Contact: Jason Wanlass jwanlass@weber.edu (801) 626-6347
Festival promises magic beyond Goldilocks, Paul Bunyan
Tuesday, October 20, 1998
OGDEN, Utah - Once upon a time, before the Internet, television, theater or books, the art of storytelling was born. Since then tales of humor, horror, fantasy, tragedy and adventure have been spun and recounted. However, storytellers do more than just entertain -- they preserve the fibers of history and tradition of cultures around the world, said Karen Lofgreen, a Weber State University teacher education professor.
WSU will help keep this ancient artform alive during its third-annual Storytelling Festival Nov. 16-18 at the David Eccles Conference Center and Peery's Egyptian Theater, 2415 Washington Blvd., in Ogden. Regional and national performers, as well as local students will share legends, fairytales, myths and fables from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.
"Unlike paintings or sculptures, which can last for centuries, storytelling is an art that can only be preserved if there are people in the world who want to listen," said Lofgreen, who is chairwoman of the event. "Connecting with a storyteller in an imaginary world of words, music, dance and song is an unforgettable experience. We invite people of all ages to experience this magic for themselves and help the tradition carry on." The four national storytellers to perform during the festival are: J.J. Reneaux of Athens, Ga.; Ed Stivender of Clifton Heights, Pa.; Dovie Thomason of Monroe, Va.; and Lloyd Wilson of Wilmington, N.C. An additional 30 regional artists will participate in the festival, along with more than 80 student storytellers from public and private schools in the area.
More than 5,000 schoolchildren will attend the festival as a field trip. For the first time the event also will include sessions targeted toward high-school and college students. "More than 10 of the stories this year will be told in foreign languages including French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. Others will be signed for the hearing impaired and some tales will include Native American sign language," Lofgreen said.
Workshops to learn techniques of telling captivating stories will be held daily. Evening entertainment will feature "Bedtime Stories" and "Something Scary" Nov. 16-18 at 6:30 and 8 p.m. in Peery's Egyptian Theater. "The Laughin' Place," a special session where storytellers will spin their funniest tales, will take place Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the theater.
Cost of the entire festival is $30 for adults and $10 for children. Admission for daytime events is $10 for adults and $3 for children, while evening events cost $5 for adults and $3 for children.
Tickets may be purchased at the Dee Events Center Ticket Office, open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by calling 626-8500 or 1-800-WSU-TIKS. Tickets also will be sold at the door. For a complete schedule of events contact the festival's web site at www.weber.edu/teachereducation/storytelling/storytelling.htm.
| Additional Contact(s): | Karen Lofgreen |
| klofgreen@weber.edu | |
| (801) 626-6628 | |
| Ann Larson, co-chairwoman of the festival | |
| (801) 626-7343 | |
| Kathleen Herndon, co-chairwoman of the festival | |
| kherndon@weber.edu | |
| (801) 626-6217 |