There's more than books at the library!

Plaza Family Concert

Where: KCMO Public Library – Plaza Branch, Truman Forum

When: Nov. 6, 2010

Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Featuring, Elizabeth Ellis, Olga Loya, Thom and Sarah Howard, and special guest Anne Price

The Annual Kansas City Storytelling Celebration always features a lot of family entertainment – after all, the kids can’t sit in front of the television or computer ALL day.

This year’s Plaza Family Concert will feature the talents of three of our national storytellers (Bobby Norfolk is over at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, read about that event here) plus the talents of a very special guest.

Anne Price, from a fourth-grade student from Parkville, was chosen as a finalist in the elementary division this year for the National Youth Storytelling Showcase, held in June in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Anne was chosen from among many entries and presented her story “Scissors” alongside 14 other talented youth storytellers.

Entertain your family with stories about... your family!

Black Sheep & Kissing Cousins

Where: KCMO Public Library – Plaza Branch, Truman Forum

When: Nov. 6, 2010

Time: 1-2:30 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Featuring: Elizabeth Ellis

Every family’s got at least one – a crazy family member, a rebel who cuts his or her own path, a “perfect” specimen…

Families are made up of unique individuals, and even though every family – like every person – is different, there are quite a few similarities between your family and everyone else’s.

Storyteller Elizabeth Ellis, who has been sharing her own personal history for more than 25 years, will walk you through the 8 types of tales that all families have in common and offer tips on how to collect and retell them.

Just think – you could be a star at your next family reunion! Make sure you ask Uncle Bob for his permission before you tell everyone about, well, you know. Just sayin.’

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!

Featured Storyteller Spotlight: Elizabeth Ellis

Elizabeth Ellis has been telling tales of heroic women, the Appalachian foothills and the great expanse of Texas, along with her personal stories, for more than 25 years.

Her storytelling journey has taken her from her bustling hometown of Dallas, Texas, as far away as New Zealand and many places in between.

Ellis was selected as a Listener’s Choice at the 30^th Annual National Storytelling Festival in 2002 and has been a storyteller-in-residence at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tenn. She was also the first recipient of the John Henry Faulk Award, presented annually by the Tejas Storytelling Association to the person who has contributed the most toward the art of storytelling in the Southwest, and the Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Association.

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