Taleypo Tidbits

Marilyn A. Kinsella

   Editor's Note:

Welcome readers and supporters of storytelling! This is the first issue (a collector's item!) of "Taleypo Tidbits." Periodically, you will receive an up-to-the- minute review of storytelling in general, newsy articles, lamentations, a calendar of events, and a few chuckles. If you are now receiving this newsletter, it means that I have met you somewhere along my story path. I hope  you enjoy reading my casual postings, but, if for some reason, you are too busy, just reply and I will take your name off the mailing list.

                   2003-2004

Janus - the god of two faces, looks backwards as well as forwards. Since 2003 was a roller-coaster year for Taleypo, I thought you might enjoy reliving some the peaks and valleys. This was Taleypo's first full year of being a fulltime professional storyteller. The economy being as it was, storytellers, in general, had fewer jobs. The jobs and events Taleypo did have were memorable. Here are just some of the highlights:   

-Artistic Director for the SWAYS Showcase

-Recording "Fair Views From Old Fairview" - a CD with original stories about growing up in Smalltown, USA.

-Informational booth at the National Association for After School Programs in Salt Lake City, UT.

-Riverwind Whilwind Weekend at Pere Marquette Lodge with Elizabeth Ellis

-Northland's Conference in Madison, WI

-Chair for the Youth Storytelling Concert at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival Under the Arch.

-Earth Day and Christmas Programs at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine.

-Adventure Days for the Boy Scouts of America.

-13 Library and parks for the summer reading and special events

-Featured teller at the Fox Valley Festival

-Teller on the Spirit of Dubuque for the Mississippi River Valley - IL Arts Council

-Artistic Director and teller a the first Mississippi River Valley Storytelling Festival at Cahokia Mounds

-Teller and Workshop  leader for the IL libraries' Reaching Forward South.

-Presenter at the Mt. Vernon Teacher's Conference

-Attended the National Storytelling Conference in Chicago

-Showcased for the IAC ArtsTour Roster in Chicago

-Teller at Tellabration in Edwardsville, IL

-Teller at the Highland Games in Springfield, IL

-Workshop presenter for the ILA at the Lewis and Clark Libray

-And last, but not least...15 jobs at public and Catholic grade schools.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch. First told at Family Night in Okaville, IL  

"When Memories Come 'Fourth'" - an original story about a special Fourth of July Celebration and Great Aunt Josie's birthday where memories come forth about the 1904 St.Louis World's Fair. First told at Tellabration in Edwardsville, IL.

"This Little Light of Mine" - an original adaptation of an old story. In Taleypo's version a little angel fills the stable with a teeny-tiny star's light. First told at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows for Christmas.

"The Legend of the Piasa" - Taleypo's adaptation of a local legend from Alton, IL, where the Piasa, devourer of man, is immortalized on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi. First told on the Spirit of Dubuque in Gallina, IL.

                   Calendar

Now onto the new. Here is a calendar of upcoming dates for the January - March.

January

*24 (9am-1pm) at the Lewis and Clark Library System in Edwardsville, IL Artistic Director for a showcase featuring  20 performers. Anyone interested in booking quality entertainment for their schools, libraries or special events are invited to attend. Call 618/397-1377 for more information and directions.

*26-30 Catholic Schools Week

February

*2-8 New Orleans, LA with friend and fellow storyteller, Angela Davis to tell at libraries, schools and special events.

March

*1-10   Adirondack College in Upper State New York to tell to college classes

*18 Bloomington, Il to showcase at the Alliance Library System.

*19-21  Boston, MA to present a workshop "The Perfect Story for Nursery School to Nursing Homes.

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