Didgeridoo Down Under: Awesome Educational Entertainment!

Australian Music, Character Building & More! 

The DDU Show is an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, art, science, comedy, character building and audience participation. The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1,500 years, and is known for its otherworldly sound. During the show, we play a variety of exotic didgeridoos. We also motivational signs, vocabulary lists, maps, globes, artwork and puppets to deliver educational lessons and empowering messages. We adjust our programs according to grade levels. The DDU Show is interactive, educational, motivational and super fun for all ages!

Duration: 60 minutes

Grade Level: Pre-K, Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Maximum Number of Students: 600

Maximum Number of Performances: 6

Technical Requirements:

• 2 tables and electrical access

NC Essential Standards: 1) 6.CR.1 - We promote musical education by not only playing didgeridoos, but also talking about how the Aboriginal people have been using the didgeridoo for at least 1500 years. This program helps students understand global, interdisciplinary, and 21st century connections with music. 2) 7.CX.1 - We teach about various styles of Aboriginal artwork, including ancient X-ray art and modern dot art, which is displayed on our didgeridoos and art panels. This program helps students understand the global, historical, societal, and cultural contexts of the visual arts. 3) EEn.2.8 - We demonstrate how students can reduce, reuse and recycle by turning a cardboard tube or PVC pipe into a didgeridoo. We also play didgeridoos made from recycled blue jeans. This program encourages students to evaluate human behaviors in terms of how likely they are to ensure the ability to live sustainably on Earth. 4) K.G.1 - We display maps to show various locations such as Australia (inc. major cities and land features) and Oceania. This program uses geographic representations and terms to describe surroundings. 5) 2.ICR.1 - We encourage socio-emotional learning by teaching about the importance of kindness, tolerance and respect for all people and cultures. We also emphasize anti-violence and anti-bullying with the help of a sign that reads “Bullying is not cool!” This program helps students understand healthy and effective interpersonal communication and relationships.

Cost: one performer $900, two performers $1500 / one performer $1200, two performers $1900

World Music, Earth Science & Ecological Entertainment!

Join us for an epic musical, multimedia and scientific adventure, from the birth of the universe to the age of dinosaurs to the modern world … as we weave world music, a theatrical performance and stunning projector visuals into a captivating and interactive program. Students will learn how the air we breathe was created; they’ll marvel at prehistoric creatures roaming primordial landscapes; they’ll observe interactions between different animal species; they’ll participate with a musical performance; and most importantly, they’ll learn how to protect our beautiful and beloved Earth. 

Duration: 60 minutes

Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Maximum Number of Students: 600

Maximum Number of Performances: 6

Technical Requirements:

• 2 tables and electrical access

NC Essential Standards: NCES.Bio.2.2.1 - Infer how human activities (including population growth, pollution, global warming, burning of fossil fuels, habitat destruction and introduction of nonnative species) may impact the environment. 2) NCES.Bio.2.2.2 - Explain how the use, protection and conservation of natural resources by humans impact the environment from one generation to the next. 3) NCES.EEn.1.1.4 - Explain how incoming solar energy makes life possible on Earth. 4) NCES.EEn.2.2.1 - Explain the consequences of human activities on the lithosphere (such as mining, deforestation, agriculture, overgrazing, urbanization, and land use) past and present. 5) NCES.EEn.2.8.4 - Evaluate the concept of "reduce, reuse, recycle" in terms of impact on natural resources.

Cost: one performer $1000, two performers $1600 / one performer $1300, two performers $2000

Learn to Play the Didgeridoo!

The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1500 years, and is known for its otherworldly sound. In this interactive and hands-on program, participants learn how to play the “didge” – including animal sounds and simple rhythms – with our beginner instruments (clean & sanitized, of course). This program is best for 3rd-12th grades and 40 or less students, but mature youngsters and slightly larger groups are OK. Participants will be mesmerized, inspired and motivated as they enjoy a unique multicultural music experience!

Duration: 60 minutes

Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Maximum Number of Students: 60

Maximum Number of Performances: 6

Technical Requirements:

• 2 tables and electrical access

NC Essential Standards: 1) 2.ML.1 - We teach how to play the didgeridoo, including droning, vocalizing, tonguing, imitating sounds of nature, and playing basic rhythms. This program teaches students how to apply the elements of music and music techniques in order to sing and play music with accuracy and expression. 2) 6.CR.1 - We talk about the didgeridoo and its connection to the Aboriginal people, who have been playing it for at least 1500 years. This program helps students understand global, interdisciplinary, and 21st century connections with music. 3) 7.CX.1 - We teach about various styles of Aboriginal artwork, including ancient X-ray art and modern dot art, which is displayed on our didgeridoos and art panels. This program helps students understand the global, historical, societal, and cultural contexts of the visual arts. 4) EEn.2.8 - We demonstrate how students can reduce, reuse and recycle by turning a cardboard tube or PVC pipe into a simple didgeridoo. The performer also plays a didgeridoo made from recycled blue jeans. This program encourages students to evaluate human behaviors in terms of how likely they are to ensure the ability to live sustainably on Earth.

Cost: $400 (must take place on same day as show) / $700 (must take place on same day as show)

Immersive Didge Experience!

This amazing cultural arts experience includes two to five full days of didgeridoo immersion. The residency kicks off with the Didgeridoo Down Under Show and includes the same learning experience as the Aussie Funk Jam, plus more advanced didgeridoo rhythms and playing techniques. The residency culminates with a mini-performance, in which the students are the musical stars! Upon request, each participant also can make, paint and decorate a cardboard didgeridoo. (Cardboard tubes must be purchased separately by the school. We know an inexpensive supplier.) 

Duration: 60 minutes

Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Maximum Number of Students: one or two full grade levels (best for 3rd-12th)

Maximum Number of Performances: 30-60 minutes per session; up to six sessions per day

Technical Requirements:

• 2 tables and electrical access

NC Essential Standards: 1) 2.ML.1 - We teach how to play the didgeridoo, including droning, vocalizing, tonguing, imitating sounds of nature, and playing basic rhythms. This program teaches students how to apply the elements of music and music techniques in order to sing and play music with accuracy and expression. 2) 6.CR.1 - We talk about the didgeridoo and its connection to the Aboriginal people, who have been playing it for at least 1500 years. This program helps students understand global, interdisciplinary, and 21st century connections with music. 3) 7.CX.1 - We teach about various styles of Aboriginal artwork, including ancient X-ray art and modern dot art, which is displayed on our didgeridoos and art panels. This program helps students understand the global, historical, societal, and cultural contexts of the visual arts. 4) EEn.2.8 - We demonstrate how students can reduce, reuse and recycle by turning a cardboard tube or PVC pipe into a simple didgeridoo. The performer also plays a didgeridoo made from recycled blue jeans. This program encourages students to evaluate human behaviors in terms of how likely they are to ensure the ability to live sustainably on Earth.

Cost: 2 days $3000, 3 days $4000, 4 days $5000, 5 days $6000

Virtual Engagement Adventures of the Wild Wolf: Unleash Your Inner Reader & Author! (virtual) video ($1000)

Elementary School Children’s author Tanya Gerard and her husband, Rob Thomas, have raised wolves and wolf-dog hybrids as pets for 20 years. Their pets inspired Tanya to write The Adventures of the Wild Wolf. Tanya & Rob are on a mission to motivate children to read and write, and to unlock their own inner author. They will read and act out passages from her book, complimented by stunning photos and videos of their pets, and they will deliver motivational messages about reading, writing and life: Read as much as possible. Write about what interests you. Keep writing, even if it’s not perfect. Follow your dreams!

Duration: 60 minutes

Grade Level: Elementary School

Maximum Number of Students: 600

Maximum Number of Performances: 6

Technical Requirements:

• Computer and Internet Access

NC Essential Standards: 1) 6.CR.1 - We promote musical education by not only playing didgeridoos, but also talking about how the Aboriginal people have been using the didgeridoo for at least 1500 years. This program helps students understand global, interdisciplinary, and 21st century connections with music. 2) 7.CX.1 - We teach about various styles of Aboriginal artwork, including ancient X-ray art and modern dot art, which is displayed on our didgeridoos and art panels. This program helps students understand the global, historical, societal, and cultural contexts of the visual arts. 3) EEn.2.8 - We demonstrate how students can reduce, reuse and recycle by turning a cardboard tube or PVC pipe into a didgeridoo. We also play didgeridoos made from recycled blue jeans. This program encourages students to evaluate human behaviors in terms of how likely they are to ensure the ability to live sustainably on Earth. 4) K.G.1 - We display maps to show various locations such as Australia (inc. major cities and land features) and Oceania. This program uses geographic representations and terms to describe surroundings. 5) 2.ICR.1 - We encourage socio-emotional learning by teaching about the importance of kindness, tolerance and respect for all people and cultures. We also emphasize anti-violence and anti-bullying with the help of a sign that reads “Bullying is not cool!” This program helps students understand healthy and effective interpersonal communication and relationships.

Cost:  $1000 for Live Stream $500 for prerecorded 30 day access