Emceeing at the Touhill for the Festival
Good Evening….welcome to the 27th St. Louis Storytelling Festival. Our tellers told their stories far and near, but alas, Our Legacy of the Journey will soon end…but not yet. There is still tonight. Of course you know that this journey would never have happened if not for the generosity of our sponsors – After I mention them, please respond with an “Ah, yes.” The university of Missouri – St Louis…The Jefferson Memorial Expansion…the arts councils – RAC and MAC…JC Penny….and for all those listed on the program we acknowledge you with a hearty…ah, yes.
I’d like to start off this evening’s program by telling you about a little story I heard…a long, long time ago…
Long ago in a village far away, there was legend passed down over the years. It was said that there used to be a beautiful palace made of purest gold built along the mountainside. For some unknown trespass the palace was banished beneath the ground and would never be seen again unless a perfect song was played. For many years the golden palace remained hidden. Oh, many fine musicians from across the lands came to play, but none could coax the palace to reappear.
One day there was young man who could play the flute so beautifully that the birds in the trees would stop their songs to listen. He decided to try to his hand at raising the golden palace. It was a long journey, and on his way he met other fellow musicians on their way to the same quest. Some played violins while others played guitars. Some played clarinets while others played the xylophone. At nights they camped together and each played his and her instrument to perfection. But one night they began to play a song they all knew. One by one they joined in. Instantly, the song became fuller and richer with new harmonies.
The young flutist was the first to arrive at the sacred ground where the palace had disappeared. He raised the flute to play, and then lowered it as he turned and asked his fellow musicians to join him. When the group, the first orchestra, played the song, the harmonies blended to perfection…and the palace of gold rose to its former beauty.
Tonight, at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, we have storytellers, who have traveled across the country to be here tonight. They will come together in perfect harmony to raise a palace of gold. The tellers will lend their voices (their instruments, so to speak) to present a concert full and rich.
I asked the storytellers to tell me which instrument best describes them. I wasn’t surprised when Jackie and Glen Papa Wright said “cymbals and marimbas.” For whether the story comes tripling along on little cat’s feet across the marimba or comes crashing down with cymbals, they are sure to tell their tales….just right…Jackie and Papa Wright.
Thank you Jackie and Papa….
Have you ever noticed on the movies when they want to bring back in time, you often hear the nostaligic notes of a harmonica? It sets the mood. That’s what happens when our next storyteller, Carmen Deedy, tells her stories. Whether it’s a folk tale or one her personal stories, she pays attention to detail to make our story harmonize with her story. Carmen Deedy.
Thank you Carmen…
The most basic of all the instruments is the drum. Perhaps it was the first instrument. It beats like the human heart – constant and steady. Our next teller, Fred Shaw…Neeake will take us on journey... one beat at a time…constant…steady. Ladies and gentlemen…Neeake.
Thank you Fred….
Our next storyteller, Tom McDermott, is no stranger to the ukulele – the little brother of his trusty guitar. His stories are woven on those strings (4 or 6) to strike just the right chord with his audience. Tom McDermott.
Thank you Tom…..
Have you noticed that our palace is beginning to take shape? We are going to take a short intermission (15 minutes) Please visit our resource tables where you find some of your favorite tellers and their stories on CD’s, books, and tapes. If you’d like to stick around after the show, I’m sure they would love to meet and greet and perhaps sign a CD or two. See you in 15 minutes.
Welcome back to our evening concert. Our next teller, Trix Bruce is from the deaf community. Although she can’t hear the musical notes, she can feel their vibration. When she tells a story using her hands, her whole body becomes her instrument of dance. Trix Bruce.
Thank you Trix…
If you like to “jump, jiggle, and jam” get your maracas ready cause Diane de Las Casas is here! Her stories will…shake-shake-shake you away…Diane de Las Casas.
Thank you Diane…
Have you ever noticed that when you hear a banjo, it make you feel happy and just glad to be alive? Many of you know that the banjo had its earliest roots in Africa. When it came here to America, it took on a totally American flavor. That best describes Dianne Ferlatte. Her stories are rooted in African tradition, have a totally American flavor and make us happy and just glad to alive. Ladies and gentlemen…Diane Ferlatte.
Thank you Dianne…
I’d like to ask our storytellers to come up on stage (say names as they come on). We’d like to thank you, our audience, for coming out tonight. Our concert has come to an end, but our stories go on! And, on that note, I’ll see you next year at the 28th St. Louis Storytelling Festival.