SouthWind’s Programs for Schools

Suzie & Gary Solomon present school shows that appeal to all age groups and fit the curriculum in many areas.

Suzie has a degree in elementary education and has been performing in schools for twenty years. Her husband Gary joined her in 2005. Together they make a lively, fun-filled, yet educational team that children and teachers love.

They have three different school programs:
Wagons West
Spoon Toons
Down on the Farm
Read below for more details to see which one suits your school best.
Or have them come and do all three!

(A combination of Spoon Toones and Down on the Farm is most appropriate for preschoolers)

Fee: 1 program, $150, 2 programs, $275, beginner's square dance, additional $100

Wagons West!

History Comes Alive when you head West with Susannah and Jackson

Dressed in typical 1860's attire, SouthWind will tell stories of their experiences while crossing the plains, along with interesting stories of other pioneers, interspersed with some of the best loved songs of the time as well as original songs about early pioneer women. Their tales include Native Americans, miners, cowboys, and ranchers, and Hispanic settlers as well. The original and traditional songs of the era are accompanied by guitar, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, mandolin, harmonica and autoharp. Even their limberjack family becomes a part of the show. The show encourages audience participation and interaction. Students are the square dance callers. They are invited to bring spoons and SouthWind will teach them to play (see picture at the left).
 As an addition to this program, SouthWind can provide an hour long beginner’s square dance. 

In 2004 SouthWind performed this history program at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, WY, for over 1000 students from Wyoming and Montana over a 2 day period.  Here are some comments from the teacher evaluations: Liked the student/audience participation, Super, Nice variety of songs and stories, great stories. Great student interaction! Info on women was good, Factual, interesting, knowledgeable, realistic narration with humor, Stories were a learning experience,Very interactive with students! Had a neat way of relating history! This was my favorite. I was unfamiliar with most of these stories. This performance was done by pros that know kids. Fun filled/lively presentation.

Spoon Toones

"Spoon Toones" is a high energy, interactive musical program which introduces students to acoustic instruments which are used to play traditional folk and bluegrass music.

Suzie and Gary play and explain the history of the guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, autoharp, dulcimer, bass and limberjacks. Students experience rhythm by singing, clapping, learning to play the spoons, shaker eggs and playing along on washboard. They are invited to play along other instruments as well such as the bass, guitar and banjo. SouthWind calls this their "Instrument Petting Zoo".

Down on the Farm

Gary and Suzie love animals. They have two little dogs, Banjo and Baxter, and Suzie has chickens when she can. Chickens are hard to keep when you are traveling in an RV! Gary grew up in rural Colorado, involved in 4-H, raising pigs, chickens, cows and horses to show at the County Fair. This show is interactive. Children are invited to sing, clap, play eggs and spoons and do the 'chicken dance'.

Here are a few of the songs included in this show:

Gray Cat on a Tennessee Farm, Place in the Choir, Old Bell Cow, Who Broke the Lock (On the Henhouse Door), Cluck Old Hen, Turkey in the Straw, I Had a Little Rooster, Pig in a Pen, Do the Higgy Piggy