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Event
Sparky & Rhonda Rucker: American Folk Griots
Sparky Rucker is a fingerstyle and bottleneck blues guitarist and in addition, accompanies himself with banjo and spoons. He has been a performing artist for over forty years. He is internationally recognized and respected as a leading folklorist, singer, storyteller, and author.
Rhonda Rucker is a musician, children's author, storyteller, and songwriter. Her blues-style harmonica, piano, old-time banjo, guitar and bones add musical versatility to their performances.
Over forty years, Sparky and Rhonda have performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival as well as NPR's On Point, Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, and Morning Edition. Their recording, Treasures & Tears, was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award, and their music is also included on the Grammy-nominated anthology, Singing Through the Hard Times.
The Ruckers have been featured artists at the International Storytelling Center and Festival. Sparky is a natural storyteller, having grown up hearing his father, uncles, and other family members endlessly telling tales. Sparky and Rhonda each tell solo stories, but they also tell stories together, always adding life and humor to the characters and tricksters in their Brer Rabbit tales, Jack tales, High John the Conqueror stories, preacher tales, and family stories.
Sparky and Rhonda weave their music into captivating stories that the history books don't always tell, and they share this knowledge in many schools, colleges, and libraries. Their educational programs span over three centuries of African-American history, including slavery, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, the birth of blues music, and the civil rights movement. Each era is interspersed with stories and popular songs from the time period, celebrating the diversity of the nation's history. They are also available for author visits to schools and libraries.
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LocationShooBooty Studios (View)
3018 W. Hollywood
Chicago, IL 60659
United States
Categories
| Minimum Age: 11 |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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