Village of Mount Morris

Local singer serves up delicious musical mix

Beth Ely Sleboda’s performance is named “YUM!” That’s because it’s “a delicious mix of original and traditional food songs, stories and poems,” she says. “Plus a serving of Love Cake and a whipped cream demo.”

One of the food songs written by Beth and titled “Thanks, Dad” is a tribute to her deceased father. It speaks to Beth’s privilege at being part of dad’s love for gardening.

The chorus goes like this: “I pity the people who never have known the joy of harvesting seeds they have sown; of eating fresh food that’s organically grown, and of feeing close to the earth.”

I can’t wait to hear these words put to music!

Another song, whimsical and downright humorous, Beth wrote about her ‘weakness’ for crème-filled donuts: “Gimme another one of them crème-filled donuts. Aw shucks, why don’t you make it two;” the lyrics repeat to request three, four and, well, you get the idea.

Beth is an accomplished performer on the three string Mountain Dulcimer, and it is my guess that she might play on it an old, familiar folk favorite Short’nin’ Bread. Many will recall the vocal version’s chorus: Mammy’s little baby loves short’nin’, short’nin’. Mammy’s little baby loves short’nin’ bread.

Beth wrote a song about the qualities of Jell-O: how it jiggles in your dish and how it’s so cool sliding down your throat. Look for her to sing this one.

“I have the best job ever,” Beth writes. “I get to make a difference. I get to spread sunshine. I get to help others escape the daily grind and get in touch with their playful side.”

“I am an entertainer! And a teacher, and a poet, and a songwriter, and a musician, and a therapist, and a knitter, and a mother, and a designer, and a tour guide.”

Beth Sleboda, a Livonia resident, started her show business career with the First Annual Fun and Talent Show. She was 12. “I roped the entire neighborhood into participating,” she said.

“Sheets arranged on clotheslines served as stage curtains, and my father hid behind one of them, running the record player. I twirled a baton, and dropped it twice.”

By her own account, Beth has had a rich and varied professional life, including stints as a nanny, a home economics teacher, an office manager for Sampler Records, a secretary, an interior design consultant and a makeup artist.

Her music work also has variety: church organist, children’s theatre director, wedding singer, the owner and operator of a singing telegram company and teacher of Mountain Dulcimer workshops; these are only a few!

Being in Beth Sleboda’s company puts me at ease. She is very informal and friendly, with a great sense of humor. I’ve known her for years. She’s a ‘hoot.’

Headliner Beth Sleboda has included in “YUM” special guest appearances by songwriter Tom Taylor, the Seneca Soundwaves Barbershop Quartet and hammered dulcimer player Betty Smits.

“YUM” will play at 7:30 p.m., Friday April 13 at Theatre 101, Mount Morris.

$10 admission includes a tasty crème-filled donut. For reservations, email theatre101@live.com

For more information, contact Beth at (585) 346-7152 or by email.