The Raven Performed to Music!!!!

Hello to all of my fellow Poe fans out there!  I have recently come across a GREAT way to introduce "The Raven" to students in middle and high school.  Kristen Lawrence is a classically trained organist and musician who has recently released a CD of Poe's "The Raven" done to music.  It is awesome and you can listen to it at the link below by clicking the "YouTube" button on her page!  Better yet, she also has lesson plans that you can download for FREE right off her site!  I would then encourage you to go and buy the CD on iTunes, Amazon, or through her website. 

Kristen Lawrence

Here is a great article and interview about last summer's "Around the World with a Book" show that went along with the "One World, Many  Stories" theme.  This specific show was in the Bull Street Library in Savannah, GA - one of the many libraries on a two week tour of Savannah's library system that I do each summer. 

Savannah Article and Interview


And here is a video that the Savannah Library posted on their website.  They wanted a quick blurb about what I do and I was told that we could do multiple takes if we needed to.  How many takes did we need - just one - cause that's how I roll!  :)

Video Interview

Enjoy! 

Summer Reading Ends and the School Year Begins...

Summer Reading has come and gone and now it's time to start the school year with shows all over the southeast.  Below are a few links to some articles about the new elementary program the "I Dream of Reading Extravaganza!" which has been performed in over 70 libraries during the summer.

http://www.msgr.com/news/community/article_2115e344-d1a6-11e1-af17-0019bb2963f4.html

http://www.aikenstandard.com/star_news/News-0628-NCL-CHAD-CREWS--4085286

http://aikenleader.villagesoup.com/place/story/wagener-library-summer-reading-program-hosts-local-magician/851999

Greetings Everyone!  Below you will find a link to a nice little article about my "Around the World with a Book" program for elementary schools.  This is from the North Augusta Today newspaper.  Hope you enjoy!


Magician hopes his act motivates pupils to read | North Augusta Today

On the Road Again...with Summer Reading Programs!

Greetings Everyone!
I am typing this while going down the interstate and using the internet on my phone. My niece Kara is my assistant for the first half of the summer and she is handling the driving for me at the moment - which can be a scary thing as she has her learner's permit and is literally learning how to drive!

The new show has received great reviews and is a blast to perform. We just go done with a week of shows down in South Georgia with shows at the public libraries in Brunswick, St. Mary's, Camden County, Folkston, Nahunta, Jesup, Darien, and Ludowici. Along the way Kara and I visited the beach, saw several of my relatives, and went on a late night ghost tour which included a stop inside the St. Simon's lighthouse - the third most haunted lighthouse in the US!

Local shows over the next couple of weeks before once again heading out of town to Rockhill, SC and then Savannah, GA!

See everyone on the road! And if you are a friend on facebook, don't forget to take a look at the wild and crazy Summer Video Journals starring Chad and Kara!

Have a great day!
Chad

Where did you find that music!?!

Greetings everyone! I am constantly being asked by middle and high school students where I get the music that I use in my show. It's spooky and themed around Poe's works - and the CD cover has a secret message that you can only figure out by reading one of Poe's short stories and looking at the clues inside the CD. So, without any further delay - here is the info on the music I use - with the band's permission! The music really helps to set the mood and it goes along great with the routines in my book for middle and high schoolers - "Magic of Mystery and Horror!"

Straitjacket Photos and Tips for Aspiring Escape Artists...

Helpful Tip #1

Always pick strong volunteers.

Helpful Tip #2
Always be polite and kind to the volunteer who tightens the bottom strap.

Helpful Tip #3
Make sure volunteers do not get too dizzy while wrapping chains.

Helpful Tip #4
Make sure that the chain around your neck allows for breathing.

Helpful Tip #5
Get out padlocks BEFORE you are strapped into the straitjacket.

Helpful Tip #6
Always, always, always do at least one Elvis impersonation...always.

Helpful Tip #7
At some point you have to actually try and get out. Look at the vertical leap here - awesomeness.

Helpful Tip #8
Allow for ample applause and fist pumping after a successful escape. FREEEEDOOMMM!!!