studies, language, and fine arts. Children will learn Swahili words through stories, songs, and rhymes in each program. Also available are diversity workshops for adults. Elizabeth received a Kenyans in Austin (KIA) 2017 'Mashujaa' (heroes) award in recognition of her contribution to cultural preservation and awareness. Photo by Andrew John.

contact
Elizabeth Kahura
5011 Daymon Court
Hutto, TX  78634
phone 512-826-0756
phone#2
e-mail ekahura@hotmail.com
public performance/concert $500 - $3,500
school performance $500 - $3,500
workshop fees $500 - $3,500
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $1,500
website https://www.safariprogram.com

 

Kids Who Care Musical Theatre

Since 1989, Kids Who Care's resident company has performed its original musicals around the globe, reaching over 40,000 annually. Young actors (1st through 12th grades) deliver polished high-energy performances that create a feeling of empowerment at schools, theaters, afterschool programs, corporate events, galas, and community festivals. Kids Who Care musicals, with literary contributions from our kids and a collection of Texas playwrights, poets, and songwriters, bring a message of positive change about issues that matter. From global warming, refugee freedom and over-testing in schools to musicals about our Texas heritage, this company brings visibility to things that matter with a voice that can't be ignored. The resident company tours original works from October to May under the direction of Executive Director and Founder, Deborah Jung. Photo by Zuilma Gonzalez.

contact
Pam Adair
1300 Gendy Street
Fort Worth, TX  76107
phone 817-737-5437
phone#2 682-465-2869
e-mail pam@kidswhocare.org
public performance/concert $500 - $3,000
school performance $500 - $3,000
workshop fees $500 - $1,500
travel/per diem/lodging $1,000 - $10,000
website https://www.kidswhocare.org

 

Oba William King

A new resident to Dallas-Fort Worth, Oba William King is an interactive storyteller, author, drummer, and award-winning performer. He is a nationally touring educational entertainer and workshop presenter. Oba's 'Storytelling Time' school and library programs are engaging activities for all ages and cultures in venues large or small. He presents 'Spinning A Yarn' for seasoned adults and his 'Family Literacy Night' activities have thrilled audiences all across these great United States. His most significant storytelling experience was achieved during his sojourn to Benin, west Africa as part of a team of missionaries assigned to develop water wells in three small villages around the city of Cotonou. Oba's rhythmic drumming and traditional American folk tales were orally translated into the regional languages during his presentations. A favorite presenter at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library, the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, TN, the National Association of Black Storytellers Annual Festival and Conference, and the Chicago History Museum's King Day Celebration, he also presented Family Night at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Oba William King is a Traditional Folk Arts Fellowship recipient from the Illinois Arts Council sharing the art of storytelling, poetry, and spoken word for all ages and all cultures. Additional programs can be created to fit your needs. Photo by Chicago Association of Black Storytellers.

contact
Oba William King
7313 Colonial Dr
Forest Hill, TX  76140
phone 817-405-9492
phone#2 773-288-0800
e-mail oba.owk@gmail.com
public performance/concert $465 - $2,000
school performance $300 - $950
workshop fees $275 - $1,150
travel/per diem/lodging $225 - $1,175
website https://www.obawilliamking.com

 

Sue Kuentz

Thank goodness storytelling found Sue Kuentz early in her career because she has a lot to say! Sue excites and connects to family and adult audiences by taking them on journeys through her multicultural folktales, fairy tales, urban legends, and personal stories from around the world. Using words, music, puppetry, and even string figures, she engages active participation among listeners, mesmerizing even the most reluctant of kids. Sue's storytelling passion and energy originated from her 32 years as an elementary teacher and librarian in San Antonio. She has performed at multiple schools, libraries, festivals, and conferences throughout Texas such as the Grand Kids Fest in Galveston, the George West Storyfest, the Texas Library Association, ESC 20 Library Resource Roundup, and the Texas Storytelling Festival. Performances include but are not limited to: Multicultural Tales from Around the World, Stories for the 8 Habits of Happy Kids, Storytelling and Writing for 3rd-7th graders, Stringing You Along: String Figures in Stories, Tales to Chill Your Bones, and Urban Legends for Tweens. Sue devours the brain research on storytelling and shares her knowledge in workshops such as Telling Your School’s Story and We’re Hot-wired to Tell Stories in school districts throughout Texas. Photo by Chuck Kuentz.

contact
Sue Kuentz
151 Saur Road
Bulverde, TX  78163
phone 210-326-7877
phone#2
e-mail sue.kuentz@gmail.com
public performance/concert $250 - $2,000
school performance $200 - $2,000
workshop fees $500 - $2,000
travel/per diem/lodging $100 - $2,000
website http://www.door2lore.com

 

Lannaya Drum & Dance

Intricate dance moves, thunderous live West African drumming, and vibrantly costumed performers transport audiences on a journey through Guinean rhythms and social dances! Lannaya is a nonprofit formed in 2000 and dedicated to exposing and educating audiences to authentic and progressive interpretations of drum and dance of the African diaspora. They’re committed to preserving vibrant cultural traditions through workshops and performances in schools, festivals, parties, receptions, and a host of special events. In the SuSu language of Guinea, Lannaya means 'confidence.' It's what they seek to convey through a variety of programming tailored per presenter, suitable for small/large audiences and diverse facilities, including Rhythm & Movement of West Africa. The interactive school show for grades K-12 complements STAAR and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills requirements by introducing music and dance vocabulary, authentic instruments, math, history, geography, & culture. Includes study guide, energetic dancing to live drumming, costumed performers, a brief history of dances and musical instruments, call/response songs. Drum and/or Dance Residency: multi-day or week, drum and/or dance intensive. Dances and traditional polyrhythmic music of west African countries like Guinea, Ghana, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, etc. Drum/Dance Workshops: instructional workshops ideal for the classroom, family, and other festive group activities. Drum and dance performances: traditional and innovative African diasporic rhythms. Photo by Kirk Marsh Photography.

contact
Tonya Pennie
PO Box 40577
Austin, TX  78704
phone 855-526-6292 Ext. 2
phone#2
e-mail Dance@Lannaya.org
public performance/concert $1,600 - $5,000
school performance $700 - $2,000
workshop fees $500 - $1,500
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $4,000
website https://www.Lannaya.org

 

Las Tesoros de San Antonio

Las Tesoros de San Antonio currently includes Blanca Rodriguez, 'Blanquita Rosa,' and Beatriz Llamas, 'La Paloma del Norte,' two singers who each enjoyed widely popular recording careers in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s throughout the US, Mexico, and beyond. Now in their 80s, these musical icons have returned to the stage, inspiring audiences to celebrate and reclaim the rich cultural traditions of San Antonio and south Texas. Las Tesoros perform a variety of musical styles in Spanish and English including rancheras, música norteña, boleros, corridos, and more. Each singer, with her own personal story and style, contributes to this unique ensemble representing the soul of Texas/Mexico border music. Touring performances may feature one or both members of Las Tesoros, and are accompanied by trio or mariachi. Screenings of the feature-length documentary, Las Tesoros de San Antonio: A Westside Story, are available, as well as interactive bilingual presentations and Q&A sessions. Las Tesoros were honored to receive a National Heritage Fellowship in 2019 and have received many other awards and honors. Unfortunately, former members Janet Cortez 'La Perla Tapatia' and Rita Vidaurri 'La Calandria' passed away in 2014 and 2019, respectively. Photo by Antonia Padilla.

contact
Amelia Valdez
922 San Pedro Ave
San Antonio, TX  78212
phone 210-228-0201
phone#2
e-mail esperanza@esperanzacenter.org
public performance/concert $600 - $6,000
school performance $600 - $3,000
workshop fees $300 - $1,500
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $2,500
website http://esperanzacenter.org/esperanza-projects/las-tesoros/

 

Laser Spectacles, Inc.

Laser Spectacles, Inc. uses laser light to create art and entertainment for events. Tim Walsh, the president of Laser Spectacles, is called 'The Memory Weaver' for his ability to transform a venue with lasers and music into an experience that attendees will remember forever. The company energizes fairs or festivals with dancing laser beams and mesmerizing laser graphics, brings historical buildings to life using exciting 'laser mapping' techniques, and provides interactive experiences for attendees. Venues include fairs, festivals, rodeos, churches, meetings, libraries, sporting events, anywhere large groups of people are gathered. Lasers bring a sense of excitement to an event, and provide an alternative to fireworks for a 'grand finale.' And lasers can communicate! Using logo projection and laser text projection, attendees can see sponsor logos and even learn about the theme and history of the event, all presented as part of an entertaining light show. Company president Tim Walsh is an accomplished composer and performer and has applied his talent to create laser art in unusual ways that have won many awards over the last 30 years. Photo by Jake Splawn.

contact
Timothy Walsh
PO Box 1535
San Marcos, TX  78667
phone 512-392-4600
phone#2 512-787-7585
e-mail laserinfo@laserspectacles.com
public performance/concert $3,500 - $20,000
school performance $2,000 - $5,500
workshop fees $2,000 - $5,500
travel/per diem/lodging $500 - $2,500
website http://www.laserspectacles.com

 

Laughter League

The Laughter League produces hundreds of shows annually throughout Texas and beyond. School assembly programs: Science of the Circus utilizes skills seen at the circus such as juggling, balancing and dance to teach laws of motion, simple machines and other science concepts; Count on Comedy Math Show shows audiences how math is everywhere; and The Magic Storybook introduces children to the elements of stories, such as characters, settings, costumes, music, and structure. Libraries book the summer reading show year after year, which aims to excite young children about reading and learning to use their imagination. All school and library shows are presented by a team of gifted physical actors who utilize comedy as a tool for inspiring laughter and engaging their audience. Laughter League presents large scale theatrical presentations, which take audiences on a journey through the Golden Age of Comedy by combining the dazzling excitement of Cirque du Soleil with the madcap mirth of Saturday Night Live, featuring a talented ensemble of musicians, comedians, and cirque artists. They create memorable shows filled with stunning feats of daring and purely magical moments that have been performed around the world, from China to the Middle East and even Paris, Texas. Photo by Lennie Duensing.

contact
Tiffany Riley
410 S. Windomere
Dallas, TX  75208
phone 972-258-6313
phone#2 917-861-5030
e-mail tiffany@laughterleague.org
public performance/concert $600 - $3,000
school performance $600 - $2,000
workshop fees $500 - $1,000
travel/per diem/lodging $300 - $2,000
website https://www.laughterleague.org

 

Le Theatre de Marionette

Le Theatre de Marionette’s repertoire of storybook classics and variety shows has delighted audiences across Texas since 1985. Known for its theaters operating from 1990-2004 in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington, Le Theatre’s Dallas-Fort Worth-based touring company performs in a multitude of small and large venues from schools, libraries, and museums to malls, civic centers, performance halls, and festivals. Featuring one-of-a-kind marionette puppets, designed and built by a team of local artists, Le Theatre’s performances are family-friendly, kid-tested and teacher-approved. Educational, interactive puppetry classes and marionette-making workshops are popular add-ons to round out the Le Theatre experience. LTDM performs in two styles: bridge (long-strung) and cabaret (short-strung). Bridge titles include 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Jack and the Beanstalk,' 'Cinderella,' 'Snow White,' and 'Wizard of Oz.' With 40-50 minute running times, these presentations are perfect for booking field trips into a 150-500 seat venue and can be combined with hands-on, interactive workshops sensitively designed to instruct in puppet operation and/or construction. Cabaret titles include 'Silly Strings' variety show, 'Out of This World' sci-fi variety show, 'Happily Ever After' the princess-palooza hit, as well as 'Hansel and Gretel,' a storybook favorite with schools and child care centers. Photo by John Hopkins.

contact
LTDM Entertainment
3200 Mississippi Avenue
Fort Worth, TX  76110
phone 469-442-1919
phone#2
e-mail info@ltdment.com
public performance/concert $595 - $2,500
school performance $595 - $995
workshop fees $250 - $450
travel/per diem/lodging $75 - $1,200
website https://www.ltdment.com/

 

Kim Lehman

Kim Lehman is a storyteller, musician, workshop presenter, honey bee educator, and author. For over 30 years, she has performed at hundreds of festivals, schools, libraries, and museums, including being a featured teller at the Texas Storytelling Festival. Each entertaining and educational program includes a variety of stories and songs that can be tailored to each audience and venue. Kim is a well-known educator best known for her dynamic, practical workshops featuring easy-to-implement activities for librarians, teachers, and parents. She has presented over 160 workshops throughout Texas. Some popular topics include using music, storytelling, puppets, art, science, and literature with children. The Story and Song programs combine songs, stories, props, poetry, puppets, and participation for preschool, elementary ages, and families. Possible themes include folktales around the world, pioneers, fairy tales, space, and more. All Together Now is an inter-generational program, bringing together children and senior citizens. Science programs range from Aerodynamics to The Buzz About Bees, a program about honey bees with participation, music, props, and optional hands-on activities. Known as the Bee Lady, Kim is the author of Beekeeper’s Lab: 52 Family-Friendly Activities and Experiments Exploring the Life of the Hive. Photo by Mark Wieland.

contact
Kim Lehman
PO Box 117
Smithville, TX  78957
phone 512-627-0113
phone#2
e-mail kim.lehman@sbcglobal.net
public performance/concert $300 - $1,000
school performance $250 - $1,500
workshop fees $250 - $2,000
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $1,000
website https://www.kimlehman.com

 

Bob Livingston

Singer-songwriter Bob Livingston is a folk-rock raconteur who tours nationally and internationally. He is a founding member of Austin’s legendary Lost Gonzo Band that toured and recorded with many of Texas’s most iconic musicians, including Jerry Jeff Walker and Michael Martin Murphey. Known as a consummate storyteller, Livingston takes his audiences on wild and colorful rides down the rutted roads of his extensive musical history. His recordings have received wide acclaim, including Album of the Year at the Texas Music Awards for his solo record, Gypsy Alibi. Livingston also leads a multicultural group called Cowboys & Indians (Where East Meets West) that features performers from Texas and India. As a cultural ambassador for the US State Department, Livingston toured over 30 countries. In India, he played with local musicians mixing rhythms, instrumentation, and insights from both east and west. Inspired by these experiences, he wrote original material and produced the Cowboys & Indians show. Livingston conducts workshops, lectures, and seminars on songwriting, touring, and music history. Livingston was inducted into the Texas Music Legends Hall of Fame in 2016 and the West Texas Walk of Fame in 2018. Photo by Valerie Fremin.

contact
Bob Livingston
10712 Watchful Fox Dr
Austin, TX  78748
phone 512-554-9416
phone#2
e-mail boblivingston1@me.com
public performance/concert $750 - $5,500
school performance $500 - $3,500
workshop fees $400 - $1,000
travel/per diem/lodging $150 - $950
website https://www.BobLivingstonMusic.com

 

The Magik Theatre

Find out what over two million children and their families have discovered: fun, interactive performances where books come to life on stage! For more than 25 years, the Magik Theatre has delighted young audiences and families with literature-based productions that are engaging, educational, and fun. Magik On The Road is their touring troupe, producing such wonderful plays as 'Dr. Krashundbang,' 'The Kingdom of Texas,' 'Jack and the Beanstalk,' and other family-friendly productions based on beloved fairy tales and children's books. Each production comes with a Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills study guide for pre-K through 6th grades, and educators can easily integrate these theatrical experiences into their curriculum. The host only needs to provide an empty space, and Magik On The Road will fill that space with laughter, wonder, and imagination. Magik On The Road will bring all of their own equipment and can perform in a variety of venues, from classrooms to cafeterias and from libraries to performing arts centers. Photo by Megan Coy.

contact
Adriana Gonzales
420 S. Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX  78205
phone 210-227-2751
phone#2
e-mail info@magiktheatre.org
public performance/concert $400 - $20,000
school performance $400 - $12,000
travel/per diem/lodging $100 - $1,500
website https://www.magiktheatre.org/

 

Main Street Theater

Main Street Theater is Houston’s oldest and largest theater for youth, reaching over 130,000 children each season through performances at the Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston (MATCH) and through statewide touring. Recognized by American Theatre Magazine as one of the top 20 theaters for young audiences in the country, they present a repertory based on the most relevant and challenging literature for youth. Main Street Theater began touring decades ago to reach schools that could not travel to them. They regularly tour to Abilene, Bryan, Yoakum, Bastrop, College Station, Austin, and many more. Each season they tour a new title appropriate for elementary age children. Recent tours have offered 'Schoolhouse Rock, Live!' 'The Magic School Bus,' and 'Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat.' All performances include a short talkback with students and photo opportunities afterward, and each school receives free education materials to supplement the learning experience. They also offer 45-minute character visits in which a title character from one of their production presents a mini-interactive performance, followed by a talkback and a photo opportunity. Photo by RicOrnelProductions.

contact
Danielle Docwra
3400 Main Street Suite 283
Houston, TX  77002
phone 713-524-9196
phone#2
e-mail danielle@mainstreettheater.com
public performance/concert $600 - $800
school performance $200 - $800
travel/per diem/lodging $20 - $2,000
website https://mainstreettheater.com/book-a-tour/

 

Mariachi Las Alteñas

Mariachi Las Alteñas is an all-female mariachi group that is making waves across the United States. Their mission is to achieve excellence as overall musicians and performers and to raise the standards for women in mariachi music. Las Alteñas has a complete instrumentation, which includes five violins, two trumpets, a guitarron, vihuela, and guitar creating a full mariachi sound acknowledged in the industry. Their signature colorful trajes de charro and vocal harmonies draw abundant crowds to their performances. They are known for their musical diversity, which appeals to crowds of all generations. The name Las Alteñas is taken from the birthplace of mariachi music, Jalisco, Mexico. The higher region, Los Altos de Jalisco, is an area described as being near the top of the world, and fans say these ladies are up there! Celebrating 17 years as 'Texas’s Finest Female Mariachi,' Las Alteñas has been able to share their music at some of the most prestigious venues throughout the US. Mariachi Las Alteñas recently finished their 15th-year anniversary album which was released on all digital platforms in the fall of 2017. Photo by Edward Benavides Tilde Photography.

contact
Valerie Vargas
306 Oblate Dr.
San Antonio, TX  78216
phone 210-340-0128
phone#2
e-mail mariachilasaltenas@yahoo.com
public performance/concert $500 - $1,500
school performance $500 - $1,000
workshop fees $500 - $2,000
travel/per diem/lodging $2,000 - $10,000
website http://www.mariachilasaltenas.com

 

Joe McDermott Bouncing Ball Music, LLC

Referred to as 'a Texas treasure' by the Texas Library Association, Joe McDermott released his first album of children's music in 1988. A former Montessori teacher, Joe has dedicated the last 32 years to honing the art and craft of entertaining children. His songwriting has garnered numerous Parent’s Choice Awards and nominations, in addition to NAPPA and International Song Writing Contest awards. In 2006, he took first place in the Children’s Music category for the John Lennon Song Writing Contest. He was invited to team up with Stan and Jan Berenstain to convert eleven of their original storybooks to music. Impressed by Joe’s musical talent, Stan Berenstain quipped that Joe was an 'absolute wizard at communicating to children with music.' Known for his lively school concerts, Joe also creates and produces recording workshops and school-specific music video workshops for elementary school students. With the aid of Hollywood special effects programs, children can ride in rockets, airplanes, and ocean liners and visit other countries or planets! If a classical touch is desired, Joe has thirteen compositions scored for partial or full symphony orchestra. For bigger organizations such as towns and cities, Joe presents a Family Holiday Sing-Along. Photo by Joe McDermott.

contact
Joe McDermott
3413 Gable Drive
Austin, TX  78759
phone 512-689-5361
phone#2
e-mail joemcdermott@sbcglobal.net
public performance/concert $350 - $2,500
school performance $450 - $2,500
workshop fees $600 - $3,000
travel/per diem/lodging $100 - $857
website http://www.joemcdermottmusic.com

 

Wildlife Conservation Artist Vickie McMillan-Hayes

Vickie McMillan-Hayes is considered a world-renowned wildlife conservation artist in her field of painting. Her exhibitions include art museums and galleries throughout the country and abroad. Vickie is published in well-known books, magazines, articles, and reviews both locally and internationally. Vickie conducts collaborative community paintings and murals with groups of people for installation in libraries, public buildings, hospitals, schools, correctional facilities, government organizations, treatment centers, foster care, and health and human service centers. She delivers specialized workshops including AP art, residencies, lectures (elementary-college), live performance painting, collaborative painting at festivals, team-building and staff development (teachers), judging (is a rodeo art judge). Her collaborative paintings/murals integrate Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills curriculum goals for schools, foster unity in the community, advance global conservation causes, and encourage the use of recycled materials when possible. Each project is designed/conceptualized in advance with set project goals or designed under Vickie's guidance during workshops. Vickie teaches and demonstrates the use of materials, technique, research, team-building, cooperation, creative learning through educationally relevant objects, life skills, and pride. Large scale murals/paintings can be based on curriculum (including topics such as science, technology, engineering, math, the earth, life cycles, rain forests, geography, and history) or other interests. Participants are engaged in the project from concept (brainstorming/themes) to unveiling. Photo by Vickie McMillan-Hayes.

contact
Vickie Hayes
10419 Hollowback Dr.
Katy, TX  77494
phone 404-771-8084
phone#2
e-mail vickievhayes@gmail.com
public performance/concert $2,500 - $50,000
school performance $700 - $2,000
workshop fees $2,500 - $4,000
travel/per diem/lodging $500 - $2,200
website http://www.Vickiemcmillan.com

 

Mexico 2000 Ballet Folklorico

Founded in 1999, México 2000 is a professional dance ensemble. Bring the flare of Mexican culture to your event! Dance performances are fast-paced and nonstop, featuring dances from different regions with their European, Mayan/pre-Columbian, and South American influences. These dances highlight the beauty, romance, and culture of traditional México. The programs 'Fiestas de México!,' 'Día de Muertos' & 'Christmas in México' are available in an educational and concert-type option. Presentations range from 20 minutes to 2 hours. At Fiestas de México educational school shows, audiences will learn history about Mexican holidays while connecting to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills in Spanish language arts, social studies, fine arts, and music while enjoying the most beautiful and representative dances, costumes and music from different regions of México. During these interactive shows, audiences will participate by clapping, yelling (cheers of joy/gritos), stomping, and selected students will try out steps with music on stage. School study guides and concert programs are available. 'Christmas in México' is a compilation of traditional Christmas dances & songs (villancicos) including the traditional Pastorela, the Piñata, the three Wise Men & Felíz Navidad! Presentations are strictly focused to preserve and promote Mexican traditional heritage. Questions and pictures are allowed at the end. Photo by Leopoldo A. Palencia.

contact
Leopoldo (Alex) Palencia
2807 Bissell Way
Wylie, TX  75098
phone 214-364-2629
phone#2 214-384-2537
e-mail info@mexico2000.net
public performance/concert $2,800 - $8,500
school performance $900 - $2,500
workshop fees $500 - $1,500
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $2,000
website http://www.mexico2000.net

 

Lucas Miller, the Singing Zoologist

Want to get your students excited about science? STEM and the arts go hand-in-hand in multimedia presentations by author, YouTuber, and 'singing zoologist,' Lucas Miller! Pre-K to 5th graders will laugh, sing and learn about wetlands, ocelots, monarch butterflies, metamorphosis, and much more through Lucas' creative blend of smart songwriting, hilarious puppetry, and dazzling animations. Perfect for elementary schools, libraries, and family concerts: kids love Miller's zany, unbridled enthusiasm, and adults love his focus on accurate, curriculum-related science. Each 45-55 minute presentation features several songs and stories that address a major science theme such as life cycles, adaptations, Texas ecosystems, and ocean ecology. Creative animations, videos, and images accompany the music and lessons to deepen understanding and keep the audience focused. Lucas earned a degree in zoology and has been touring Texas and the nation since 1994. He knows his biology and how to introduce kids to science in a way that leaves them excited and motivated. Look him up on YouTube to sample his work and then visit www.singingzoologist.com for all the details on bringing him to your school, library, theater, or other venues. Photo by Thomas Slanker.

contact
Lucas Miller
12805 Winding Creek Rd.
Austin, TX  78736
phone 512-567-2626
phone#2
e-mail jlucasmiller@gmail.com
public performance/concert $1,000 - $4,500
school performance $750 - $3,000
workshop fees $500 - $2,500
travel/per diem/lodging $25 - $1,500
website https://www.singingzoologist.com

 

Mother Falcon

Mother Falcon is a symphonic rock band from Austin, TX, known for their wide-ranging instrumentation and collaborative songwriting. Founded in 2008, the group includes a collective of musicians including players of strings, horns, guitars, pedal steel, and percussion. Embraced by Austin, Mother Falcon garnered national attention in 2013 and has since been touring the US and Canada performing original music, and performing an original score commissioned by Lionheart Youth Theatre in collaboration with Glass Half Full Theatre. The band has also collaborated with artists including Ben Sollee, Amanda Palmer, Kaki King, and Gina Chavez. In 2019, Mother Falcon was awarded the B. Iden Payne Award for Best Original Score for American Blood Song, written in collaboration with Austin’s Trouble Puppet Theatre Company. Over the last 8 years, the band has been running the Mother Falcon Music Lab, an educational program designed to empower students to be creative with the skills they have through collaboration in music and media. Players of all instruments and abilities become members of multi-instrumental bands and collaborate to write an original song. Different workshops allow students to expand their creativity and perspective, including logo design, DIY screen printing, analog and digital recording, podcasting, photography, and animation. Photo by Alexandra Galewsky.

contact
Diana Burgess
1401 West 40th street
Austin, TX  78756
phone 512-413-7639
phone#2
e-mail outreach@mfml.org
public performance/concert $2,500 - $10,000
school performance $1,200 - $4,000
workshop fees $500 - $2,000
travel/per diem/lodging $1,500 - $3,000
website https://motherfalconmus.com/

 

Mrs. Dipsworth

Mrs. Dipsworth is a fairy godmother-style character with a larger-than-life presence and highly interactive presentation. She reads stories chosen by the teacher, librarian, or host that align with their current theme or curriculum. Songs and dances that complement the story are added to enhance the overall experience, and the delivery is comparable to that which every spunky grandmother would give. Children ages 0 through 11 have been entertained by Mrs. Dipsworth’s storytime since 2011. School districts such as Fort Worth ISD, Irving ISD, Aledo ISD, Dallas ISD, Keller ISD, and more have created extended curriculum including regular visits from Mrs. Dipsworth. Dallas-FortW orth native Sheran Goodspeed Keyton beautifully transforms from her regular live performance persona to become this fun and engaging character. Sheran Goodspeed Keyton has been acting and singing professionally for more than 30 years. She has performed in many venues all over the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and has toured nationally and internationally. During the past 15 years, Sheran Goodspeed Keyton has partnered with many arts organizations in the area to produce original works. She has formed a relationship as an artist with Big Thought and has performed in the Dallas ISD for the past 14 years. Photo by Freddie Watkins, Forever Photography Studios.

contact
Sheran Keyton
PO Box 15963
Fort Worth, TX  76119
phone 817-313-3052
phone#2
e-mail mrsdipsworth@yahoo.com
public performance/concert $1,000 - $1,500
school performance $500 - $750
workshop fees $500 - $1,000
travel/per diem/lodging $100 - $500
website https://www.mrsdipsworth.com/

 

Anuradha Naimpally

Anuradha Naimpally, Bharata Natyam dance soloist, collaborator, and educator, is an experienced performer worldwide. From concert halls to school cafeterias, libraries to universities, Anuradha connects this ancient art of India to modern audiences of all ages through engaging explanations and moving performances. She is a recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious Jacqueline LeMieux Prize from the Canada Council and the title 'Artistic Jewel' in India. She has been named and nominated Best Dancer by the Austin Area Critics' Circle numerous times. Anuradha offers a traditional formal solo concert introduced with demonstrative explanations, performed in authentic costumes to recorded music that can be modified for intimate spaces. Sacred Earth Stories, an ensemble production with multimedia, connects ancient earth mythologies to current climate issues and is suited for theater spaces. Her Arts in Education presentation is popular in schools, libraries, and museums. Moving Myths of India is an engaging, interactive children’s show for all ages, highlighting mythology through storytelling embellished with creative hand symbols, rhythms, and cultural values of India, performed in colorful costume. Live musical accompaniment is available on request. Anuradha has an MFA in Dance and also offers master classes, workshops, and lecture-demonstrations at the high school and university level. Photo by Sadu Bajekal.

contact
Anuradha Naimpally
5602 N Scout Island Cir
Austin, TX  78731
phone 512-791-7258
phone#2 512-795-8627
e-mail anu@austindanceindia.com
public performance/concert $2,500 - $6,000
school performance $650 - $1,200
workshop fees $750 - $2,000
travel/per diem/lodging $500 - $2,000
website https://www.austindanceindia.com

 

Bernadette Nason

Multiple award-winning English storyteller/actress/writer Bernadette Nason has studied all over the world, including Guildford Acting School. She's the author of Tea in Tripoli: A Memoir, and appears in movies like Miss Congeniality and regional theatrical productions. She's performed on four continents, and been 'The Biggest Liar in Texas.' Believing the power and influence of live storytelling can change the world, Nason produces captivating programs of multicultural stories, mixing traditional telling with creative drama. Her acclaimed programs include ethnic world tales, holiday themes, and personal family yarns. With shows suitable for all ages, she presents in schools, libraries, festivals, conferences, theaters, retirement communities, and more. Working closely with educators, Bernadette offers uplifting, interactive stories with content supporting character development and academic testing requirements. Need a specific program? Nason can tailor accordingly. With over 30 years' experience, she has hundreds of stories available (regularly preparing fresh ones) but programs are compiled seasonally for ease of selection and booking. Always available: collections for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Chinese New Year, Black History Month, Valentine's Day, Legends of Texas Flowers, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo. New: 'Summertime Scorchers' and 'Tails and Tales.' Photo by Huck Huckaby.

contact
Bernadette Nason
2900 West Anderson Lane, C200/302
Austin, TX  78757
phone 512-633-1803
phone#2
e-mail bmnason@gmail.com
public performance/concert $350 - $2,000
school performance $350 - $2,000
workshop fees $450 - $2,000
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $2,000
website http://www.bernadettenason.com

 

Open Dance Project

Open Dance Project’s highly stylized dance theater performance experiences break down conventional barriers between artist and audience to make dance more accessible and meaningful for both. Under the direction of Annie Arnoult, one of Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch for 2018, this critically acclaimed troupe of dancer/actors brings timely, thought-provoking subject matter to the stage through their dynamic physicality, daring athleticism, and emotional honesty. Current offerings include three performances for young audiences: 'Staging Stories Live,' where dancers build a comic dance theater performance that can be tailored to any theme using audience suggestions; 'ENGINuity,' an educational romp through the history and science of engines; and 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,' a humorous and poignant coming-of-age tale featuring ODP's signature athleticism, theatrical antics, aerial silks, and acrobatics. For general audiences, the company offers 'Panopticon,' a retro-futuristic dystopian love story with a set that transforms around the audience throughout the show, and 'All the Devils are Here: A Tempest in the Galapagos,' where Shakespeare’s 'The Tempest' collides with the true story of an unsolved murder in the Galapagos in 1929 in a fantasy-inspired set constructed of recycled plastic bottles designed by Ryan McGettigan. Photo by Lynn Lane.

contact
Annie Arnoult
747 N Shepherd Drive, Suite 100
Houston, TX  77007
phone 832-962-8982
phone#2
e-mail annie@opendanceproject.org
public performance/concert $1,000 - $15,000
school performance $750 - $5,000
workshop fees $120 - $1,000
travel/per diem/lodging $1,100 - $7,150
website https://www.opendanceproject.org

 

Paradox Traveling Art

Paradox Traveling Art was founded and created by El Paso, Texas artist Laura Turón. The project is a traveling art installation project housed within a converted full-size school bus. The bus functions as a gallery and an art piece at the same time. With this project, Ms. Turón focuses on delivering art to areas that have limited or no access to art spaces; inspiring and encouraging artists; and providing art workshops, exhibitions at events, and lectures that promote creative expression and critical thinking. Available programs include interactive art installation exhibitions--visitors walk inside the gallery space within the bus, and interact with the current installation; workshops-- visitors are able to participate in workshops to create art installations displayed within the gallery space or in workshops related to the current exhibit; and art talks-- the current artist provides a talk about the current art installations and does a Q&A. Photo by Laura Turón.

contact
Laura Turón
2809 Sacramento Ave
El Paso, TX  79930
phone 915-691-4026
phone#2
e-mail info@lt-artdesign.com
public performance/concert $1,200 - $8,000
school performance $1,200 - $8,000
workshop fees $1,200 - $8,000
travel/per diem/lodging $300 - $700
website http://www.lt-artdesign.com

 

Steve Parker

Steve Parker creates communal, democratic work to examine history, systems, and behavior. His projects include elaborate civic rituals for humans, animals, and machines; listening sculptures modeled after obsolete surveillance tools; and cathartic transportation symphonies for operators of cars, pedicabs, and bicycles. He is the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship, a Harrington Fellowship, and the Tito’s Prize. Parker has exhibited and performed at institutions, public spaces, and festivals internationally. Highlights include Art Basel Miami Beach, the Lucerne Festival (Switzerland), MASS MoCA, the Lincoln Center Festival, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the Fusebox Festival, Tanglewood, Los Angeles Philharmonic inSIGHT, SXSW, the Stone, Contemporary Arts Center (New Orleans), the Blanton Museum of Art (Austin), the Asian Arts Initiative (Philadelphia), The Contemporary Austin, Bowerbird, and the Gene Siskel Film Center (Chicago). Parker has been awarded support from the National Endowment for the Arts, New Music USA, the Copland Foundation, the Puffin Foundation, and the Mid-America Arts Alliance. He is the Curator of SoundSpace at the Blanton Museum of Art, Executive Director of Collide Arts, and a full-time faculty member at the University of Texas-San Antonio. He holds degrees in math and music from Oberlin, Rice, and the University of Texas-Austin. Photo by Blanton Museum of Art.

contact
Steve Parker
12026 Wycliff Ln
Austin, TX  78727
phone 312-498-6047
phone#2
e-mail steven.c.parker@gmail.com
public performance/concert $1,000 - $50,000
school performance $500 - $10,000
workshop fees $500 - $6,500
travel/per diem/lodging $150 - $2,000
website https://www.steve-parker.net

 

The Peterson Brothers

The Peterson Brothers combine infectious energy and modern grooves with soul, funk, blues & jazz to create their own unique sound. For a decade, the Texas natives have been building a fan base across America, playing both classic funk and soul, and their original music that includes jam-band style improvisation by Glenn Jr. on vocals and guitar, and Alex on bass, vocals and violin. The brothers’ love for classic funk, soul, and blues music was born when their mother and grandmother brought home a crate of assorted albums and a turntable from a garage sale. The Peterson Brothers learned to play by listening to artists like the Isley Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire, the Brothers Johnson, and B.B. King; from there, they created their own stage show. Some of their first consistent gigs included regular performances at Antone’s, the Saxon Pub, Gruene Hall and other renowned venues. Photo by Lu Jansen.

contact
Deanna Peterson
805 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Bastrop, TX  78602
phone 512-517-4922
phone#2 512-217-0659
e-mail petersonbrothersband@gmail.com
public performance/concert $1,000 - $9,000
school performance $500 - $2,000
workshop fees $1,000 - $5,000
travel/per diem/lodging $500 - $2,000
website http://www.PetersonBrothersBand.com

 

Oliver Rajamani

Oliver Rajamani performs innovative soul-stirring original music, including traditional Romani and Indian folk/Gypsy songs. Rajamani has created a sound of his own with the historic threads of Indian/Gypsy folk, Romani and Texas cultures and music while bringing recognition to the historical Indian origins of the Romani people. His performances and recordings with international artists are as stylistically far-flung as Willie Nelson, Gypsy Kings, Eric Johnson, Dotschy Reinhardt, Edie Brickell, L. Shankar, Jeronimo Maya, Ustad Aashish Khan, Ustad Shujaat Khan, and Tomasa La Macanita. Touring programs include: Flamenco India, an innovative musical journey into the deep and historical Indian roots of Spain's Gypsy flamenco, consisting of a colorfully large ensemble of dancers and musicians from the Indian and flamenco traditions; Texas Gypsy Lonestar, bringing recognition to Romani center and historical archives in Austin, Rajamani unites India, Romani and Texas cultures through original compositions backed by traditional Lone Star musicians; and Moonlight Tanz, Rajamani with his western string orchestra featuring musicians and dancers from the Middle Eastern and Indian/Romani traditions with performances on exotic instruments such as the rebab and oud. Photo by Srivas Venkatesh.

contact
Ampara Young
3103 Bee Caves Road Ste. 120
Austin, TX  78746
phone 512-477-7330
phone#2
e-mail booking@oliverrajamani.com
public performance/concert $1,000 - $12,000
school performance $1,000 - $4,000
workshop fees $1,000 - $4,000
travel/per diem/lodging $1,000 - $5,000
website https://www.oliverrajamani.com

 

Jolie Rocke

Jolie Rocke is a Houston-based soprano whose talents have taken her from a Carnegie Weill Recital debut to European tours and Far North Queensland, Australia. Noted by the Hartford Courant as a 'gifted, versatile vocalist who’s as much at home soaring on opera arias and celestial hymns as she is getting down with funky blues and earthy jazz,' Rocke’s passion is sharing the gift of song with the world and drawing from her life experience when she performs or works with aspiring young artists. Maya Angelou noted, 'Jolie Rocke sings with such passion … and compassion!' Her passion for music and her desire to pass it on to students lead her to produce concerts, conduct master classes, direct community arts programs, and train aspiring singers as a private voice teacher and coach. Programs: Singing HERstory; Opera, Behind the Scenes!; Songs of the African American Soul; Sing, Langston!; Good News; The Science of Singing. Acclaimed as a singer and educator, Rocke was honored by the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame. 'Rocke can make her queen-size instrument of a voice fit cozily and expressively in an array of soulful sounds,' as she does in her CD, Rock of Ages: Hymns for the Soul. Photo by Devon Cass.

contact
Ashley Lewis

Houston, TX 
phone 281-939-5093
phone#2 281-816-6740
e-mail alewis@jolierocke.com
public performance/concert $800 - $3,000
school performance $500 - $3,000
workshop fees $750 - $1,500
travel/per diem/lodging $50 - $1,200
website https://www.jolierocke.com

 

SaulPaul

GRAMMY Award-nominated artist SaulPaul has garnered an international reputation as a musician with a message. Part rapper/part singer-songwriter, SaulPaul is an entertaining artist who blends his voice, his guitar, and his loop pedal to create a live show that is nothing less than an experience. SaulPaul shares his art with his heart and has been inspiring audiences through his music. From performing at two TEDx Talks, five Super Bowls, America's Got Talent, SXSW, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Austin City Limits, SaulPaul has performed nationally and internationally in theaters, concert venues and festivals across the country. Armed with two chart-topping #1 songs on Sirius XM along with an extensive catalog of music, he offers a blend of music for audiences of all ages and fit for performance venues and interactive experiences. SaulPaul is available for live performances, workshops, and masterclasses, as well as commissions. His tour offerings are extensive and adaptable to different environments. New to his repertoire, he is also making the new musical, SaulPaul's Alien Adventure, coupled with a complete score, as well as live interactive music experiences and music-themed activities for the whole family. Photo by Jeremy Jones.

contact
Bianca Neal
8225 Cross Park Drive #143595
Austin, TX  78714
phone 512-229-8681
phone#2 512-300-4376
e-mail booking@saulpaul.com
public performance/concert $2,500 - $50,000
school performance $750 - $15,000
workshop fees $1,200 - $6,500
travel/per diem/lodging $150 - $2,000
website http://www.saulpaul.com

 

Mark Shelton Solo Percussionist

The warmth and humor of Mark Shelton combine with his percussion prowess to create a family-friendly concert experience that connects with audiences. Mark entertains (and educates) with his trademark high-energy style as he romps and stomps his way through an arsenal of percussion paraphernalia that can include marimba, doumbec, bones, bodhran, cajon, hammered dulcimer, handpan, and Handsonic. In his one-man show, Music From My Galaxy, Mark draws upon a background that includes classical, folk, pop, jazz, gospel, ethnic, and contemporary music to create an engaging collage 'for the drummer in all of us.' An experienced educator, Mark offers learning events that include percussion masterclasses, professional development sessions, school assembly programs, and drum circles. Photo by Zach Ashcraft.

contact
Mark Shelton
PO Box 293621
Lewisville, TX  75029
phone 214-507-6366
phone#2 800-272-2249
e-mail markshelton@verizon.net
public performance/concert $450 - $1,950
school performance $250 - $750
workshop fees $250 - $975
travel/per diem/lodging $135 - $750
website https://www.marksheltonmusic.com

 

Toni Simmons

Toni Simmons is an award-winning, dynamic storyteller and author who brings new life to her stories with orchestrated songs, rhythms, chants and audience participation. Toni is a former librarian and drama teacher who has presented her multicultural tales throughout the US. She has captivated audiences at many festivals including her performance at the National Storytelling Festival Exchange Place. Internationally, she has performed in schools in South Africa, in Germany, and in Mexico. She was designated as an NEA American Masterpiece artist. Her interactive sessions also use creative drama with a variety of age-appropriate folklore. The audience is taken on an imaginary story trip to different continents all the while helping to tell the stories. Her programs are designed to motivate, inspire, and educate while being entertaining. Some popular programs include Exploring Our Cultures and Black History Month. She performs at schools, libraries, churches, festivals, and museums. She conducts workshops for storytellers, teachers, and students on using drama in stories and beginning techniques. Photo by Duane Reed.

contact
Toni Simmons
5306 Perrington Heights Lane
Houston, TX  77056
phone 972-765-4741
phone#2
e-mail toni@tonisimmons.com
public performance/concert $350 - $1,000
school performance $350 - $1,200
workshop fees $500 - $1,200
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $500
website https://www.tonisimmons.com

 

Storybook Theatre of Texas

Recognized as edutainers (educational entertainers), the award-winning traveling troupe Storybook Theatre of Texas (SBT) has provided family-friendly entertainment for literally millions of children in theaters, schools, and libraries since 1991. A recipient of the 2014 China Children’s Theatre Festival Excellent Play Award and named an NEA American Masterpiece artist in 2009, SBT travels nationally from New Braunfels, Texas. SBT’s interactive 30-45 minute programs are available year-round. Programs include: Two Pigs and T.H.E. Wolf, The New Little Red Riding Hood, Doing What’s Right Can Never Be Wrong, Cooking Up Fun with Idioms, Country Mouse, City Mouse, Goldifox and the Two Hares, Allie In Historyland, and Country Mouse, City Mouse World Tour. New in 2020 is the community parent-night personality-based program, Who’s Living Under Your Roof? Each program offers different themes, highlighting bullying, character traits, making wise choices, friendship building, idiom phrases, good nutrition, environment, nursery rhymes, diversity, and history. In addition, their singing, puppetry, interactive participation, and use of sign language has won rave reviews. Storybook Theatre’s goal is to promote literacy and help children and families grow stronger together, become confident, courageous, and positive influencers in their communities. Extension lessons/Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills are online at www.sbtheatre.com. Photo by Steve Slate of Captured Keepsakes.

contact
Lynn Draper
10415 Teich Loop
New Braunfels, TX  78132
phone 210-658-6450
phone#2 830-214-7136
e-mail sbtheatretx@gmail.com
public performance/concert $1,000 - $3,000
school performance $600 - $2,400
workshop fees $600 - $2,000
travel/per diem/lodging $200 - $2,000
website http://www.sbtheatre.com

 

Texas Folklife

Texas Folklife is a statewide organization dedicated to presenting, promoting, and preserving the diverse living heritage of the Lone Star State. As the National Endowment for the Arts-designated folk and traditional arts organization of Texas, Texas Folklife is engaged in projects around the state, including free and low-cost events that attract multi-generational audiences, and hands-on experiences for K-12th grade students and teachers in a variety of art forms. Additionally, Texas Folklife media projects, film and radio documentaries bring national attention to extraordinary Texas talent. Touring performances focus on the talented young champions of Texas Folklife's annual Big Squeeze statewide accordion contest, exemplifying the unique musical traditions of Texas: Cajun, zydeco, conjunto/tejano and polka. Artists included in the current roster: Keyun Dickson & the Zydeco Masters, Donovan Bourque, Nachito Morales & Los Morales Boyz, Luis Gonzales, Mason Nesvadba, and the All-Around Czechs (Brandon Hodde and Garrett Neubauer). Touring package includes a screening of Texas Folklife's 'The Big Squeeze' documentary film by esteemed filmmaker Hector Galan. Musician-led workshops and related Accordion Kings and Queens photo exhibition celebrating the diversity of Texas accordion music are also available. The project can be scaled to the presenter's budget. Photo by Texas Folklife.

contact
Elisha Oliver
724 Eberhart Ln #500
Austin, TX  78745
phone 512-441-9255
phone#2
e-mail eoliver@texasfolklife.org
public performance/concert $500 - $7,500
school performance $200 - $2,000
workshop fees $1,000 - $2,500
travel/per diem/lodging $100 - $1,500
website https://www.texasfolklife.org

 

The Texicana Mamas

A collaborative effort between three of the state’s most celebrated Latina musicians-- Tish Hinojosa, Patricia Vonne, and Stephanie Urbina Jones-- the newly-minted trio has already created a buzz that complements the kudos their individual careers have collected. Separately, their musical influences include folk, conjunto, Americana, flamenco, country, Tex-Mex rock ‘n’ roll, the Texas singer-songwriter tradition, the mariachi, corrido and norteño traditions of the border, and Lone Star country-rock. Together, melding these inspirations with their own distinct sounds and personalities, the Texicana Mamas are creating something new, fresh, and vibrant. This group isn’t just a band, they are music ambassadors sharing the traditions of their culturally rich heritage through music and storytelling. Photo by Patricia Rodriguez.

contact
Stephanie Urbina Jones
PO Box 42652
Austin, TX  78704
phone 210-378-5897
phone#2 512-461-6641
e-mail sujmusic@gmail.com
public performance/concert $5,000 - $10,000
school performance $1,000 - $5,000
workshop fees $1,000 - $7,000
travel/per diem/lodging $600 - $2,000
website https://www.thetexicanamamas.com/

 

Tim Tingle, Choctaw Storyteller and Author

A lifelong Texan and member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Tim Tingle is known for selecting tales that perfectly fit his audience. As the author of twenty books and a touring storyteller for two decades, Tingle has hundreds of stories in his repertory. For K-2nd graders, his stories are fun and audience-participating, such as How Rabbit Lost His Tail, because he won’t stop talking! A favorite for 2nd and 3rd graders is Backyard Bigfoot, a hilarious story about Bigfoot, as seen through a hole in the fence! For older school audiences, How I Became A Ghost is told in the voice of a ten-year-old boy struggling to survive the Trail of Tears. Crossing Bok Chitto is a powerful story of the friendship between Choctaws and enslaved peoples before the Civil War, and Tingle plays the drum and sings Choctaw songs throughout the performance. He has performed across the US, and at schools and theaters in Canada, Germany, and Ireland. Whether storytelling and playing his native flute and drum, or delivering keynote addresses and teaching writing workshops, Tim Tingle strives to entertain and inform, and will gladly develop programs to fit presenters' needs. For more performance details: www.timtingle.com Photo by Robbie Trujillo.

contact
Tim Tingle
4417 Morningside Way
Canyon Lake, TX  78133
phone 830-832-4288
phone#2
e-mail timtingle@hotmail.com
public performance/concert $150 - $950
school performance $250 - $1,250
workshop fees $250 - $750
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $1,500
website http://www.timtingle.com

 

Tiny Tails to You, LLC

Tiny Tails to You provides amazing storytelling shows that bring the animal world to life for audiences of all ages. Their educational programs capture the wonder and joy of animals through silly songs, fun facts, stories, and animal movement and feeding demonstrations. The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills-aligned curriculum is perfect for children of all ages. Their Potter-themed 'Magical Creatures' programs and 'hoppy' hours are perfect for teens and adults, and the Tiny Tails storytelling pet therapy programs with reminiscing are great activities for seniors. Tiny Tails to You has provided monthly indoor storytelling shows at BookPeople in Austin since 2010. They have provided annual programs for many Austin Public Libraries, the Georgetown Public Library, San Marcos Public Library, Umlauf Sculpture Garden, University of Texas Fine Arts Program, ZACH Theatre, Texas Lutheran University and at schools, preschools, assisted living facilities, universities and businesses all over Texas. Photo by Tiny Tails to You.

contact
Chelsea Phillips

Austin, TX 
phone 512-423-5577
phone#2
e-mail info@tinytailstoyou.com
public performance/concert $300 - $2,500
school performance $300 - $2,000
workshop fees $300 - $2,500
travel/per diem/lodging $40 - $250
website https://www.tinytailstoyou.com

 

Johnny Villarreal/The Edge of Imagination Station

Have you ever wanted to bring your art to life? Johnny Villarreal and the Edge of Imagination Station are here to help! With over ten years’ experience teaching in the community, Johnny has shown users of all ages, abilities, and skill levels how to create animated sequences and short stories. His workshops cover the basics of stop motion animation and topics such as storyboarding, character development, shot selection, audio recording, and post-production. All of Johnny’s stop motion animation workshops incorporate some mix of chalk, paper, clay, and miscellaneous objects. Available programs include a drop-in activity where participants learn the basics of stop motion animation and create their own animated sequences, a guided storytelling workshop where participants learn how to organize and narrate a short story, stop motion (plus) workshops where participants will learn about stop motion and incorporate additional processes and materials such as watercolor, cardboard sculpture, or special effects/post-production, promotional video production where teens in your community work together to create a promotional video for your organization, and creative content development workshop where you work with Johnny to plan and develop original creative content for your organization. Photo by Sweetleaf Photography.

contact
Johnny Villarreal
PO Box 152965
Austin, TX  78715
phone 210-364-5123
phone#2
e-mail johnny@theedgeofimaginationstation.com
public performance/concert $750 - $3,000
school performance $500 - $2,500
workshop fees $750 - $3,000
travel/per diem/lodging $150 - $1,000
website http://theedgeofimaginationstation.com/

 

Patricia Vonne

Hailed as a 'Renaissance woman of Austin, Texas' by the New York Times, Patricia Vonne has claimed many titles in her illustrious career: singer, songwriter, actress, activist, and award-winning filmmaker. The three-time Austin Music Award winner is back with her seventh album, Top of the Mountain. Vonne continues her trailblazing ride along the borderland where Castillian & Mexican infusions of flamenco and fiery gypsy guitar meets all- American rock 'n' roll. Vonne has toured internationally including the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland & World Expo in Japan. She has shared the stage with Chris Isaak, Los Lobos, Raul Malo & collaborated with Texas musical heavyweights such as Charlie Sexton, Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Rosie Flores, Doyle Bramhall & Flaco Jimenez. Vonne toured as a member of Tito and Tarantula, the band featured in the Tarantino/Rodriguez film From Dusk Till Dawn. Vonne has appeared on the big screen in Spykids, Desperado, Machete and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, in which she reprised her role as Dallas/Zorro Girl; Her song, Traeme Paz, was featured in the film Once Upon a Time in Mexico. 'Imagine a young Chrissie Hynde fronting the Mavericks with a little help from Calexico.' -WORD. Photo by Mark Guerra.

contact
Patricia Rodriguez
PO Box 42652
Austin, TX  78704
phone 512-461-6641
phone#2
e-mail info@patriciavonne.com
public performance/concert $2,000 - $10,000
school performance $500 - $2,000
workshop fees $500 - $2,000
travel/per diem/lodging $400 - $2,000
website https://www.patriciavonne.com

 

Mr. Will/Will and The Wilderness

Whether it’s encouraging toddlers to jump around and shout out their favorite mode of transportation (Excavator!), or getting couples to two-step while singing along to original Americana tunes, 'Mr. Will' has energized crowds for two decades with lively, toe-tapping, and often interactive music. Multifaceted singer-songwriter Will Dupuy entertains the young and young-at-heart with children’s concerts and country music sets. Mr. Will taps into the developmental and interactive aspects of raising kids with fun songs while showcasing a rambunctious spirit in live concerts for the under-seven crowd and now also a 'tween' show. The greatest charm of his shows is how the infectious melodies, combined with upbeat lyrics, get undeniably stuck in your head. However, some parents may recognize Will’s voice from his days touring with the South Austin Jug Band, Bruce Robison, Kelly Willis, or Bob Schneider. But that's what music is all about, bringing people together and having fun, no matter the age. The talent that propelled him to perform continues with the latest incarnation of his own 'adult' band, Will and the Wilderness. With this group, Will often trades an acoustic guitar for his signature upright bass while playing a mix of original tunes and genre-crossing hits. Photo by Nicola Gell.

contact
KT Gardner
4505 Bull Creek Rd
Austin, TX  78731
phone 512-207-0825
phone#2
e-mail ktrootstock@gmail.com
public performance/concert $600 - $7,500
school performance $600 - $1,500
workshop fees $600 - $3,500
travel/per diem/lodging $0 - $1,500
website https://www.mrwillmusic.com

 

WindSync

Hailed by the Houston Chronicle as 'revolutionary chamber musicians,' WindSync is internationally recognized for dramatic and engaging interpretations of classical music. The young, adventurous group performs from memory and focuses on building a connection with audiences through dynamic concert programming and charismatic stage presence. Frequently partnering with Young Audiences Arts for Learning across the state of Texas, WindSync also specializes in educational assembly programs in schools, family-friendly concerts, and concerts for audiences with autism or special needs. In WindSync’s concert program Songs, Dances, and Dreams, audiences will experience the wide array of colors created by the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and French horn and the extraordinary virtuosity of each musician. The mix of repertoire includes classical music written for the wind quintet, arrangements of well-loved repertoire such as 'Bolero' and 'Summertime,' and new music with an exuberant, pop-rock sensibility. 'Peter and the Wolf' introduces the five wind instruments of the orchestra in an educational, family-friendly outreach program. Complete with a unique costumed and choreographed version of Prokofiev’s classic tale, WindSync inspires the imaginations of audiences of all ages. Photo by Kristina Jacinth.

contact
Anni Hochhalter
4515 Briar Hollow Pl. #306
Houston, TX  77027
phone 832-639-4212
phone#2 702-275-7014
e-mail contact@windsync.org
public performance/concert $3,500 - $8,500
school performance $1,000 - $3,500
workshop fees $1,000 - $3,500
travel/per diem/lodging $250 - $2,500
website http://www.windsync.org

 

Sue Young

Bilingual storyteller Sue Young has delighted audiences at museums, festivals, schools, and libraries around Texas and the US since 1994. An accomplished singer and songwriter, she received a 2013 Texas Music Awards nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year. Her CD, The Legend of the Quetzal, received a 2007 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award and she wrote the 2009 and 2011 Texas Summer Reading Club theme songs. Her interactive programs include Cantos Y Cuentos: Tales & Tunes of Latin America, a fun trip around Latin America through legends, folktales, traditional and original songs; ¡Viva México! Celebrate Mexico through songs and stories; Texican Tales and Tunes, cowboy songs, Mexican cantos, and stories showcasing the diverse cultural heritage of Texas. Sue offers an annual summer reading program tailored to the collaborative theme (and writes a song to go with the theme). Staff development sessions and workshops for adults, teens, and children are available, including Create Your Own Song, a songwriting workshop for 3rd graders through adults. Photo by Brenda Ladd.

contact
Sue Young
PO Box 5786
Austin, TX  78763
phone 512-914-9553
phone#2
e-mail sueyoungmusic@gmail.com
public performance/concert $250 - $1,200
school performance $250 - $1,200
workshop fees $250 - $1,000
travel/per diem/lodging $25 - $200
website https://www.sueyoungmusic.com

 

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