Weaving tales, spinning yarns, telling stories. It’s an art as old human existence. And those that practice storytelling as a vocation have struggled to find an audience as of late. That audience, whether it knows it or not, is yearning for a good story too…the kind of story that gives us hope and perspective, and taps into our souls to connect us as humans at a time that feels so very inhumane. Luckily, whether bar stool and Broadway stage, storytelling is a form of communication and entertainment that transcends venue, making it perfectly adaptable to any virtual platform.
Enter “Weaving from the fringes,” a three-part virtual storytelling series to connect artist and audience, at a time when both need the other more than ever. “Shine,” the first installment in the series, took place this January. Part two of the virtual series, titled “Flow,” is coming up this Saturday, February 27th at 7:00 p.m.
From the comfort of your living room, through the magic of modern technology, four world-class storytellers have a whopper of a tale to tell this Saturday.
Hears Crow
”Nootauau Kaukontuoh, “she hears the crow”, is a woman of the Eastern Woodlands. She lives her life in the tradition of the Nanhigganêuck, the people known today as the Narragansett. She is a Educator, Writer, and Storyteller of Longhouse Tales, told in many different ways including Native Sign Language, call and response as well as other traditional styles. She has twice been awarded publishing contracts for her book of poetry and is currently completing a Native children’s novel. She brings to life the oral tradition at schools, community centers, Indigenous gatherings, libraries, and wherever the stories lead her.”
Elizabeth Matson
Elizabeth Matson is a spinner of tales, weaving magic into her renditions of traditional tales and real life narratives for children, teens, and adults. Elizabeth incorporates creative drama, yoga, and her love of language into her performances and workshops. Elizabeth learned storytelling at her mother’s knees and passes on the art as coach to a teen storytelling troupe. She believes deep in her bones that stories are the threads that give our lives meaning.
Kevin McMullin
For more than forty years Kevin McMullin forged a successful career involving various combinations of music and storytelling. A series of derailing events –including a brain tumor and the caretaking of his dying father – left him looking at life from a new and still changing perspective. He has created a body of written and performance material reflecting those changes. The resulting book and stage show share the title Into the Black Sea: Stories of Darkness and Light.
Coral Conant Gilles
Coral Conant Gilles weaves stories in the ancient tradition of oral storytelling. Deepen your relationship with people and the Earth through folklore, original tales, and personal stories. Coral’s stories evoke curiosity, create connection, build empathy, and inspire exploration.
Register today for the February 27th event — Weaving From the Fringes: Flow. Ticket prices range from $10 to $25.
And mark your Google Calendar for March 27th at 7 p.m.– you’ll want to take in part three of the series, inspiringly titled, “Grow,” featuring Juliet Bruce, Lorna MacDonald Czarnoza, Vinita Bhatnagar, and Su Ciampa. Ticket information coming soon at https://www.tracychipman.net/events.
