Worldly Entertainment for Homestead Days 2015 At Homestead National Monument of America

Date: June 8, 2015

Have you ever heard Andean music? Or wondered why women wore those torture devices known as corsets? Come and tap your toes to Czech polka and much more at Homestead National Monument of America during Homestead Days 2015. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday June 19-21, 2015, Homestead will feature nine different presenters and performers at the Education Center, Heritage Center and on the prairie.

Yesterday's Lady "Century of Fashion Show" by Sue McClain - Friday2 pmat Education Center: 

This fashion show will feature both men's and women's clothing from the 1860s to the early 1960s. Models will highlight different eras and Sue will show other pieces and explain them. What a great way to learn about history through clothing!

String Beans - 1 and 3 pm Saturday and Sunday, Heritage Center:

In 2004, brothers Curt and Randy Bright formed the "friendliest family bank in Nebraska", the String Beans. Their whacky on-stage antics and dance-tastic songs are perfect entertainment for preschool through elementary-aged audiences, as well as their parents and teachers. String Beans music is a fun mix of rock, country, blues, pop, polka and even a little rap! String Beans song are all about stuff kids love-dinosaurs, sports, animals, food, cartoons, and just having fun. Some of the songs are even educational and teach youngsters all about things like astronomy, nature, language, and Nebraska history.

Kusi Taki - noonSaturday only, Education Center:

Experience the Andean cultures of Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile through an acoustic journey and storytelling. The Homestead Act brought immigrants from all over the world to the United States. The award-winning Lincoln-based Andean musical group Kusi Taki (Quechua for 'Enchanting Music') will play traditional South American instruments including the Quena (flute), Zamponas (panpipes), Charango (ten-stringed small guitar) and Bombo (goatskin drum) and sing in Spanish and Quechua to bring alive the cultures and history of the indigenous people of the Andes.

Homestead Harmonizers - noonSunday only, Education Center:

The Homestead Harmonizers are a local men's barbershop chorus whose members range in age from 14 to 80 plus years old. The melodic tones and precision in their music has led them to many state and national honors, including singing the National Anthem at a Chicago Cubs baseball game!

Paddywhack - 1:00 pmSaturday and Sunday, Education Center:

Paddywhack performs traditional folk music from Ireland and the British Isles. Their repertoire includes a cappella sea shanties, rousing fiddle tunes, barroom sing-a-longs, provocative ballads, rebel songs, jigs, and reels. Musicians Chris Sayre, Terry Keef, and David Marsh accompany their songs with combinations of guitar, fiddle mandolin, banjo, piano, English concertina, Northumbrian bagpipes, accordions, and many other instruments. Laugh, dance, and sing with music inspired by the ancient Celts, Scottish kilts, English coal miners, and Irish leprechauns, the music of Paddywhack.

Herd Dogs Demonstration - 1:30Saturday only, Demonstration Prairie:

Watch Anja Becker work magic with her dogs to herd both sheep and geese on the demonstration prairie near the Education Center. Becker and her dogs compete in herding demonstrations throughout the region. She will explain the importance to homesteaders of animals helping with daily chores, as well as discussing how she trains her dogs. 

Ponies - 2:00 pmSaturday and Sunday, Education Center:

The Ponies combine the best of both traditional and contemporary Bluegrass music. Look for great harmony singing and hot instrumentals in a typical Ponies performance. They will play everyone's Bluegrass favorites along with a fun mix of Cajun, Western Swing, Gospel, and Celtic tunes just to keep things interesting. The Ponies are equally at home on a formal concert stage or at a bar party, county fair, or community picnic. Just try seeing the Ponies show without tapping your toes - it can't be done!

Wilber Senior Czech Dancers - 3:00 pmSaturday and Sunday, Education Center:

This group includes youth from 5th-12th grades. They are learning their heritage through performing traditional Czech dances.

Brad Husak Polka Band - 4:00 pmSaturday and Sunday, Education Center:

Brad Husak Band plays traditional Czech polkas and waltzes. The band performs around the state celebrating Czech heritage.

Other activities for the weekend include: Children's Festival with old time games, prizes, and music Saturday and Sunday from12-4 pmat the Heritage Center;craft demonstrators sharing their skills each day from10 am to 5 pm, mostly at the Education Center;antique farming equipment in action on the prairie each day from 10 to5 pm. For a full schedule of activities, call 402-223-3514 or go towww.nps.gov/home.

Remember, Homestead National Monument of America has an exciting schedule of events planned for 2015. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Twitter (HomesteadNM), Facebook (HomesteadNM), and Instagram (HomesteadNPS).

Homestead National Monument of America is a unit of the National Park Service located four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska and 45 miles south of Lincoln. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.to5 p.m. daily.  Admission is free of charge. For additional information, please call 402-223-3514 or visit https://www.nps.gov/home/.

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