Ask Didgeridoo Down Under

Question 1

What is Didgeridoo Down Under?

Accepted Answer

Didgeridoo Down Under (DDU) is a leading K-12 educational entertainment company that has been presenting Australia-themed shows, concerts and workshops since 2003. Its programs blend music, education, motivation and entertainment, with more than 9,000 in-person and virtual programs delivered for schools, libraries, colleges and events in the U.S. and worldwide.

Question 2

What does Didgeridoo Down Under do?

Accepted Answer

DDU brings high-energy, interactive Australia-themed shows and didgeridoo workshops to schools, libraries and events, combining music, culture, art, science, comedy, character building and anti-bullying with lots of audience participation.

Question 3

How long has DDU been performing?

Accepted Answer

Didgeridoo Down Under has been presenting programs since 2003, with more than 9,000 in-person and virtual programs delivered.

Question 4

What is the DDU tagline?

Accepted Answer

Didgeridoo Down Under's tagline is "Music, Education, Motivation, Entertainment!"

Question 5

Who is behind Didgeridoo Down Under?

Accepted Answer

Didgeridoo Down Under was founded in 2003 and is led by Darren Liebman, who handles booking. Its experienced performers have toured schools and venues for 20+ years and have even produced music for films, including the IMAX film Sacred Planet.

Question 6

What is a didgeridoo?

Accepted Answer

The didgeridoo is an Australian wind instrument that has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1,500 years. DDU's shows and workshops introduce audiences to its sound, history and culture.

Question 7

What programs do you offer?

Accepted Answer

DDU offers several programs: the DDU Show (Australian music, culture and character building), Protect the Planet (world music and Earth science), Star Quest (a journey through the universe), the Aussie Funk Jam didgeridoo workshop, the multi-day DDU Residency, and Adventures of the Wild Wolf (reading and writing). Use the "Which program fits?" section on this page to find the right one.

Question 8

Tell me about the DDU Show.

Accepted Answer

The DDU Show is the flagship assembly, an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, art, science, comedy, character building, anti-bullying and audience participation. It uses a variety of didgeridoos plus props like maps, globes and puppets, and students play instruments, dance and act out stories. Content is tailored for K-5 and 6-12 audiences, and it's available in person or virtually.

Question 9

What is the Protect the Planet show?

Accepted Answer

Protect the Planet is a world-music and Earth-science show that journeys from the birth of the universe to the age of dinosaurs to the modern world, using projector visuals, didgeridoo world music and percussion, with students joining the stage to play clap sticks. It's designed for K-9 and offered in person or virtually, with one- or two-performer options.

Question 10

What is the Star Quest show?

Accepted Answer

Star Quest, "Passport to the Universe," is one of DDU's newer shows, taking students on a musical adventure through space. It's designed for K-12.

Question 11

What is the Aussie Funk Jam workshop?

Accepted Answer

Aussie Funk Jam is a totally interactive, hands-on didgeridoo workshop. Participants learn to play beginner didgeridoos, pick up droning, vocalizing, tonguing and animal and nature sounds, explore Aboriginal art styles like X-ray and dot art, make a simple didge from a cardboard tube or PVC, and finish with a group jam session. It's for grades 2-12, runs about 45-60 minutes, and is capped around 40 students.

Question 12

What is the DDU Residency?

Accepted Answer

The DDU Residency is an immersive, multi-day Australian musical experience on your campus, going deeper than a single assembly. It's designed for grades 3-12. Contact Darren for lengths and details.

Question 13

What is the Adventures of the Wild Wolf program?

Accepted Answer

Adventures of the Wild Wolf is a reading and writing program built around the children's book of the same name. The performers read and act out passages, sharing photos and videos of real wolves and wolf-dog hybrids, to inspire kids to read and write. It's for K-5 and offered virtually.

Question 14

Which program is right for my school?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your goal: the DDU Show for a high-energy all-school assembly, Protect the Planet for science and environment, Star Quest for a space adventure, the Aussie Funk Jam for a hands-on workshop, the DDU Residency for a multi-day experience, or Adventures of the Wild Wolf for reading. Use the "Which program fits?" selector above, or ask Darren for a recommendation.

Question 15

What do students learn?

Accepted Answer

DDU programs weave together Australian and Aboriginal culture, music, art, science and the environment, plus character lessons like kindness, acceptance and standing up to bullying, and messages to read as much as possible and follow your dreams, all through music and audience participation.

Question 16

Do you teach about Australian and Aboriginal culture?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DDU introduces audiences to Australian and Aboriginal culture, including the didgeridoo (played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1,500 years), Aboriginal art styles such as X-ray and dot art, and Australian music.

Question 17

Do your programs cover character education and anti-bullying?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Character building is central to the DDU Show, with positive messages about kindness, acceptance and standing up against bullying.

Question 18

Is there a reading or literacy connection?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DDU encourages reading and writing throughout its programs ("Read as much as possible"), and Adventures of the Wild Wolf is a dedicated reading and writing program. The Aussie Funk Jam also uses vocabulary lists tied to phonics, spelling and word recognition.

Question 19

Do you cover science and the environment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Protect the Planet show focuses on Earth science and ecology, and the Aussie Funk Jam includes recycling and sustainability (students make didges from recycled materials, and a performer plays one made from recycled blue jeans).

Question 20

Is there audience participation?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Audience participation is central to DDU. Students play instruments, repeat vocabulary, dance, act out stories and join the performers on stage.

Question 21

Do you perform in person and virtually?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DDU offers both in-person and virtual programs, so you can host a live show on campus or stream a program anywhere in the world.

Question 22

What grade levels do you serve?

Accepted Answer

DDU serves K-12. The DDU Show, Star Quest and Protect the Planet are built for K-12 (Protect the Planet through grade 9), the Aussie Funk Jam and Residency are for grades 2-12 and 3-12, and Adventures of the Wild Wolf is for K-5.

Question 23

Who do you perform for?

Accepted Answer

DDU performs for schools, libraries, colleges, festivals and other venues, both in the U.S. and worldwide.

Question 24

How long is a program?

Accepted Answer

Program length varies by format. The Aussie Funk Jam workshop runs about 45-60 minutes; show and residency lengths are set when you book, so contact Darren for specifics for your schedule.

Question 25

How many students can attend?

Accepted Answer

Assemblies can be sized to your audience, while the hands-on Aussie Funk Jam workshop is capped at about 40 students so everyone can play. Ask Darren about the best setup for your group.

Question 26

What do you need from the venue?

Accepted Answer

For in-person programs DDU typically needs two tables and access to electricity. Share your space details when booking and Darren will confirm the setup.

Question 27

How do I book a show?

Accepted Answer

To book, contact Darren Liebman at (813) 833-8856 or through didgedownunder.com with your preferred dates, program and audience. You can also leave your details here and DDU will follow up.

Question 28

How do I check a date?

Accepted Answer

Contact Darren Liebman at (813) 833-8856 or through didgedownunder.com with your date and location, and he'll confirm availability.

Question 29

How much does a program cost?

Accepted Answer

Fees depend on the program, format (in person or virtual), number of performers and your location, and programs are individually quoted, so contact Darren for a quote. Scholarships and reduced fees may be available.

Question 30

Do you offer scholarships or reduced fees?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DDU offers scholarships or reduced fees in some cases. Ask Darren when you inquire.

Question 31

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

If a school cancels less than 60 days before the program date, a fee of 50% of the total booking price applies. Confirm current terms when you book.

Question 32

Do you have insurance, background checks and references?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DDU can provide general liability insurance, background checks for staff who have contact with youth, a study guide, and teacher references on request.

Question 33

Can students or schools buy didgeridoos?

Accepted Answer

DDU's workshops use beginner-friendly didgeridoos, and the team can point you to instruments for your classroom or program. Ask Darren about getting didgeridoos for your group.

Question 34

What didgeridoos do you use in workshops?

Accepted Answer

In the Aussie Funk Jam workshop, students play beginner didgeridoos, and the program even shows didges made from recycled materials like cardboard, PVC and recycled blue jeans.

Question 35

How do I contact Didgeridoo Down Under?

Accepted Answer

Contact Darren Liebman at (813) 833-8856, or reach DDU through didgedownunder.com. You can also leave your details here and the team will follow up.

Question 36

What is the phone number?

Accepted Answer

You can reach Didgeridoo Down Under (Darren Liebman) at (813) 833-8856.

Question 37

Where is Didgeridoo Down Under based?

Accepted Answer

Didgeridoo Down Under is U.S.-based and performs nationwide and worldwide, both in person and virtually. Contact Darren to arrange a program in your area or online.

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