Queue the flickering lights and eerie sounds... it's...it's...

... time for ghost stories! Ahhhh! *faints*

Ghosts in the Night Sky

Where: KCMO Public Library – Plaza Branch, Truman Forum

When: Nov. 5, 2010

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Featuring: Olga Loya, Elizabeth Ellis, Bobby Norfolk, Loretta Washington

While the serenade of young voices and classical guitar music may waft in from above, there will be no merriment or mirth for the audience here. Strange, stormy, shivering and creepy tales have won the night down below.

Olga Loya, Bobby Norfolk, Elizabeth Ellis and special guest Loretta Washington 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!

Bobby Norfolk does baseball history - as Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige

Before the Lights Go Out:
The Story of Satchel Paige, James "Cool Papa" Bell and the Negro Baseball Leagues

Where: Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

When: Nov. 6, 2010

Time: 2-3:30 p.m.

Cost: ???

*Military Appreciation Day – all active and inactive military, plus two guests, will receive free admission. Please present military ID at door.

Before the era of steroids, outrageous agents and massive athlete salaries (and egos to match), there was an era of pure baseball, and trailblazers Satchel Paige, James Bell, Buck Leonard and Jackie Robinson were all displaying remarkable on-field prowess and athleticism in the Negro Baseball League. Started right here in Kansas City, the Negro Baseball League was home to a host of future Hall-of-Famers.

Bobby Norfolk, a storyteller and actor known for his rich characterizations, brings to life two of these men: Satchel Paige and James “Cool Papa” Bell, highlighting their successes and struggles in the world of professional baseball in the years before World War II.

Storytelling can be a history lesson, a character study, an exploration and entertainment all in one – visit the Negro League Baseball Museum with your families for a chance to learn about an important, but not often discussed, period in sports and American history.

This is a NEW event! If you attend or are planning to attend, please leave us FEEDBACK in the form of comments on this post or by emailing kcstorytelling@gmail.com.

Settle into a Family Show at Maple Woods!

Northland Family Concert

Where: MCC-Maple Woods Campus Center

When: Nov. 6, 2010

Time: 11 a.m. – noon

Cost: FREE

Featuring: Bobby Norfolk

Cereal bowls are in the sink and Saturday morning cartoons are over, but not to worry! There’s still a family show to take in at Maple Woods.

Bobby Norfolk, former host of children’s shows “Gator Tales” and “Children’s Theatre at Bobby’s House,” has a fun-filled hour of entertainment lined up for the whole family.

P.S. Bring the big kids, too – storytelling is great entertainment for all ages.

The schedule you've all been waiting for...

... is here!

MCC-Maple Woods proudly presents the (abridged) schedule for the 11th Annual Kansas City Storytelling Celebration.

More information about individual events will be forthcoming, so check back often!

Tuesday, Nov. 2

Story Slam:

We All Have a Story to Tell About Our Families

7-9 p.m.

MCC-Maple Woods Student Center

FREE

This is an open mic event - bring yourself, your friends, your families and your stories!

*Must be over 18 to participate

Wednesday, Nov. 3

KCMO Public Library, Bluford Branch

10:00-11:00 a.m. (Preschoolers)

FREE

KCMO Public Library, Southeast Branch

10:00-11:00 a.m. (Preschoolers)

FREE

KCMO Public Library, Westport Branch

10:00-11:00 a.m. (Preschoolers)

FREE

Mid-Continent Public Library, Lee’s Summit Branch

1:30-2:30 p.m. (Preschoolers)

FREE

Media Specialists Workshop

Passing It On

$12–includes lunch

Noon-3:30 p.m.

Park Hill School District (7703 NW Barry Rd)

RSVP: 816-604-3011

A workshop with lots of ideas for equipping and encouraging youth tellers through storytelling clubs

Media Specialists, Public Library Staff, School Librarians & Storytellers)

Presenter: Becky Everly

Thursday, Nov. 4

KCMO Public Library, Waldo Branch

10:00-11:00 a.m. (Preschoolers)

FREE

KCMO Public Library, Central Branch

10:30-11:30 a.m. (School age)

Featuring: Bobby Norfolk

FREE

Westside Family Concert

Primitivo Garica Elementary School

Sponsored by: Irene H. Ruiz Bibloteca de las Americas

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Featuring: Olga Loya

FREE

Regional Concert: River & Prairie Storyweavers

MCC-Maple Woods Student Center

7:00-9:00 p.m.

Cost: $3

Storytellers from Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa

and Illinois come together to share their unique talents and tales.

Friday, Nov. 5

Mid-Continent Public Library, Lee’s Summit Branch

10:00-11:00 a.m. (Preschoolers)

FREE

KCMO Public Library, Trails West Branch

11:00 a.m.- noon (Preschoolers)

FREE

Day of the Dead and Altar Stories

Mattie Rhodes Art Center: First Fridays Crossroads Series

6:30 p.m.

Featuring: Olga Loya

FREE

Friday Night Family Fun Concert

KCMO Public Library, Plaza Branch

7:00-8:00 p.m.

Featuring: Thom and Sarah Howard

FREE

Ghost Stories Concert

KCMO Public Library – Plaza Branch, Truman Forum

7:00-9:00 p.m. (Mature Audiences)

Featuring: Elizabeth Ellis, Olga Loya,

Bobby Norfolk with Special Guest Loretta Washington

FREE

Saturday, Nov. 6

Northland Family Concert

MCC-Maple Woods – Campus Center

11:00 a.m.-12 p.m.

Featuring: Bobby Norfolk

FREE

Build a story of your own in the StoryShop.

KCMO Public Library – Plaza Branch

1:00-2:00 p.m. (Youth workshop)

Create your own “story spoon” to take home.

Featuring: Thom and Sarah Howard

FREE

Black Sheep and Kissing Cousins

KCMO Public Library – Plaza Branch

1:00-2:30 p.m. (Adult Workshop)

Examine the eight types of stories all families share and learn tips for collecting and telling them.

Featuring: Elizabeth Ellis

FREE

Before The Lights Go Out

The Story of Satchel Paige, James “Cool Papa” Bell, and the Negro Baseball Leagues

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

2:00-3:30 p.m.

Cost: $8

Special: Military Appreciation Day

All active and inactive Military and two guests will be admitted free.

Please present your Military ID upon admission

Plaza Library Family Concert

KCMO Public Library – Plaza Branch, Truman Forum

2:30-3:30 p.m.

Featuring:  Elizabeth Ellis, Thom and Sarah Howard, Olga Loya and special youth storyteller Union Chapel Student Anne Price

FREE

Kids Tell: Youth Storytellers

KCMO Public Library – Plaza Branch, Truman Forum

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Audience members are treated to a view of the world through the eyes of local youths. (Performers aged 5-18)

FREE

Storytelling Spectacular

KCMO Public Library – Plaza Branch, Truman Forum

7:00-9:00 p.m. (Audiences ages 10 and older)

The flagship event of the Storytelling Celebration promotes cultural diversity, global communication and perhaps, most importantly, healthy entertainment.

Featuring:  Elizabeth Ellis, Thom and Sarah Howard, Olga Loya and Bobby Norfolk.

FREE

Take a look at storyteller Bobby Norfolk!

Check out Bobby Norfolk - actor, poet, comedian... storyteller!

Bobby will be giving a number of performances throughout this year's Kansas City Storytelling Celebration, including a special performance at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Stay tuned for schedule updates and more info

on this year's performers!

Featured Storyteller Spotlight: Bobby Norfolk

Stand-up comedian, children’s television show host and former park ranger Bobby Norfolk knows how to connect to audiences of all ages through the tradition of storytelling.

Using dynamic movement and vocal effects, he can create vibrant characters that come to life. Bobby uses his stories to highlight the African American experience and promote character education, cultural diversity and literacy.

Bobby is a three-time Emmy-winning host of “Gator Tales” and was also nominated for his show “Children’s Theatre at Bobby’s House.” He has been honored nationally with the Circle of Excellence Award, which recognizes master storytellers committed to the highest standards of their craft.

He has co-authored eight award-winning children’s books and is currently serving on the St. Louis Storytelling Festival Advisory Council.