Name: Story Time With Valerie June!
Start: 2023-06-20T12:00:00-05:00
End: 2023-06-20T13:00:00-05:00
Location: Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Story Time With Valerie June!

Nonprofit organization that operates the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Stax Music Academy, and The Soulsville Charter School in Memphis, Tennessee, all at the original site of Stax Records.

Soulsville Foundation

Family-friendly! Wear your favorite pajamas or comfy clothes and curl up on the floor for a book reading & short performance by Valerie June

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

<h2>Story Time With Valerie June!</h2><p>Once upon a time, a sweet and tiny little instrument was given to a singer named Valerie June. It had a round-face and four strings. It was so small that she thought it was a toy. The banjolele dreamed of singing and playing but never could finish a song, until the instrument’s new friend Valerie believed it could. That’s all the little banjolele needed! The song “Somebody to Love” burst from the banjolele’s strings and the two friends travelled the world together living their dreams!</p><p>All ages welcome! Wear your favorite pajamas or comfy clothes and curl up on the floor for a book reading and short performance by Valerie June.</p><p>Valerie is a talented musician and storyteller who has captivated audiences all over the world. Her unique blend of folk, blues, and soul music has earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.</p><p>Join us on Tuesday, June 20th, 2023, at 12:00 PM for a magical afternoon with Valerie June! Valerie will be sharing some of her favorite stories and songs in person at the Stax Museum, 926 East McLemore Avenue, Memphis, TN 38106. As always, free Tuesday admission to the museum all day for those with a Shelby County ID. </p><p>Seats are limited, so be sure to arrive early to secure your spot. We can&#x27;t wait to see you there!</p>

<h2>M﻿ore about the book</h2><p>Grammy-nominated musician Valerie June&#x27;s Somebody to Love: The Story of Valerie June&#x27;s Sweet Little Baby Banjolele is a children&#x27;s book based on the story of how June wrote the song &quot;Somebody to Love&quot; from her album Pushin&#x27; Against a Stone. In the book, Valerie is a child given a toy banjolele. A banjolele is a unique four-stringed musical instrument. It has a body like a small banjo, and the neck is like a ukulele. In the beginning, the baby banjolele dreams that its voice will soar and be heard throughout the world, but very soon, its musical journey meets with challenges and doubts. The little banjolele just could not play through a whole song! Valerie and Banjolele want to play with the other instruments at school, but the others make fun of banjolele, saying, &quot;You&#x27;re just a toy&quot;. Embarrassed, the banjolele, once more, can not finish the song. But &quot;I have a dream, and I want to sing,&quot; the toy banjolele stubbornly refuses to give up. Finally, the toy finds the courage, belief, and love it needs, coughs out a last bit of dust, and belts out a gorgeous song. Valerie names the banjolele Baby and both go on to perform all over the world together forever. Valerie June, the adult, says of her banjolele: &quot;As I traveled the world telling the story of my banjolele, I always knew it would make an uplifting children&#x27;s book. It wasn&#x27;t until I got a call from the President&#x27;s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities that I was encouraged to sit down and write it out. One of the nation&#x27;s most historical dreamers is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As a black female artist, his message taught me the power of dreams at an early age. He was a light for me. Each time I&#x27;ve shared this story with students, I watch as their eyes light up with wonder. It&#x27;s been thrilling to witness that same light awakening within them. Believing you can achieve your dream is a way to be an inspiration for your community. Like a great Nigerian proverb teaches us, &#x27;Thoughts and dreams are the foundation of our being.</p><p></p><h2>C﻿lick the link below to learn more about the book and author and illustrator Valerie June &amp; Marcela Avelar</h2><h3><a href="https://www.somebodytolovebook.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.somebodytolovebook.com/</a></h3><p></p>

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Story Time With Valerie June!

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Story Time With Valerie June!

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