Things with Wings
THINGS WITH WINGS performance is similar in many ways to the original Toucan Jam show. Kelly and Donna still tour around the globe visiting each and every continent BUT this time it's from a 'bird's eye view'. The duo explores legends about birds, bee, butterflies and other 'winged critters' using exotic instruments. Their wacky puppets, costumes, and stories were all created using ideas from library books and in this show Toucan Jam stresses how important the library is to them!
As always, TOUCAN JAM is interactive, visually exciting and educational. The students are hardly aware that they are learning about Natural Science, Geography, and Ecology as they watch these two engaging performers weave their magic!
More educational content can be provided with the addition of the Things with Wings Workshop, a 50 minute fun-filled, geographically customized presentation on birds, bird watching and birdsongs!
A Brief Look At The Show
ONE
Our journey begins in North America with an inspiring sing-along story/song that Donna wrote based on an old Native American legend which takes place in a world where all of the butterflies have vanished because the people got greedy as their populations grew. They destroyed the water and the air. They became isolated from each other and were no longer happy. The Great Spirit is worried so he sends children to each corner of the globe with instructions to bring back something beautiful. Then he puts all the treasures in a sack and makes a wish that his people could learn tolerance. He spins the sack around his neck like a cowboy with a lasso and when he opens it up a billion butterflies flutter in the wind and the people are happy once again. It's called CHANGES.
TWO
Next, we fly off to South America. Donning our ponchos and churango (an exotic armadillo-backed instrument) we sing a haunting tale about how the Quetzal got his beautiful red chest and long emerald green tail. The tiny muddy colored bird flew into an awful fire that was consuming the world to save a tiny seed of corn so the people could plant food again. Because of his bravery the Great Spirit made him the most beautiful bird in the world.
THREE
Now it's time to migrate on over to Africa where we learn about how the Cassolo bird got the nickname 'Honey Guide Bird'. You see, the Cassolo bird and the bee were best friends but their friendship is tested when their children get sick and they need to rely on each other. Hidden by a mask, Kelly is magically transformed into the local witchdoctor that gives the bee and Cassolo advice. He keeps rhythm on the African finger piano as Donna (in costume as well) weaves the famous tale.
FOUR
Boy, my wings are tired!!! Now, we head down under, to the island of Australia. Here the students learn how the didgeridoo is made and meet the most colorful character in the world ... Emily Emu. They find out why Emily's feathers are as bright as the rainbow. This skit has them rolling in the isles!
FIVE
The next stop is the forgotten kingdom of PERSIA, the area of the world now known as the Middle East. We felt it was timely to tell a legend of kindness from that well-known region. This is an operetta we wrote about King Solomon and how the exotic Hoopoe bird got his lovely golden crown. It is based on the legend "The Palace of Beaks". King Solomon accompanies the song on a Middle Eastern instrument called the OUD. The story has a great moral about how great wisdom can be found even in the humblest creature around.
SIX
Next stop, the largest continent in the world - ASIA. In this sojourn, Kelly gets out our favorite instrument, the CHEN (or Moon Guitar as it is often nicknamed) and weaves a sound track for the story of HOW THE ROOSTER GOT HIS CROWN. This fun & interactive piece gets the kids roaring, mooing and crowing and keeps them on the edge of their seats.
SEVEN
We've circled clear around the globe and landed back home in the Ozarks. We finish off the program with a rip-roaring banjo and fiddle song about the Cuckoo Bird. Kelly shows them the sound of the Cuckoo and explains that it is often called the RAINCROW by the mountain folk because it often sings before a storm. The students get to learn about musical dynamics as we challenge them to clap only during the instrumental sections.We end each and every show with an opportunity for the students to ask questions about the puppets, instruments and us.
Also check out the Things with Wings Workshop, a 50 minute fun-filled presentation on birds, bird watching and birdsongs specifically designed to complement the Things with Wings performance!
