For 21 years, the Kansas City Storytelling Celebration has brought nationally- and regionally-known storytellers to libraries, schools, community centers, and assisted living centers to ignite interest in the art of sharing stories—from the mythical to the personal—to people of all ages.
This year, Mid-Continent Public Library, Metropolitan Community College, and other partner organizations have created a virtual celebration, November 4-7, to continue this tradition through online resources and social media platforms. The 2020 Kansas City Storytelling Celebration will conclude on Saturday, November 7 with a day of virtual storytelling workshops and concerts.
If you are interested in hosting a virtual storytelling program for your school, classroom, community or care center, please fill out a request form to receive a link for a virtual program. Links to programming will be valid from November 2-13. You can request links until noon on Friday, November 6.
Event Sponsors:
Storytelling Celebration Schedule
Monday, November 2
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Storytelling Celebration 2020: True Adventures of Growing Up on a Rural Missouri Farm (MCPL360)
Storyteller Beth Horner grew up on Sugar Grove Farm in Boone County, Missouri.
Ages 6+
Tuesday, November 3
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Storytelling Celebration 2020: The Bebop Monster (MCPL360)
With my imagination, you have the power to create a story anyway you want. Even your fav, monster can dig some cool, Bebop Jazz.
Ages 3+
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Storytelling Celebration 2020: Tricksters and Shapeshifters! (MCPL360)
Are these stories true? Yes and no, of course!” Join Gene as he shares stories from his Native heritage and personal experiences.
Ages 9+
Wednesday, November 4
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Storytelling Celebration 2020: Tales in Tandem (MCPL360)
There are always two sides to every story. Linda and Gary tell stories of road trips and true love from personal experience to Greek myths. Come and listen before you decide which side you choose.
For adults
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Storytelling Celebration 2020: It’s Storytelling Time (MCPL360)
Join Oba William King for a collection of story-songs, folk tales, rhythm and rhyme, with original stories and poems from his books.
Ages 8+
Thursday, November 5
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Storytelling Celebration 2020: Silly Stuff (MCPL360)
From tee-hee to guffaw, with giggles in between, this program is not for the serious minded. Check all scowls at the door! Stories, songs and puppets galore!
Ages 4+
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Storytelling Celebration 2020: Once Upon a Cuento (MCPL360)
Ready for some fun? Laughter & smiles need no translation!
Ages 9+
Friday, November 6
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Storytelling Celebration 2020: True Tall Tales & Other Lies (MCPL360)
Jim Wallen shares side-splitting, belly laughing stories of growing up in the Ozarks.
Ages 9+
Saturday, November 7
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Join storyteller and musician Oba William King and learn how to capture audiences’ attention through storytelling, poetry and drama.
For adults
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Storytelling Celebration 2020: Family Storytelling Concert Featuring Beth Horner (MCPL360)
“Pluck, Muck, Laughter & Groans: Stories and Songs from My Family to Yours:” From childhood farmyard escapades to traditional tales of adventure, storyteller Beth Horner will captivate with stories told with words, music, kazoos & bones.
All ages
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Use a second language as a sprinkle of spice (only a word or two necessary) or as a flavorful main
ingredient (more fluency) and learn how to blend two languages into a savory story that flows with ease.
Discover and develop your own tasty tales through demonstration and participation. Appropriate for
new or experienced tellers. Fluency in second language is NOT required.
For adults
2:15 - 3:00 p.m.
Storytelling Celebration 2020: Family Storytelling Concert Featuring Gene Tagaban (MCPL360)
"Are these stories true? Yes and no, of course!” Join Gene as he shares stories from his Native heritage and personal experiences. The teachings of Raven and Coyote, rising of the tides and the people of the air, water and land. Trees hold the remembering, if you want to remember ask the trees. To enjoy this virtual program, go to our MCPL360 Facebook page at the scheduled day and time.
All ages
Featured Storytellers
Carrie Sue Ayvar
Carrie Sue Ayvar
How is it that Carrie Sue Ayvar, with her Arabic surnamed and Eastern European Jewish heritage, can tell multicultural stories in Spanish and English? Perhaps it is because she is a third-generation award-winning storyteller who came of age in Mexico. Blending traditional, international and personal tales, bilingual storyteller Carrie Sue takes her listeners on a journey into the imagination connecting people, languages and cultures through her stories that flow effortlessly between Spanish and English.
Beth Horner
Beth Horner
With a comic sensibility and warm, energetic style, Beth Horner possesses a repertoire of stories that has been called “heartfelt, articulate, and truthful.” From her hysterical childhood farmyard escapades and eerie folktales of her native Missouri to a courageous tale drawn from her great-great grandfather’s Civil War diary to her comedic tour-de-force tale told with nothing but the buzzing cadences of a kazoo, Beth’s stories are renowned for their high comedy and stunning drama.
Oba William King
Oba William King
Among his peers, Oba William King is recognized as one of the most exciting storytellers. Since his debut in 2006 with the National Association of Black Storytellers, Oba has ignited audiences with his ability to capture their attention and gently release them into the playful realm of rhythm and rhyme. He masterfully combines professional theatrical training with a distinct poetic style. Oba is an entertaining educator sharing the traditional art form, as if it were a sacred gift.
Gene Tagaban
Gene Tagaban
Gene Tagaban (One Crazy Raven) is a teller of stories that teach, entertain and heal. Through oratory, song, dance, movement and transformation, Gene tells stories to audiences of all ages nationally and internationally. Gene shares traditional Native American stories as well as stories from his personal experience, family and historical events.
Kansas City-Area Storytellers
Brother John Anderson
Brother John Anderson
Brother John Anderson has been a working storyteller for more than 20 years. A member of the River and Prairie Storytellers guild, Anderson credits a librarian with helping him get his first paying storytelling gig. Anderson says he gains his creative ideas from everywhere in the things he finds intriguing – the stuff of life and folks around him. His personal motto is: "I Live and To Share!"
Priscilla Howe
Priscilla Howe
Storyteller Priscilla Howe travels the US and abroad with a bagful of puppets and a headful of stories. Her favorite audience is the one in front of her at any given moment. A full-time storyteller since 1993 and a former librarian, Priscilla lives in Kansas City, Kansas. She's also searching for the best restaurant.
Gary and Linda Kuntz
Gary and Linda Kuntz
Gary and Linda Kuntz have been telling stories together and separately for many years. While they tell all types of stories, Linda especially enjoys Folk Tales from around the world and Bible stories for their universal truth. Gary leans more to tall tales and personal stories (whether or not they really happened) because that way he can rearrange reality. Together their goal is to have each listener feel they are part of the story.
Joyce Slater
Joyce Slater
Joyce Slater was born and raised in Northeast, Kansas City, MO, not far from the Kansas City Museum. She began her professional career as a high school art teacher. She has been an artist and actress most of her life. In 1996, Joyce became a full-time freelance storyteller. Joyce lives in Kansas City with her husband, and their dog, Gracie. She has two children, six grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Jim Two Crows Wallen
Jim Two Crows Wallen
Jim Two Crows Wallen has been presenting historical programs since 1980. He is a National, Regional, and Local winner of many awards for his storytelling, historically accurate clothing, and artifacts. Two Crows has been featured at National Festivals, Corporate America, schools, state parks, historical and genealogy societies. His career has included programs in 46 states and 4 continents. Jim has performed at many Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites throughout the United States. He lives in Blue Springs, Missouri with his wife Deborah and their dog Libby.