Anansi Boys

I just finished listening to "Anansi Boys" by Neil Gaiman. A fun book set in modern day times but with lots of references to magic and the way the world used to be when the animals could talk. It has great references to Anansi and all the stories about the trickster spider. A couple of the folktales are even included. I'm sure the book is a good read but if you are interested at all in performance storytelling then definitely get the CD (libraries). The narrator is masterful with accents and characterization.

The power of story is throughout this little book. Read/listen to this book and let your imagination run wild.

Central Park New York Storytelling.

For anyone in the New York City area or for anyone who might find themselves there below is a link with a schedule of tellings that will be happening at the Hans Christian Andersen statue in Central Park. This series has been happening for several years now on Saturday mornings from 11-12. A professional teller shares tales of HC Andersen and other artists. The location is beautiful, outside and at the feet of the statue of a master storyteller. The stories are appropriate for anyone over 5. Best of all, its FREE!

Here is the link, check it out.

http://www.storytelling-nyc.org/ http://dianewolkstein.com/

Who Is Anansi

For anyone familiar with world folk tales you probably already have a good handle on who Anansi is. For those of you new to the folk world or to the story world then google Anansi and see what you get. Pages and pages of information on the trickster spider from Africa. Better you should read some of that information instead of me just repeating what has already been said.

The 27th Annual Festival

Well, the 27th Annual Connecticut Storytelling Festival is over and the halls have gone quiet for the time being. Friday night of the Festival was a rip roaring good time with Jackson Gillman entertaining folks at the Mid-Nine Cabaret. Saturday was again filled with all kinds of stories, something for everyone. Sunday was a relaxing wrap up to a full weekend.

Next year Jay O'Callahan will be performing so mark your calendars now, the last week in April of 2009. See you then but in the meantime keep on telling.

So Many Uses for Stories

There are so many uses for story in communication that in an effort to have web conversations flow the posts will be labeled with general gategories such as, Scary Stories, Folk Tales, Business Stories, Educational Uses and any other specialty category that might arise from the posts and comments made.

Upcoming Events

I have been remiss in not reminding you about the upcoming Connecticut Storytelling Festival. It is held on the campus of Connecticut College in New London, you guessed it Connecticut. There are events all weekend long but you can come for one of any number of the events. Friday night April 25th is a concert for families and Saturday the 26th is a full day of performances and workshops for adults. Many of these award CEU's for teachers and librarians. Sunday the 27th is more laid back, an opportunity to get to meet the headliners for the weekend. Check out the full schedule at www.connstorycenter.org

Hope to see you there.