How to Host the Hip Historian, through AZ Humanities

Marshall Shore, Arizona’s Hip Historian. His passion is uncovering the weird, the wonderful, and the obscure treasures from our past: the semi-forgotten people, places, and events that have made us who we are today. Shore uses storytelling magic, found film footage, old photographs, ephemera, and artifacts to bring our state’s heritage to life in entertaining and educational presentations.

For information to book Marshall through the AZ Humanities. Contact Whitney Klotz, Programs and Grants Coordinator. Her Phone # is 602.257.0335 x23 or Email wklotz@azhumanities.org. 

Here are the available programs from the AZ Humanities catalog:

Signs of the Times: The Golden Age of Neon in Arizona 
(RS)
The rise of car travel in the 40s, 50s and 60s meant that thousands of people were
traversing the broad expanses of the Southwest looking for new landscapes and
adventure. As the cars sped past, restaurants, motels, curio shops and gas stations
needed large, bright signs to make an impression. This informative and entertaining
visual presentation explores the social significance of the rise of commercial neon
signs, and references the designers whose signs became iconic images that defined the
West in the age of the automobile.

POP-Pourri: Pop Culture in Arizona
(RS, SS)
Post-war Arizona really popped and added to the pop culture known as Americana.
The housing pop for the returning military personnel who were moving to Arizona
changed the landscape. Iconic restaurants such as KFC, McDonald’s, and Bob’s Big
Boy owe Arizona for their POP culture status. Vestiges of these post-war days are still
around and Shore tells their stories, ensuring that the memories of our vibrant past
stay alive.

Speakers in the Schools Arizona Speakers Standards
Category: Social Studies; Strand 1; Concept 9

Macabre, AZ
(RS)
Through the vehicle of true crime and spine-chilling Arizona lore, this presentation
highlights macabre stories and their historical background, including the tale of
Winnie Ruth Judd, Arizona's most infamous murderer, and the tale of the Red Ghost
and the release into the wild desert of unknown animals (today, we know them as
camels). Shore uses a blend of storytelling magic, old photographs, ephemera, and
artifacts to bring our state’s heritage to life in this entertaining and educational
presentation. The audience will leave with a unique perspective of Arizona.

Arizona Kicks on Route 66 
(RS)
U.S. Route 66, known as the “Mother Road,” was built in 1926. It ran from Chicago
to L. A. During the depression of the 1930s, it became the major path by which
people migrated west, seeking work, warm weather and new opportunities. Shore
shares the history of Route 66 in Arizona, including the impact it had on the state
during its prime, and what happened when the interstate ultimately bypassed some of
the towns that drew life from the road. This multi-media presentation includes music,
video clips, still photos, and Shore’s storytelling magic.

Look here for the complete AZ Humanities catalog