Library/History Museum Programs (and other like venues)
New Book, New Program:
Jefferson's Dream--the Ballad of the Declaration of Independence
Based on his recent book and CD of the same title published by Hobblebush Books, the program celebrates in story and song eight great Americans—women and men—who carried the values of the Declaration forward into our lives. Through the medium of ballads, John traces Jefferson’s vision as it dramatically broadens with Lincoln’s reading, and gives impetus to abolitionism and women’s rights.
Beginning with Thomas Jefferson, John presents an overview of the evolution of the fundamental ideals of the Republic with commentary and ballads on Jefferson, Harriet Tubman, Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Thoreau, Ida B. Wells, and Eleanor Roosevelt. He shows how each of these figures overcome monumental obstacles in the pursuit of liberty and equality.
"John Perrault has a great passion for history and a wonderful insight into the American experience.
Theses stories and songs reflect an outstanding dedication to that passion." --Bill Staines
"John--I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your CD, Jefferson's Dream. Fantastic!!!
...Your lyrics are wonderful. I love how you incorporated 'America the Beautiful' into the title
song....I think this could be a very fine resource for teachers, schools and musicians..." --Catherine O'Brian,
Coordinator, Arts Education Grants & Programs, NH State Council on the Arts.
"John takes the timeless essence of Jefferson's words and links them to the 21st century with
original music and fascinating biographical anecdotes of those who have worked tirelessly for
freedom and equality. Our audience loved his program." --Ellen Knowlton, Head of Reference
& Adult Services, Merrimack (NH) Public Library.
"John--Your presentation was a great pleasure, as always. Each time that you come to present
your work in Effingham, listeners appreciate your style of telling stories and reading your poetry
and always want to listen a little longer. Your 'Jefferson Dream' presentation lived up to our high
expectations. It provided insight into the historical characters, weaving the events of history with
stories and songs in a way that brought them to life. I hope to get the word out to other organizations--
this is a great program, of interest to all ages." --Katie McCarthy, Coordinator, Writers' Night,
Effingham (NH) Public Library.
To book this program contact John at 603-964-8358 or e-mail: rockweed@comcast.net
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Other Programs:
Offered with grants through the New Hampshire Humanities Council in NH -- www.nhhc.org
and the New England Foundation for the Arts outside NH -- www.matchbook.org
1. The Ballad Lives! Singing the Roots of Narrative Art
The medieval folk ballad emerged from the unconscious need of people to express its identity. Simple in form, straightforward in content, it sang a story that, however tragic, affirmed the community's values while satisfying its deep need for dramatic narrative in rhythmic form. Later the ballad was transplanted in the New World and has been carried forward by American balladeers such as Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. New England culture--its history, legends, and myths--continues to be preserved, celebrated, and reinvigorated by this genre. John Perrault, author of The Ballad of Louis Wagner and other New England Stories in Verse , reviews and demonstrates the evolution of the ballad with vocals and guitar. Program includes songs of the New England woods, waters, fields and towns.
The next two are no longer listed with the NHHC, but may be directly booked through John Perrault--e-mail: rockweed@comcast.net Tel: 603-964-8358)
2. Crime & Punishment on the Isles of Shoals
Lawyer and balladeer John Perrault examines the life, times, and trial of Louis Wagner. Wagner was convicted of and executed for murdering Anethe Christensen on Smuttynose Island , Isles of Shoals, in March of 1873. Although sentiment against Wagner was at a fever pitch immediately following the murders of Anethe and Karen Christensen, time and reflection have generated an ongoing debate as to the fairness of the trial and the validity of the verdict. But what does the evidence show? Drawing from the trial transcript, media reports, and the cultural milieu in which the trial took place, this program takes a fresh look at the law's judgment of Louis Wagner. Was he killer or victim? And why does this question continue to disturb us some one hundred and thirty years after his death? The program concludes with John singing his haunting "Ballad of Louis Wagner."
Further Interactive Programs Booked Directly through John Perrault :
3. The Poetry of Song--Ballad and Lyrics, Barbara Allen to Blackbird
Poetry and song rise from the same root--music. The tree grows strong until the Renaissance when it branches into poetry and song. In this workshop style program, we'll prune a few limbs, peel back the bark, and examine the curl of the grain. Maybe risk a new graft. We'll take up the folk ballads "Barbara Allen" and "The Wife of Usher's Well" and ask ourselves why these song-poems have survived. What is it about their integration of subject matter and image, form and content, sound and sense, that keeps them alive? We'll look at the old love poem "The Water Is Wide" and, focusing on melody and metaphor, ask why it keeps flowing back to us generation after generation. We'll sample works from Burns to Dylan and pay attention to their overall architecture. Through a process of dialogue, analysis of hand-outs, and experimentation with lines and stanzas, our goals are to discover what makes ballads and songs stand as poems, and to write song-poems that will last. (This workshop is oriented toward the beginning and intermediate writer and is especially appropriate for library writing and reading groups. An abridged version is also available for middle and high school students.)
For sponsors outside New Hampshire, go to www.matchbook.org, click on "Find an Artist" and type in "John Perrault." Sponsors may apply for grants for these programs through the New England Foundation for the Arts as John is on the New England States Touring Roster (NEST). Please contact the Foundation in Boston at 617-951-0010 for assistance in grant application, or visit its web site at www.nefa.org .