Storytellers Bring Inspiration, History and Humor to Life at Washington County Libraries

For immediate release
Date: March 31, 2011
Contact: Jodi Nielsen, Senior Program Educator
www.wccls.org
503-846-3235

Storytellers Bring Inspiration, History and Humor to Life at Washington County Libraries

A National Library Week Celebration: April 10 - 16

Washington County, Oregon: The Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) is pleased to host the 7th Annual Hearing Voices Storytelling Festival April 10 - 16. The festival serves as a celebration of National Library Week – a time to recognize the diverse offerings and incredible value that local libraries bring to our communities. “Libraries are the heart of every community and our 15 WCCLS member libraries help our communities thrive,” says Eva Calcagno, Director of the Cooperative Library Service. “At our libraries, people of all backgrounds come together for community meetings, to do research with the assistance of a trained professional librarian, to get help finding a job, to find homework assistance, attend lectures and programs such as this storytelling festival.” With a theme of Create your own story @ your library® the WCCLS Hearing Voices Storytelling Festival is a perfect way to celebrate the 2011 National Library Week throughout Washington County.

This year the festival features four professional storytellers: Gene Tagaban (Bellingham, Washington), Jeff Gere (Honolulu, Hawaii), Kelly Hoffman (Portland, Oregon) and Ken Iverson (Milwaukie, Oregon). Festival dates, times and venues details are available on the website www.wccls.org/voices.

The festival performances are designed for the enjoyment of adults and children ages 6 and up, unless otherwise noted. The week-long storytelling extravaganza features thirteen storytelling performances at the WCCLS member libraries, the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center in Hillsboro and the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains.

The festival wraps up on Saturday, April 16 with a full slate of activities – Jeff Gere will begin the morning with a performance at the Sherwood Public Library, followed by Gene Tagaban’s presentation of A Living Story Workshop at the Beaverton City Library followed by a communitywide Story Swap hosted by the Portland Storytellers’ Guild. On the evening of Saturday, April 16 the Garden Home Community Library will host the final storytelling concert featuring performances by all four storytellers.

The WCCLS festival is supported in part by grants from the Regional Arts and Culture Council, the Beaverton Library Foundation and each of the local Friends of the Library representing WCCLS member libraries, with additional in-kind services provided by Pamplin MediaGroup, Courtyard by Marriott, ProGraphics Services, Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, Glenn and Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center and Tazo Tea.

2011 Storytelling Festival Events

“Create your own story @ your library”

Content in the programs require attentive listening and may be too intense for non-school aged children. Except where noted, the festival programs are designed for adults and children ages 6 and above.

Sunday, April 10, 1 p.m., Tigard Public Library

It Got Serious After the Lion Ate My Antenna - Ken Iverson
An afternoon filled with laughter and amazement as original stories and folktales are brought to life. Audience participation and laughter may happen at any moment!

Around the World in 30 Minutes - Kelly Hoffman
These Folktales from around the world told with Kelly's gymnastic voice and body movements will charm and delight audience members.

Monday, April 11, 7 p.m., Cedar Mill Community Library

A Cacophony of Classics - Kelly Hoffman
Classic tales from Native American Legends and great English literature meet in this hour long performance sure to take you on the adventure ride of your life.

Tuesday, April 12, 7 p.m., Forest Grove Library

Doesn’t Everybody Think They Can Fly? - Ken Iverson
A lively evening of folktales and original stories. Audience participation and un-restrained laughter will ensue as we discover that 'truth' can be funnier than fiction.

Tuesday, April 12, 7 p.m., Walters Cultural Art Center: 7 p.m. (527 E. Main St. Hillsboro)

Keep Me on the Edge of My Seat Then Make Me Laugh ‘Til it Hurts! - Kelly Hoffman                                                                                                             Everything is funnier after you’ve just been attacked by a cobra, hung on the side of a cliff or bested a 2-ton elephant! Whether with twists on fairy tales, or with her own version of the classic tall-tale, Hoffman has what it takes to deliver a masterful performance that spans adventure and comedy, guaranteed to entertain adults and older children alike.

Wednesday, April 13, 6:30 p.m., West Slope Community Library

Why the Irish Have All the Fun! - Ken Iverson

An evening of Irish stories sure to fill you with laughter and an appreciation of life’s wisdom and the unusual way wisdom sometimes arrives!

Wednesday, April 13. 7 p.m., Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club hosted by North Plains Library (12930 Old Pumpkin Ridge Road, North Plains)

One Big Bowl O’ Stories - Jeff Gere
A hilarious physical chewy bunch of stories from Hawaii's storyteller Jeff Gere. Physical and fun kid tales lead into Hawaiian legends and meander towards inspiring tales plucked from the 1001 Tales of the Arabian Nights. Sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Thursday, April 14, 7 p.m., Banks Public Library

Raven's Voice - Gene Tagaban
“One Crazy Raven" shares Native American tales he heard growing up in Alaska.

Thursday, April 14, 7 p.m., Tualatin Library

Literature Alive - Kelly Hoffman
Come hear classical literature come alive! Whether it’s a selection from Kipling, a thrilling rendition of Melville's Moby Dick, or a charming selection from Jane Austen, Hoffman’s literary storytelling captures the essence of classic literary tales. Her style varies, some tales are faithful to the time period, others take place in a more modern setting, but all are guaranteed to keep you listening and wanting more.

Inspiration: Moving Tales From Hawaii - Jeff Gere
Gere shares some true and truly amazing tales of wonder, delight and beauty from his life in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Bring loved ones.

Friday, April 15, 6:30 p.m., Hillsboro Main Library

According to Coyote - Gene Tagaban
“One Crazy Raven" brings the mystical Native American Coyote tales to life.

Saturday, April 16, 10:30 a.m., Sherwood Public Library

A Tropical Story Bouquet - Jeff Gere
A fragrant mixing of goofy, funny, moving, traditional and personal tales from storyteller Jeff Gere, here from Hawaii. Personal tales of many hues, kid tales - brightly colored and some dark purple tales of mystery if the audience wishes. Breathe in these stories and see what you hear!

Saturday, April 16, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., Beaverton City Library

A Living Story Workshop - Gene Tagaban (designed for ages 10 to adult)
You are a storyteller - your life is a story. The way you walk, the way you talk, the way you act, the way you look, the way you treat yourself and others is all part of your story. We will take a look at developing a life story. The choices we make in telling our story. The direction we want to take our story. What kind of story do you want to tell? Our life is a story, tell a good story.

Saturday, April 16, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Beaverton City Library

Story Swap – Portland Storytellers’ Guild (designed for ages 10 – adult)
A Community-wide Story Swap co-hosted by the Portland Storytellers’ Guild will be the opportunity for members of the general public to get up and tell a 5 minute story. The Swap is designed for both beginners to seasoned tellers interested in testing out new material. Meet and mingle with members of the local storytellers’ guild. Arrive early to sign up for one of the storytelling spaces - or better yet attend the workshop prior to the swap too!

Saturday, April 16, 7 – 8:30 p.m., Garden Home Community Library

Storytelling Final Concert featuring:

Thank Goodness For Folktales! - Ken Iverson
The wisdom in folktales could save the world, all we have to do is learn how to listen. What'd he say?

He Who Laughs Last . . . Laughs - Kelly Hoffman
Original tall tales spun solely for the delight and amusements of audiences. Be prepared to bust out with belly laughs galore.

Two to Ponder: Tales from Hawaii - Jeff Gere
Two tales from Gere’s home on the Island of Oahu. A Hawaiian legend which delivers a message of peace and a personal tale which demonstrates the power and beauty found in the people of the islands.

One Crazy Raven - Gene Tagaban
“One Crazy Raven" shares stories of inspiration, laughter and spirit. Traditional and contemporary stories through Ravens eyes.

For directions to each performance venue and additional festival details please visit www.wccls.org/voices or pick up a festival newsletter at your local WCCLS member library.

NOTE:  A high resolution picture of each storyteller is available by request: Nielsen@wccls.org.  A second media release containing a biography on each teller will follow this release.