5th Annual Storytelling Festival Pays Tribute to Kathryn Tucker Windham
Posted: Oct 27, 2011by Rick Mould, Guest Editor, Athens State University
On Thursday evening October 27 in Athens, Alabama, there will be a storyteller’s tribute to one of the festival’s best friends – Kathryn Tucker Windham – who passed away earlier this year at the age of 93. The tribute will begin at 7:30 pm on October 27 and will include special guest, Windham’s neighbor and friend, Charlie Lucas. The Limestone County Courthouse square is decorated in fall finery in anticipation of the Athens Storytelling Festival to be held this year from October 27 through Saturday, October 29.
Stories will be told in the big tent on Marion Street, between Market and Washington, within close proximity to an eclectic mix of downtown restaurants and shops offering a wide variety of antiques, gifts, gourmet foods, clothing and hardware. (photo courtesy of the Athens News Courier)
Athens is proud to offer this opportunity to participate in Storytelling - the oldest form of entertainment. Hear marvelous yarns by renowned storytelling masters:
Donald Davis who was born in a Southern Appalachian mountain world rich in stories. "I didn't learn stories, I just absorbed them," he says as he recounts tales and more tales learned from a family of traditional storytellers who have lived on the same Western North Carolina land since 1781. Davis grew up hearing gentle fairy tales, simple and silly Jack tales, scary mountain lore, ancient Welsh and Scottish folktales, and-most importantly-nourishing true-to-life stories of his own neighbors and kin.
Bil Lepp who is a nationally renowned storyteller and five time champion of the West Virginia Liars’ Contest. His outrageous, humorous tall-tales and witty stories have earned the appreciation of listeners of all ages and from all walks of life, from elementary school to veterans' homes, from churches to colleges, from festivals to formal dinners. Though a champion liar, his hilarious, insightful stories often contain morsels of truth which shed light on subjects such as politics, religion, relationships, and human nature.
Carmen Deedy who has entertained thousands of children and adults alike in her ultra-energetic and charming style. Deedy has recounted her tales of growing up Cuban in Decatur, Georgia for over a decade. Her performances of the humorous and poignant of familial living ring a familiar tone in the ear while retaining a unique quality of her individual upbringing.
John McCutcheon is America’s balladeer. His songs sing of the nation’s heritage. His words channel the conscience of our people into streams of poetry and melody. He writes about subjects small and great, from a child’s haircut to freedom and human dignity – issues equally eternal and enduring. Think of McCutcheon as an incarnation of Pete Seeger and Mr. Rogers, Will Rogers and Bruce Springsteen, and above all Everyman, righteously passionate and impishly playful.
Sherry Norfolk has been a professional storyteller since 1981. She uses folktales from around the world in a non-didactic way to teach universal values, elevate understanding and acceptance of other cultures, and enhance literacy skills. Sherry served as a consultant on Turner South's "Stories to Learn By" initiative. Sherry's dedication to and deep interest in children and family literacy have been recognized with national awards from the American Library Association, the Association for Library Service for Children, the National Association of Counties, and the Florida Library Association. Professional associations find Sherry to be a lively and inspiring keynote speaker. She is past Chair of the Board and President of the National Storytelling Network.
Andy Offutt Irwin is an entertainer in the best sense of the word, Andy is a storyteller, humorist, singer, songwriter, musician, whistler, walking menagerie of sound effects and character voices, and so much more; some of his talents are hard to categorize. In storytelling circles, he is especially known for relating the adventures of his eighty-five-year-old-widowed-newly-minted-physician-aunt, Marguerite Van Camp, a woman who avoids curmudgeonship by keeping her finger on the pulse of… well herself, but also the changing world around her. She steps lively through it, loving as many people as she can.
The festival continues Friday and Saturday, and will include the Halloween treat of Ghost Stories on Friday night. On Wednesday and Thursday, the tent will be open to participating city and county schools, grades 3 through 12 so that the art of Storytelling can be experienced by the next generation of great tellers.
Storytelling is traditional, creative, educational, cultural, personal, and therapeutic. The stories told will seem spontaneous, but not without hours of coaching and practice-the storytellers will captivate their audience by using eye contact, their voices, movement, and expressions to bring their stories to life in the listeners' minds and hearts.
In addition to traditional day and weekend tickets, this year half-day tickets and children’s tickets will be available. You may purchase tickets from the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce and the Athens Limestone Tourism Office, both located at the corner of Beaty and Market Streets.
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