We got a Spot Kid comment from Spencer. It is listed right below this one. Check it out.
The many talents of David Gonzalez. That was the day today in Marshalltown. We have been noticing all along the tour that David is a master of last-minute fine-tuning his presentation to fit the audience makeup, the place, the size of group, whatever. Today we began at the libary storytime with really small kids and parents. It was such a sweet small group and once again David had them so interested. He shared with them his story of his uncle and the guitar that we had heard before but this time he tailored it to small kids complete with hand gestures, marching, clapping, and helping with the story.
Then off to the high school. He and Daniel were with four different groups there. With the high schoolers he was informal and honest, sharing stories of his family, his Cuban background, his career, and along with that human uncertainties and social realities. It is so good to hear people's stories. He read his poetry and sang songs. He chatted in Spanish and listened to a student's work. Such good things set up and such good interactions. Daniel joined him and once again Daniel's cool and talented addition was amazing.
After I left they were off to yet another activity at the library's Dia de los Niños/Dia de los Libros. More good stuff.
Ron
Showing posts with label David Gonzalez tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Gonzalez tour. Show all posts
May 01, 2007
Spot Kid send blog entry
Tuesday. I got a blog entry today from Spot Kid Wil in Spencer. Thanks, Wil!
"The show by David Gonzalez was spectacular, and everyone who saw it walked away with a smile on their face! —Wil"
"The show by David Gonzalez was spectacular, and everyone who saw it walked away with a smile on their face! —Wil"
April 30, 2007
Day 9 on the Spot tour--Marshalltown
We are fam-i-ly. I got all my family and me. We are fam-i-ly.
Without the music you don't get the full effect when David ends one of his stories with everyone clapping and singing the Sister Sledge song "We are family." But it is so effective.
What I was thinking about yesterday really was manifest today with David and Daniel doing their thing at the Training Center and the preschool at St. Pauls in Marshalltown. The group was 28 kids and 65 adults and all were delighted with David and Daniel. David told the stories in an informal mix of Spanish and English that made it all so inclusive, so rich.
All along the way on the Spot tours, the richness of the mix of backgrounds and culture has been so evident whether it is age-old Iowa stories or the newer residents' addition to the mix, it has been a great sharing of family stories and home country traditions. Over and over again we are made aware of how we each add something worthy to the experience. Indeed, we are family. I think I really now understand Family Values.
The last stop in Marshalltown was at Fake Space which creates virtual reality. It hit me how that is what David does in his storytelling--low tech virtual reality. He takes us into new worlds and gives us all the visual and audio needed to create a reality outside of the existing one.
Ron
Without the music you don't get the full effect when David ends one of his stories with everyone clapping and singing the Sister Sledge song "We are family." But it is so effective.
What I was thinking about yesterday really was manifest today with David and Daniel doing their thing at the Training Center and the preschool at St. Pauls in Marshalltown. The group was 28 kids and 65 adults and all were delighted with David and Daniel. David told the stories in an informal mix of Spanish and English that made it all so inclusive, so rich.
All along the way on the Spot tours, the richness of the mix of backgrounds and culture has been so evident whether it is age-old Iowa stories or the newer residents' addition to the mix, it has been a great sharing of family stories and home country traditions. Over and over again we are made aware of how we each add something worthy to the experience. Indeed, we are family. I think I really now understand Family Values.
The last stop in Marshalltown was at Fake Space which creates virtual reality. It hit me how that is what David does in his storytelling--low tech virtual reality. He takes us into new worlds and gives us all the visual and audio needed to create a reality outside of the existing one.
Ron
A comment
Day 6 entry below had a nice greeting from a Spencerite on the comment left there. It is so good to get feedback.
Day 8 on the Spot Tour--on the road
Sunday. One last great cup of coffee in Spencer (Shaky Tree opened just for us. Wow. That is so nice!) and we are on the road to Marshalltown. Conversation on the way made the time fly. We missed seeing the Pocahontas statue again. I guess we took a different route.
We pulled into Marshalltown and left David and Daniel off at their motel with all their gear and headed home to Iowa City. Two thoughts. One, I was so happy to be home and it made me think about D&D being gone from home for much longer. And two, we felt a little funny just leaving them there, like we were abandoning friends. But of course Marshalltown is taking good care and we are heading up there each day to experience our third community on the Spot tour. Daniel said he took a long walk out on the edge of town and experienced one of our Iowa sunsets. Something for him to take home, perhaps.
We got back to Spring/Summer and things were gorgeous in Iowa City. I had time before dark to get in my first skate along the river. The path in Iowa City along the Iowa River is so gorgeous and great access to the outdoors. Hancher to Napoleon Park is my usual route. David said he lives on the Hudson River in Nyack. My guess is that Daniel isn't far from the East River in Brooklyn but I don't know for sure. Perry on the Racoon. Spencer on the Little Sioux. Marshalltown on the Iowa. Hmmm.
I listened to some Brazilian music while I skated and it made me think to Spot 4 and Cyro Baptista. Next year will be great too. And then I was thinking about all the things... Well, that will wait. This stream of consciousness thing is making these entries longer than I intended.
Ron
We pulled into Marshalltown and left David and Daniel off at their motel with all their gear and headed home to Iowa City. Two thoughts. One, I was so happy to be home and it made me think about D&D being gone from home for much longer. And two, we felt a little funny just leaving them there, like we were abandoning friends. But of course Marshalltown is taking good care and we are heading up there each day to experience our third community on the Spot tour. Daniel said he took a long walk out on the edge of town and experienced one of our Iowa sunsets. Something for him to take home, perhaps.
We got back to Spring/Summer and things were gorgeous in Iowa City. I had time before dark to get in my first skate along the river. The path in Iowa City along the Iowa River is so gorgeous and great access to the outdoors. Hancher to Napoleon Park is my usual route. David said he lives on the Hudson River in Nyack. My guess is that Daniel isn't far from the East River in Brooklyn but I don't know for sure. Perry on the Racoon. Spencer on the Little Sioux. Marshalltown on the Iowa. Hmmm.
I listened to some Brazilian music while I skated and it made me think to Spot 4 and Cyro Baptista. Next year will be great too. And then I was thinking about all the things... Well, that will wait. This stream of consciousness thing is making these entries longer than I intended.
Ron
April 28, 2007
Day 7 on the Spot tour--Spencer
Tonight the final concert in Spencer. David was fielding questions from the audience. He said that they have played in places from famous, big places to school classrooms and that it's all the same because what it is really about is people touching people. That is what it is. That is what this week has been about. No wonder it is so good.
David read some of his poetry later at a gathering. I was stunned and I really will never be the same. My gratitude to Daniel and David continues to grow with all they have given us.
Tomorrow on to Marshalltown. Half done.
Ron
David read some of his poetry later at a gathering. I was stunned and I really will never be the same. My gratitude to Daniel and David continues to grow with all they have given us.
Tomorrow on to Marshalltown. Half done.
Ron
Day 6 on the Spot Tour--Spencer
I just went downtown to get a cup of great coffee from Micah. He is new to town, hooked up with a long time resident, and opened a coffee shop. You can just tell he is the kind of barista that really cares about his product and his art. Everything is done methodically and precisely. The brewed coffee is French press. Amazing. So I went to pay and he said that there was a paid running tab for us from someone in town. What?! How many ways can you say nice? I hope whoever it is will read this and hear my thanks.
But on to Spot. After awhile the superlatives start to become superfluous. You have to experience David and Daniel to really understand the magic and depth of what they do. Friday's activities all were amazing. A jammed classroom at Johnson School of lower grades were once again taken on David's journey. David met with the teachers the day before to talk about the special needs kids in the group and what to expect for these special kids. David's background in music therapy and working with kids once again made the event very special for all.
A teacher workshop later in the day was so good. These 20-some teachers jumped right in to the activity. I was thinking how you take 20-some regular folks and it is like pulling teeth to get them to participate. I have to admit I am one of them and I hide behind my camera so David won't say to me: “You, sir, you're not helping us here. Get those hands up.” I watched one young adult guy at an after school program crack up laughing when David chided him for not participating. And of course he did join right in and had a ball.
One of the most successful activities in Spencer (well, actually, they all are but...) is always the family workshop night at an empty store front at the mall. I forgot to count but there were tons of people there and they all learned the basics of storytelling while having way too much fun.
So that was day six. Some of us went to a movie at the mall too late last night and I was thinking again about the music. Daniel said he has done movie music. I have noticed how quickly I get into one of David's stories when the music starts. The music sets a mood and I think really facilitates getting the picture. Much of what Daniel does is improvisational and amazing. There go those superlatives again but I just don't know how to do it any better.
All along I have been aware how when you leave one of David's stories, you leave with a really strong, good message about life and relationships and raising kids. I know in large part that is David's ability to make the story work on so many levels. He told the teachers that he does the story to make it work for kids but be interesting for adults. An example of this from his story of "The Fisherman and His Wife" are two asides. One is about a great big tv which the kids always gasp at and the other is about the fisherman refinancing his shack at just the right time which the adults love and appreciate. These are in the context of a fairy tale story and very funny.
So anyway, great day today in Spencer. Next up, the big show.
Ron
But on to Spot. After awhile the superlatives start to become superfluous. You have to experience David and Daniel to really understand the magic and depth of what they do. Friday's activities all were amazing. A jammed classroom at Johnson School of lower grades were once again taken on David's journey. David met with the teachers the day before to talk about the special needs kids in the group and what to expect for these special kids. David's background in music therapy and working with kids once again made the event very special for all.
A teacher workshop later in the day was so good. These 20-some teachers jumped right in to the activity. I was thinking how you take 20-some regular folks and it is like pulling teeth to get them to participate. I have to admit I am one of them and I hide behind my camera so David won't say to me: “You, sir, you're not helping us here. Get those hands up.” I watched one young adult guy at an after school program crack up laughing when David chided him for not participating. And of course he did join right in and had a ball.
One of the most successful activities in Spencer (well, actually, they all are but...) is always the family workshop night at an empty store front at the mall. I forgot to count but there were tons of people there and they all learned the basics of storytelling while having way too much fun.
So that was day six. Some of us went to a movie at the mall too late last night and I was thinking again about the music. Daniel said he has done movie music. I have noticed how quickly I get into one of David's stories when the music starts. The music sets a mood and I think really facilitates getting the picture. Much of what Daniel does is improvisational and amazing. There go those superlatives again but I just don't know how to do it any better.
All along I have been aware how when you leave one of David's stories, you leave with a really strong, good message about life and relationships and raising kids. I know in large part that is David's ability to make the story work on so many levels. He told the teachers that he does the story to make it work for kids but be interesting for adults. An example of this from his story of "The Fisherman and His Wife" are two asides. One is about a great big tv which the kids always gasp at and the other is about the fisherman refinancing his shack at just the right time which the adults love and appreciate. These are in the context of a fairy tale story and very funny.
So anyway, great day today in Spencer. Next up, the big show.
Ron
April 26, 2007
Day 5 on tour/more from Bailey
Go down an entry or two and find Bailey's most recent two blogs. She wrote about the final performance in Perry and then her feelings a couple of days later. I am so grateful Bailey did this for us and she has a great future ahead of her.
One thing Bailey commented on that was so enriching for everyone was the way David uplifts language and diversity. His ability to be inclusive with his ease of bilingual storytelling was truly uplifting for all the listeners. It makes me wonder if people who are worried about losing English have ever experienced the richness of sharing another's language and culture and stories and lives. You just have to watch one of these times when David is doing both English and Spanish to understand the rich culture of America.
Ron
One thing Bailey commented on that was so enriching for everyone was the way David uplifts language and diversity. His ability to be inclusive with his ease of bilingual storytelling was truly uplifting for all the listeners. It makes me wonder if people who are worried about losing English have ever experienced the richness of sharing another's language and culture and stories and lives. You just have to watch one of these times when David is doing both English and Spanish to understand the rich culture of America.
Ron
Spot Reporter Bailey on the final performance in Perry
Hi! It's me again, Bailey, the SPOT reporter for Perry. Oh, my gosh! The performance last night was spectacular! David and Daniel were excellent! Out of the whole tour, I only heard David tell two stories twice.
Some of the stories David told were the turtle story, a true story about him and his uncle, and a story about Juan Bo-Bo. There were singing parts in some of the stories, and he would ask for the girls to sing, then the boys, then the adults. During lots of the stories, he would say a word in Spanish, and ask if anyone knew what that word meant. They would answer correctly, and he would make all these comments, saying, "He hits it left and right, he makes a home run!" meaning that the kids could speak Spanish and English. After David went back to his stories, you could see the kids beaming!
When David asked for questions, lots of kids asked for stories they had already heard, and wanted to hear again. David kept looking back at Daniel, asking, "Is that too long? Can we do that one?" One kid asked, "Can Daniel talk?" Daniel gave a short "Meow".
At the very end, everyone ran out to buy the CD's and DVD's that David and Daniel were selling. Daniel stayed on stage for a couple of minutes afterwards, and there was a big crowd of kids wanting to ask him questions. I think the show was a big hit. David and Daniel were funny, kind, enthusiastic, and like a lot of kids said, just plain cool!
Some of the stories David told were the turtle story, a true story about him and his uncle, and a story about Juan Bo-Bo. There were singing parts in some of the stories, and he would ask for the girls to sing, then the boys, then the adults. During lots of the stories, he would say a word in Spanish, and ask if anyone knew what that word meant. They would answer correctly, and he would make all these comments, saying, "He hits it left and right, he makes a home run!" meaning that the kids could speak Spanish and English. After David went back to his stories, you could see the kids beaming!
When David asked for questions, lots of kids asked for stories they had already heard, and wanted to hear again. David kept looking back at Daniel, asking, "Is that too long? Can we do that one?" One kid asked, "Can Daniel talk?" Daniel gave a short "Meow".
At the very end, everyone ran out to buy the CD's and DVD's that David and Daniel were selling. Daniel stayed on stage for a couple of minutes afterwards, and there was a big crowd of kids wanting to ask him questions. I think the show was a big hit. David and Daniel were funny, kind, enthusiastic, and like a lot of kids said, just plain cool!
April 22, 2007
From the Road/Perry Sunday
Be sure to read Bailey's reports below this one. She is Perry's very own Spot Reporter and she is off to a GREAT start. When I saw what she had written I thought my job was done. She did a great job reporting before the events today. And I know we will have more from her.
Well, it is always amazing when a year long process actually results in something happening. And something did happen in Perry today (Sunday). We got to Perry and David Gonzalez and Daniel Kelly were already here after having flown to Des Moines from Lawrence, Kansas where they were performing. Lin had picked them up and whisked them home to Perry.
David and Daniel began their amazing story/music sharing at St. Pat's church after services, for all the kids and families that stayed. There were a bunch. And I noticed not all were kids and parents. There seemed to be a healthy representation of all generations there. What a beautiful church, too.
After lunch at Highland Elk we all walked over to the library. The day was an odd one with quite stormy rain followed by sunshine. We walked in sunshine. The library welcomed all and had the great refreshments we have come to count on. Daniel played the piano while folks arrived. It seemed to me that he saw the piano and it called out to him like he really NEEDED to play. He played for a long time and it was gorgeous improv.
It was fun to see the kids there in their orange Spot t-shirts, to meet old friends from previous Spot visits and see new folks. The room was full and David told great stories. It seems like using the word "told" stories isn't right. He IS the story as he is telling it and you can see how he captures us all in the telling.
The day ended with D&D meeting with some high school kids for jamming and talking and reading and...well, we kind of stayed out of the way for that one but we heard great reports that the kids were all really involved, interesting, and interested.
So now the quiet, as only an Iowa night can be, surrounds me as I write this out here at Nadine's. When we got here this afternoon, I looked out the window and saw Daniel laying flat out on his back on the ground on the lawn. Well it was Earth Day today and he was maybe getting a feel of the earth. But for me it was kind of a symbol of what getting away and into the country does for me. It grounds me, makes me really love being in Iowa, being in a natural setting. At one point we were sitting around in Nadine's living room. It was pouring and pounding rain outside. I saw a flash of lightening hit the ground just across the road and it actually threw sparks all around as it hit the ground. Amazing. All the Iowa storms I have been in and I had never seen that.
Happy Earth Day.
Ron
Well, it is always amazing when a year long process actually results in something happening. And something did happen in Perry today (Sunday). We got to Perry and David Gonzalez and Daniel Kelly were already here after having flown to Des Moines from Lawrence, Kansas where they were performing. Lin had picked them up and whisked them home to Perry.
David and Daniel began their amazing story/music sharing at St. Pat's church after services, for all the kids and families that stayed. There were a bunch. And I noticed not all were kids and parents. There seemed to be a healthy representation of all generations there. What a beautiful church, too.
After lunch at Highland Elk we all walked over to the library. The day was an odd one with quite stormy rain followed by sunshine. We walked in sunshine. The library welcomed all and had the great refreshments we have come to count on. Daniel played the piano while folks arrived. It seemed to me that he saw the piano and it called out to him like he really NEEDED to play. He played for a long time and it was gorgeous improv.
It was fun to see the kids there in their orange Spot t-shirts, to meet old friends from previous Spot visits and see new folks. The room was full and David told great stories. It seems like using the word "told" stories isn't right. He IS the story as he is telling it and you can see how he captures us all in the telling.
The day ended with D&D meeting with some high school kids for jamming and talking and reading and...well, we kind of stayed out of the way for that one but we heard great reports that the kids were all really involved, interesting, and interested.
So now the quiet, as only an Iowa night can be, surrounds me as I write this out here at Nadine's. When we got here this afternoon, I looked out the window and saw Daniel laying flat out on his back on the ground on the lawn. Well it was Earth Day today and he was maybe getting a feel of the earth. But for me it was kind of a symbol of what getting away and into the country does for me. It grounds me, makes me really love being in Iowa, being in a natural setting. At one point we were sitting around in Nadine's living room. It was pouring and pounding rain outside. I saw a flash of lightening hit the ground just across the road and it actually threw sparks all around as it hit the ground. Amazing. All the Iowa storms I have been in and I had never seen that.
Happy Earth Day.
Ron
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