PROGRAMS

PERFORMANCE OPTIONS

As a singer, lecturer and storyteller, Jack offers a variety of performance options depending upon your programming needs.

All of Jack's performances feature an interweaving of story and song.

The multi-media presentation combines stories, historical narrative, visual images and songs, providing an overview of American Indian culture. This production is effective when presented in large or small, formal or informal settings.

Concerts focus on the music, using narrative to introduce and connect song segments.

Lectures emphasize the narrative, utilizing the songs to focus on and make transitions between key points. A one-hour lecture, for example, would include approximately four songs.

School programs also interweave story and song, with vocabulary and program content geared to the specific age group (i.e., elementary, secondary).

Residency/Community Outreach Packages

For the most cost effective plan, and for the greatest impact upon a community, you may wish to consider a residency package. A full-day residency entails up to three performances in one day, using any combination of lectures, school programs, concerts and the visual production. The cost of a residency package can be split among two or more sponsors or presenters.

Multiple-day residency packages are also available. This works very well to have several days of school programs, concluding with an evening multi-media show.

NATIVE REFLECTIONS

A Musical Visual Narrative. Gladstone, a grandson of Blackfeet Indian chief Red Crow, guides the audience through myths, animal legends and character portraits into a better understanding of our Native American heritage. As a singer, songwriter and masterful storyteller, Jack touches the hearts of his audiences with his enlightening narrative and thought-provoking songs about the adventures, triumphs and tragedies of Native America.

From timeless Blackfeet stories passed from his grandmother, Gladstone recollects mythic Creation and the role the animals played in traditional American Indian culture. This presentation includes segments on the wolf, bear, buffalo and the horse. The show also honors the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II and other notable Indian figures whose vision inspired their peoples and established a legacy of honor for all Americans.

Historical and contemporary photographs blend with music and narrative to convey the passage of culture and time within North America.

Length of Show: Native Reflections is approximately 75 minutes in length without an intermission. An intermission may be included at your request. Technical Requirements: Jack is able to provide all his audio-visual equipment, sound system, spotlight and a 7'x10' rear projection screen. If appropriate and/or convenient for the venue, he can also utilize any size front projection screen provided by the presenter.

LECTURE TOPICS

Blending history and legend with music, Jack Gladstone entertains while using his unique communication skills to inform students of Plains Indian culture. The son of a Blackfeet father and a German American mother, Jack uses his dual heritage to give his audience a multi-cultural perspective.

During his programs, Jack can focus on one of the topics described below.

Circle of Life
American Indians and the Environment

As North America's long established first inhabitants, Native Americans lived in respectful balance with their world. Jack talks about the metaphysic of nature and the ecological spirituality of various Indian tribes. Sharing harmony with nature and understanding the "circle" of life were key to honoring the Creator. Relationships with animals such as the wolf, buffalo and grizzly will also be discussed.

Legends and Lore
Indian Mythology and Storytelling

Jack explains the role of myth through the Creation story, hero's adventures, animal legends and his own family stories - many of which were passed down to him by his Blackfeet Indian grandmother. Used to identify and maintain values, morals and structure within a society, Gladstone keeps the mythic tradition alive. Jack stresses the importance of oral tradition as a human trait and encourages everyone to adopt the stories of their elders while the opportunity still exists.

As Long As the Grass Shall Grow...
Treaty Rights and Contemporary Indian Life

What is the meaning and intent of a treaty and what is the U.S. Government's responsibility to "treaty" Indians? Jack discusses the issues of tribal sovereignty, trust responsibility, casino gaming, hunting and fishing rights and others as he talks about how his Blackfeet people and other tribes have adjusted to the economic system and values of the dominant culture.

Buffalo Cafe...
Cultural Change on the Northern Plains

Jack guides the audience through the cultural evolution of the Blackfeet - from the origins of his people, both mythological and anthropological, through the profound changes introduced by the advance of the European culture. Jack details the cultural transformation caused by the coming of the horse, gun, alcohol, disease and missionaries. He also explains the rise of the market economy on the Great Plains and its affect of the traditional values of the Indians.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT

To ensure that your Jack Gladstone event is a success, we can provide you with the following promotional materials.

Posters

There's space provided on Jack's 11" x 17" two-color posters for the pertinent event information.

Table Teepees

Upon request, we'll provide you with some eye-catching three-color table "teepees" (based on a traditional Blackfeet design) to display in cafeterias and restaurants. A variation on the old table tent theme.

News Releases

A sample news release will help you spread the word to your local media. Jack also loves to do radio, television and newspaper interviews for event promotion.

Photos

For posters and press releases, black and white photos are provided.

Postcards

We generally mail postcards or newsletters to Jack's "fan list" to inform them of his appearances around the country. However, if you have your own mailing list and would like postcards with Jack's photo, they will be offered to you at cost.