Charleston Tells Storytelling Festival is Huge Success

The staff at Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) did what they always do.  They absolutely nailed it.  You have probably heard the phrase, "it takes a village".  In order to make the new storytelling festival Charleston Tells, held March 8-9, a success it took "a county".  It took the effort of numerous people all over the county working together.

Over a year and a half ago two of CCPL's staff were dispatched to Jonesborough, TN to check out the National Storytelling Festival.  It has been held there for the past 40 years.  They had never been to one before so how could they promote one without experiencing it.  They came back amazed at the experience.

Charleston Tells was the idea of Douglas Henderson, Executive Director of CCPL.  He had the idea, now the staff had to make it happen.  He gave this huge task to Cynthia Bledsoe, Deputy Director of CCPL and my brilliant and talented wife.  I mentioned brilliant didn't I?  Ok, I think a lot of her....let's move on.

The Tiempfest is a storytelling festival that has been going on in Orem, Ut for the past 26 years.  Yes folks, storytelling festivals have been going on in cities and towns, large and small for decades.  We decided to go to this together and dovetail our vacation onto the end of the festival.  So, at the end of August 2012, we attended with Jamie Thomas, PR and Marketing Manager at CCPL.  It was my first festival and it was amazing. Held in a park nestled in the mountains, the views were gorgeous and the tellers were awesome.  It was an amazing experience.  We met with festival officials and lontime volunteers to pick their brains to get information to make our own festival run smoothly.  They were excited for Charleston and were glad to help.

So, the date had been set for Charleston Tells to be held March 8-9, 2013.  The game was on.  My wife, Cynthia, did I mention she was brilliant?  Ok, ok, I will move on.  Sheesh...let a guy be proud would ya!  She had to organize her first festival.  Locations were scouted and Wragg Square was chosen.  It was a great location.  It is a city park with beautiful oaks just across from the Embassy Suites, the former Citadel Building.  The park nestles up to the Second Presbyterian Church.

Everyone worked long hours making sure that tellers had been secured and all the necessary planning was done.  For those of you who know Cynthia, you know she is going to do everything just right or die trying.  Many a night I sat waiting for her to come home after she had put in 10 to 11 hour days.  Well, folks I can tell you, it paid off.  I have to say that a lot of credit must be given to Cynthia but she had a lot of help from Jamie Thomas, PR and Marketing Marketing Manager and Michel Hammes, Outreach Librarian.  Many others would help fill this list which could go on and on.

Since I am self-employed I was available to work the festival as a volunteer.  Cynthia's sister, Tricia, drove up from Largo, FL to volunteer and help her sister.  Along with dozens of other volunteers, many of which were library staff, we ran around like busy ants helping set up, manning the registration booth, marketplace as well as monitoring the different stages and tents.   Luckily the heavy lifting was done by professionals who do this every day.

It was our job to make sure that everything was marked with signs and that the smaller details were taken care of.  One knows when the proper execution of tasks has occurred when festival goers don't notice any problems.  That is the way the CCPL staff and volunteers did their jobs.  Everyone knew what to do and did it, almost flawlessly.  Many of the tellers praised the staff and volunteers.  They were amazed that a first year festival could go so well.  Everyone seemed happy.  If it had a teeny, tiny bit warmer it would have been almost perfect.

Working as a volunteer, I was able to see the results of all the hard work and preparation that went into making this festival the best that it could be and a huge success. 

Friday night came quickly and over 250 people crowded the sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church to listen to the Magnolia Singers and four nationally known storytellers.  People were sitting on the edge of their seats (pews) totally engrossed in the stories.  Peals of laughter could be heard spilling out of the church doors.  The inaugural Charleston Tells Storytelling Festival was on and humming.  As people left the church sanctuary you could hear them repeating snipets of the performances and chuckling.  I was sure they would go home and call their friends.  And on Saturday they did. 

Saturday events were held concurrently on three stages.  Six wonderful local and regional storytellers and performers wowwed the audiences.  All four of the national storytellers knocked it out of the park.  I am not going to tell you all of the details but you can visit Charleston Tells on their Facebook page and find out more.

I forgot to tell you that Friday was my 62nd birthday.  My wife has always supported me in any effort I attempt.  So, it was a no brainer that I would volunteer that weekend.  Let me tell you folks, it is Monday morning as I write this piece, I am still tired and sore. 

Everyone asks, "what was the best thing at the festival?".  For me, it has to be my time in the "green room" (where performers and volunteers, etc. can congregate) and sitting across the table from storyteller Syd Lieberman.  We swapping stories about our families coming to America and feeling the comraderie of such similar family hsitories.  It was very heartwarming.  Later that night, after the final performances were over, we were standing around in the sanctuary of the church and Syd Lieberman came up and gave me a big hug.  That, my folks is the best ending to the best birthday weekend ever.

All I can say is, see you next year at the 2nd Charleston Tells Storytelling Festival, March 7-8, 2014.  Ya'll come down now, ya hear!  You won't be sorry.  I'm tellin' you.

Michael Kaynard is a local photographer who lives in West Ashley.  He can be reached at mkaynard@gmail.com or 843-412-2299.  For more of his photos go to http://kaynardphotography.webs.com.