The 13th annual Toe River Storytelling Festival will take place on Saturday July 16 just across from downtown Spruce Pine at Riverside Park starting at 10a.m and going until 4 p.m. There will be a diverse and dynamic line-up of storytellers to delight young and old listener’s alike.
Mitch Capel, affectionately known as “Gran’daddy Junebug,” (check out his website) is one of our storytellers. He was born and raised in the small town of Southern Pines, North Carolina. He has been described as a “word magician”, a “national treasure”, “unexpectedly powerful” and a “transformer of lives”. He has been featured at numerous festivals including twice at The National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, and is sure to please our Toe River crowd.
Ellouise Schoettler who describes herself as Southern, sassy and 75 is another of our outstanding tellers. Ellouise grew up in North Carolina listening to aunts and uncles spin tales on her Granny’s front porch. Now Ellouise brings her front porch to us through a combination of original tales, traditional stories and history that gives voice to the uncommon experience of ordinary people. You are sure to feel the pull of your own stories as you are mesmerized by Ellouise’s stories. Learn more about her at www.ellouisestory.com .
Energy, enthusiasm, and engaging all describe Donna Washington a phenomenal teller from the Durham, NC area. You won’t be able to take your eyes or your ears off of her as she brings stories to life with vivid facial expressions and vocal characterizations. Donna is a multiple award winning recording artist including the 2002 Parent’s Choice Award for her first independent recording “Live and Learn: The Exploding Frog and Other Stories”. Her website is www.donnawashington.com and will allow you to get a sneak peak at this fantastic teller.
Bringing the Cherokee culture to life for us through stories is Lloyd Arneach who was born and raised on the Cherokee Reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina. Lloyd presents his stories in a style that is humorous, informative and extremely moving. His stories range from the “old stories” of the Cherokee to contemporary stories he has collected; from creation stories to behind the scenes of “Dances with Wolves.” Some of the places he has told stories are the Kennedy Center, National Folklife Festival (Washington, D.C.), the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.), and the Discovery Channel. You are sure to be moved by his heartfelt style. Find out more about him at www.arneach.com .
Sherry Lovett, a local of Little Switzerland, North Carolina, will be opening the day and emceeing the program. She is a former middle school teacher turned professional storyteller. She has told stories all across North Carolina and will be making her festival debut at the Toe River Festival.
It will be a special day for the whole family with storytellers that will mesmerize you. Storytelling is an art we can all participate in, so please come and be entertained and maybe even inspired to tell your own stories.
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