Background Music Sample: The Story of the First Flute;Echoes of the Wild CD; Cherokee legend, adapted by Hawk Hurst.
PERFORMANCE INFO
HAWK HURST
STORIES AND MUSIC FROM THE DAWN OF TIME
“A gifted storyteller, musician, and cultural folk artist - Hawk Hurst is a true Bard!” - Robert Johnson, Jungian Analyst and Storyteller
Hawk's performances, workshops, and residencies dynamically bring the wonders and wisdom of ancient cultures to life, as he shares from a vast storehouse of knowledge and firsthand experiences. Inspiring, fun, and highly educational, audience participation is a spontaneous and integral part of each show. The stories, songs, and musical selections that are shared with the audience, offer a fresh perspective of how indigenous people came to value, respect, and appreciate the diversity of each other and the natural world around them. All of Hawk’s performances emphasize positive character development and the importance of finding our unique place of power and creativity within our family and in our community. Many of Hawk’s stories and songs incorporate unique musical instruments from around the world, such as the rivercane flutes, turtle-shell rattles, and beaver skin drums of North America; the udu, djembe, and talking drums of West Africa; the one-stringed gopichan and berimbau from India and Brazil, respectively; and the Murtu-Murtu (bullroarer) of Australia.
“You were fabulous! I loved the stories you told during your school-wide performance. You had the kids totally engaged! Thank you for spending time with us - it was a wonderful residency and we hope to have you back again next year!” - Lori Dibble, Principal, Arts Infused Magnet School
Storytelling performances are geared specifically to the audience members – adult, teen, youth, or families and may include: traditional stories and personal experiences from his time spent with the First Nations people of the Cherokee, Makah, Navajo, and Zulu tribes; teaching stories created by Hawk about the origins of musical instruments; family stories from his youth growing up on a Kansas family farm and ranch in Kansas; as well as a storygourd full of Legends, Myths, and Wisdom Tales gathered from other storytellers and from his extensive research.
“You charmed us with your music, captivated us with your stories, showed us where we’ve come from, and challenged us to appreciate and live in harmony with the natural world around us.” - Nancy Frady, School Teacher
Musical performances are geared specifically to the audience members – adult, teen, youth, or families and may include: Native American flute playing, using flutes made from rivercane, wood, bone, horn, gourds, and bamboo; Native American songs and chants, (traditional and adapted), accompanied by hoop and Pow-Wow drums, deer-toenail rattles, gourd maracas, and turtle shell shakers; West African songs of the Yoruba people, accompanied by djembe, dun-dun, udu, and ashiko drums.
“I appreciate your kindness and generosity in sharing your talents with a gifted and special audience... your interactive entertainment stole the show.” - Director, A Very Special Arts Festival
Performances are ideal for: music, cultural, and storytelling festivals; elementary, middle, and high schools; adult retreats; cooperate events; outdoor education and nature centers; zoos and aquariums; museums; churches and synagogues; summer camps; scout groups. Shows are easily adjusted to fit the group size, the occasion, and the age group, including pre-K, elementary, middle school, college, adult, and families.
“I have never seen our kids so animated after an experience!” - Parent
Fees are dependent upon the length and type of program presented and the number of days booked. Discounts are available for back-to-back and block bookings.
“As a teacher, I believe that learning takes place best if lessons are complimented with stories. The excitement and animation that Hawk brings to the classroom stimulates the imagination of children and adults alike. Most importantly, Hawk's stories go a step beyond entertaining - they have encouraged the children I teach to become storytellers, to create their own stories, and to explore the cultures from which his stories originated. As an educator, I could ask for no more!” - Jon Durham, Teacher and Montessori School Director
Past Performance and Workshop Venues Include...
Piccolo Spoleto and Happy New Year– Charleston, SC; NC Storyfest – Greensboro, NC; South Carolina Storytelling Festival; Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island Resorts, SC, North Charleston Arts Festival – SC; Breath of Spring Festival – Cypress Gardens, SC; Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) – Black Mountain, NC; The North Carolina Storytelling Festival – Manteo, NC; Callanwolde Fine Arts Center; Awesome Africa – Shogweni, South Africa; The Dogwood Festival – Atlanta, GA; Belle Chere – Asheville, NC; Mountain Echoes – Waynesville, NC; The Wilderness Medical Conference – Chatanooga, TN; Earth Skills and Rivercane Rendezvous – Gorges Music Park, NC; Southeastern Heritage Festival – Reinhardt College, GA: Rustlers Valley Music Fest – South Africa; Yarnspinners Storytelling Festival – Boone, NC; Tellebration – Blowing Rock NC; The Toe River Storytelling Festival, Spruce Pine, NC; Garner Targets Reading Storytelling Festival – Garner, NC; Christmas in July, West Jefferson, NC; The Great Smokey Mountains Institute at Tremont – TN; Appalachian Cultural Museum – Boone, NC; North Charleston Arts Festival – N. Charleston, SC; Earth Fest – Grandfather Mountain, NC; Riverkeeper Fundraiser – Birmingham, AL; Seewe Visitor and Environmental Education Center – SC; Rabbit Stick Rendezvous – Snake River, ID; Pocosin Fine Arts Center - Columbia, NC; Cape Fear Museum – Wilmington, NC; Wake County Storytelling Festival – Raleigh, NC; Moja Festival – Charleston, SC; Earth Day Celebration – North Charleston, SC.
“Mr. Hurst's performance captivated an audience of young and old at the Cape Fear Museum with an assortment of odd-looking musical instruments!” - Wilmington Star News, NC.
Past Residencies Include...
The Hammond School’s Primitive Technology Week – Columbia, SC; Communities in Schools of Robeson County – Lumberton, NC; Charleston After School Programs – Charleston, SC; Blue Star Camps – Hendersonville, NC; Howe Hall AIMS Elementary; Windsor Hill Elementary, SC; The Green River Preserve Summer Camp and Wilderness School – Tuxedo, NC; Beech Hill Elementary - Summerville, SC; The Inn at Middleton Place – Charleston, SC; M.C. Riley Elementary - Bluffton, SC; Epworth Children’s Home – Columbia, SC; EARTH Camp Programs at Silver Water Retreat; Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper – Atlanta, GA; Pinewood Prep Elementary, Summerville, SC; Creative Spark – Mt. Pleasant, SC; Porter Gaude Middle School – Charleston, SC; Ashley Hall Girls School – Charleston, SC; Buffalo Cove “Charlie” Program for foster youth – Wilkesboro, NC; Watauga County Parks and Recreation – Boone, NC; Turtle Island Preserve Summer Camp – Triplett, NC; Hilton Head School for Creative Arts; Howe Hall AIMS; Windsor Hill Elementary; GATEWAY Summer Arts Program; Beech Hill Elementary Cultural Arts Week; South Conway Elementary Storytelling Day.
QuickTime is required to watch to the video clips.
Bookings & Orders
Hawk Hurst
16 Halsey Street
Charleston, SC 29401
843-577-2821 E-MAIL
