COME GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66!

SPIRIT OF OKLAHOMA STORYTELLING FESTIVAL

The 7^th Annual Spirit of Oklahoma Storytelling Festival will convene in Bethany, Oklahoma on the campus of Southern Nazarene University, June 13-14, 2014.  The location is on the “Mother Road”, historic Route 66, so it will be an exciting time with keynote teller, Kent Rollins, “The Cowboy Cook and Storyteller.” Rollins has been featured with Bobby Flay on the Food Network.  The exciting two-day event is presented by Oklahoma’s only statewide storytelling arts organization, The Territory Tellers.

Along with slingin’ hash, Kent has become pretty good at slingin’ bull as he describes life on the range through poetry and storytelling. Don’t be surprised if Kent gets a chuckle out of you because his poetry and storytelling talents have earned him the Skinny Roland Humor Award for Best Humorist and Storyteller and he was nominated three times for Best Storyteller, all by the Academy of Western Artists.  In addition to Rollins, some of the best of Oklahoma’s very own storytelling artists will be sharing their most tantalizing tales.   On Saturday look forward to Rollins’ workshops on “Dutch Oven Cooking and Maintenance Workshop” and “Western Heritage.”

Professional storyteller Fran Stallings will offer “Positive Feedback: A Coaching Workshop” in a 2 part series on Saturday.  These session focus on providing crucial feedback to a volunteer teller and in the process others can learn ways to improve how they develop as a story artist.

There will lots of opportunity to hear delightful and intriguing tales during the festival. Major evening storytelling concerts, featuring the keynote and select regional artists on both evenings and spread throughout both days are other mini-story concerts (swaps) and always fun informal “table telling.” Vendors, a silent auction and other events will round out activities.

Musical entertainment on Friday night in a special “pre-concert” event will be with prairie jazz band F5 Four playing music inspired by contemporary Oklahoma folklore and iconography.

Other special events will include shivery “Ghost Tales in the Pavilion” at 9 pm on Friday with Kathryn Thurman, Marilyn A. Hudson (The Ghost Teller), and others.  Kathy Anderson will be sharing the history and lore of Route 66, which is Bethany's main street, in a special workshop. Kathy is former president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and current president of the Billboard Museum Association.  A new workshop of note this year is “Biblical Storytelling” on Saturday with Barbara Wright Jones and Cynthia Calloway.

Registration begins at 10 am on Friday and goes all day; first session and registration is at 8:00 am on Saturday and goes all day.  There is an admission fee (by day, full event, and some events, such as the Ghost Tales, are free).  All events take place in the Webster Commons building on the campus of Southern Nazarene University, Bethany, Oklahoma.

For more information contact Marilyn A. Hudson (Contact Phone 405-307-0962; Contact Email marilynahudson@yahoo.com)  and see the complete festival schedule and registration information at www.territorytellers.org.

CHESTER WEEMS WINS AWARDS

Long time storyteller, educator, photographer Chester Weems has been recognized for his photos by the Woodward Plains and Indians Museum. Chester has long been the 'unofficial' chronicler of the sights related to almost all the major storytelling figures in Oklahoma over the last decade. His collection of photos runs into the thousands. Congrats to Chester! Chester Weems is currently working 'collecting family stories and photographing storytellers.' Phone: 405-324-4061 Cell 405.831-1176.

GhostTales2Go Provide "Treat"

"GhostTales2Go", aka Molly Lemmons, Barbara Jones and Marilyn A. Hudson, will be "scaring" up some good stories this October. In delightfully humorous, historically spooky, and tantalizing mysterious the trio will provide the "treat" this Halloween season.

Molly Lemmons, well-known for her delightful costumed storytelling is an author and workshop leader as well. Molly Lemmons has been listening to her family's stories all of her life, and has picked up the family tradition by continuing them. It is only recently that she began to tell them professionally.
Barbara Jones is an educator, author, missionary, and storyteller who has woven all together to introduce children and adults to various Spanish speaking cultures though delightful stories. A popular storyteller she travels the state sharing stories for young and old.
Marilyn A. Hudson, Norman, also known as the "Oklahoma Ghostteller", is well known for her stories combining Oklahoma history and the mysterious. She was a featured teller at the 2009 ParaCon Conference in El Reno, and has told around the state for various events, libraries, and schools.

GhostTales2Go. This is a special holiday troupe who are all members of a larger traveling troupe called STORIES2GO http://stories2gotroupe.blogspot.com/. They are members of The Territory Tellers, the Oklahoma Association of Storytellers, and the Oklahoma Performers and Presenters.

CONTACT INFO COMING

STORIES - THIS SATURDAY IN CHOCTAW!

Let me tell you about....
Come one come all to the Choctaw Library for the June session of storyswaps on June 27 at 10:00 AM. Bring a story or a good set of ears to share in the fun. The library is located at 2525 Muzzy Street. For more information, Contact Susie Beasley or Rosemary Czarski at 390-8418 or email waywordtellers@yahoo.com.

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR OK ARTS?

There are two major storytelling festivals planned this year.

June 5-6, the 3rd Annual Oklahoma Storytelling Festival. "The Spirit of Oklahoma Storytelling Festival" will be held on the lovely campus of Seminole State College. Go to the webpage of the Territory Tellers (www.territorytellers.org) and contact the President via email to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Sept. 11-12, the first newly recast, Oklahoma City Storytelling Festival, will be held in a location yet to be announced. The OKC Arts Council has a volunteer form on their website at http://www.artscouncilokc.com/volunteer-form

In November, at locations around the state, "Tellabration!" an evening of storytelling will be celebrated as well. These events are usually sponsored by the state storytelling organization or one of their guilds, partners, or story groups.

Support the storytelling arts in Oklahoma!

HISTORIC STORYTELLING IN EL RENO

Tombstone Tales - September 24-26, 2009
Historic re-enactors portray individuals interred at the Fort Reno Post cemetery between 1874 and 1948. Chuck wagon dinner followed by guided walks through authentic 19th century encampments. Phone: 405-262-3987 Website: www.fortreno.org

Ghosts of Fort Reno Tours - 3rd Saturday, March-October, 2009
By lantern light, hear stories of restless spirits of the old post, along with some of the unsolved mysteries and murders that occurred here. Phone: 405-262-3987 Website: www.fortreno.org

http://www.elreno.org/tour/events.asp

STORYTELLING SHOWCASE, 9/18, BARTLESVILLE

STORYTELLING SHOWCASE THURSDAY
Have you got a story to tell? A 'storytelling showcase' is an opportunity to try out your oral presentation with a supportive audience of avid listeners. Tallgrass Tellers, the regional storytelling group for the Bartlesville area, will host the September Storytelling Showcase this Thursday evening Sept 18, 7pm in Room B (downstairs) of the Bartlesville Public Library.

Members of Tallgrass Tellers have prepared new stories to try out. Deborah Langley is working on folktales about tricksters and our staple food crops. Nancy Lenhart polishes episodes from her fascinating life experiences. Tallgrass president Fran Stallings is developing some of the Japanese folktales she edited for a recent book, Folktales from the Japanese Countryside.

Between stories by the Tallgrass members, guests are invited to share a tale of their own. At the August showcase a Kansas librarian told a lively African folktale; an Osage County woman told about an adopted cat who raised another feline foundling; and a Bartlesville man spun a very tall tale about photographs of dinosaur. Tallgrass Tellers look forward to hearing more great stories on Thursday!

The meeting is free and open to the public Sept 18, 7pm, at the Bartlesville Public Library room B.

'HOT,HOT HEAT": OKC STORY SLAM, JULY 18

Next OKC StorySLAM (see 6/24/08 entry for link to OKCStory Slam)

When: Friday, July 18, 7:00 pm to sign up, 7:30 to tell

Where: The Istvan Gallery, 1218 N. Western, OKC

The theme is: "Hot, Hot Heat"

This event is free and open to the public,

however, stories are geared toward an adult audience.

All stories must be 7 minutes or less and must relate to the theme of Heat or the Summertime Heat.

STORYTELLING IN NORMAN, OK

Add this as a possible link for future storytelling events and artists: The Performing Arts Studio in the historic depot at Norman, Oklahoma. Several stellar events occurred there earlier this year - but seemed under promoted in the media unfortunately - featuring people such as Jahruba Lambeth, Krickett Rhoades, Kim Zahlller, and Erin Guiltner. Hopefully even more storytelling events will be occurring in Norman, Oklahoma via the Performing Arts program, sponsored by the Norman Arts Council.
Visit: http://www.thepas.org/content/blogcategory/40/130/

STORIES FROM OKLAHOMA'S PARANORMAL SIDE

Let me tell you about....storytellers who walk on the wild side! Often unrecognized, are the storytellers who enchant, entertain, and educate during the haunting times of the year and on tours through various corners of Oklahoma's Haunted History (c). They dress in costumes, provide stories as they tour aged corners of a community, or recount daring deeds and old mysteries. They, like all other storytellers, delve into the pool of human legends, myths, and the ongoing folklore of the urban legend. For some resources for the next season of strange......

Ghost stories (Oklahoma and general)
http://www.eerieok.com/stories_submitted_by_readers.htm
http://www.ghouli.org/GHOSTSTORY/HauntedOklahoma.htm
http://spellboundstories.blogspot.com/2007/06/crybaby-bridge-oklahoma-version.html

http://strangestate.blogspot.com - lots of "true" tales from Oklahoma to base your next story on.
http://www.mystical-www.co.uk/ghostinx.htm

Also, see the new Oklahoma Paranormal Directory for links to groups, books, resources, etc. ;

See also Eerie Oklahoma http://www.eerieok.com/about.htm and check out the Ghost Divas Live on Para-X Radio ; Too smart for such things? Just something to think about: "Does Education Fuel Paranormal Beliefs?" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10950526/

Remember: The 2nd Oklahoma Storytelling Festival will feature late Friday night "ghost stories"!

HATS OFF TO TONYA SHOOK AND THE BORDER QUEEN BOOK FESTIVAL

Let me tell you about....a great first-ever event for southwest Oklahoma! The charming town of Commanche hosted the event with around 40 authors registered to attend. Authors from Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, and elsewhere showed up as well! There was great local coverage of the event in the town newspaper. There were authors and storytellers there because the two juat make such a natural team! Authors have to talk about stories and storytellers often turn authors as they share their tales. The welcome was warm, the people friendly and the area quite interesting. I understand plans are in the works for another one next year and we can all look forward to a great welcome and eager visitors supporting reading and books and authors in SW Oklahoma.

STORYTELLER SPOTLIGHT: MOLLY LEMMONS

Let me tell you about....What happens when an ex-newspaper columnist, ex-teacher, and incurable romantic combine? "Miss Molly Lou Belle" who has, believe me, some stories to tell! Using heartwarming, humorus, and exciting stories she bridges the gap between generations. She connects adult audiences to nearly forgotten values and experiences of the past and introduces children to the common foibles and fun of life. Miss Molly Lou Belle aka Molly Lemmons is an award winning author, storyteller and workshop leader whom you will not soon forget. Contact: Miss Molly Lou Belle for her storytelling and workshop schedules and fees. Phone: 405.376.2576; email mollyloubelle@cox.net; visit her website for more details and book titles, http://mollyloubelle.com/.

Red Dirt Book Festival: Statewide Events Unite Writers, Readers, Storytellers

Red Dirt Book Festival, Shawnee, Oklahoma once more was the place to be in Oklahoma. The state storytelling organization, Territory Tellers were on hand to provide information, participate in workshops, and encourage people "to talk". The link between writers, readers, and tellers is so close that sometimes it is hard to see where one ends and the others start, indeed several wear several hats simultaneously! It was also a popular stop in the exhibit hall.

A Word from Wes Fryer: Workshops and More

I serve as an education advocate for AT&T in Oklahoma to provide FREE professional development for teachers on a variety of topics including DIGITAL STORYTELLING.

I have been working in the past year with Mike King of Enid Public schools and others on the Oklahoma Digital Centennial Project, which is providing 3 day workshops for teachers on the use of digital tools to help students become oral history archivists and digital storytellers. We've partnered with the Oklahoma Heritage Association and will be offering a facilitator training at their Oklahoma City facility in October, one at UCO in Edmond in November, and one in Altus in December.

Please let everyone you know in Oklahoma interested in storytelling, the centennial, preserving Oklahoma's history through the voices of its people, and digital storytelling/podcasting about this project. The website where people can get more info about the project and apply to participate is:

http://www.enidk12.org/~itdepartment/odcp/

Please keep me in the loop about future workshops, festivals, or events related to storytelling or digital storytelling. My free workshop curriculum and resources related to digital storytelling is available on:

http://teachdigital.pbwiki.com/digitalstorytelling

Wes
-- Wesley Fryer Director of Education Advocacy (PK-20) AT&T Oklahoma
Phone: 405-319-6267 Fax: 405-291-1163 Email: wesley.fryer@att.com Web: www.speedofcreativity.org Skype: wfryer

EL Reno, OK : Tales & Stories

Tombstone Tales - October 18, 19 and 20, 2007
Located at Fort Reno. Admission is 5-10 dollars. Historic re-enactors portray individuals interred at the Fort Reno Post cemetery between 1874 and 1948. Chuck wagon dinner followed by guided walks through authentic 19th century encampments. Hours are 9am-4pm. Contact Fort Reno Visitors Center by phone at 405-262-3987 or by mail at 7107 West Cheyenne or by email at info@fortreno.org. Visit their Website at www.fortreno.org

Ghosts of Fort Reno Tours - March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, and October 20, 2007
This event is located at Fort Reno in El Reno, OK. Reservations are available and cost is $5 a person. By lantern light, hear stories of restless spirits of the old post, along with some of the unsolved mysteries and murders that occurred here. Event hours are 8:30p.m. Contact: Fort Reno Visitor Center by phone at 405-262-3987 or mail at 7107 W. Cheyenne or email info@fortreno.org. Visit their website at www.fortreno.org

Oklahoma Storytellers - Part of Red Dirt Book Festival 2005

There are pictures of Kathryn Thurman, President Bonnie, Rosemary Czarski, and Marilyn Hudson on this flicker page created by the Pioneer Library System (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsyk/481798040/in/set-72157600087279200/ ).

The next one of these festivals will be the first Friday and Saturday of November 2007 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. See you there!

STORYTELLING IS....???

In the past the term has been used to refer to "once upon a time" tales....to bald face lying that would end with a trip to the "woodshed" where discipline was swift and sure.

Today, the term is used to refer to everything from film to graphic novels to a rock group. The simple and traditional use of the term has been lost for many.

Types of Storytelling:

Traditional, Oral. This form is defined as the small group gathered in an intimate environment where a story of moral, imaginative, or educational value is shared by a person. This is the primarily and historically the place where folklore, heroes, myths, and legends are passed along to new listeners and preserved for the generations. Although, it can occur in larger venues - many feel that the larger the audience the less impact the stories have. Some traditions required the storyteller to not move or make only limited gestures as they shared a tale.

Nontraditional, Oral. This form is best defined by the Garrison Keillor approach but also includes storytellers who incorporate objects, costumes, movement and more theatrical elements into their stories. This form may incorporate more animated telling styles with gestures, movement, and audience participation.

Digital. Stories created, passed on, and preserved in digital formats as video, animation, or audio forms, most often online.

Visual. This form includes the use of film, cinematography, photographs to "tell a story". The narrative structure of story is translated into a almost entirely visual format in this medium. As with many art forms this one requires the audience to bring with it their own experiences and emotions as a vehicle for the telling of the story.

Book sharing. This is one of the most common uses of storytelling with children. Librarians and parents and teachers all read a book to children to share the experience through followup instruction, interaction, participation, role playing, puppets, and art. Although a viable vehicle for adults and teens, it does require some preparation for reading pace, intonation, volume, and presentational skills and is sometimes most useful as a "teaser" rather than a real reading of an entire teen or adult book. Many librarians and teachers have found, however, that some picture books are really written on a higher level. This makes the useful for older people because they are visually interesting and contain more mature themes, vocabulary or ideas.

Writing. The marriage of the written word and the oral tradition has tremendously benefited modern storytelling. Although two different mediums with differing requirements they can be used collaboratively since all storytellers need writers to provide material and inspiration and all writers need audiences and contact with natural forms of verbal and non-verbal communications.

Performance based. A merger between the modes and values of theater with the stage production of storytelling. Professional storytellers often benefit from classes on how to move, to speech, and express emotion in a natural, artistic, or entertaining manner.

Group or team. A sub group that is very ancient and often found in team or duo exchange storytelling. George Burns & Gracie Allen perfected a comedic form of this style and provide a model for the timing and artistry required to team tell effectively.

Musically embedded storytelling. Using music or instruments in the telling of a tale or as filler between tales.