Storytelling Festival in Utah...soon Charleston

For those of you who don't know me well, I am married to a wonderful woman.  Yes, she will read this and I need all the brownie points I can get.  Anyway, she works for the Charleston County Public Library and is helping organize Charleston's very first storytelling festival on March 8-9, 2013.  It will be held at Wragg Square on Meeting Street across from the Embassy Suites Hotel.  Check out their site ccpl.org for more information.

So, on Wednesday, August 29th we headed to Salt Lake City.  The festival is in Orem, Utah just outside of Provo and in the shadow of BYU stadium.  Thursday night we headed to the park where the Tiempangos Story Telling Festival is held.   The main reason(s) we were there was to meet with festival organizers and gain some of the wisdom they have gathered over the past 23 years (and to go on vacation afterwards).

Thursday night was a two hour show at Mt. Timpanogos Park.  It was a beautiful area with tents everywhere and mountains in the background.  The show was called "Look Who's Talking."  There were three main tents to choose from to get a 15 minute preview of the artists.  For those who do not know the storytellers, it is a great way to get a sampling of their stories so you can plan which events to go to on Friday or Saturday.  The shows run from 10 am until 5:30 pm each day with music playing before the first shows and in between each performance.

And performances they are.  Thursday night we were treated to sets by eight performers who spun their stories like fine threads.  Each one tugging at you through childhood memories or stories you were told.

Everyone has favorites.  The ones I liked the most were Bill Harley (www.billharley.com) who told his stories through music and song.  He was followed by Pippa White (http://www.pippawhite1co.com/), an historical storyteller.  Donald Davis (www.ddavisstoryteller.com/) followed with a very funny story from his childhood.  He is my current favorite.  He was here in Charleston for Spoleto about four years ago and was hysterical.  Check out his site.

Next up were the husband and wife team of Jerry and Beri, The Storycrafters,
(www.storycrafters.com/) , who entertained with rap versions of stories set in songs.  Then Sam Payne, (www.sampayne.com/) is a local musician turned storyteller, who did a fantastic job of drawing in the audience with his musical talent.  He wowed the crowd.

Claire Murphy's (www.claremurphy.org/drupal/ ) lilting Irish brogue helped us travel way back in time to a story of fairies but much more sinister than any Disney fairy.

Last but certainly not least, John McCutcheon who told stories about his grandmother and growing up in Wisconsin.  He plays many instruments but last night played a polka on a hammered dulcimer.  I ain't no polka fan but it was interesting hearing him play it on this instrument. 

Friday, August 31st we spent the day going from tent to tent listening to various storytellers but for 30 or 60 minute performances.  Saturday was much the same with the grand finale under a large tent.  You might think that sitting and listening to stories would be an easy thing to do but the range of emotions from the stories was tiring. 

One thing that I was very impressed with was the level of closeness exhibited by the families at the storytelling festival and the general pleasantness of everyone we met.

On Sunday we drove to downtown Salt Lake City and walked around Temple Square.  This is where the Mormon Tabernacle, Temple and Family Library is located.  It is quite beautiful with huge stands of beautiful flowers and a round infinity pond.

After the festival was over we stayed for an additional 12 days and had a grand tour of many state and national parks.  I will tell you more in the next installment.

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