Get set for family-friendly comedy, storytelling, music, and song at the Third Annual Storytelling Festival to be held Saturday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, 101 Old Kennett Rd. (across form Winterthur). The event is free and open, but seats are limited.
It is the last event of the year for the Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church Vision 20/20 Community Outreach Series, with program offerings designed to inform, educate, support and entertain. According to Event Director Michael Wright, the series celebrates the church’s upcoming 300th Anniversary in the year 2020, and aims to ensure that the church is a relevant part of the community.
The storytelling festival is the series' signature event, says Wright. This year, it features seven world-renowned storytellers. The day begins with morning sampler sessions, a children’s program, and open microphone. The afternoon and evening sessions feature music and fun-filled storytelling.
Storyteller, author and recording artist, Bil Lepp returns for his third year to tickle your funny bone with tall tales. Described as “A liar you’ll actually want to listen to,” Bil has been telling stories for 15 years. He’s a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival, and is five-time Liar’s Champion in West Virginia.
“I got started telling stories kinda by accident. As a teen, I watched my older brother compete in the Liar’s Contest. I said, I can do that. I only beat him once,” says Lepp. The Liar’s Contest is part of the Appalachian Arts and Culture events at the Vandalia Gatherings. It is mostly a music festival, but the contest helps continue the tradition of oral history through storytelling. Performers are judged on creativity, originality, and audience response.
“I won’t say anything on stage that I wouldn’t say if my grandmother was in the audience,” says Lepp, who received the 2008 Storytelling World Award Honor for Teacher and Divine Bovine. Look for his audio Fire! Fire! Pants on Liar! and book Half Dollar at www.buck-dog.com.
Local performers Kate Danaher and Amy MacCloud are returning for their second year to charm listeners with their folksy-funny stories and music. Kate’s traditional stories of Irish life and the Irish-American experience come from the collection of her friend, the late Eamon Kelly, of Dublin, Ireland.
“Maura Kelly, Eamon’s wife, bestowed Eamon’s story book to me, during a trip to Ireland four years ago,” says Danaher. “ I was honored to be asked to carry on this tradition. It’s an important part of storytelling, carrying on the stories,” says Danaher.
Danaher and MacCloud have been entertaining audiences together for more than 20 years. Kate plays fiddle, and Amy plays guitar, auto harp, banjo, and mountain dulcimer.
Founders of the children’s entertainment group Fiddlin’ and Foolin, they perform together at fairs, festivals, restaurants, and parties. Kate holds a Ph.D. in English Literature, she’s a former chair and Asst. Professor of English at Rosemont College, and is also a professional screen writer and actor. Amy serves as music director for the Delaware Shakespeare Festival and is lead vocalist in the jazz ensemble Cloud9. Danaher and MacCloud collaborated on two songs featured on the CD Playing in the Garden: Musical Inspirations from the Winterthur. (www.danaherandmaccloud.com)
Additional festival performers include: Willy Claffin with comedy and musical surprises, Baba Jamal Koram, story teller, educator, folk drummer with stories in the African American Griotic Tradition; Motoko, native of Osaka, Japan, featured artist at the National Storytelling Conference; and Ed Stivender a Philly Native, Shakespearean actor, banjo player, theologian, teacher, Mummer, juggler, and raconteur.
It’s an easy drive with plenty of parking, and the program is free, but seats are limited, organizers say. RSVP’s are appreciated. For information, call 302-658-2326 or visit info@LBStoryFest.com.
