Carmen Agra Deedy has been traveling around the world, writing and telling stories for almost twenty years. The award-winning storyteller and author of numerous best-selling books for children draws from her love of laughter, Cuban folklore, and family. Deedy was born in Havana, Cuba and emigrated with her family during the Cuban Revolution to Decator, Georgia. She spins tales of her unique, dual heritage in heartfelt and animated performances that ring hilariously true to the ear. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution calls Deedy, “an introspective storyteller with a keen insight into the workshops of a child’s mind.”
Willy Claflin has been a hit at regional festivals all over the country—and at the International Storytelling Festival in Cape Clear Ireland-- and he continues performing in concert venues and schools. Students of his from every corner have become teachers and storytellers, perpetuating Willy’s love of story and absurdity. In 2001, Willy was in Jakarta Indonesia for a residency at the International School. That fall he was a headliner at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, where he has returned as a featured teller in 2002, 2004, and 2006. His ten recordings offer something for all ages—edgy and smart entertainment. For more: www.willyclaflin.com
Francisco “Cisco” Guevara guides whitewater raft trips on the Rio Grande and regales his adventurous passengers with stories of the wild. He is a multi-generational native New Mexican who came to Taos, he says, on the day he was born. His stories draw on his Hispanic and Indian heritage, and are “outrageous, but true.”
Joe Hayes is one of America’s premier storytellers, a nationally recognized teller of tales from the Hispanic, Native American and Anglo cultures. His bilingual Spanish-English tellings have earned him a distinctive place among America’s storytellers. Joe’s tales are a combination of the traditional lore of the American Southwest and his own imagination. Joe began sharing his stories in print in 1982. His books have received the Arizona Young Readers Award, two Land of Enchantment Children’s Book Awards, four IPPY Awards, a Southwest Book Award and an Aesop Accolade Award.
Brenda Holingsworth-Marley began storytelling professionally in 1991 and loves to delight listeners as she weaves her tales to people of all ages from 6 months to 106: her stories are from Around the World and she is indeed a “Storyteller for all Seasons!” A multi-talented performer, Brenda is a dancer, drummer, actress, poet, writer, vocalist, martial artist, model and storyteller extraordinaire. Don’t be surprised if you see this storybird with her puppets and her recycled puppet “Opera Woman.” Her latest female shows feature Diana Ross, Motown Review and Tina Turner. Brenda comes to us through the New Mexico Humanities Council.
Performing The Life and Times of Jim Beckwourth, Edward Wallace bases his powerful storytelling on Author Tom DeMund’s book titled, “From Slave to Superstar of the Wild West.” Beckwourth was a trapper, trader, soldier, scout, explorer, and chief of the Crow Nation. He owned a hotel in Santa Fe during the Taos uprising and helped quell it. He discovered Beckwourth Pass in the Northern Sierras and co-founded Pueblo, Colorado. Jim Beckwourth became an American Hero. Edward Wallace is a volunteer at El Rancho De Las Golondrinas, a member of Toastmasters International, and has worked as an extr and principal in the movie industry for the past six years. Edward comes to us through the New Mexico Humanities Council.
Joining us from Four Corners Storytelling Festival, Samantha Li-Jun Chang is an 11-year-old 6th grader at Heights Middle School. She enjoys dance: pointe, ballet, jazz, modern, and technique. She also takes pleasure in piano playing, tennis, horseback riding, and, of course, storytelling! Samanatha is ½ Taiwanese, ¼ German, and ¼ Irish. She has twin brothers and a Great Dane puppy named Zeus.
Rivers & Birds Storytellers is a nonprofit organization providing experiential education that celebrates the interconnection of all life and inspires individuals as leaders for Earth stewardship and peace. Since 1999 they have reached approximately 3,000 school children with their award-winning nature immersion programs. The Taos Storytelling Festival includes the premier release of their storytelling CD, “WILD TALES of the EARTH” to benefit their educational efforts. Rivers & Birds exciting ensemble includes Cisco Guevara, Rivala Garcia, Chris Pieper, Ellie Blair, Phillip Handmaker and Brooke Zanetell.
Join us this October for a weekend of enriching storytelling.
We look forward to sharing this fall festival with you!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
Storytelling Concert at 7pm
Featuring Edward Wallace, Willy Claflin and Carmen Agra Deedy
Emcee: Cisco Guevara
Admission: $15.00
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
Children's Stories at 9:30 am
Featuring Joe Hayes, Samantha Li-Jun Chang and Rivers and Birds Storytellers
Admission: $8.00
18 years and under FREE
Workshop with Carmen Agra Deedy at 11 am
THERE ARE NO MISTAKES IN STORYTELLING...
In this workshop we are going to approach storytelling, not as a performance art, but as a humanities-based craft; one that, at its purest, is as enjoyable for the eller as it is the listener. In the common tongue, that means that we are going to have FUN. Attendees will hear stories, share anecdotes, and learn a handful of fundamental skills to help them feel confident in their own ability to effectively use this most magnificent and ancient of teaching tools. Wear comfortable shoes!
Admission: $20.00
StorySwap from 2-5 pm
Sponsored by Storytellers of New Mexico,
at Taos Public Library
402 Camino de la Placita.
Come tell a story, or just listen.
For more information, call 575-737-0258
Admission: FREE!
Storytelling Concert at 7pm
Featuring Brenda Hollingsworth-Marley, Carmen Agra Deedy and Willy Claflin
Emcee: Nancy Stapp
Admission: $15.00
ALL EVENTS PASS:
Adults: $50.00
Senior (60+): $40.00
Youth (6-18): $20.00
Children under 6 FREE
Family Rate
2 Adults, 2 children over 6: $100.00
Each additional child over 6: $12.00
INDIVIDUAL EVENTS:
FRIDAY
Evening Storytelling Concert: $15.00
Children under 12: $7.50
SATURDAY
Carmen Agra Deedy Workshop: $20.00
Children’s Stories:
Under 18: FREE
Adults: $8.00
Evening Storytelling Concert: $15.00
Children under 12: $7.50
TO PURCHASE TICKETS LOCALLY:
FX-18 Jewelry and Gifts, 140 Kit Carson Rd., Taos
BY CREDIT CARD:
Credit card orders will be accepted beginning 9/25/09. Call 575-758-2052
Or email to holly@tcataos.org
BY MAIL:
Checks may be mailed directly to the S.O.M.O.S Office:
S.O.M.O.S
P.O. Box 3225
Taos, NM 8757
All tickets may be picked up at the TCA Box Office during the Festival. Tickets will not be mailed.
If you intend to purchase tickets by mail, we suggest that you download and print our new Storytelling Festival 2009 Brochure. It includes a simple order form which you can fill-out and mail along with your check to the above address. It's an easy download, and as a bonus, you'll have an informative brochure for future reference.
QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION:
E-Mail: somos@somostaos.org
Phone: 575-758-0081
Toll-Free: 877-758-7343
Fax: 575-758-4802
S.O.M.O.S.
229 Paseo del Pueblo Sur
P O Box 3225
Taos, New Mexico 87571
