2023 Women's Storytelling Festival
Apr. 26th, 2023 04:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fauxkloreMy apologies for how long it has taken me to write this. I wanted to document the Women’s Storytelling Festival fairly thoroughly. If you don’t want to read through it all, the main thing I will do is quote a message from my friend, Ellen, who wrote, “… I thoroughly enjoyed it! What a great bunch of talented women! I look forward to more of these!” I also want to let you know that next year’s festival will be March 15-17th. Read on for lots of details.
As I mentioned previously, the 2023 Women’s Storytelling Festival was held on March 24 - 26. It was at Old Town Hall in Fairfax, Virginia, but also live-streamed (and recorded for later viewing). We had 26 women telling plus 30 or so other people doing things like emceeing, hosting tellers, providing transportation, staffing the door, selling merch, etc. My major role in things was coordinating the volunteers, which was fairly easy once I had the spreadsheet set up. I also emceed one session and filled in at the door and the merch table at various times.
Friday night started with a virtual showcase video, featuring five tellers who couldn’t be there in person. I watched this after the actual festival. Eva Abram was the first up and told a wonderful story by Langston Hughes about a woman’s confrontation with a teenage purse snatcher. Roopa Mohan told a story about going back to India for Diwali and confronting older relatives commenting on her appearance and, specifically, grey hair. Rachel Ann Harding told a Chinese story about a young bride and her conflicts with her mother—in-law. Nancy Wang told a story about her tough and feisty mother. Anne Rutherford closed out the set with a futuristic dystopian version of Stone Soup. All in all, it was a lovely collection of diverse stories.
The live show that evening featured seven tellers. Megan Wells started the show the story of Lady Godiva. (That had the unfortunate effect of giving me an ear worm of the MIT Drinking Song, but that’s just me.) Then came Kim Weitkamp with a story about her yarn and thread shop in Ohio. Donna Washington had a very funny and moving story (which she learned from Janice Del Negro) about a changeling, which was so good that I had to go back and listen to again. Next was Mo Reynolds, who told a story about a rabbit who loved to sing and dance and a lion who preferred complaining, mixed with her story about becoming a storyteller. Cindy Rivka Marshall followed that with her version of the Jewish story about a garment for the moon. Then came Lynette Ford with a unique and very adult creation tale (based on West African and Caribbean folklore) she heard from her aunt. I will never hear the word “merchandise” in quite the same way again. Jennifer Munro closed out the evening with an unusual version of a folktale in the mode of Bluebeard or Mr. Fox. All in all this was an incredible melange of tales told by fabulous women. It energized me enough to get through a rather nasty drive home in pouring rain.
The morning show on Saturday had three tellers. Laura Deal told a story about her grandmother, which reminded me of potentially inappropriate things my mother had told me. That was followed by Megan Wells performing as Clara Barton, which was enthralling. Bowen Lee was the final teller of that show, with a story about teaching her students about shopping, with the aid of Pikachu.
After the break, there was an afternoon show with five tellers. Mo Reynolds started things off with a story about a rancher in Montana trying to find a husband for his daughter. This is, of course, a modern version of the king trying to marry off the princess. Jennifer Munro followed that with a story about the dragon at the side of the road, involving a difficult student she encountered in her last year of teaching. Then Donna Washington told a wonderful version of Beauty and the Beast. which had an interesting take on fairy godparents. Kim Weitkamp told a very funny story about menopause. Misty Mator finished off the session with a story about giving birth.
Next up was The People’s Choice Storytelling Contest. Seven storytellers competed with stories on the theme of Perseverance. Bette Lou Higgins had a fascinating story about Emma Gatewood, the first woman to through-hike the Appalachian Trail. Robin Kitson talked about getting a job as a power plant electrician. Next was Julie Bradshaw, with a piece about her quest to find a life partner. She was followed by Lona Bartlett, with a story about her college savings, which reminded me of my savings bank account when I was in elementary school. Stacy Parish brought us to the Broadway stage, with a story of seeing Les Miz. Then Gwendolyn Napier brought Harriet Tubman to life for us. Teri Lott closed out the show with her version of The Tiger’s Whisker, adapted from a Korean folktale. Stacy won the contest, with Lona in second place. But, really, the competition is not the point. The stories and the wonderful tellers are what matters.
I was rather exhausted at that point, so I decided to go home for dinner and watch the recording of the Saturday night show later on. Which turned out to be, er, just a few hours ago. Misty Mator started off this session with a story about an Appalachian midwife, mixed with a cross between a Cinderella story and a ghost story. Donna Washington followed that with her deliciously creepy twisted fairy tale “I Am Gretel.” Cindy Rivka Marshall changed the mood with a story which had to do with how she learned about women’s issues in the United States and France. Next up was Shweta Batt with a story about her parents’ attempts to find her a husband versus her attempts to figure out who she wanted to be. I’d never heard her tell before and I really enjoyed her piece. Then came Cyndi Wish who talked about the challenge of asking people for help in the context of dealing with cancer. Mo Reynolds was next with a funny (and slightly scary) story about an escape room experience. Finally, Lyn Ford closed the night by explaining “combat duty storytelling” - the horror stories about gigs that every storyteller dreads. ( thought the time I was at a festival where I was placed under a tree, with a bagpiper under the next tree, was pretty terrible, but Lyn’s story about being placed next to a stunt motorcyclist tops that.
I was excited for Sunday morning, because I was emceeing the first session of the day. I put a lot of attention into choosing what to wear and I think I did well. Here’s a picture. Why yes, I’m a chapeau-holic. (Shoes by Hot Chocolate Designs, who should really pay me a commission for all the people I’ve told about them.)
Anyway, we had four storytellers in that session. Kim Weitkamp made things slightly complicated by providing an “outro” instead of an intro (i.e. something to say after she told her story), so I had to come up with an intro on my own. Fortunately I know her reasonably well, so I trusted she wouldn’t get upset when I compared her to The Addams Family. (She can be both kooky and spooky at times, but I did add that she is also inspirational.) She told a story that had to do about finding love again after a bad marriage. Misty Mator told two stories - a forgotten German folktale about the marriage of the sun and the moon and a family story told using folktale language. Then Laura Deal was up with two traditional tales about transformation. The first was her version of the Norwegian story about “The Squire’s Bride” and the second was a twist on “The Frog Prince.” Finally, Cindy Rivka Marshall told a story about bringing diversity awareness to the school her son was attending, mixed with a Chinese folktale about elephant and hummingbird.
After the lunch break, the afternoon show started with Jennifer Munro telling a new story about her childhood best friend. Then came Donna Washington with a story about confronting racism, mixed with an Indian folktale about a tiger seeking his minister of state. She was followed by Laura Deal telling a science fiction story about survival. Kim Weitkamp closed out the session with a story about following her instincts so that an encounter with a stranger improved both their lives.
The final show of the festival was late Sunday afternoon. Megan Wells started us off with Dame Ragnell, and her version was proof that there one can still bring something new to a familiar story. Mo Reynolds followed with a story about women’s challenges in learning to know that they are enough. Then came Jenn Kamara with a story about coping with her father’s death and her mother’s mental decline. Next was Lyn Ford with a lovely story about the beauty of creation and transformation. Finally, Jennifer Munro closed out the session - and the festival - with a personal story about her misadventures on a horseback ride.
All in all, it was a completely amazing weekend. Not only were the stories great, but so was the audience. But mostly I loved the variety of stories and I was especially wrapped up in the atmosphere of love and support, with laughs and tears.
As I mentioned previously, the 2023 Women’s Storytelling Festival was held on March 24 - 26. It was at Old Town Hall in Fairfax, Virginia, but also live-streamed (and recorded for later viewing). We had 26 women telling plus 30 or so other people doing things like emceeing, hosting tellers, providing transportation, staffing the door, selling merch, etc. My major role in things was coordinating the volunteers, which was fairly easy once I had the spreadsheet set up. I also emceed one session and filled in at the door and the merch table at various times.
Friday night started with a virtual showcase video, featuring five tellers who couldn’t be there in person. I watched this after the actual festival. Eva Abram was the first up and told a wonderful story by Langston Hughes about a woman’s confrontation with a teenage purse snatcher. Roopa Mohan told a story about going back to India for Diwali and confronting older relatives commenting on her appearance and, specifically, grey hair. Rachel Ann Harding told a Chinese story about a young bride and her conflicts with her mother—in-law. Nancy Wang told a story about her tough and feisty mother. Anne Rutherford closed out the set with a futuristic dystopian version of Stone Soup. All in all, it was a lovely collection of diverse stories.
The live show that evening featured seven tellers. Megan Wells started the show the story of Lady Godiva. (That had the unfortunate effect of giving me an ear worm of the MIT Drinking Song, but that’s just me.) Then came Kim Weitkamp with a story about her yarn and thread shop in Ohio. Donna Washington had a very funny and moving story (which she learned from Janice Del Negro) about a changeling, which was so good that I had to go back and listen to again. Next was Mo Reynolds, who told a story about a rabbit who loved to sing and dance and a lion who preferred complaining, mixed with her story about becoming a storyteller. Cindy Rivka Marshall followed that with her version of the Jewish story about a garment for the moon. Then came Lynette Ford with a unique and very adult creation tale (based on West African and Caribbean folklore) she heard from her aunt. I will never hear the word “merchandise” in quite the same way again. Jennifer Munro closed out the evening with an unusual version of a folktale in the mode of Bluebeard or Mr. Fox. All in all this was an incredible melange of tales told by fabulous women. It energized me enough to get through a rather nasty drive home in pouring rain.
The morning show on Saturday had three tellers. Laura Deal told a story about her grandmother, which reminded me of potentially inappropriate things my mother had told me. That was followed by Megan Wells performing as Clara Barton, which was enthralling. Bowen Lee was the final teller of that show, with a story about teaching her students about shopping, with the aid of Pikachu.
After the break, there was an afternoon show with five tellers. Mo Reynolds started things off with a story about a rancher in Montana trying to find a husband for his daughter. This is, of course, a modern version of the king trying to marry off the princess. Jennifer Munro followed that with a story about the dragon at the side of the road, involving a difficult student she encountered in her last year of teaching. Then Donna Washington told a wonderful version of Beauty and the Beast. which had an interesting take on fairy godparents. Kim Weitkamp told a very funny story about menopause. Misty Mator finished off the session with a story about giving birth.
Next up was The People’s Choice Storytelling Contest. Seven storytellers competed with stories on the theme of Perseverance. Bette Lou Higgins had a fascinating story about Emma Gatewood, the first woman to through-hike the Appalachian Trail. Robin Kitson talked about getting a job as a power plant electrician. Next was Julie Bradshaw, with a piece about her quest to find a life partner. She was followed by Lona Bartlett, with a story about her college savings, which reminded me of my savings bank account when I was in elementary school. Stacy Parish brought us to the Broadway stage, with a story of seeing Les Miz. Then Gwendolyn Napier brought Harriet Tubman to life for us. Teri Lott closed out the show with her version of The Tiger’s Whisker, adapted from a Korean folktale. Stacy won the contest, with Lona in second place. But, really, the competition is not the point. The stories and the wonderful tellers are what matters.
I was rather exhausted at that point, so I decided to go home for dinner and watch the recording of the Saturday night show later on. Which turned out to be, er, just a few hours ago. Misty Mator started off this session with a story about an Appalachian midwife, mixed with a cross between a Cinderella story and a ghost story. Donna Washington followed that with her deliciously creepy twisted fairy tale “I Am Gretel.” Cindy Rivka Marshall changed the mood with a story which had to do with how she learned about women’s issues in the United States and France. Next up was Shweta Batt with a story about her parents’ attempts to find her a husband versus her attempts to figure out who she wanted to be. I’d never heard her tell before and I really enjoyed her piece. Then came Cyndi Wish who talked about the challenge of asking people for help in the context of dealing with cancer. Mo Reynolds was next with a funny (and slightly scary) story about an escape room experience. Finally, Lyn Ford closed the night by explaining “combat duty storytelling” - the horror stories about gigs that every storyteller dreads. ( thought the time I was at a festival where I was placed under a tree, with a bagpiper under the next tree, was pretty terrible, but Lyn’s story about being placed next to a stunt motorcyclist tops that.
I was excited for Sunday morning, because I was emceeing the first session of the day. I put a lot of attention into choosing what to wear and I think I did well. Here’s a picture. Why yes, I’m a chapeau-holic. (Shoes by Hot Chocolate Designs, who should really pay me a commission for all the people I’ve told about them.)
Anyway, we had four storytellers in that session. Kim Weitkamp made things slightly complicated by providing an “outro” instead of an intro (i.e. something to say after she told her story), so I had to come up with an intro on my own. Fortunately I know her reasonably well, so I trusted she wouldn’t get upset when I compared her to The Addams Family. (She can be both kooky and spooky at times, but I did add that she is also inspirational.) She told a story that had to do about finding love again after a bad marriage. Misty Mator told two stories - a forgotten German folktale about the marriage of the sun and the moon and a family story told using folktale language. Then Laura Deal was up with two traditional tales about transformation. The first was her version of the Norwegian story about “The Squire’s Bride” and the second was a twist on “The Frog Prince.” Finally, Cindy Rivka Marshall told a story about bringing diversity awareness to the school her son was attending, mixed with a Chinese folktale about elephant and hummingbird.
After the lunch break, the afternoon show started with Jennifer Munro telling a new story about her childhood best friend. Then came Donna Washington with a story about confronting racism, mixed with an Indian folktale about a tiger seeking his minister of state. She was followed by Laura Deal telling a science fiction story about survival. Kim Weitkamp closed out the session with a story about following her instincts so that an encounter with a stranger improved both their lives.
The final show of the festival was late Sunday afternoon. Megan Wells started us off with Dame Ragnell, and her version was proof that there one can still bring something new to a familiar story. Mo Reynolds followed with a story about women’s challenges in learning to know that they are enough. Then came Jenn Kamara with a story about coping with her father’s death and her mother’s mental decline. Next was Lyn Ford with a lovely story about the beauty of creation and transformation. Finally, Jennifer Munro closed out the session - and the festival - with a personal story about her misadventures on a horseback ride.
All in all, it was a completely amazing weekend. Not only were the stories great, but so was the audience. But mostly I loved the variety of stories and I was especially wrapped up in the atmosphere of love and support, with laughs and tears.
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Date: 2023-04-26 10:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-04-27 12:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-04-27 04:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-04-27 09:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-04-27 11:46 am (UTC)You look adorable!
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Date: 2023-04-28 07:52 pm (UTC)I also once saw a fringe show by a group of black women about hair.