Texas Storytelling Festival, 1997

[Jim Maroon <jmaroon1@MAIL.AIRMAIL.NET>]

The Tejas Storytelling Association is proud to announce that the 1997 Texas
Storytelling Festival is almost HERE!  Taking place the weekend of March 20
through 23 in Denton, Texas, just north of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex,
this year's festival features some giants of storytelling (and an author or
two).  Expect excellent performances and informative workshops throughout
the weekend.  For registration materials, or if you have questions, you may
e-mail me at jmaroon1@airmail.net, or call the TSA office at (817) 387-8336.

Some of America's finest storytellers to be featured include...

Donald Davis
Acclaimed national storyteller and author, Donald Davis comes from a rich
southern Appalachian storytelling tradition.  Recognized as a leader in the
Renaissance of American storytelling, Donald served as President of the
Board of the National Storytelling Association and now performs full-time.
Donald’s stories invite his listeners to come home--remembering both the
joy and pain of human experience.  His book, Listening for the Crack of
Dawn, was recently optioned for a movie to be directed by Penny Marshall.

Patricia McKissack
Award-winning author, Patricia McKissack comes from a storytelling family
and draws upon a combination of her rich heritage of African American
traditions and meticulous research for her stories.  Often writing
biographies and histories with her husband, Frederick, Patricia’s
well-known works include Flossie and the Fox and Mirandy and Brother Wind.
A keynoter at the National Storytelling Association’s Conference in Fort
Worth, TSA is proud to have both Patricia and Frederick with us for Festival.

Tom McDermott
 Our own UKETELLER@AOL.COM, Fort Worth-based storytelling minstrel Tom
McDermott is a master at blending music and the spoken word. A former
United Methodist minister, this Pied Piper now tours nationally as a
storyteller, performing in schools, hospitals, and medical camps.  Tom has
spent the past 7 years exploring uses of storytelling to empower healing
moments for adults in recovery and children suffering from chronic
illnesses.  Using an eclectic array of instruments, Tom’s stories awaken
the spirit and spark imagination for one and all.

Mary Ann Brewer
Texas’ own Mary Ann Brewer captivates audiences with her animated stories
in both Spanish and English.  From keynoting foreign language conferences
to appearing on Barney and Friends, Mary Ann’s rollicking folktales and
charming personal experience stories have nurtured emerging readers,
entertained and inspired listeners. Educator and early childhood
specialist, Mary Ann has devoted much of her life to teaching Spanish and
appreciation of Mexican culture--and she does it with astounding flair.

Barbara McBride Smith
Barbara McBride Smith divides her time between working as a professional
teller, public school librarian, teaching seminary classes, and serving on
the Board of the National Storytelling Association.  One of Barbara’s
specialties is Greek myths and she spins them better than anyone else--with
down-home characters you’ll swear you know.  A much sought after festival
teller, Barbara tells Bible stories with a twist, family lore, and
folktales sure to bring a smile to your face.

J.J. Reneaux
Wild and racucuous J.J. Reneaux brings her swampland storytelling and delta
blues back to the Texas Storytelling Festival for an up-beat serving of
Cajun style entertainment.  A nationally known teller and prolific author,
J.J. comes from a long lineage of Cajun storytellers.  Her stories-both
folktale and family-revolve around that unique Louisiana life-style. She
combines her musical talent with story like no one else does, all of which
makes for an unforgettable experience.

Last but certainly not least...

Ghost Tales with Chuck Larkin!
From chilling ghost stories to eerie tales of the supernatural, the evening
of Thursday March 20th kicks off the festival with a special concert
featuring a wide array of tellers. This special  evening will be hosted and
emceed by Georgia ghost teller Chuck Larkin, legendary pioneer of the
modern storytelling renaissance and strict adherent to the traditional art
of folktelling, not to mention bluegrass banjo picker and infamous
prevaricator.

The Texas Storytelling Festival is one of the major storytelling events in
North America, and should not be missed.  Write back to me and I'll send
you info on the many workshop opportunities offered by these fine artists,
or you can visit the Tejas Storytelling Association's website, URL below.


--Jim Maroon    jmaroon1@airmail.net
The Storytelling Home Page:     http://members.aol.com/storypage