Smoky Mountain Storytelling Festival

2010 Tellers include: Willy Claflin, Mary Hamilton, Michael Reno Harrell, Lyn Ford and Mountain Man Bob Phillips. All activities will be held at the Grand Majestic Theater of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 125 Mountain Drive (Traffic Light # 2 off of Teaster Lane) 

 

Springfest Blog: Hallmark Channel to Celebrate Dolly Hallmark Channel Original Special is televised on Friday, July 3 at 8:00 p.m. ET.  The special's theme is, "Celebrate the Dreamer in You!";  Dollywood has played host to more than 62 million people since the opening 25 years ago.  The one hour special will feature Dolly Parton's musical tribute taped at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN and will feature some of the brightest stars in Counrty Music.  Dolly's guests will include Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus and Kenny Rogers. [ read entire blog ]

Come and take your fill of tales, from classic folklore to haunting ghost stories to wild western accounts. The line-up this year offers the most entertaining, most exquisite storytelling festival yet!

 

National Youth Storytelling Showcase: Young storytellers will share the stage with seasoned professionals at the Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival, June 10 - 12, 2010, in Pigeon Forge.

 

The June date is a departure for this event, which traditionally has taken place in February. Event organizers are holding this youth event in June 2010 AND ALSO again in February 2011. This way, we won't be missing an entire year, and Juniors and Seniors won't miss out on the opportunity to participate. Mark you calendars now for February 3rd, 4th and 5th of 2011.

 

The National Youth Storytelling Showcase is a highlight of the award-winning event. Performers age 17 and younger from across the nation will participate in the Showcase, vying for the title of Grand Torchbearer. Professional storytellers, many with ties to the Applachian mountain area, will be featured in concert and conducting workshops.

 

Storytelling concerts and workshops will take place. Weekend and one-day tickets may be purchased NOW by calling the Grand Majestic Theater at (865) 774-7777. Late Night Concert admissions not included in weekend or one-day passes. $25 Weekend Pass,
$10 One-Day Pass, and Late Night Concert Admission $5 payable by cash or check at the door ONLY. Smoky Mountain Storytelling Festival is the place to be!

 

LUNCH AND DINNER AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON-SITE AT THEATER EVERY DAY

 

Can't wait for The Smoky Mountain Storytelling Festival? Head to Pigeon Forge TODAY, and check out one of the many Theaters throughout the Pigeon Forge area.

 

	Thursday, June 10, 2010		Session/Event Title:		Instructor/Teller
	9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.		Youth Workshop: Getting to Know You		Elizabeth Rose & Rixon Lane
			Adult Workshop – “Tell It: Making the Story Your Own”		Lyn Ford
	10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.		Youth Workshop – “Fractured Fairy Tales”		Willy Claflin
			Adult Workshop – “Parents as Storytellers”		Mary Hamilton
	1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.		Afternoon Concert		NYSS Featured Teller
	2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.		Afternoon Concert		Larry Kelley
	2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.		Afternoon Concert		Michael Reno Harrell
	3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.		Swapping Grounds (Share your story on stage before a live audience)
	5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.		Listening Post (Share your story one-on-one, recorded tape available upon request)
	7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.		Evening Concert – “Mountain Man Bob Phillips”		Lyn Ford, Mary Hamilton, Willy Claflin
	9:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.		Late Night Concert – "Tall Tales & Laughable Lies" sponsored by the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association IMPORTANT: Individual ticket required. All proceeds to benefit the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association		Michael Reno Harrell and SMSA tellers
	Friday, June 11, 2010		Session/Event Title:		Instructor/Teller:
	9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.		Youth Workshop – “Audience Participation Tales”		Mary Hamilton
			Adult Workshop – “Crafting Family Stories”		Millie Sieber
	10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.		Youth Workshop – “Basics of Telling”		Larry Kelley
			Adult Workshop – “Finding Your Own Voice”		Michael Reno Harrell
	1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.		Afternoon Concert		Mary Hamilton
	2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.		Afternoon Concert		Michael Reno Harrell
	2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.		Afternoon Concert		Willy Claflin
	3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.		Swapping Grounds (share your story on stage before a live audience)
	5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.		Listening Post (Share your story one-on-one, recorded tape available upon request)
	7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.		Evening Concert – NYSS Featured Teller Elizabeth Rose		Elizabeth Rose, Rick Love, Lyn Ford
	9:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.		Late Night Concert – "Haunts N’ Haints" sponsored by the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association IMPORTANT: Individual ticket required. All proceeds to benefit the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association		Mary Hamilton and SMSA tellers
	Saturday, June 12, 2010		Session/Event Title:		Instructor/Teller:
	9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.		Youth Workshop – “From Reading it to Telling it”		Susan Fulbright
			Adult Workshop – “Puppetry”		Willy Claflin
	10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.		Youth Workshop – “Heartworks”: Encouraging Personal Story through Games and Crafts		Lyn Ford
			Adult Workshop – “Learn a Folktale Today”		Mary Hamilton
	1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.		Afternoon Concert		“Mountain Man Bob” Phillips
			Afternoon Concert		Elizabeth Rose
			Afternoon Concert		Lyn Ford
	3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.		NYSS CONCERT, Emcee – Rixon Lane
	5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.		Listening Post (share your story one-on-one, recorded tape available upon request)
	7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.		Evening Concert – NYSS awards presented right before intermission		NYSS Featured Teller, Mary Hamilton 2010 NYSS Grand Torchbearer, Michael Reno Harrell Willy Claflin
	9:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.		Late Night Concert Late Night Cabaret (these ain’t your momma’s stories.) Suggested for mature audiences only. IMPORTANT: Individual ticket required. All proceeds to benefit the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association.		Lyn Ford, “Mountain Man Bob” Phillips and SMSA Tellers
	Smoky Mountains StoryTelling Festival is an event that is part of Pigeon Forge Springfest This event is Co-hosted by the City of Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association

2010 FEATURED TELLERS

Willy Claflin | Willy, who travels from California with his sidekick Maynard Moose and many others has been a headliner at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN, and is the last known teller of Mother Moose Tales. A Harvard graduate, Willy has studied in Paris, Scotland and Jakarta Indonesia. Willy shares a wealth of stories and ballads collected from all over the world. You will often see him with his favorite traveling companion, (besides his wife and conspirator, Jacqueline) Maynard Moose and perhaps some of his other friends, Boring Beaver, Socklops, Dr. Al or Gorf.

Mary Hamilton | Mary, tells Kentucky Tales, world folk and fairytales, legends “and even some true stories.” Mary has appeared at festivals from Florida to Oregon. When Mary takes the stage, the show unfolds in the hearts and minds of the audience. In her straightforward “just talking” style, Mary uses her voice and her body to tell stories. Her audiences watch, listen, imagine, and create worlds.

Michael Reno Harrell | Michael is an award-winning songwriter, as well as a veteran storyteller and entertainer from the mountains of Southern Appalachia. In addition to storytelling appearances, Michael has been featured at major music events including MerleFest and the Walnut Valley Festival. One could compare Michael's performances to his granddaddy's pocket knife: well warn and familiar feeling, but razor sharp and with a point. His brand of entertainment appeals to a very diverse audience. 

Lyn Ford | Lyn is a fourth-generation storyteller from Ohio. Lyn shares from her family’s multicultural African American, or “Afrilachian”, oral traditions, in folktale adaptations and original stories she calls “Home-Fried Tales,” seasoned with rhythm, rhyme, interaction, humor, and heart. Lyn is also an Ohio teaching artist in a state-based collaborative of the Kennedy Centre for the Arts, a story artist with the Greater Columbus (Ohio) Artists-in-Schools Program, and a Thurber House mentor for young authors.

Elizabeth Rose | Elizabeth shares stories woven with wit, humor, and expressive enthusiasm. She has the ability to mesmerize her listeners, transporting them through her image-laden tales of other times and cultures. She has thrilled children and adults alike with her vivacious storytelling in classrooms, festivals, and conferences around the country. She is truly captivating in voice, song and presentation!

Mountain Man Bob Phillips | Mountain Man Bob hales from Jonesborough, TN. He invented the modie-harp, a musical instrument made from a toilet seat and lid that you’ll have to see to believe. Bring your sense of humor, sit back and enjoy.

Larry Kelley | Storyteller, Larry Kelley, is a talented full-time storyteller from Chuckey, Tennessee. He has a knack for getting people to fall in love with the art of storytelling. While his hilarious tales of humor hooks some people, his inspirational or historical stories capture others. His goal is to enhance the art of storytelling by using his God-given talent to share performance spirited stories that entertain, enlighten, and uplift all listeners.

Rick Love | Born in East Tennessee, he grew up to love the mountains and it’s people. He crafts stories that presents typical life in East Tennessee of the late eighteen hundreds through today. His stories pull on every emotion of the storytelling listener to transport him or her to another place and time. Rick is a teller of original stories, tall tales, historical fiction, spiritual, Native American, scary and children stories.