Storytelling Events from Around the Nation

In order to support storytelling, Lets Tell Stories will publish weekly storytelling events from around the nation.  If you have an event you would like to have posted, please contact us and we will add your event.

November 8th

Inland Valley Storytellers story swap

State: California

The Inland Valley Storytellers has a monthly story swap and meeting open to the public. Bring an 8-10 minute story to share or just come to listen to stories. Second Tuesday of every month

Time(s)    
7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Free

Claremont Forum, 586 West First Street, Claremont, CA
909-983-8501
john@inlandstorytellers.org
http://inlandstorytellers.org

November 9th

Speak Up Spoken Word Open Mike Hosted by Storyteller Tony Toledo

State: Massachusetts

Speak Up Spoken Word Open Mike is held every Wednesday at The Walnut Street Coffee Cafe, 157 Walnut Street, Lynn MA. It is hosted by storyteller Tony Toledo who gives every speaker a story and a lucky coin at the end of their words. We start at 7:30 pm till 10ish. Each person who wants to speak gets 5 minutes at the microphone. Tony stands up when all the sand in the five minute hour glass is done. At five and a half minutes he is walking toward the speaker. At 6 minutes he will slide his tongue in your ear. We are a free speech zone with a three word cussing minimum. Storytellers, poets, comedians,singers, community activists and just plain ranters are all welcome. Each week has a Featured Performer who goes on at 8:30 PM for half an hour. The hat is passed to get gas money so the feature can get home. See you at Speak Up.
Time(s) 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Admission Free, pass the hat for the feature.
Location - The Walnut Street Coffee Cafe, 157 Walnut Street, Lynn, MA 01905
Contact Phone 978-921-4628
Contact Email  ToledoGoat@aol.com
Event Website www.facebook.com/walnutstreet

Single Day Event

The Moose Storytell/Spoken Word Open Mic

State: Maine

MOOSE, the Maine Organization Of Storytelling Enthusiasts, meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Portland Public Library in the Rines Auditorium.  Come early and sign up for your ten minutes of spoken word (please no readings) at the mic. Performances are best suited for adults and teenagers that listen like adults. The Rines auditorium is open after the Library is closed at 7pm, so please visit us down stairs even if the gate is closed and blocking the Library Entrance. Open mic is free from 7-8 pm and will
be followed by announcements and a brief intermission.
7-9pm
Suggested donation is $5.00 or more for the featured teller part of the program.
Portland Public Library in the Rines Auditorium
5 Monument Square Portland, Maine
207-899-9299
learningvertnon@yahoo.com 
http://moosetellers.ning.com

Single Day Event

November 10th

Tellabration

State: Tennessee

A variety of stories by the Cleveland (TN) Storytelling Guild will be presented at the Public Library on Church Street. The two dates and times are to offer convenience for those who do not wish to get out at night.Folk tales, tall tales, personal stories; whatever suites your taste. Come and enjoy.

Thursday, 7PM; and Sunday, 2PM
Admission  No charge, collection baskets will be out
   
Cleveland/Bradley Public Library
Church Street & 7th
Cleveland, TN    
423-479-2476
storymaven@aol.com
TNtellers.org

Single Day Event

The Storytellers Cafe' Story Slam

State: Kentucky

A family vacation, a trip with dad to the hardware store, bathing the family dog – all stories. A canoe trip with friends, a battle with cancer, an afternoon cleaning out the garage – all stories. A wedding day, a funeral, a birthday party – all stories. We all love to share our stories and love hearing others.

Storytelling is an art. An art that needs to be shared. Stories are how we connect to one another, how we communicate. Weather you’re telling your story or listening to others’ it’s all about communicating and connecting. Join the fun every 2nd Thursday at Common Grounds Coffee House for the Storytellers Café. You’ll be inspired, I guarantee it.

For Storytellers Cafe' club information, visit http://www.meetup.com/StorytellersCafe/

7:00 to 9:00 pm
Admission  Free 
Common Grounds Coffee House
343 E. High St.
Lexington, KY 40507   
859-266-2644   
susan@thespeakerstudio.com
www.TheStorytellersCafe.com

Single Day Event

November 11th

Monthly Ventura County, CA Storytelling Guild meeting

State: California

Ventura County Storytelling Guild meeting
The Ventura County Storytelling Guild mees on the 2nd Friday of the month from 6:30-8:45 p.m. at Proverbs Coffeehouse on the grounds of Peace Lutheran Church, 71 Loma Road, Camarillo. Occasionally there may be a conflict with the facility, so please write Elaine Muray at to reconfirm. All listeners and tellers welcome. Tellers should bring a 10-minute story to share if desired. $3-5 building use donation suggested.
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Donation of $3-$5.
71 Loma Road, Camarillo, CA 93003
805-407-2538
elaine@embodiedvoicestoryarts.com

November 12th

Tellabration 2011

State: California

Fresh back from being an Exchange Place teller at National Storytelling Network, Kirk Waller will MC our event to present Jean Ellison, Ed Lewis, Sara Armstrong, and Tyler Snortum-Phelps. Each with experience in telling to all ages, the evening promises to engage, enthrall, energize, and bring their stories to life.

3:00 - 5:00 pm
tickets $12

Antioch Public Library
501 W 18th St.
Antioch, CA 94509

925-437-1360
deltawordweavers@att.net
deltawordweavers/home/tellabration2011

Single Day Event

Tellabration Milwaukee

State: Wisconsin

The Milwaukee Area Story Telling guild (M.A.S.T.) presents TELLABRATION! 2011

TELLABRATION brings together storytellers from southeast Wisconsin to delight, captivate and mesmerize audiences with their tales. This is the 21st Milwaukee area TELLABRATION which had its beginnings in Connecticut in 1988. The event has grown into one of the most impressive collective events in the history of the modern storytelling revival.
For people who have never experienced a traditional storytelling performance and those who are loyal fans of tales well-told, this is an opportunity not to be missed.
This year we cast our story-net and drew in tellers from across the region and beyond.
Featured tellers: Judy Farrow Busack, Jerry Falkenstein, Kay Weeden, Tim McIntosh, Mary Norres, Tyler Hackworth, Suzie Garfield, and Erin Johnston will emcee
   
7:00 - 9:00 pm
$5 (MMC staff and students with a valid ID get in free)

Mount Mary College
92nd & Burleigh (92nd Street parking lot)
Milwaukee, Wis.
414-962-4425
storylore@yahoo.com
www.wisconsinstorytelling.org

Single Day Event

Tellabration

State: Washington

The ancient tradition of storytelling is celebrated in “Tellabration” an evening of storytelling for grown-ups. Featured tellers are from the Mt. Tahoma Storytelling Guild.

7:30pm
Admission  $5

Antique Sandwich Co., 5102 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, WA.
(253) 983-9114
karendrum@hotmail.com

Single Day Event

Second Saturday Storytelling

State: Ohio

Enjoy traditional storytelling in the natural surroundings of Cleveland Metroparks on the second Saturday of most months. A venue for the best tellers from the Cleveland, Ohio area and beyond for over twelve years! Recently added: a story swap segment. After a featured teller/program and refreshments, share in a story swap with your own family-friendly stories. Ages: Adults and older students.
Time(s) 7:30 p.m.
Admission Free
Location -
CanalWay Visitor Center
E 49th St. Entrance
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation
Cuyahoga Hts, OH
Contact Phone 440-734-6660
Contact Email jpr@clevelandmetroparks.com
Event Website http://www.clemetparks.com/events/programs/calendar.asp

Tellabration! 2011

State: Ohio

The Tellabration tradition continues with an evening of storytelling for adults in Cleveland Metroparks at CanalWay Visitor Center. Five favorite local tellers create an excellent evening of tales, followed by refreshments and a visit with the tellers. Older children also welcome.
Time(s) 7-9 p.m.
Admission Free, Donations Accepted
Location - CanalWay Visitor Center, Ohio & Erie Cana, 4524 E 49th St., Cuyahoga Hts, OH 44125
Contact Phone 440-734-6660
Contact Email  jpr@clevelandmetroparks.com 

The Benefits for Children of Retelling Stories

Did you know there are many benefits of children retelling stories?  A recent study with students showed that children who were told a story rather than read a story had greater comprehension of the story.  When asked to retell the story, the children who were told the story were more capable of retelling the story.  They told longer and more detailed stories, employed more diverse vocabulary, and used more story conventions.  Retelling stories also encouraged the students to retell the stories on their own and at home, an important confidence and language building activity.   Furthermore, children will often seek out the stories they heard in text form.  Their familiarity with the stories then aids them in reading the stories for themselves.  In this clip, storyteller Diane Ferlatte is the American folktale, "Crocodile and Hen".

Language Development in Early Childhood

Do your children like stories? Did you know that in addition to being entertaining, storytelling plays a critical role in children’s language and learning development?  Children learn to speak long before they learn to read, and an oral foundation in language and literature is crucial before they can take the next step.  Significant research has been compiled over the years on the correlation between oral storytelling and literacy and reading comprehension.  In this clip, storyteller Geri Keems is telling the Native American folktale “Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun”.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge"

Did you know that Albert Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."  He also said,  “Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.”

Research has shown that telling stories from culturally diverse sources instrumental in the growth of imagination.  “Storytellers Favorite Fables” features four award winning storytellers from diverse backgrounds. In this clip, storyteller Leeny Seamonds is retelling the Russian folktale “the Turnip” as “Yuca”, her own bilingual version.

Oral Language Development

Would you like to expand your child’s vocabulary?  Educational researchers  have found that a well-established oral language vocabulary is essential for the development of young children’s written vocabulary.  Oral storytelling is an excellent way to develop oral vocabulary.  “Storytellers Favorite Fables” features four award winning storytellers from diverse backgrounds. In this clip, storyteller Angela Lloyd is telling her original story, “Hand”.

Are you looking for tools to help your child to learn to read?

Storytelling is an excellent source because children will often seek out the stories they heard in text form.  Their familiarity with the stories then aids them in reading the stories for themselves and helps them feel confident in their ability to learn to read.  “Storytellers Favorite Fables” features four award winning storytellers from diverse backgrounds. In this clip, storyteller Leeny Del Seamons is telling her version of the old Russian folktale, “Turnip” as “Yuca”, her own bilingual version..  This is one of the eight stories told and performed on “Storytellers Favorite Fables” dvd.  Visit www.LetsTellStories.com now for the “Storytellers Favorite Fables” dvd and more information about learning to read.

Would you like to know more about what your child thinks and feels?

Many researches feel encouraging a child to be a storyteller is an effective instrument for teachers, parents, and adults to learn more about the child.  What story a child chooses and how he chooses to tell the story are insightful indicators of what a child thinks and feels at a particular point in time.  The safety of the story allows a child to express feelings she might otherwise fear or be unable to articulate.  “Storytellers Favorite Fables” is a great way to introduce storytelling to children. In this clip, storyteller Diane Ferlatte is telling the American folktale, “Crocodile and Hen”.