MISCELLANY AND MIRTH OF THE MIDWEST
Musician and storyteller, Dave Martin, takes us on a good-natured romp through the midwest which explores the culture and storied history of the region, performing both traditional and original songs while infusing quixotic anecdotes about his family’s place in America’s heartland.
Beginning at seed-time on the Fertile Crescent, (where history began, after all) with the cleverly written A History of the World in Six Glasses, a song that conveys important historical developments through a unique frame, (namely the advent of six particular beverages) Martin sets up the humorous and historical basis for his show. From that launchpoint he takes us on a clockwise trip around the Great Lakes via a travelogue that details endearingly peculiar facts; listeners will get a lesson in agricultural industrialization and a tender ode to his grandfather, an Iowa farmer. We hear tales of true crime and focus our imaginations so that we can conceive of ourselves as 21st century pioneers. Martin’s writing sensibility is driven by both his background in journalism and his profession as a high school history teacher. His musical and performing influences include Chicagoan Steve Goodman, folk-singer Greg Brown, and Irish balladeers.
SWINGING THE LANTERN: SONGS AND STORIES OF THE SEA
Pull up a sandbag and swing the lantern! The phrase, initially of British military origin, refers to the lamps hung from a ship’s beams that would swing while the ship was out at sea. This expression has come to be synonymous with the telling of tales (mostly true, some tall tales) in maritime culture.
Join singer/songwriter, and storyteller, Dave Martin, on an exploration of the vast wonder of the world’s oceans and Great Lakes. Casting off, listeners will be regaled with legendary incidents that have occurred on the high seas near and afar, and become acquainted with colorful characters that have forged the flinty character of sea-going people. In this program, audience members meet a real pirate of the Caribbean, end up in a precarious position with the captain of a Boston Whaler off Nantucket, and experience the legendary fury of a ‘November Witch’ on the Great Lakes; a storm that occurred in 1913, and is referred to by Great Lakes mariners and historians as the ‘White Hurricane.’ Dispatched from the Third Coast, Dave Martin entertains and delights with his keen sense for stories and wry presentation sensibility.
Stomp the Prairie: Songs of Summer
Stomp the prairie! Join award winning Midwestern singer/songwriter, and storyteller, Dave Martin on an easygoing cruise into summertide. A gifted storyteller and engaging performer, Martin’s folk-based story songs are etched with a wry sensibility, and delivered with a soft, warm touch. He also draws creatively from the 1970’s singer/songwriter genre, Gospel, and traditional Irish music to round out this fun romp into the temperate times.
Sunburned Wisdom: Observations and Dispatches From a Big, Old Goofy World
Join award winning singer/songwriter, and storyteller, Dave Martin, on a joyful musical ride. Drawing on his family background, working life, and interests and observations of the world that have emerged from where he is situated geographically, this gifted performer doles out stories and songs that are alternately imbued with sincerity and poignancy, and absurd, droll humor. Always delivered with a soft, warm, personal touch, this singer/songwriter is sure to delight every audience.