Olden Music, Dance, and Storytelling Performance Calendar last update 2/1/2012
Bells & Motley at Cortland's 1890 House
WINTER 2011-2012 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012
Monteviola, Marcellus NY
Artists' Retreat! Planning, writing, rehearsals, the creation of new works.
Performance calendar for 2012 still "in the works," so don't hesitate to call with your idea!
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PERFORMANCE ARCHIVES: 2011 WHERE WE WERE, WHAT WE DID |
Sunday January 16, 2011 2:00
Liverpool Library Folk Music Series, Liverpool, NY
"One World, Many Instruments" Multicultural Folk Music Traditions
For a festive change, Sondra and John have planned a concert that includes another part of our repertoire...
While familiar to most audiences for their work with Renaissance and Medieval music, the Bromkas have a long history of explorations and experimentations with many forms of world music. Sondra and John play some truly exotic instruments, too. Expect to see their customary hurdy gurdy, dulcimer, bagpipes, and Celtic Harp augmented for this concert with Chinese Harp (guzheng) and fiddle (erhu), Turkish lutes (oud and baglama) Mideastern zither (kanun), and a raft of percussion.
There are stories for each of the Bromkas' instruments and musical selections, be it travels in Europe and Asia, Chinese New Year in far-off Flushing New York, gifts from mysterious strangers, or the instruments built in the Bromkas' own studios.
After taking us around the world on flights of musical sound, Sondra and John "bring it all home" again to demonstrate many surprising cross-cultural influences with some good ol' New York State and American heritage music. This multicultural musical journey will be great fun for families and folks of all ages.
Saturday January 22, 2011 6:00-9:00 pm
Annual Robbie Burns Scottish Celebration Dinner at the Brae Loch, Cazenovia, NY
In this grand return to our Celtic roots, we'll be playing harp, bagpipes, fiddle, whistle, bodhran, in celebration of the haggis as it is paraded reekin' 'round the room. It's a warm evening of music, tradition, and pageantry. For more Information, Reservations, Prices: 315-655-4844 www.braelochinn.com
Saturday January 29, 2011 6:15-7:15 pm
Private Event - Senior Center, Inrondequoit, NY
FEBRUARY 2011 School arts-in-education presentations and planning
MARCH 2011 Wednesday March 16, 2011 7:00 pm
free and open to the public
Bells & Motley Celtic Consort: Medieval Muse and Minstrelsy"
LeMoyne College, James Commons, Campus Center, Syracuse NY
What are the possible connections between Minstrels, Bards, Troubadours, and Trouvères? Is it something about have-harp-will-travel? Or something about bearers of traditions, holding vast memories of an epic past? Or wishful initiates seeking intimacy with the Muse, and her ability to transport them to another place, time, or way of being? Sondra and John will draw together these lines of inquiry through myth and manuscript, fact, fiction, and musical storytelling.
Explorations in the riches of early Celtic music and symbolism has been central to the duo’s work from their very beginnings. The concert will span 500 years of early music history and traditions, including a setting by Mr Bromka of that famous Scottish balled of poetic initiation, “Thomas Rhymer and the Queen of Elfland.”
“And see ye not that bonny road/ That winds about the fernie brae?
That is the road where you and I this night maun go.”
- This program is a part of LeMoyne Irish Culture Week
- Co-sponsored by the Medieval Roundtable.
APRIL 2011 School arts-in-education presentations and planning
MAY 2011 Saturday May 28, 29, 30, 2011 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
Van Cortlandt Manor Historic Site, So. Riverside Ave, Croton-on-Hudson NY
Musical Storytelling + "Hurdy Gurdy & Other Fantastical Instruments" Concerts
To this year's "Animals & Acrobats" Festival we bring our interactive musical storytelling performances, plus a great bundle of curious musical instruments in interactive concerts throughout each day. Our performance times are set for 10:30, Noon, and 2:30 each day. For more information and a complete schedule, www.hudsonvalley.org or 914-631-8200 or 914-271-8981
Friday May 6 + Saturday May 7, 2011
Kellish American Hero "Come Rise to the Occasion" Fundraiser
Fri 6pm-midnight $10.00/ Sat. 10AM-midnight $10.
Bells & Motley perform at 1:00 PM on Saturday.
See American Heroes Music page for information and music for our project, which will be debuted at this festival, see our webpage for music. Join us!
Kellish Farm is located at 3192 Pompey Center Rd. 4.2 miles from Route 92 in Manlius or .5 mile north of Route 20. Phone 315 682 1578.
JUNE 2011 Wednesday June 15, 2011 2:00 PM
The Stage, 23 South Main Street, Warsaw NY
"Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal" Folk Operetta
A participatory Folk Operetta of New York's Grand Erie Canal featuring authentic historic instruments, music, costumes, tall tales, sing-alongs, and characters for an unforgettable experience in New York State's History. Heritage instruments include squeezeboxes, fiddle, banjo, and hurdy gurdy. For more information, www.thestageofwny.org or 585-786-5000
June 28-29-30, 2011
Medieval Arts & Culture Summer Camp Residency
Private event
JULY-AUGUST 2011 Tuesday July 12, 2011
Syracuse Shakespeare KIDS Summer Camp
Registration now full for this summer
Sterling Renaissance Festival 2011
All weekends beginning July 9-10, thru final weekend August 20-21
Bells & Motley's 34th year of performance since this wonderful Faire's inception in 1977! --- Join us for concerts at the front-gate Gazebo at 11:30, 3:00, and 6:00, plus 2 historic dance instruction sessions for your participation up top at Market Cross at 11:00 and 4:30. Kick up your heels! www.sterlingfaire.com
"ONE WORLD, MANY STORIES" SUMMER READING PROGRAM
*Our featured summer library performance for 2011 -- All Ages Welcome!
"BAWSHOU & the WATER DRAGON" -- Musical Storytheater --
What would you do if the Sun was captured by a powerful Dragon, and hidden in a cave, deep beneath the sea? In this traditional Chinese tale of wonder and adventure, the young boy Bawshou bravely sets out to rescue the Sun with the help of a magic golden Phoenix, to meet the Dragon's three challenges. Featuring costumes, dance, and storytelling techniques of the orient, the action and mystique of the tale are highlighted by live music on authentic Chinese traditional stringed, wind, and percussion instruments, including pipa, erhu, moon lute, gong, temple bells, drum, & guzhung (ancient Chinese zither harp.)
Fantastical Dragon Maskmaking Workshop!
Before the performance, come learn about different types of historic dragons, and create a mask of your own to wear in the "Bawshou" Pageant that follows. Other exciting roles to be played in that performance as well, large and small, for folks of all ages. Come enjoy, come be a Star Dancer! a River Shaker! a ceremonial Gong Sounder!
Wednesday July 13, 2011
"Bawshou & the Water Dragon"
Wayland Public Library, 101 West Naples St. Wayland NY
3:30 pm performance, preceded by 2:00 Dragon Maskmaking Workshop for Ages 9-12, pre-registration required.
585-728-5380 www.gunlockelibrary.org
Thursday July 14, 2011
"Bawshou & the Water Dragon"
Cuba Public Library, 39 East Main St. Cuba NY
1:30 pm performance, preceded by 12:00 Noon Dragon Maskmaking Workshop for Ages 9-12.
Note: Workshop pre-registration is full, but folks of all ages, do come to enjoy the performance!)
585-968-1668 www.cubalibrary.org
Wednesday July 20, 2011
"Bawshou & the Water Dragon"
Lang Library Cato NY, taking place at Meridian Gazebo & Pavilion Park
6:30 pm performance, preceded by 3:00-5:00 Dragon Maskmaking Workshop, then preparations for parts in the pageant!
Note: Participants please register in advance at library for workshops, so we can prepare materials.
315-626-2101 www.langlibrary.org
Wednesday July 27, 2011
"Bawshou & the Water Dragon"
Dewitt Community Library, 3649 Erie Blvd. East, Dewitt NY
2:00 pm performance time
315-446-3578 www.dewlib.org
Friday July 29, 2011
"Bawshou & the Water Dragon"
coordinated by Dormann Library, 101 West Morris St, Bath NY;
performance at O'Malley Hall, St. Mary's Church, 36 East Morris St, Bath
1:30 pm performance, preceded by Noon Dragon Maskmaking Workshop.
607-776-4613 www.dormannlibrary.org
"CELEBRATE NY FOLK IN MUSIC, SONG, and SPECTACLE"
Two featured summer public performance for 2011
"15 MILES ON THE ERIE CANAL" -- Olde Tyme Musical Folk Pageant
Come Play - Sing - Learn - Listen - All Ages are Encouraged to join in!
A performance much loved by folks of all ages, Bells & Motley's rollicking participatory Folk Operetta, set on the Grand Erie Canal. Features the instruments, music, costumes, tall tales, sing-alongs, and characters of the day for an unforgettable experience. Heritage instruments include squeezeboxes, fiddle, banjo, and hurdy gurdy.
For more information about joining the "String Band Play- Along" folks, including musical scores, see our American Heroes Music & Pageantry Page
2 Performances:
Friday July 22, 2011 6:00 & 7:00 PM
Kellish Hill Music Farm, Part of their 1st Annual American Music Festival
"15 Miles on the Erie Canal" Community Folk Pageant
7:00 pm performance, preceded by 6:00 String Band Play-Along Gathering to get you all ready to join in our "Open Pit Orchestra" string players and singers group for the performance that follows. All levels, all ages welcome; players by ear or by score, amateurs or pros. Bring your favorite acoustic stringed instrument, your voice, and join in the fun! Free for musicians participating in the pageant, donations welcome. Find much more information, music, etc. on our American Heroes Music & Pageantry Page
Saturday August 27, 2011
"Celebrate New York Folk in Music, Song, and Spectacle"
Concert + "15 Miles on the Erie Canal" Community Folk Pageant
Cape Vincent Concert on "The Green"
5:00-7:00 pm performance, preceded by String Band Play-Along Gathering to join in our pit orchestra. All levels, all ages welcome; players by ear or by score, amateurs or pros. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and join in the fun! Find much more information, music, etc. on our American Heroes Music & Pageantry Page
315-654-2481 www.capevincent.org
August-October 2011
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire?
Sorry to say, we will not be participating there this year, due to managements's changes in artistic direction and vision. We'll truly miss all of you who were so good to come join us at our spectacular custom-designed stages we enjoyed over our 20+ years of true appreciation. Being at the Hurdy Gurdy stage surrounded by all of our instrumentarium was a real winner!
Saturday November 5, 2011 4:00-11:30 PM
Fest-Noz / Breton Music & Dance Festival, NY, NY
Bells & Motley will be just one of the groups playing dance music for this "night festival" event, which will bring together 40 musicians in total from across US, Canada, and France.!
Location: Hungarian House, 213 East 82nd Street, NY, NY. Sondra & John will begin by teaching a Breton Dance workshop from 4:30-5:00. From there, you can spend the rest of the night enjoying the music to its fullest -- dancing these joyous traditional dances! Price at door $25/$20 online, (or contact me for $15 presale.) For more information, Link here to event page
Saturday November 19, 2011 2:30-4:30 PM
First Annual Harvest Home, Baltimore Woods, Marcellus NY
For the first time in years the log cabin will come alive with music and celebration! John and Sondra Bromka will lead us on an enjoyable journey of nature-based folklore and legend, music, dance, and craft of traditional harvest celebrations. Join them around the campfire as we start a new Baltimore Woods tradition by tapping into the deep connections our ancestors had with the land. Registration requested. $10/members, $30/family; $15/nonmembers, $45/family
November 18-December 16, 2011
Wilson Gallery, LeMoyne College, 1419 Salt Springs Rd., Syracuse NY
Photo-Documentary Exhibit
"From Art to Wood to Music: Sculpted Sound"
Friday, November 18 - 4:00 to 6:00 PM Join us for an Opening Reception
Bells & Motley's photo-documentary exhibit of European frescoes, sculptures, and other works of art that have documented our research trail for performance and building of medieval musical instruments. Includes lecture/demo/concert and salon-style discussion (date for those TBA.) Link to SCULPTED SOUND page; REVIEWS
Sunday November 27, 2011 6:30 PM
Morristown Public Library, held at United Methodist Church, Community Hall 502 Gouverneur St., Morristown NY
"Wassail!" Merry Olde English Christmas Concert and Participatory Mummers' Pageant
Our program will begin with a concert of favorite historic and traditional Yuletide music to celebrate the beginning of the season, (including singalongs) on a complement of period instruments, including harp, hurdy gurdy, crumhorns, squeezeboxes and more....
From there we pour ourselves into a joyous audience-participatary Wassailing Mummer's play, a traditional dramatic form still popular throughout the British Isles, to bring the community together in celebration of this joyous season. We hope you will come take part - Sing! Say! Play! Our program is intended to appeal to folks all ages, so do urge your friends young and old to come enjoy. Now, I was just told that in Friday's Ogdensburg Journal, a sweet little article appears (for which I did an interview), speaking of our upcoming performance. If you would like to read it, take a peek at - www.ogd.com/article/20111125/OGD01/311259971/-1/ogd01
Library: (315)375-8833
Saturday December 3, 2011 5:00 PM
Moravian College Medieval Conference, Bethlehem PA
The evocative sounds of our arraye of rare historic musical instruments will lead you into the nooks and crannies of Medieval France, Catalunya, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the British Isles in a celebration of early holiday traditions. From festive tunes for dance and procession, to evocative ballads and songs for chorusing - this rich and festive holiday musical program features seasonal aires, songs, and traditions. Instruments include the hurdy gurdy, French and Northumbrian bagpipes, Celtic harp, Swedish nyckleharpa, lute, and much more. Our concert culminates with a grande Boar's Head procession, and onward to a most festive reception. 44 East Market St. Bethlehem. Concert and reception $15. More information at 610-867-4741 www.trinitybeth.org
Sunday December 4, 2011 2:00PM
"Welcome Yule: A Bells & Motley Olden Christmas" at Franklin Lakes Library, Franklin Lakes NJ
Our festive concert celebrates Yuletide music and traditions of yore. We'll play our most favorite Medieval, Renaissance, and Traditional French, Celtic, and English holiday music, on a full complement of historic instruments. A delight people of all ages, come enjoy in this this intimate, interactive library setting that makes everyone feel right at home. Free admission! Location: 470 DeKorte Drive, Franklin Lakes NJ. Information: 201-891-2224.
Friday December 9, 2011 10:30 AM
"A Bells & Motley International Christmas Celebration" at Catskill Senior Center, Catskill NY
Our concert celebrates Yuletide music and traditions of the British Isles, France, Germany, Spain, and more, with all manner of historic and folk instruments sure to please family audiences. Location: 15 Academy Street, Catskill NY. For information, call our program sponsors at the Catskill Library: 518-943-4230.
Friday December 9, 2011 5:30-8:30
"Wassail! Wassail! Bells & Motley Yuletide Music Celebration" at Kinderhook Memorial Library, Kinderhook NY
Candlelight Night at the Library with Bells and Motley Consort Music and customs of a traditional Christmas in Dickens’ time included jovial and ceremonial songs with choruses for all to share. This musical voyage back to the spirit of Christmas Past offers a magical time for family and friends to gather and share the origins of our traditions. Across England, folks would go from door to door, singing wassailing songs that ended with the request for “a toast and a good loaf or cheese, and we’ll be on our way.” Bells and Motley will feature wassail songs from Cornwall, Somerset, and Gloucestershire. Other traditions will include a special processional bagpipe air from Northumberland to “pipe your bounds” to insure abundance and well being throughout the new year. This peek behind the history of Christmas celebration uncovers the universal within the season’s mirth and merriment, and plants the seeds of ideas for reestablishing some of the old traditional elements for community celebrations—further enriching the meaning and majesty of this important holiday season. Location: 18 Hudson Street, Kinderhook NY. For information: 518-758-6192.
Sunday December 11, 2011 1:00-4:00
Lorenzo State Historic Site Candlelight Open House, Cazenovia NY
Here's the beloved local historic site open house that we have called our Christmas home since 1986! It's an open house, and a lovely chance to experience the magic of another era with our music filling all the corridors and chambers warmed by candlelight. Come enjoy our holiday music in an evocative historic setting. We promise to transport you to a time and place most rare.... $4 for adults, $1 kids under 12. Location: 17 Rippleton Road, Route 13. For information: 315-655-3200, www.lorenzony.org
Saturday December 17, 2011 3:00
"Christmas Long Ago and Far Away" at North Chatham Free Library, North Chatham NY
The evocative sounds of the arraye of rare historic and folk musical instruments will lead you into the nooks and crannies of France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the British Isles in a celebration of holiday traditions in many lands. From festive tunes for dance and procession, to evocative ballads and songs for chorusing - this rich and festive holiday musical program features seasonal aires, songs, and traditions. Instruments include the hurdy gurdy, French and Northumbrian bagpipes, Celtic harp, Swedish nykleharpa, Irish pennywhistle, and much more. Library location: Main Street, Route 203, North Chatham NY. For information: 518-766-3211, Library.
Saturday December 17, 2011 7:30
"Christmas Long Ago and Far Away" Concert, East Phoenicia NY
(See program description just above.)
Wow! A rare coffe-house style performance for Bells & Motley! An excellent celebration of the season. Location: Empire State Railway Museum, #70 Lower High Street, East Phoenicia, NY. 23 miles west of Kingston just off Rt. 28, make your first right after Phoenicia Diner, turn at RR Sign). The unique setting and intimacy of this concert will surely make our performance like none other. $12 or $10 w/RSVP through flyingcatmusic@gmail.com 845-688-9453
Sunday December 18, 2011 6:00PM
Yuletide Concert for St. Nicholas, Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, East Syracuse, NY
This year's 7th annual Yuletide concert of music will be in celebration St. Nicholas, another window into the lore of "The 12 Days of Christmas." In addition to our music, presented in an exceedingly beautiful and intimate setting of holy icons, you'll be treated to refreshments and good company to enjoy after the program. We so look forward each year to this grande local concert event! A good will collection will be taken for the musicians. Location: 783 Franklin Park Drive, E Syracuse. Information: 315-434-9540.
Sunday January 8, 2012 9:20 AM
Marcellus Methodist Church, Marcellus, NY
John and Sondra add sacred musical embellishments to the service in celebration of Epiphany
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