WORLD'S BEST STORYTELLERS

AT STORYTELLING FESTIVAL

May 20-21, 2006
For Immediate Release                                      Contact: Linda Yemoto, 510/525-2233

Internationally renowned storytellers bring the storytelling traditions of the world to the stage as the Storytelling Association of Alta California and the East Bay Regional Park District, both non-profits, present the 21st Bay Area Storytelling Festival, May 20-21, 2006, at Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area in El Sobrante.

Fans from Santa Cruz to Sacramento will bring lawn chairs and blankets to gather for a weekend of outdoor storytelling concerts. This year, the featured storytellers include:

  • Native American storyteller Robert Greygrass of Oregon (www.greygrass.org), bringing to life his Lakota and Cherokee heritage through story, poem and theater;
  • Ben Haggarty of the United Kingdom, specializing in Wonder Tales and Bronze Age Epic Mythology;
  • Georgia's Andy Offutt Irwin (http://andyirwin.com), a singer-songwriter/comedian combining a voice a flexible as silly putty, the attitude of a mischievous schoolboy and a touch of Southern balladeer;
  • Sarah Saulter of California, drawing on a background of theatre and the well of deep folklore;
  • Kuniko Yamamoto of Florida (www.kunikotheater.com), who melds heartfelt stories, hand made masks, stylized movement and the music of her flute and 13-string koto to create a magical world of tradition and possibility.

Additional showcased performers from the Pacific region include Alton Chung, Sandra Noman, and Leslie Perry.

DETAILS:

Saturday, May 20, performances are scheduled from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM.

Sunday, May 21, performances run from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Local students from El Sobrante, Pinole, and Richmond will attend a student concert on Friday, May 19.

The Festival takes place rain or shine, in an outdoor amphitheatre and spacious tents.

Recommended for ages 9 and up. A complete schedule is available at www.bayareastorytelling.org.

TICKETS $11 (single event) to $55 (entire weekend). Discounts for seniors, families, kids.

More general information: (510) 869-4946 or www.bayareastorytelling.org