Have you ever seen a trick, or tried one, on someone on April Fool’s Day? Come hear similar Trickster Stories and Tall Tales on Friday, March 31, at the Walden’s Ridge Civic League, 2501 Fairmount Pike in Walden. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. so you can grab a bite to eat first. Storytelling for all ages and interests will begin at 6:30 p.m. and continue till about 8:30 p.m. Concession items will be available for purchase until the stories begin. Admission is free. Donations are welcome to further our mission of providing wholesome, fun activities for our mountain community.
Storytelling is probably the oldest form of entertainment. Traditions were passed down through personal stories long before electronic devices intruded into every aspect of our lives. The stories you will hear at the event can range from traditional Appalachian stories, folk tales, personal stories, tall tales and jokes, to ballads.
We cannot tell you for certain what will be told, but we can assure you that it will be entertaining, and the tales, proverbs and jokes will be family-friendly. The stories will be presented in a “concert” setting. In fact, a storytelling program is called a “concert.” It is also called an “olio” which means a medley, a hodgepodge, or a mixture of miscellaneous selections. The tellers who will take turns in a round-robin type of program are both experienced and beginner tellers of tales. They include Bruce Hopson, Pete Vanderpool, Owen Duncan, Judy Baker, Jack Richmond, and Vincent Phipps.
By popular demand, Vincent returns for a second engagement. He is well known as a professional communications coach. We are very fortunate to have him donate his time freely to our mountain community. He likes to combine humor, high energy, interaction, and content expertise to keep everyone laughing and listening. To learn more about him, go to https://www.vincentphipps.com/.
Another featured storyteller, Judy Baker, has won top honors at the Kentucky Storytelling Association Conference and elsewhere. She says, “Story is important to our history and, of course, communication. Stories entertain, enlighten and delight. The art of the oral tradition is one of the oldest forms of art and can be practiced without aid of props or equipment. Even if the voice is silent, stories can, and are, still shared via sign language or even gestures and pictures.”
When you and your children participate by active listening to yarns told by real people, all of us benefit in many ways. We learn how to convey information effectively through the example of the storytellers. We learn how to listen so we can have true dialogue with others. We enjoy the intersection of all ages in a community and social setting. We escape the ubiquitous blue screens. We interact with others in a relaxed environment, and we take ownership of our community resources like our civic league.
Verbal folklore is made up of common sayings, expressions, stories, and songs. The formal definition of verbal lore is words, both written and oral, that are spoken, sung, or mimed that show repetitive patterns. Verbal lore is not just any conversation, but words and phrases conforming to a tradition recognized by both the speaker and the audience. Each narrative type has its own rhythm, has its consistent structure, and follows an existing model in form. Examples you might recognize are fables, fairy tales, epics, riddles, tongue twisters, limericks, and tall tales.
You might want to check with the library or the internet for resources about storytelling in advance of the event to prepare yourself and your children for the program. Follow up on the wonderful in-person experience. Listen and watch for areas that might intrigue kids and help them talk about new concepts introduced. Parents can build on the stories to discover their children’s developing interests and help them explore new ideas and even set goals.
At the end of the evening, we invite you to participate in planning workshops for beginning storytelling or for adapting family and personal stories. Benefits from such educational and fun workshops can ensure you are able to preserve family stories; hone your public speaking skills; overcome shyness; learn to organize your thoughts; improve your communication techniques; learn to tell a joke effectively; hold the attention of your friends at parties; and perhaps even win a contest.
Recognized for hosting the original Mountain Opry, the Walden’s Ridge Civic League is a venue suited to all types of music, theatrical performances, parties, meetings, festivals and more. Explore the property when you attend an event or ask for a special tour. You may find we have exactly the space you would like to rent for your functions.
Please visit our website www.waldensridgecivicleague.org to learn about these and other events, to volunteer, and to contribute your ideas.
The Mission of the Walden’s Ridge Civic League is to preserve its history and to continue traditional and new activities.
by Karen Stone
Storytelling is probably the oldest form of entertainment. Traditions were passed down through personal stories long before electronic devices intruded into every aspect of our lives. The stories you will hear at the event can range from traditional Appalachian stories, folk tales, personal stories, tall tales and jokes, to ballads.
We cannot tell you for certain what will be told, but we can assure you that it will be entertaining, and the tales, proverbs and jokes will be family-friendly. The stories will be presented in a “concert” setting. In fact, a storytelling program is called a “concert.” It is also called an “olio” which means a medley, a hodgepodge, or a mixture of miscellaneous selections. The tellers who will take turns in a round-robin type of program are both experienced and beginner tellers of tales. They include Bruce Hopson, Pete Vanderpool, Owen Duncan, Judy Baker, Jack Richmond, and Vincent Phipps.
By popular demand, Vincent returns for a second engagement. He is well known as a professional communications coach. We are very fortunate to have him donate his time freely to our mountain community. He likes to combine humor, high energy, interaction, and content expertise to keep everyone laughing and listening. To learn more about him, go to https://www.vincentphipps.com/.
Another featured storyteller, Judy Baker, has won top honors at the Kentucky Storytelling Association Conference and elsewhere. She says, “Story is important to our history and, of course, communication. Stories entertain, enlighten and delight. The art of the oral tradition is one of the oldest forms of art and can be practiced without aid of props or equipment. Even if the voice is silent, stories can, and are, still shared via sign language or even gestures and pictures.”
When you and your children participate by active listening to yarns told by real people, all of us benefit in many ways. We learn how to convey information effectively through the example of the storytellers. We learn how to listen so we can have true dialogue with others. We enjoy the intersection of all ages in a community and social setting. We escape the ubiquitous blue screens. We interact with others in a relaxed environment, and we take ownership of our community resources like our civic league.
Verbal folklore is made up of common sayings, expressions, stories, and songs. The formal definition of verbal lore is words, both written and oral, that are spoken, sung, or mimed that show repetitive patterns. Verbal lore is not just any conversation, but words and phrases conforming to a tradition recognized by both the speaker and the audience. Each narrative type has its own rhythm, has its consistent structure, and follows an existing model in form. Examples you might recognize are fables, fairy tales, epics, riddles, tongue twisters, limericks, and tall tales.
You might want to check with the library or the internet for resources about storytelling in advance of the event to prepare yourself and your children for the program. Follow up on the wonderful in-person experience. Listen and watch for areas that might intrigue kids and help them talk about new concepts introduced. Parents can build on the stories to discover their children’s developing interests and help them explore new ideas and even set goals.
At the end of the evening, we invite you to participate in planning workshops for beginning storytelling or for adapting family and personal stories. Benefits from such educational and fun workshops can ensure you are able to preserve family stories; hone your public speaking skills; overcome shyness; learn to organize your thoughts; improve your communication techniques; learn to tell a joke effectively; hold the attention of your friends at parties; and perhaps even win a contest.
Recognized for hosting the original Mountain Opry, the Walden’s Ridge Civic League is a venue suited to all types of music, theatrical performances, parties, meetings, festivals and more. Explore the property when you attend an event or ask for a special tour. You may find we have exactly the space you would like to rent for your functions.
Please visit our website www.waldensridgecivicleague.org to learn about these and other events, to volunteer, and to contribute your ideas.
The Mission of the Walden’s Ridge Civic League is to preserve its history and to continue traditional and new activities.
by Karen Stone