Programs for Everybody!

  America's Story through Folk Songs traces American Folk Music from Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger through today. Honoring the great traditions of American roots music, songs inspired by the Dust Bowl, Great Depression, Civil Right Movement, 60's and 70's Peace Movement and more recent issues are presented with a completely contemporary sound and unabashedly positive sensibility. The passion, purpose and spirit of American folk music is alive and well.
An excellent program for Libraries, Arts Centers, Churches, Schools and other meeting places.

  Tales from the Road - Spook’s been to every American state except North Dakota, Hawaii, Michigan and Long Island (huh?). And he’s met all kinds of people with all kinds of backgrounds – some comical, some downright sad. In this humorous, heartwarming and inspiring concert Spook will share stories and songs about the places he’s been, people he’s met and the jobs and other predicaments he’s found himself in.
An excellent program for Libraries, Arts Centers, Churches, Schools and other meeting places.

  Let’s Get Out the Vote! - Democracy goes way beyond the right to vote. But voting is an essential part of the process. Clean community programs, environmental legislation, civil rights, women’s rights, worker’s rights and so many other issues we all value are affected by who our elected officials are. This fun, empowering and educational concert brings people from all parts of the community together to celebrate the vision of the founders of this great nation. Sing along, laugh and let your voice be heard!!
An excellent program for Libraries, Arts Centers, Churches, Schools and other meeting places.

  Spook Handy in Concert is the most popular show I do. Instead of being theme oriented, this is just simply me, my trio or full band showcasing mostly original songs from my 4 CDs. Sprinkled with occasional 60’s and 70’s folk songs or an obscure original, this concert engages audiences of all backgrounds and ages.
An excellent program for Festivals, Libraries, Arts Centers, Concert Halls, Outdoor Concerts and any other place where good music is heard.

  Whatcha Gonna Do? - It's Up to You! celebrates the universal values of healing through taking personal responsibility for our actions here on Earth, making peace with our fellow human beings, and taking an active role in making the world a better place.
An excellent program for Libraries, Arts Centers, Churches, Schools and other meeting places.

  Freedom Is Your Destiny looks at historic and current day issues surrounding the quest for personal, political and spiritual freedom. Click here for complete description of this program.
An excellent program for Libraries, Arts Centers, Churches, Schools and other meeting places.

Programs for Young People (and everyone else)

  Around America and Back Again is a fun-packed program for children or the whole family that is sure to open your heart and leave you with fond memories for years to come.   I think back often to when I was a kid singing many of these very same songs around the campfire.   And I still love singing them today.   Sing along to and learn stories behind some of America’s favorite folk songs.   Touching broadly on America’s beautiful landscape and important periods in its history, this program is a fun and interactive way to learn geography, history and the values and principals upon which this nation was formed.

* “Hey Spook, I've seen the families who attended your show and the parents told me they really enjoyed it. A couple of the kids were still singing the songs you did – Comin' 'Round the Mountain and The Finger & Thumb Song.”

                                – Diane Cann, West Deptford Public Library, NJ

Great for the whole family or K-6 Assemblies.
This program incorporates NJ Core Curriculum Standards: 1.5, 3.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4 and 6.6.

  Good Citizenship – We all make a Difference - What does it mean to be a good citizen? School students and other children give a variety or answers: “Taking care of the Earth.” “Not littering.” “Making friends instead of fighting.” “Blacks, Whites, Asians and Latinos living together.” “Voting.” This interactive, educational and fun program addresses the meaning of democracy, clean communities, environmental issues, civil rights, women’s rights, worker’s rights, the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and other issues of good citizenship that we all value. It focuses on the commonality of people from all parts of the community and celebrates the vision of the founders of this great nation. Audiences sing along, laugh and let their voices be heard!!
An excellent program for Libraries, Arts Centers, Churches, Schools and other meeting places.

  Abiyoyo – Finding Creative ways to solve a Giant Problem! - In 2006 Spook was commissioned by the New Jersey Arts Council to compose new songs for a theatrical adaptation of Pete Seeger's children's stories "Abiyoyo" about a giant who comes to town and creates all sorts of problems and the ten year old boy who comes up with creative ways to deal with them. This lively 35 - 45 minute one-man show includes telling the story of Abiyoyo, songs and sing-alongs, and a touch of theatrics. School students and other children help the young boy discover the most creative answers to the giant problem.
Great for the whole family or K-4 Assemblies.
This program incorporates NJ Core Curriculum Standards: 1.5, 3.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4 and 6.6.

Programs for the Whole Family

All of my programs are good for the whole family. You can read the descriptions and decide for yourself. But this one is particularly designed for parents to interact with their kids.

Programs for Active Adults

  Folk Revival! - Remember the good days of Peter Paul and Mary, early Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger? People sang along and felt a real sense that this generation was going to do something big. This program keeps that spirit alive. We’ll have a great time singing the Folk Revival classics from the 50’s and 60’s and few surprise pop classics from the 60’s.
Great for Active Adult dinner parties, clubhouse parties, etc.
This program incorporates NJ Core Curriculum Standards: 1.5, 3.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4 and 6.6.

Programs for Seniors, Young People (and everyone else)

  Great Old American Sing-Alongs brings us back to a time when the family gathered with neighbors by the fireplace on chilly nights and sang old familiar tunes like "Oh Susanna," "Home on the Range," "I've Been Working on the Railroad" and many, many more memorable songs of the American folk music tradition.
Great for the whole family, Seniors or K-4 in-the-classroom events
This program incorporates NJ Core Curriculum Standards: 1.5, 3.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4 and 6.6.

Programs for Special Needs Children

  For children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) I offer a special 45 – 60 minute program of sing alongs and an interactive story that involves one-on-one participation between parents/caregivers and their children. The focus of the program is to teach songs and involve the children while offering encouragement to parents/caregivers to experience the wonder of sharing songs and stories with them in a public setting.
Great for the whole family, and special needs in-the-classroom events
This program incorporates NJ Core Curriculum Standards: 1.5, 3.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4 and 6.6.

Outreach Programs

  Seniors Outreach - Many Senior Centers, Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes with limited budgets can still afford top notch musical entertainment. That’s because Spook has drastically reduced his fees for such venues as a way of giving back to a generation that has given so much to our nation and world. Beside, what’s more soul satisfying than spending an hour sharing America’s favorite songs like "Good Night, Irene" "She’ll be Coming Around the Mountain," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (not to mention a Beetles song or two) with a room full of people who just love to sing?