Prairie Acoustic Stage

Saturday 7/25/09

Josh's Strange Show

11:00-11:30am

OH MY GOSH! IT'S JOSH B' GOSH!

"The audience was in awe. They couldn't believe their eyes as they watched Josh's unique, amazing and entertaining show."

With influences including Bugs Bunny, James Bond and Harry Houdini, Josh's Strange Show includes comedy, suspense and excitement with a musical soundtrack and a focus on audience participation.

Rince Mo Chroi Irish Dancers

11:45am - 12:45pm

"Dance My Love"

World Champion level dancer Brittany Hying started the Rince Mo Chroi Irish Dancers in 2003, in Southwest Wisconsin. Brittany wished to keep the traditional aspects of Irish dance alive by teaching in rural Wisconsin, in the old style of a "traveling teacher".

Sweet Grass & Sage

1:00-1:45pm

Sweet Grass & Sage is a weave of word, melody and countermelody generated with the 'soul' intent of allowing you to feel and consider your connection to the world. Singer/songwriter Ed Schultz plays a free-style finger picking acoustic guitar along with veteran musician Kevin Dohse on mandolin. . Their message is one of social consciousness, and regard for the natural world.

Gloria Hays

2:00-2:45pm

"Musical Menagerie"

Enjoy the music of an international performing artist who presents singable, entertaining songs for young and old alike along with instruments from around the world. The program features hammer and mountain dulcimers, guitar, other string instruments as well as ethnic drums, providing education and interactive fun at the same time. Gloria is a recording artist, former radio show host & long time veteran of stages throughout WI & the U.S. She has also taken her music around to many European countries, India & several Caribbean islands. After raising 4 children & almost 25 yrs. on the road, Gloria now spends most of her time sharing her gifts at a hospice facility in Madison, WI.

Stuart Stotts

3:00-3:45pm

Come to listen, sing, dance, and laugh along.

Stuart Stotts is a songwriter, storyteller and author from Wisconsin. He's worked as a full-time performer since 1986, and he gives over 200 shows a year for kids, families, and adults around the Midwest, and sometimes farther. He's a frequent presenter at conferences and workshops for teachers, parents and librarians. Stuart's travels have taken him to such far places as Greece, Egypt, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Great Britain, as well as to even more exotic locales like Green Bay, La Crosse, and Fond du Lac.

Driftless Dreams: A Play for Voices

4:00 - 4:50pm

The stories of real residents of the Driftless Region, as collected and crafted by acclaimed writer Robert Wolf (Heartland Portrait, River Days, An American Mosaic), are brought to life in this original theatre production. Driftless Dreams reflects the culture and heritage of rural America, focusing on the Driftless region of the Midwest. Its choral poems are real stories by real people. Its subject matter ranges from farms and farming life to Mississippi River towns to the character of rural Americans. The 6 person ensemble will be touring for the two weeks following the fair. Performances include July 30 - August 1 at the Cabaret Fortney Underground, Viroqua, WI

Nanda - funky kung fu acrobatics

5:00-5:45pm

Nanda: A Japanese expletive used in reaction to something surprising or outlandish.

A tidal wave of dance, juggling, and crazy kung-fu acrobatics, Nanda fills the house with unrelenting skill and comedy. This spectacle will tear through any preconceptions of entertainment and the world. The profoundly organic performance given by these four friends has been evolving slowly over the last twenty years, since the young gentlemen met as toddlers in their hometown of Port Townsend, Washington. Those four feral little hippy kids have grown into four enlightened ninja jugglers with the skills to win a revolution. Nanda is: Chen Pollina, Kiyota Sage, Misha Fradin, & Tomoki Sage. The chance to see these modern day heroes in action is an opportunity of a lifetime and should not be overlooked!

Layin' Down the Flow

6:00-7:00pm

Jump into the rural rap scene! First, a larger group will learn some tools for writing rhymes and talk about how to keep that creativity flowin'. Then we'll group together and work with other MCs to hook together some tracks! After the groups lay some fly verses on paper, we'll throw down for each other on stage! And if freestyle is your thing, there should be time for you to crash the stage after the group performances and rock the mic!

Sunday 7/26/09

Songwriters Workshop

11:00am-12:15pm

Stuart Stotts is a songwriter from Deforest. In this workshop, we'll talk about what makes a good song, and let people have a chance to play a song that they'd like feedback on. Songwriting is a magical art, and at the same time, it's a skill we can all get better at. Bring a song to share and bring your delight at the power of music.

Josh's Strange Show

12:30-1:00pm

OH MY GOSH! IT'S JOSH B' GOSH!

"The audience was in awe. They couldn't believe their eyes as they watched Josh's unique, amazing and entertaining show."

With influences including Bugs Bunny, James Bond and Harry Houdini, Josh's Strange Show includes comedy, suspense and excitement with a musical soundtrack and a focus on audience participation.

Nanda - funky kung fu acrobatics

1:15-2:00

Nanda: A Japanese expletive used in reaction to something surprising or outlandish.

Patchouli

3:00 - 3:45pm

Fast Forward Folk

Being a duo has its advantages. Two home bases for instance. Julie's originally from the Chicago area. Bruce is from Minneapolis. Patchouli maintains a loyal following and plays in both cities regularly in addition to their heavy touring around the rest of North America.