America 250: American Tales with the Bloomington Storytellers Guild

The Monroe County Public Library invited us to tell traditional American Folk Tales for  our 5th presentation of Summer Tales.  Our tellers found some great ones, from traditional tall tales to a genuine American (and personal) legend, from long ago and not-so-long ago, and interspersed with traditional folk songs.

Featured performers were:

Kellen Everett 

who began the program with a Hoosier tale:

"Why the Devil stays out of Indiana"

Connie Shakalis 

who took on different personas for each song,

"The Deaf Woman's Courtship" told a funny little story; "Johnny's gone for a Soldier" and "Shenandoah" were full of sorrow and longing, and "Skip to my Lou" was lively and silly.

Patty Callison

whose story of "Why the Possum's Tail  is Bare" is a traditional  Cherokee tale , with a bit of a lesson about vanity underneath the explanation for that bare tail that opossums have now.

Ken Oguss

 who gave us "The Incredible Story of Great-Grandpa Jack's Hunting Trip"  - a tall tale of an amazing fellow who went hunting with only one bullet, an ax, and a bird net.  

 Lisa Champelli

who turned the audience into amphibians with "Parley Garfield and the Frogs"

David Matlack

 with "My great-great-great-great-great Grandmother"  - a family legend that has become an American myth.

Faridah Pawan

who gave us the strong woman "Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind Crockett"  in a tall tale worthy of ol' Davy himself.

Johnathan Frank

with a possibly true Kansas tale "What Gold?, involving the dangerous Anderson gang.

Ginny Richey

who took us back to Hoosier folklore with "Copperhead in the Bin".

And thanks to our coordinator for this program: Laura Clavio, who skillfully arranged the event,  herded the storytellers , and  set the show in context with her introduction.

The show was videotaped by Community Access Television Services and is available on the MCPL cable channel : 

Watch the whole show on CATS here

Summer Memories, 2

Camp is over, but the memories stay.  

We hope the camp kids remember the fun of hearing stories 

as much as we remember the fun of telling them.

We told stories at "Wondercamp" where every week has a different science theme.

In"Kitchen Chemistry" Vickie and Ginny shared stories of kitchen mishaps.

While "Down on the Farm" Dakota and Donya got into the characters.

Connie told at the Hilltop Garden center

and Patty explained why the possum's tail is bare in a UES classroom.

Amy got a lot of participation as the kids helped with the house that Jack built.

Ginny introduced fennel with a Greek myth (and a knife)

While Connie made them laugh with the clever cook.

 Another summer camp experience over,  summer memories to treasure.

Summer Memories, 1

In everything we do this year, we are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Bloomington Storytellers Guild.

Ginny described the beginning of the Guild in 1975, and shared the newspaper announcement of the first open meeting --which was published in both the morning and the evening paper.

The old woman in Dana's story first got what she wanted --

and then what she deserved!

Summer jobs? Clayton has had them!

Hard work pays off in Patty's hilarious version of Obedient Jack.

Dakota shared an original story that we could imagine as an animated cartoon.

People! You are in for a treat when Faridah tells a tale.

No end to Christina's tale of "Never Ending Jack"

Laura organized Summer Tales (Yay, Laura!) and told a tandem tale with Ginny of "No News"

And we all had a fun time!

Thanks to the library for sponsoring us, to CATS for recording the event, to all the tellers - and especially thanks to the folks in the audience who laughed and gasped and clapped at just the right time.  

We are so grateful to still be sharing stories with you after 50 years!

If you missed the performance, remember that you will be able to watch it on CATS, the library's Community Access Television Services.   Check their listings at: https://catstv.net/index.php

 

SUMMER TALES - We have a story for you!

WE HAVE A STORY FOR YOU!

Do you hate housework?

Feeling too cold--or too hot?

Love to eat your own cooking?

Have a hundred years of Indiana family?

Ever hear about the best musician in the world?

Summer bugs make you itchy?

Ever have a good idea go really really bad?

Wonder who will get the farm?

Wanna bet on Arin -- or the goose?

Grossest food story ever?

WE HAVE A STORY FOR YOU!

SUMMER TALES

Friday July 19

7 to 8:30 pm

Monroe County Public Library

Free performance

Kirkwood Doors open at 6:30

 

Storytelling at Wondercamp

There's a long tradition of stories at summer camp.

The Bloomington Storytellers Guild has been part of this tradition for a long time.

This year we've shared stories at WonderCamp, a science camp from Bloomington's Wonderlab.

Here's Dana with a story for the theme "Eco Explorers"

Ginny and Arin shared stories about Rocks for "Science Sampler"

Ginny has a folktale in which a boulder tells tales.

Everyone got into the act.

Arin shared a true story about a volcano.

We're so glad to be able to share stories with these enthusiastic campers!

 

SUMMER TALES 2023

 The audience gathered in the Library Auditorium on a warm July night.  The storytellers took the stage one by one.  Laughter and chuckles accompanied the tales told at this year's SUMMER TALES.

Laura introduced the program, with thanks to the Monroe County Public Library and CATS (Community Access Television Services).  CATS taped the performance and will be making it available on line soon.

Johnathan 's lively version of "Anansi and the Liar's Contest" was a great beginning to the show.  

Dana's "Puss-in-Boots" took us back to the 1697 classic version and it was amazingly still fresh and funny.

Richard's recreation of a long ago summer trip evoked amused recognition from many listeners.  We were all giggling as we found out "How My Grandma Got Indoor Plumbing".

Clayton brought memories of playing games and making a life long friend in his story/song "Frozen Catchers". 

Patty's energetic telling of "Obedient Jack" had us anticipating what foolish thing would happen next -- and we were totally understanding why the rich man's daughter was moved to laugh for the first time in her life!

Ginny shared the mishap that befell Yanni, a Greek folktale character, on his way to visit his sweetheart.

Friends, it was a fun way to spend a summer evening!  This was our second year of presenting Summer Tales, and we certainly hope it will become an annual event.

Wintertelling Auditions: Guidelines

 

What is Wintertelling?

   Wintertelling is an annual performance by members of the Bloomington Storytellers Guild featuring a variety of tales chosen by storytellers to entertain adults and teens. You may hear anything from folklore and fable to local legend and personal narrative. It is currently sponsored by the Monroe County Public Library.

 

The practice of sharing stories is a traditional way in many cultures to pass a pleasant evening in the cold, dark nights of late Winter.  The members of the BSG have long enjoyed participating in this tradition. The Wintertelling stories entertain, enlighten and enhearten.  Save your spooky stories for the Festival of Ghost Stories

Expectations for Auditions:

             If you are a first-time teller you will be expected to tell your entire story.  Stories shared in Guild events are told -- not read, so be prepared to perform your tale on stage without a script (although you may use notes at audition)

            If you have questions or want suggestions for selecting a story, please contact the coordinator BEFORE auditions.

Stories should be no more than 10 minutes in length, so that more tellers may participate in the performance. We will be strict about length!  Don’t guess the length, time yourself telling it more than once.  7-10 minutes is perfect, more than 10 is less perfect, more than 12 is out of the question.

 If you are a regular performer with the Guild, you can indicate the content and style of your story in a shortened version at auditions.

     This event is advertised as appropriate for adults and teens. Content should not skewer too young, nor should it be inappropriate for family entertainment. Traditional (folklore), personal narrative, and original work is acceptable. Copyrighted work is performed only with permission. Choose a tale rich with story that will hold a casual listener. If you have questions about whether your story is appropriate or not, please contact the coordinator prior to auditions.

 

      This event features a limited number of performers.  Final performer selection is determined by the BSG Event Coordinator.  You will be notified via phone or email within three days of the Audition if your story will be part of the event.

       For the program you need to supply:

            How you want your name to appear

            Title of your story

            Origin of story – personal narrative, original story (it’s fiction but you wrote it), folktale (give country of origin), urban legend, etc.  The more information, the better for placement of the story in the program and development of a printed program.

 

               QUESTIONS?  CONTACT THE GUILD AT  btownstorytellers@gmail.com