Performance Reviews

Educational Reviews

" It was great to have you at our 8th annual Jubilee Festival of the Arts and Humanities. YOU WERE SO EASY TO WORK WITH. . . . I do hope that we can bring you again. Your evening performance with Mitch Reed and Hogie Siebert was just gorgeous. Yes, you were great alone, but the beauty of the music continuing while you were able to recite your poetry brought fullness to my heart. FUN, FUN, FUN."

-Angela Hammerli, Jubilee Coordinator, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux LA (April 2006)

" Between the two Art in Education shows, the children's hour show at the regional library, and our family show on Saturday night in the Black Box Theatre, we served over 700 patrons. By far, Alaska's Fiddling Poet has been our most successful residency to date. . . . As you know, our Family Show on Saturday night was sold out--what a hit! Your collaboration with Amanda Kapousouz was a wonderful display of musical and poetic talent. The duo fiddling was quite a treat, as well as the Irish fiddle music. The combination of poetry, fiddle tunes, and Alaska storytelling made our job of presentation much easier. Ken Waldman, Alaska's Fiddling Poet appealed to a wide range of ages, making our marketing efforts a success. I highly recommend Ken Waldman, Alaska's Fiddling Poet to any presenter in search of Art in Education, children's shows, family shows, and residencies."

-Robert Jennings, Director, Townsend Center, University of West Georgia

"Last year he performed on our literary stage, and did a fine job of holding the attention of an audience, in this case an audience of 900."

-Judith Roche, Literary Arts Director, Bumbershoot, The Seattle Arts Festival

"Ken Waldman, Alaska's Fiddling Poet, is back in town with a new CD and his wondrous energy. Local Jerry Hagins accompanies on banjo. Feels like a Ken Burns movie. So American. Imagine an America that can hold Eminem and Waldman. Sweet, as my girls say. Always recommended."

-Austin Chronicle, Austin, Texas

"... it was a treat to sit back and enjoy the down-home sounds of Ken Waldman on Friday night at the Studio Café... David McCormick accompanied on mandolin and guitar, his easygoing nature a smooth contrast to Waldman's energetic countenance. It was addictive, the kind of music that sweeps down and forces you to feel it in your bones. It was impossible to keep still; everyone tapped their feet, and every so often someone's legs jerked, almost as if we all longed to jump up and dance between the tables. Interspersed between the tunes, Waldman spoke comfortably about his adventures writing in the Bush, throwing out stories and poems in a refreshing, unpretentious voice that often dropped to a twang that harmonized well with the music... There was a magic to the evening... It was haunting and melodic; it was like being reminded of our very humanness and all the chances and changes still waiting to be discovered."

-Cinthia Ritchie, Anchorage Daily News.

"In Texas for a music conference, he performed two shows in Austin... Ken uses Appalachian-style fiddle tunes to frame his poems about life in Alaska as a teacher, writer, and musician. It's a unique approach to both traditional music and poetry. Jerry Hagins, accomplished local banjo player, accompanied him... He (Ken) chats with the audience about his life experiences and flows into reading poetry and fiddling... Sometimes he (Jerry Hagins) played softly during a reading, creating a backdrop for Ken. Ken's show is proof that poetry and fiddling are not mutually exclusive. So, next time he comes down from Alaska, treat yourself to a unique and fascinating performance by Ken Waldman: Fiddling Poet."

-Tim Wooten, Reel Times, Austin TX.

 

 

" I can't thank you enough for your excellent performances in Sidney. Your shows for our middle school students, both in the poetry workshop and in the school-wide assembly, were excellent. It can't be easy to keep 900 rowdy middle-schoolers attentive and engaged, but you managed to do it, and make it look easy. Kids evidently relate to you laid back style and funny anecdotes as well as your powerful poetry and your fiddle. The people who attended the Dorothy Love Community Concert in the evening had a good time too. Older people don't often get to to hear the music so many of us heard as young people--the fiddle playing of the grange hall social--and your stories and poems made the radically different way of life in Alaska seem palpably real. . . . Your professionalism is highly appreciated and your ability to produce a show for varying audiences is a great gift."

-Susan Fox, Director, Gateway Arts Council, Sidney OH (February 2006)

" You truly inspired some of the self-proclaimed ‘non-writers’ to see value in crafting poetry. My creative writers all gave me highly positive feedback. One comment that captures their feelings well--‘He helped us to get out of the box and think about poetry on another level.’ We would happily have you back in a few years."

-Sherry Cook Stanforth,
  Associate Professor of English,
  Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, KY

" I conducted classes in a number of communities he had previously taught in, and heard good stories testifying to the mark he had made on the writers of those places. He gave enthusiastic encouragement. He spread the cheer of genuine work."

-Naomi Shihab Nye, poet and writer, San Antonio, TX

"Students were quick to respond to Mr. Waldman's poetry and music. His versatile program easily accommodated audiences of various sizes, ages, and interests."

-Mary Corcoran, Fort Greely Junior High, Delta Junction, AK

"I saw some incredible third grade writing come out of this process. Feedback from teachers was so positive! In fact, some told me that your presentation was the best, and most inspirational, they have seen in years! You are offering an excellent educational experience for children."

-Connie Krug, Enrichment Coordinator, Knoles Elementary School, Flagstaff, AZ.