Small Potatoes is the Cary, IL based folk/acoustic husband and wife duo of Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso. We have been performing locally and nationally for 21 years, playing everywhere from living room concerts to large festival stages for audiences of all ages. A Small Potatoes performance is more than just music--we include stories and humor and try to engage our audiences. Our concert performances usually feature our own music, but we can also tailor our shows for a specific audience. A library audience often will want to hear some songs they are familiar with. Our "mixed bag" library program usually contains a mix of original and well known songs ranging from swing, country and blues to Celtic.
We can also present theme programs:
Potatoes on the Range: cowboy songs from the range to the big screen
Irish Music for St Pat's and Beyond: from traditional tunes to famine songs to rebel songs to Tin Pan Alley favorites. In addition, we've collected a wealth of stories from our annual trips to Ireland that deserve re-telling.
The Songs of Robert Burns: from well known songs like "My Love is Like a Red Red Rose", and "Auld Lang Syne" to some of his lesser known works. No one will be forced to eat Haggis.
Children's Concert: A "non-educational but very fun kids show" where kids learn two songs in Spanish, learn to sign another, learn about some of our oddball instruments, and learn some basic body percussion.
Christmas Music: spanning 1000 years of Holiday music.
Some local libraries we have done progams for include:
Arlington Heights Mt. Prospect Morton Grove Dundee Township Grayslake Wauconda Waukegan Westchester Geneva Oak Lawn DeKalb Lisle
"I highly recommend Small Potatoes as a great source of entertainment and education. They were warm, friendly and helped create a genuine Irish environment. Our patrons sang and danced along to their beautifully played songs. I have never seen such participation from our patrons during a program and I thank Small Potatoes for making it a success!"
Edith Craig, DeKalb Public Library
"Thank you so much for your performance on Sunday! It was terrific! Our audience loved it and so did I. Your enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment indicates that you both enjoy what you are doing. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon."
Kay Kohut, Westchester Public Library
"The patrons of the Lisle Library District were thrilled with the holiday show that Small Potatoes performed in December of 2012. Leading us through a variety of holiday classics, the duo encouraged singing along and had all toes tapping throughout the program. Small Potatoes even brought and set up their own small PA system to help with the sound. An overall great show that pleased all who attended."
