Gerri Gribi: Concerts and Keynotes

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Gerri Gribi
Concerts & Workshops
Booking information: E-mail Gerri

For colleges, conferences, meetings, performing arts series, corporate events, banquets, coffeehouses, libraries, schools, Women's History Month, leadership events and more!

"I would like others to know what a wonderful singer and performer Gerri Gribi is...Very personable and good in class as well, Gerri does a fine job of integrating folk music with accurate and pointed discussion of key periods in women's history." Dr. Jane Olmsted, Western Kentucky University (posted to WMST-L)

Gerri Gribi is a unique musician, historian and storyteller. Raised in Ohio and Kentucky, she's toured North America for over 25 years, performing at colleges, coffeehouses, theaters, festivals...even military bases and prisons. Accompanying her clear soprano voice with autoharp, mountain dulcimer and guitar, she uses traditional and original songs to express a world view that's lively, fun, and (gasp!) even educational.

She's a frequent guest on TV and radio, and her original music has been heard in a variety of media outlets and projects, including ABC PrimeTime Live. She's released six recordings of traditional and contemporary folk music, and her latest CD, The Womansong Collection, has been enthusiastically reviewed both at home and abroad. Her infamous "Hunting Song" (aka "Animals Love Vegetarians") airs on alternative stations around the world each fall.

She has degrees in History, Education and Interdisciplinary Studies/African American Studies. Her many awards and recognitions include the 2004 Johnson Subvention Award, presented by the Society for American Music, the Write Women Back Into History Award from the National Women's History Project, and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

1) Descriptions of Programs Offered, including Concerts & Keynotes, Small Group Sessions & Children's Programs. Listen to samples, too.

2) Download brochures as PDFs: (Don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view/print PDFs? Download it free!)

Women's History programs. (Adobe PDF )
Programs for General Audiences(Adobe PDF)
"Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds" (Collaborative Summer Library Program Theme, 2005)

3) Promotional Materials available online

Visit the Online Press Kit for photos you can download, reviews, sample press releases, biographical info and more.
View a concert demo online.
View Technical Requirements, or download a printable PDF version
View Gerri Gribi's Resume, or download a printable PDF version
Download a Concert Program for "A Musical Romp" (PDF )
Download a PDF of a suggested introduction for Musical Romp, or Yodel A Day
Download mp3s from iTunes and others

"She combines important history with lots of fun to create a memorable experience... one of the best programs I've seen."

Barbara J. Tavares, State Equity Coordinator, University of Hawaii

1) Concerts & Keynotes for Adults, Including:

A Musical Romp Through Women's History Hear "Oh Dear, What Can The Matter Be?"

Women Have Always Worked Hear "Hushabye/All the Pretty Little Horses"

Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here Hear "When I Was a Fair Maid"

The Mountain Music Show Hear "Angel Band"

The Coffeehouse Show Hear "The Hunting Song (Animals Love Vegetarians)"

2) Small Group Sessions Including:

Classroom Conversation

Celebrate Women's History!

Home Made Jam

3) Children's Programs, Including:

Life In The Past Lane: What We Did Before Nintendo

Foremothers

Sing a Song of Celebration

Special Topics are also available by request

1) Concerts & Keynotes for Adults

A Musical Romp Through Women's History Read more about the history and rationale for my women's folk music programs
View a video demo of this program

An uplifting, high-spirited performance celebrating women's diverse heritage, from colonial times to the present. The full concert length is generally 75 minutes, though a shorter version (30-60 minutes) is available for keynotes and banquets. (Either way, it always includes a free yodeling lesson! )

In song and story, you'll "meet" a diverse cast of characters, including:

A young woman who disguises herself as a man to sneak into the navy.
A pioneer couple who swap chores for the day, with hilarious consequences.
A "crafty maid" who uses a bawdy double entendre to outwit an assailant...then steals his horse to boot!
Black women organizing to fight slavery and racism.
The suffragists who won the vote.
Native American women who inspired the Women's Rights Movement.
"Union maids" and reformers from cotton mills, factories and Appalachian coal mines.

"Without malice or 'bashing' of her male counterparts, Gerri challenges our concept of history, illuminating the lives and contributions of women in a way that enriches us all. A delightful evening!"

Dr. Michael Rosewall, St. Norbert College

Women Have Always Worked Hear "Oh Dear, What Can The Matter Be?"
The same spirit and format as "A Musical Romp" but with emphasis on women's work experiences. Using folk songs and stories, the program explores the lives of real women in both "non-traditional" and "traditional" occupations: women as sailors, soldiers, farmers, artists, mothers, reformers...even spies!

Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here Hear "When I Was a Fair Maid" from this program
Highlights issues of self-esteem and self-reliance with songs and stories about women who chose their own paths, and succeeded despite the odds.

"She has a strong belief in music as therapy and a source of good. After hearing her, the audience was living proof of her theory."

Inmate Output Newsletter, published by inmates of Taycheedah Correctional Facility for Women.

The Mountain Music Show Hear "Angel Band" from this program
Couldn't get enough of the music in O Brother Where Art Thou? This lively concert showcases the mountain dulcimer and autoharp, weaving music with history to bring the mountains right into your heart.

"The audience is almost mesmerized by her voice and humor. And get out of the way if she invites an instant volunteer choir from the audience!"

Barbara L. Wait, Director-Healthcare Auxiliary Services, Healthcare Association of New York State

The Coffeehouse Show Hear "The Hunting Song" from this program
A mixture of all the above, plus original songs. Gerri "reads" and interacts with her audience, creating her set list as she goes along. Might be more appropriately called the Stream of Consciousness Show!

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2) Small Group Sessions

Classroom Conversation
A chance to "meet the artist" up close and personal! Gerri speaks with candor and humor about the pitfalls and pleasures of being an independent scholar and performer. While sharing the story of her own circuitous path in an intimate way, she provides valuable advice about coping with the anxieties of performing and self-employment in particular, and life in general, while staying true to one's beliefs and dreams.

"One of the students pulled me aside to say that this is the best program we have hosted during the two years that she has participated in the monthly meetings."

Dr. Dianne Bystrom, Director, Carrie Chapman Catt Center, ISU

Topics in Women's Studies
With a B.A. in History and an M.A. in Interdiscipilnary Studies/African American Studies, Gerri is well qualified to speak on a wide variety of topics, to classes in arts, music, history, literature, theater and of course, Women's Studies. Each classroom presentation is tailored to your specific needs and interests.

"On a scale of 1 to 5, your evaluations were always 5, usually with +++ written in! The music was wonderful, your stage presence and rapport a delight to behold, and the content- all your research and thoughtfulness in weaving it together - was so powerful."

Sr. Mary Jerome Buchert,
First American Convocation of Ursulines

Home Made Jam
Singing together is a great way to create a bond and build group spirit and cooperation. In this workshop you'll learn how to find, select, teach and lead songs with any group. (Maybe you'll even find all the lyrics to that long-lost childhood favorite!) Even if you just want to spend an enjoyable hour singing with others, this workshop is for you.

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3) Children's Programs

Life in the Past Lane - For Preschool through Middle School
What we did before Nintendo! A lively presentation of folk songs, stories and games encouraging kids to create their own fun. Introduces three acoustic folk instruments: mountain dulcimer, autoharp and guitar.
Foremothers- For Grades Four and Older
A musical romp through U.S. women's history from colonial times to the present. Informative, positive, uplifting, fun, and Yes...it's for boys, too! Student worksheet (PDF) ||| Teacher's Answer key (PDF).
Sing a Song of Celebration
Positive, uplifting and fun folksongs. Perfect for family & community events

"It is a rare individual who can retain the joy and energy of youth and use it to entertain others. In this fast-paced world, Gerri reminds us we can still make our own fun!"

Pete Angilello - Youth Program Coordinator, Brown County Public Library

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*Women Have Always Worked* Hear "Oh Dear, What Can The Matter Be?" The same spirit and format as "A Musical Romp" but with emphasis on women's work experiences. Using folk songs and stories, the program explores the lives of real women in both "non-traditional" and "traditional" occupations: women as sailors, soldiers, farmers, artists, mothers, reformers...even spies!
*Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here* Hear "When I Was a Fair Maid" from this program Highlights issues of self-esteem and self-reliance with songs and stories about women who chose their own paths, and succeeded despite the odds.	*"She has a strong belief in music as therapy and a source of good. After hearing her, the audience was living proof of her theory."* Inmate Output Newsletter, published by inmates of Taycheedah Correctional Facility for Women.
*The Mountain Music Show* Hear "Angel Band" from this program Couldn't get enough of the music in O Brother Where Art Thou? This lively concert showcases the mountain dulcimer and autoharp, weaving music with history to bring the mountains right into your heart.	*"The audience is almost mesmerized by her voice and humor. And get out of the way if she invites an instant volunteer choir from the audience!"* Barbara L. Wait, Director-Healthcare Auxiliary Services, Healthcare Association of New York State
*The Coffeehouse Show* Hear "The Hunting Song" from this program A mixture of all the above, plus original songs. Gerri "reads" and interacts with her audience, creating her set list as she goes along. Might be more appropriately called the Stream of Consciousness Show!