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Fox is often a guest speaker in the pulpit on Sunday mornings. He performs and/or leads workshops for Sunday school classes, summer Bible school programs, family nights, and youth retreats. Following are several other programs you may wish to host in your church:
Old Wine In New Skins
Old, familiar biblical ideas come to life in new, exciting stories. Combing the world's religious traditions, Fox has woven together dynamic stories with Christian themes to affirm our faith and inspire our worship of the Lord. You choose the themes, Fox will find the stories!
The Meanings Of Christmas
Using traditional hymns and both secular and sacred stories, Fox explores the origins of many of the customs of Christmas. Sing-a-long and remember Christmases past, build memories for Christmases to come. A great way to celebrate the Holy Day Spirit!
A Midwinter Celebration
A Christmas tale, a Hanukkah story, a fable for Kwanza, and a myth for the winter solstice, mixed with songs and poetry, all combine for a magical, multicultural celebration of the midwinter holidays.
Swapping Stories With Coyote, St. Francis, And Han Shan
Could you imagine sitting around a campfire with the wiliest Native American trickster, a Zen Buddhist madman, and Christianity's most beloved mystic? This performance is a cosmic olympics of spiritual story telling, ritual, poetry, and song. Brian "Fox" Ellis moves easily from character to character, challenging the audience to rethink its values and move into the presence of "the spirit." With humor and confusion, sing-a-long and ceremony, folks are moved through the full range of emotion and left in a place where magic just might happen.
Walking in the Footsteps of a Saint: The Miracles and Poetry of Saint Francis of Assisi
Through stories and songs journey back to the dawn of the Renaissance, to the Umbrian Valley of medieval Italy. Walking in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi, master storyteller Brian "Fox" Ellis retraces the life of this blessed little poor man. From the miracle of his conversion to his rebuilding of the church, Fox shares the joys and struggles of one of histories most influential leaders. Fox traveled to Assisi, Italy to research this performance.
The Lives of Saints
From the Patron Saint of Television, Lady Claire, to the Patron Saint of Hounds, Saint Hubertos, Brian “Fox” Ellis celebrates the miraculous and martyred in this performance of the stories of saints well-known and unknown. With enough advance notice he is willing to research the stories of your patron saints.
Speaking Truth To Power
From Buddhist priests in ancient Japan to Quaker abolitionists in early America, there have always been individuals who dared to confront violence with the truth of their lives. The audience will visit the German prison camps of World War II and the jungles of Central America. They will sing the songs of the Underground Railroad and celebrate the freedom that one finds inside oneself when you find the courage to live your faith.
Fox believes that history comes to life in a story. Take the word apart, his-story. It really is about the story. True stories bring the facts to life. Historical Encounters help audiences see these folks as real people, not just legends or icons on a pedestal. Invite Fox to bring history to life! Following isa partial list of some of his favorite themes, but if you are covering a specific chapter in American or World History let Fox know soon enough and he can often custom tailor a program to reinforce your curriculum or celebrate your themes. There are also CDs and follow-up lesson plans for many of these programs.
Civil War Ghosts and Legends
True stories and legends woven with traditional songs from the most un-civil war. Join storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis as he takes listeners back in time to the bloody battlefields, gruesome field hospitals and haunted graveyards of America’s deadliest war. In the persona of Mathias Stritt, a German immigrant who was one of the first to enlist in Peoria, Illinois and later marched with Sherman as he burned Atlanta and marched to the sea, Fox uses the intersperses a rich knowledge of the war with horror stories.
RIVER STORIES - A Natural History of American Rivers
Explore the human and natural history of the heartland's river roads through this dynamic presentation of American History. Hear the legends of the original inhabitants of the American Bottoms come to life through the stories of the ancient mound builders and the Historic Indians. Travel in prairie schooners and keelboats with the first settlers of this region. Listen to the tall tales, jokes, and river history through the writings of Mark Twain and Abe Lincoln. Learn the ecological history of this diverse habitat from plate tectonics and glaciation to woolly mammoths and buffalo grass.
The performance can focus on the human history and development of this region or the aquatic ecology of the river, depending on the needs of the host. Prairie fires and pioneer politics will blend in an epic performance of song and story, poetry and myth. With more than ten hours of stories and songs, special programs can be put together that center on specific time periods, themes or places along the river. Performances could focus on the Ohio, Mississippi, Illinois or Missouri Rivers. Though most programs include a lively mix of stories from different time periods; some of the specific topics that could be covered include:
- River Ecology is a program of original stories that celebrate the geology, the water cycle, the diverse flora and fauna, and the web of life that binds us to the river.
- Turtle Island Tales includes both folklore and true history from the American Indians of middle
- Journeys with the Voyagers is an in-depth look at the travels of the early French explorers and fur trappers of this region. It includes dramatic interpretations from the journals of Marquette, Lasalle, and Tonti.
- Flatboats and Keelboats includes many true stories from the diaries of early pioneers as well as the tall tales Mike Fink may have told sitting ‘round the fire.
- Steamboat ‘Coming is a medley of songs and stories by Mark Twain and other pilots and roustabouts who made the river their home.
- Civil War Tales, Abe Lincoln on the River, River Ghosts, and Fish Tales are just a few of the many special themes that can be explored through stories and songs.
Brian "Fox" Ellis is the cruise coordinator, Riverlorian, and resident storyteller for the Spirit of Peoria riverboat. By studying the flora and fauna, geology and aquatics, Fox has learned the natural history of these diverse ecosystems. Through interviews with the descendants of pioneers, Fox has gleaned the true stories of the early settlers. Over the past twelve years Brian "Fox" Ellis has earned an international reputation as a performer and educator as he travels the world collecting and telling tales. He has also cruised the rivers of Europe including the Vlata, Rhine, and Mosel.
Tales of Riding the Rails
Celebrate the railroads’ rich history and exciting future in this dynamic performance of railroad stories and songs. Weaving together true history with tall tales, historical fiction, and classic American folksongs this program brings listeners on board for an exciting ride through time. From the original thirteen railroads that built this town to the glory days of railroads’ supremacy, listeners will learn the facts intertwined with humor, drama, and biographical antidotes.
PRAIRIE TALES - Explore the Natural History of this Diverse Ecosystem Through Stories and Songs
Plains Indian folklore and pioneer history blend in this celebration of one of America's most diverse and magnificent ecosystems. Through the adventures of a seed, journey through the four seasons with the plants and animals that call the prairie home. Trace the geological history of the oak savanna through the travels of "Rusty", a molecule of ferrous oxide. Learn of the struggles and successes to restore the prairie to America's heartland.
Explore the human and natural history of the tall grass prairie through this dynamic presentation of ecological folklore. Hear the legends of the original inhabitants of the American Savanna come to life through the stories of the ancient mound builders and the Plains Indians. Travel in prairie schooners and keelboats with the first settlers of this region. Listen to the natural and agricultural history of the prairie through the writings of Aldo Leopold and Laura Ingalls Wilder. Learn the ecological history of this diverse habitat from plate tectonics and glaciation to woolly mammoths and buffalo grass. The performance can focus on the human history and development of this region or the biodiversity and ecology of the prairie depending on the needs of the host. Prairie fires and pioneer politics will blend in this epic performance of song and story, poetry and myth.
Lincoln Tales Tall and True
Tracing his rise from prairie state rail-splitter to America’s favorite president this blend of history and humor will attempt to disentangle the man from the myth. Told from the perspective of Austin Gullaher, a childhood friend of Lincoln who once saved his life, Brian “Fox” Ellis steps into character to allow the listeners to step back in time. With more than three hours of Lincoln Tales to choose from this program can focus on his childhood, his career as a lawyer, his presidency or give an overview of his life. This performance can also be tailored for children, adults or an intergenerational evening of family oriented entertainment. (This program was originally presented at the Sesquicentennial of Lincoln, Illinois, a town Lincoln surveyed and christened with a watermelon! Fox has since presented this performance at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and countless schools and conferences across the Midwest.)
Speaking Truth to Power
From ancient Japan to early America, there have always been individuals who dared to confront violence with the truth of their lives. The audience will visit the German prison camps of World War II and the jungles of Central America. They will sing the songs of the Underground Railroad and celebrate the freedom that one finds inside oneself. Listeners will hear true tales and learn from these historic struggles. Within the context of these stories we will learn problem-solving strategies as we participate with the main character in conflict resolution. We will meet inspiring roll models and learn the skills we need to confront the crises that are a necessary step towards personal growth.
Through these stories and songs, Brian "Fox” Ellis will challenge, enrich, entertain and inspire. He is a masterful storyteller who researched this performance for an Amnesty International Conference and then later adapted it for the Great Lakes Conference of Social Studies. I would again custom tailor the presentation to fit your needs. He also leads workshops on storytelling with an emphasis on conflict resolution, alternatives to violence and multicultural understanding.
Fox loves Scary Stories! He can tell silly scarey stories for younger children or seriously scary stories for adults and older kids, scary stories from around the world or classic tales of terror, Native American or Irish stories, River Ghosts or Civil War Ghosts. For a library or family night he often starts with silly stories and then slowly turns up the heat with each story being a little scarier than the last. There are also lesson plans to help you tell your own scary stories.
Thing That Go Bump in the Night
More silly than scary, this program can focus on classic American ghosts stories and \ or include scary stories from around the world.
Scary Stories From Around the World
From a Japanese Winter Wife to a Scottish Ghost Dog, every culture has stories that will send a tingle down your spine. We will tour the world fo haunts and ghouls, ghosts and monsters!
Classic Tales of Terror
From Edgar Allen Poe to Ambrose Bierce, this haunting hour of scary stories is not for the faint of heart.
River Ghosts
Drawing from the writings of Mark Twain and true stories of local ghosts, this show is a mix of haunting ballads and spooky tales that are sure to make your flesh crawl. CD available!
Gaelic Ghosts
The Emerald Isle is haunted with more ghosts than one would care to meet in an eerie evening of mysterious tales. Puka’s, banshees, and big black dogs haunt this program of scary stories.
Civil War Ghosts and Legends
Stories and songs from the most un-civil war. Join storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis as he takes listeners back in time to the bloody battlefields, gruesome field hospitals and haunted graveyards of America’s deadliest war. CD Available!
The Piasa and other Native Spirits
What are the scary stories of the First Americans? From the dawn of time, North America has been inhabited with monsters and Windigoes, Vampire Skeletons and Evil Manitou. Join storyteller Brian “Fox’ Ellis in this terrifying tour of American Indian haunted legends and folklore. Stories from many nations are woven together with traditional chants that are sure to send a shiver down the spine of even the bravest listeners.
Brian “Fox” Ellis has been traveling the world for 30 years collecting and telling stories. He has performed on the British Isles and taken master classes with traditional Celtic storytellers. He has written a book on the role of the Irish in building America’s canals, written musical theater about his Scots/Irish ancestors and was a featured speaker at an academic conference on Irish Immigration in the Midwest. Fox is the author of fifteen books, has produced twelve CDs, including Under an Irish Oak, and he has hosted his own television show. He is available as a keynote speaker at educational conferences. He also presents teacher training workshops on creative writing across the curriculum. Fox is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director for Prairie Folklore Theatre.
First a more general performance outline and then a few more specialized programs:
Celtic Tales: Stories from the Irish, Welsh and Scottish Traditions
With the Legend of Tier na Nog and the epic cycle of Finn MacCoul, Scottish ghost stories and Welsh seal tales, storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis immerses audiences in the rich lore of his Celtic ancestors. Blending folksongs and traditional poetry with myth and history, Brian draws audiences into a world where leprechauns and fairies dwell, where magic seems just beyond reach and dreams really do come true!
An Irish Immigrant’s Tale
From the glory days of Erin to the depths of the Great Hunger, from the coffin ships that carried his ancestors across the sea to the role of the Irish in digging canals, building railroads, and creating the infrastructure of America, this performance is a delightful and mischievous mix of mythology and true history, folksongs and traditional poetry.
Looking for Leprechauns
Looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, Brian takes you on a journey back in time for a visit with the wee folk of Ireland. A bit of mischief and a touch of the Blarney is all one needs to revel in this program of leprechaun tales.
Descended From Finn MacCoul - The Osseinic Cycle
The Epic Life of Finn MacCoul and the Fianna is given breathe in this dynamic cycle of stories that celebrates the mythic adventures of one of Erin’s greatest heroes. From his boyhood trapped in an oak to his tasting of the Salmon of Knowledge, from his reclamation of the Fianna to the reign of his son Ossein, we celebrate the ancient glory of Erin and the promise that the future holds.
Gaelic Ghosts
The Emerald Isle is haunted with more ghosts than one would care to meet in an eerie evening of mysterious tales. Puka’s, banshees, and big black dogs haunt this program of scary stories.
Adventures in Nature - These ecological tales have been designed to teach scientific facts, theories, and process skills through stories and songs. These original stories get students excited about science and draw them into a deeper relationship with their environment. Fox has created these tales with the help of a dragonfly, a frog, a hemlock tree, and a mountain lion. He draws from the writings of the American Naturalist movement, which included writers like Henry David Thoreau, Rachel Carson, and Aldo Leopold. With audience participation and sing-a-long songs, these stories breathe life into dry bones, allowing the listener to travel through geological time and enter the worlds of molecules and woolly mammoths. From plate tectonics and mineral cycles to metamorphosis and reproductive cycles, these tales make abstract concepts concrete and palpable. The water cycle and the food web come to life in these adventurous stories, many of which can be adapted to include the local geological and natural history.
- River Ecology is a program of original stories that celebrate the geology, the water cycle, the diverse flora and fauna, and the web of life that binds us to the river.
- Turtle Island Tales includes both folklore and true history from the American Indians of middle America.
- Canoe Song: Journeys with the Voyagers is an in-depth look at the travels of the early French explorers and fur trappers of this region. It includes dramatic interpretations from the journals of Marquette, Lasalle, and Tonti.
- Flatboats and Keelboats includes many true stories from the diaries of early pioneers as well as the tall tales Mike Fink may have told sitting ‘round the fire.
- Steamboat ‘Coming is a medley of songs and stories by Mark Twain and other pilots and roustabouts who made the river their home.
- Civil War Tales, Abe Lincoln on the River, River Ghosts, and Fish Tales are just a few of the many special themes that can be explored through stories and songs.
Many of these stories are on his CD River Stories I & II
HISTORY... In Person
Invite history's greatest minds to your school or conference, Chautauqua or museum.
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