Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Reflections on the Festival of Ghost Stories

As daylight faded,  the audience began to gather on the hillside and Keith sent the first notes of "Black and Gold" out into the twilight.
Our co-sponsor, Bloomington Parks and Recreation, provided a wonderful well-lit stage, a super sound system, and hot cider for a chilly night.
Waiting backstage we could hear the muffled sounds of appreciative but well mittened applause.  It did get downright cold before the evening was over.
We did not actually burst out of the jack-o-lantern as we came on stage...but Ken is having fun during the sound check.
Stephanie started us out with a gruesome urban legend "The Slasher" (and made us wonder -- do you remember when no one had cell phones and there were actually phone booths at every little store or gas station????)






Patty got the audience warmed up with "Barney McCabe" as we all tried our best to get those dogs there in time to save the kids from the awful witch.


Here's Lisa before her story - no smiling during the tale of poor "Pretty Maid Alana".

We had demon lovers, dreadful deaths, seriously dysfunctional families, really bad food choices, and several severed body parts in the stories and songs that followed.

And Josh sent everyone home laughing -- and at the same time resolving never to leave a baby alone outside.



Thanks to all who told, and to the Monroe County Public Library and Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department for cosponsoring the event.  It was taped by CATS and so if you missed the performance you may yet see it on cable TV.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Listen...and shiver...

It won't just be the chilly temperature that gets you shivering at the Festival of Ghost Stories this Friday night.
As Dana says:
"THIS YEAR'S LINE-UP includes heart stopping tales, cold terror, eerie ballads, a breakneck chase to beat the devil, frightening children, grisly stews and mysterious herbs, a gruesome and embarrassingly funny toe-tapping sing a-long. Oh, and if you've been watching Grimm on TV, we can guarantee a tale from the Brothers Grimm that will leave you shuddering. Don't miss it!"

Ooooh!  See you there: Bryan Park, hillside near the basketball court, 7:00 pm.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Dress warmly!

It will be COLD sitting out on the ground in Bryan Park this Friday for the FESTIVAL OF GHOST STORIES!   Bring a blanket and a buddy to stay warm while you listen to shivery stories.

Monday, October 7, 2013

National Storytelling Festival

Dana was one of the lucky folks who made it to the National Storytelling Festival this year. She sent this report back to us:

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Thursday.  On the road near the Appalachian mountains. It's still a 7 1/2/ hour trip...we're almost to Jonesborough.



How many remember these at a past Storytelling Festival: Doc McConnel's tall tales (Vienna sausages or the snakebit hoe handle) and checking in at the Christopher House on Main Street in Jonesborough?



A few of the Festival's 500 volunteer workers waiting for the crowd to arrive for Tim O'Brien's Thursday pre-festival concert.  
Best quote of the night:  "There are only 2 stories:  Someone goes on a journey, someone new comes to town."


Friday.  10 am.  The 41st National Storytelling Festival begins...after we wait for the train to pass 5 feet behind the Courthouse Tent.  Bring back memories for some of you?     Now it's 2:30.  So far, Bill Lepp, Donald Davis, Tim Lowry, Rev, Robert Jones, Geraldine Buckley...waiting to hear Ed Stivender!



Sheila Kay Adams.  One of my absolute favorite - an amazing storyteller who has also collected mountain ballads her entire life.  
Other tellers new to me that I'm enjoying:  Antonio Rocha, Tim Lowry,  Rev. Robert Jones, and David Novak.  
Saw Ellen Munds yesterday - hope she invites a few of my favorites to Indy soon.  Also ran into Bev Martin and met a lot of friendly storytelling fans from far and near.  Farthest - New Zealand.  

Thanks, Dana!  If you want to know more about the National Festival, visit : http://www.storytellingcenter.net/

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Coming on Friday, Oct. 4

 Time to prepare.

Time to get ready for the season of spooky stories.


Time to work on a tale for the annual Festival of Ghost Stories.
Bring your story, or your idea of a story, to the audition meeting

Friday, October 4th

4:00-6:00 pm

Monroe County Public Library, meeting room 1-A

Questions?  Can't make that time?  Want to see the "Expectations" list to decide if your story fits?  Email the Guild.