The 12th Annual Kansas City Storytelling Celebration starts tomorrow!

It's alive! It's ALIVE!... Pardon the leftover Halloween spirit (Spirit? Get it? Ha ha ha!)... Anyway, the 12th Annual Kansas City Storytelling Celebration opens TONIGHT with the Story Slam at MCC-Maple Woods! Bring your friends, your family and your stories about your wacky, wonderful relatives! This event is FREE!

Afi̱gi̱tí̱s the Storyteller (and her squirrelly friend) has a message for you!

Ghosties, ghoulies and goblins, oh my!

Where: KCMO Public Library – Plaza Branch, Truman Forum

When: Nov. 4, 2010

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Featuring: Leeny Del Seamonds,Dan Keding,Loretta Washington and Gene Tagaban

Leeny, Dan, Loretta and Gene will share their bone-chilling stories of ghosts, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night. Are they true? Is there a headless, white lady wandering lonely rural roads late at night? A werewolf ready to maul his chosen victim around the very next corner? There’s no way to know…

But you’ll be checking your rearview mirror a little more closely and listening for clandestine howling, won’t you.

This event is for mature audiences, ages 16 and up. We don't want the little ones spooked all night - and neither do you!

Want up-to-date info all year long? Join us on Facebook!

Ok, so we're not going to spam you with "364 days until the next Storytelling Celebration!!!!111!" posts or anything, but there will be occasional pertinent updates for our fans and storytelling community, so if you haven't LIKED our new fan page on Facebook yet, please do! :)

Join us for the Main Event: The 2011 Storytelling Spectacular!

The flagship event of the Kansas City Storytelling Celebration, the Storytelling Spectacular, will launch at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Kansas City Missouri Public Library Plaza Branch in the Truman Forum. Gene Tagaban, Loretta Washington, Leeny Del Seamonds and Dan Keding have a fabulous line-up of tales ready for the whole family!

This event is FREE and perfect for anyone over 10 (younger children are welcome, but some content/language may be inappropriate or too complex).

Featured Storyteller: Loretta Washington

Loretta is a professional storyteller who performs for all age groups throughout Missouri and Illinois. She performs for schools, libraries, festivals, private groups and organizations. With her alluring stories, captivating voices and movements, she brings her stories to life.

Loretta is also one of our regional tellers, and has been a Storytelling Celebration participant for many years.

Start making plans - the 12th Annual Storytelling Celebration begins in 13 days!

... we're pretty sure the title says it all.

Starting Nov. 1 with the Story Slam @ MCC-Maple Woods, the 12th Annual Kansas City Storytelling Celebration will be underway!

If you haven't LIKED us on Facebook yet, do it! (Please? We want to keep you informed!)

You can check out a full schedule of public events here.

Free family events!

Put down the video game controllers and sofa snacks - yes, you too, dad - and head out for some family fun! Never fear, we're not talking about mom's super-exciting trip to the pumpkin patch again - we're talking about a line-up of great regional and national storytellers that will make you think, crack you up and even dance in a gigantic bird costume! (No, really. Giant bird. We have it.)

From preschool and elementary age tales at Kansas City, MO, and Mid-Continent public libraries to Family concerts and even workshops, we have a week full of events to keep the kiddos busy and entertained!

For a full list of public events, please see the full schedule and look for events in blue.

Featured Storyteller: Dan Keding

Dan Keding, storyteller of international acclaim, is well known for his telling of traditional world folktales, personal narratives of his boyhood in Chicago, ghost stories and dark tales, and superbly crafted original pieces.

As a child he learned the traditional stories that his grandmother brought to this country from Croatia. A well-respected ballad singer, he accompanies himself on guitar, banjo and spoons.

This combination of dynamic storytelling and powerful ballad singing has made him a festival and concert favorite throughout the US, Great Britain and Ireland, endearing him to audiences of all ages.

For more information, visit his website!

Afi̱gi̱tí̱s the Storyteller (and her squirrelly friend) has a message for you!

You've heard their stories, now it's your turn to learn!

While most of the Storytelling Celebration is dedicated to sitting and listening as local and national tellers spin a fantastic yarn, there are workshops for young and old alike designed to help participants develop their own stories.

A Media Specialists Workshop, presented by Leeny Del Seamonds, will help educators, librarians and other school staff use storytelling in the classroom, as well as encouraging the founding of Storytelling clubs in the local schools. This workshop meets CTE standards.

The workshop will be held from noon-4 p.m. Nov. 2 at the North Kansas City School District’s Doolin Education Center. Cost is $12 and lunch will be provided. Please RSVP by contacting Dusty Mills at 816.604.3170.

Leeny Del Seamonds will also present a Youth Storytelling Workshop from 1-2:15 p.m. at the Plaza Library Branch. This workshop is free and open to the public. No reservations are required.
Drama Time! will focus on bringing spoken words to life through theatrical games, improvisations and fun exercises. Students will build confidence and learn the arts of oral presentation, acting and self-expression through movement and word interpretation.

While the kids are practicing the art of acting with Leeny, adults will have an opportunity to attend a workshop offered just for them. Dan Keding will host the Adult Storytelling Workshop from 1-2:15 p.m. at the Plaza Branch Library. This workshop is also free and open to the public, and no reservations are required.

This workshop will focus on telling stories for children – selecting appropriate stories, telling them in an engaging way via props, music and voices, and what mistakes to avoid.

For further information on any of these workshops, contact us by email or call 816.604.3007. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@kcstorytelling)!

Ready, set, GPS: Addresses for public storytelling events

Planning on attending several events? Here's a list of locations for storytelling performances in the KC Metro area.

Kansas City, Missouri, Public Libraries

Central Branch
14 W 10th St, Kansas City, MO
816-701-3441

Plaza Branch, Truman Forum
4801 Main St, Kansas City, MO
816-701-3481, ext 3

Northeast Branch
6000 Wilson Rd., Kansas City, MO
816-701-3485

Southeast Branch
63rd St & Swope Pkwy, Kansas City, MO
816-701-3484

Trails West Branch
11401 E 23rd St, Independence, MO
816-701-3483

Waldo Branch
201 E 75th St, Kansas City, MO
816-701-3486

Westport Branch
118 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO
816-701-3488

MCC-Maple Woods Campus Center
2601 NE Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO
816-604-3007

Mid-Continent Public Libraries
 

Excelsior Springs Branch
1460 Kearney Road, Excelsior Springs, MO
816-630-6721


Dearborn Branch
206 Maple Leaf Ave., Dearborn, MO
816-450-3502

Grandview Branch
12930 Booth Ln., Grandview MO
816-763-0550

Kansas City, Kansas, Public Libraries

Schlagle Branch
4051 West Dr., Kansas City, KS
913-266-2384

Featured Storyteller: Leeny Del Seamonds

Leeny Del Seamonds, Master Story Performer, is a multi award-winning international performer of Latino, original and World tales that are uplifting and demonstrate the passion, resiliency and triumphs of the human spirit. 

A dedicated Teaching Artist, Leeny encourages listeners to feel positive about themselves and to rejoice in human and cultural diversity, inviting them to share in her Latin/Cuban-American sense of humor and love of performing.

Leeny will be telling at our Annual Storytelling Spectacular, Ghosts in the Night Sky and will also be presenting our Media Specialists Workshop.

Join us for a night of light-hearted fun and life experiences: Regional Storytelling Concert

Date: Nov. 3, 2011
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Place: MCC-Maple Woods Student Center
Cost: $3

While our national tellers are a big part of what makes the Storytelling Celebration so special, we have some great storytellers from our own neck of the woods. The River and Prairie Storyweavers will share stories for the whole family.


This year's talented tale-spinners include John "Brother John" Anderson, Rosie Best-Cutrer, Diana Cox, Sue Hinkel, Priscilla Howe and Deb Swanegan.

Featured Storyteller: Gene Tagaban

Gene Tagaban is a Native American performing artist, storyteller, trainer, counselor and healer. His heritage is Cherokee, Tlingit and Filipino. Raised in Alaska, Gene's Nattive American name is Gaay Yaaw, loosely translates as Salmon Home Coming. He is of the Wooshkeetaan Eagle Thunderbird clan of Juneau, Alaska. 

Many of his stories tell of his journey to become Raven Dancer, drawing deeply from the stories his grandmother told him as a child. Gene believes that learning and laughter go hand in hand, and his stories educate and entertain all ages.

For more information, visit Gene's website.

We want your stuff! For our silent aution. To benefit this wonderful event. So help!

It's almost time for MCC-Maple Woods' annual Storytelling Celebration! The city-wide event, now in its 12th year, will be held Nov. 1-5, 2011 and will feature national storytellers Dan Keding, Leeny Del Seamonds, Gene Tagaban and Loretta Washington.

Each year, Maple Woods hosts a silent auction, open to all MCC students, staff, faculty and the community, in order to support the event. ALL funds raised through the silent auction are used to offset costs and plan for the next festival.

We are now taking donations! If you would like to personally donate an item - be it  delicious, artistic, interesting or unique - or know of a local business that might like to support the event, please contact Dusty Mills at dusty.mills@mcckc.edu or 816.604.3170.

We're all a-twitter!

That's right, you can now follow us on Twitter, if that's your bag. You can find us under @kcstorytelling. Follow us and we'll follow you - what a nice trade!

Back by popular demand: Story Slam!

As further proof that everyone has a story, MCC-Maple Woods will be hosting another Story Slam, focusing on the family and all the sad, serious, silly, simply amazing times shared between people who share that special bond.

Also, that time Great Aunt Clothespin (or whatever her name is) spilled an entire bowl of potato salad on the dog is totally worth telling. Trust me.

Join us for the Story Slam open mic event from 7-9 p.m. Nov. 1 in the MCC-Maple Woods Student Center. This event is FREE.

Please keep in mind that this is an open mic event - people will be telling THEIR stories in THEIR manner. As such, some stories may not be appropriate for young children.

12th Annual Kansas City Storytelling Schedule

MCC-Maple Woods proudly presents the schedule of public events for the 12th Annual Kansas City Storytelling Celebration!

Blue = Family/Child-Appropriate

Purple = Caution for children under 10

Dark Purple = Adult Only 

Tuesday, Nov. 1

Story Slam: We ALL Have a Story to Tell About Family

7-9 p.m.

MCC-Maple Woods Student Center

FREE

*Participants MUST be over 18 to participate

*We welcome everyone, but some stories/language may not be appropriate for young children.

Wednesday, Nov. 2

Kansas City Missouri Public Library (children)

Southeast Branch

10-11 a.m.

FREE

Tellers: LaRita Wright & Geneva Greenfield

Kansas City Missouri Public Library (preschoolers)

Trails West Branch

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

FREE

Tellers: Jim Stigall & Priscilla Howe

Kansas City Missouri Public Library (preschoolers)

Westport Branch

10-11 a.m.

FREE

Tellers: Becky Everly & Carole Shelton

Media Specialists Workshop

Park Hill School District

12-4 p.m.

Cost: $12 (includes lunch)

Please RSVP by calling 816.604.3170

Host: Leeny Del Seamonds

Thursday, Nov. 3

Kansas City Missouri Public Library (elementary age)

Central Branch

10:30-11:30 a.m.

FREE

Teller: Gene Tagaban

Kansas City Missouri Public Library (all ages)

Plaza Branch

1-2 p.m.

FREE

Teller: Gene Tagaban

Kansas City Missouri Public Library (preschoolers)

Waldo Branch

10-11 a.m.

FREE

Tellers: Jo Ho & Barbara Kellogg

Mid-Continent Public Library (all ages)

Grandview Branch

7-8 p.m.

FREE

Tellers: Sue Godsey & Daniel Jones

Regional Storytelling Concert

Presented by: River and Prairie Storyweavers

MCC-Maple Woods Student Center

7-9 p.m.

Cost: $3

Tellers: Brother John Anderson, Rosie Best-Cutrer, Diana Cox, Sue Hinkel, Priscilla Howe, Deb Swanegan

Friday, Nov. 4

Kansas City Kansas Public Library (preschoolers)

Schlagle Branch

10-11 a.m.

1-2 p.m.

FREE

Tellers: Priscilla Howe & Jamie Mayo

Kansas City Missouri Public Library (preschoolers)

Northeast Branch

10:30-11:30 a.m.

FREE

Tellers: Marcia Ollinger & Carole Shelton

Kansas City Missouri Public Library (all ages)

Plaza Branch

7-8 p.m.

FREE

Tellers: Mike Micham & Nancee Walker-Micham

Ghost Stories Concert

KCMOPL - Plaza Branch (Truman Forum)

7-9 p.m.

FREE

Tellers: Leeny Del Seamonds, Gene Tagaban, Dan Keding, Loretta Washington

Saturday, Nov. 5

MCC-Maple Woods Family Concert

Campus Center Arbor Room

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

FREE

Teller: Gene Tagaban

Youth Storytelling Workshop

KCMOPL - Plaza Branch

1-2:30 p.m.

FREE

Host: Leeny Del Seamonds

Adult Storytelling Workshop

KCMOPL - Plaza Branch (Truman Forum)

1-2:30 p.m.

FREE

Host: Dan Keding

Youth Storytelling Concert

KCMOPL - Plaza Branch (Truman Forum)

3:30-4:30 p.m.

FREE

Tellers: Youth Volunteers

Storytelling Spectacular

KCMOPL - Plaza Branch (Truman Forum)

7-9 p.m.

FREE

Tellers: Leeny Del Seamonds, Gene Tagaban, Dan Keding, Loretta Washington

*Please note this program is appropriate for ages 10 and up.

Visit our Facebook Fan Page!

No, not this.

The Kansas City Storytelling Celebration has a new fan page on Facebook - follow us, link to your sites and profiles, and most importantly, share storytelling with all YOUR Facebook friends and fans!

The Kansas City Storytelling profile will be deleted at the end of this month, so please "like" the new fan page so you will have continued access to updates.

We're back!

The Kansas City Storytelling Celebration, hosted by MCC-Maple Woods, is back for a 12th year of lively stories, anecdotes, myths, legends and lessons. This year’s celebration will take place Nov. 1-5, 2011 at more than 100 sites across the Kansas City Metro area.

Storytellers from throughout the region and nationwide will bring their tales of mischief, merrymaking and morals to all ages and ethnicities. The major goal of the Storytelling Celebration has been to reach out to and connect people from all walks of life through words. A diverse line-up of national storytellers, including Leeny Del Seamonds, Dan Keding, Gene Tagaban and Loretta Washington, will make this an exciting celebration!

Check back this month for storyteller bios, official schedule and more storytelling updates!