Celebrate community, family, and this year's Summer Reading theme - Read, Renew, Repeat! Join Parents’ Choice Award winning singer and storyteller Davis Bates to hear how stars came to be in the sky, how coyote got his howl, and how foam came to be in the ocean. Be prepared to sing, move and clap your hands. The program will include plenty of sing-alongs, as well as a short lesson in how to play the spoons, and an appearance by an Irish dancing wooden dog named Bingo (who is made of recycled materials)!
Davis Bates
Davis Bates has been telling stories for over forty-five years, in schools, libraries, colleges and community settings around New England and across the country. His recording of Family Stories won a Parent’s Choice Gold Award, and was named one of the year’s best Audio Recordings by Booklist Magazine. Davis has also served as director and consultant for several local and regional oral history and folk arts projects. Davis lives in the village of Shelburne Falls, MA, and when he isn't collecting or learning stories, he spends his time acting in local theater productions, developing various pollinator projects and working with the Hampshire College Alumni Advisory Group and gardening on the Hampshire campus and at home.
Pete and Toshi Seeger called Davis "thoughtful, creative, human, and a fantastic storyteller." Davis' traditional and participatory performance style empowers and encourages audiences of all ages to join in the fun, and to take the songs and stories home with them to share with others. He also encourages listeners to remember and tell stories from their own family and cultural traditions.