The weekend actually started on Thursday evening with the NEW monthly storytelling event that we are currently calling Stories and Cake. It is held at (the relatively new) Space 55 on 18th Ave, just south of McDowell (near the arena). Mario Avent, Donna Cheung, Chantel Freed, Kathy Nakagawa, Julie Peterson, Pamela Spence, Dixie Walljasper and I were the tellers. Mario did a great job as MC and Chantel closed out the evening with a great combo, personal, folktale and "here and now" story. Great Job Chantel!
Then, Saturday started out with the EVTOT Guild meeting. e only had six folks, but it was a great group with Sharon Gilbert, Dixie Waljasper, Marian Giannatti, Myself and relative newbie John Wake telling a first-time personal story that was quite good.
Next was a sprint out to the Mesa Convention Center to join in the KJZZ Storyfest. It was a lot of fun. There was the KJZZ Soundbites truck that many locals stepped up to tell their stories. Mario and I also jumped in and tole two folktales that the audience enjoyed.
Marc Compton and Kathy Eastman, along with others did yeomans' jobs telling several times to kids. I did one "pot luck" story for the kids who offered the characters of a Horse named Marley, a Bear named Big Bad Barney Bear and a Boy named Jack. They went on a ride on the prairie, had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and then took a long nap!
At the end of the Storyfest, I headed over to the adult (sort of) stage and ended up the day with my new story of my father and I gorging ourselves with Nabisco Sugar Wafers.
A quick Cat Nap and it was north to Sandy Oglesby's for an evening with Pam Faro and some pick from the hat telling. Pam told three marvelous tales. She is the master of "the pause" and had us all on the edge of our seats, especially with her tale of the man who married the spirit he had seen in a dream. Her attention to detail in the crafting and telling was beautiful to see and hear. Some light finger-food and then about eight tellers rounded out the evening and the day with satisfying stories and friends! - And great to see Glenda & Martha!