It’s four days of yarns, tales and legends at the 32nd Annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival beginning Wednesday and running through Saturday at various locations throughout the St. Louis area. Telling the tales are professional storytellers from across the country.
Here are highlights from the festival’s website:
STORYTELLING FOR ADULTS
Wednesday, May 4 • 10:30 a.m. Missouri History Museum, Lindell & DeBaliviere at Forest Park Making a Big Story out of a Little Experience Presented by storyteller Larry Brown Our personal experiences in our local communities or our individual reflections on the larger world can be turned into narratives for the enrichment and enjoyment of others.We may think our lives are not worth the telling, but since we share a common humanity our take on life may indeed be the pathway for another to be inspired or informed.This workshop will be a mix of skills to learn and a sampler of personal tales for those who appreciate that stories are alive and bring well-being.
STORYTELLING WORKSHOP
Thursday, May 5 • 4:00 p.m. Missouri History Museum, Lindell & DeBaliviere at Forest Park Stories for the Earth Presented by featured storytellers Joe and Jesse Bruchac Finding, telling and making appropriate use of stories that speak for and about the environment, with a special emphasis on those that come from indigenous cultures. Experience examples from American Indian, Inuit, and African peoples, and also discuss how the knowledge of indigenous language contributes to our understanding of the earth’s ecosystems and enriches the storytelling experience.
DEAF STORYTELLING PROGRAM
Thursday, May 5 • 7:00 p.m. Greater St. Louis Association of the Deaf, 2190 Creve Coeur Mill Road, Maryland Heights Deaf and hearing people alike will enjoy the stories told by featured storyteller Kenny Tedford and regional storytellers David Eaker, Linda Whiggam and Nina Wilson. Interpreted for the hearing.
AN EVENING OF FAMILY STORYTELLING
Thursday, May 5 • 6:00 p.m. University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd., University City Presented by featured storyteller Randel McGee with Bobby Norfolk Relive the magical moments of childhood when you lost yourself in the Sound of someone’s voice as they spun you a tale. Gather the family, and come let our storytellers lull you back to that nostalgic place with their family-friendly stories for all ages.
For more information, call (314) 516-5961 (also tdd). http://stlstorytellingfestival.org 2
SPIRITUAL AND FAITH-BASED STORIES
Thursday, May 5 • 7:00 p.m. Unity Church of Light, 2809 Yale Blvd., St. Charles Enjoy an evening of exciting, poignant, and humorous stories told by storytellers steeped in the craft of spiritual and faith-based storytelling— Jim Two Crows Wallen, Loretta Washington and LaRita Wright.
LATER TALES: An Evening of Storytelling for Adults
Thursday, May 5 • 7:00 p.m. Enjoy stories, poems, songs, myths and legends told for adults. • Joe and Jesse Bruchac and Lyn Ford at Borders Books, Music & Cafe, Brentwood • Marilyn Kinsella and Brian “Fox” Ellis at Borders Books, Music & Cafe, Creve Coeur • Motoko and Karen Young at Borders Books, Music & Cafe, Sunset Hills • Ken Wolf, Mike Anderson and Larry Brown at Foam, St. Louis
YOUTH STORYTELLING CONCERT
Saturday, May 7 • 10:00 a.m. University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd., University City Storytellers grades 5–12 will perform at The Ruthilde Kronberg Youth Storytelling Concert.
GHOST STORIES
Thursday, May 5 • 7:00 p.m. Faust Park (Barn), 15185 Olive Street Rd., Chesterfield Presented by featured storyteller Kathy Schottel with Ron Adams
CAHOKIA MOUNDS
Saturday, May 7 • 2:00 p.m. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, 30 Ramey Street, Collinsville, Ill. Songs for the Earth Presented by featured storytellers Joe and Jesse Bruchac A program of American Indian music and stories that speak for and about the environment, illustrating ways our traditional tales help deepen our understanding of the earth’s ecosystems and our place in creation.
SATURDAY NIGHT STORYTELLING CONCERT
Saturday, May 7 • 7:30 p.m. Touhill Performing Arts Center, UMSL All the featured storytellers—Joe and Jesse Bruchac, Motoko, Lyn Ford, Marilyn Kinsella, Randel McGee, Kathy Schottel and Kenny Tedford— will perform in the final concert of the St. Louis Storytelling Festival.
For more information call 314-516-5961 or go to www.stlstorytellingfestival.org
