Coming right to our ‘backyard,’ July 24 to 26, is the 24th Annual Sierra Storytelling Festival. By ‘backyard’ I mean it is only 20 miles outside of Nevada City. My wife Tanzy and I, who have been attending the festival for nearly all of its 23-year history, look forward each year to spending a magical three days being transported on journeys of all kinds by an array of professional storytellers. My passion for this event is what has led me to write this article and inspire others to check it out.
So, let me tell you what will happen. We will be entertained and transported by six unique storytellers. Patrick Ball is a premier Celtic harp player and storyteller of Irish folk tales. We have experienced him several times in the past and find him mesmerizing. Brenda Wong Aoki brings a synthesis of Japanese Noh and Kyogen theatre, Commedia Dell’arte, modern dance and a rich history of everyday experiences. Izzi Tooinski will be back again with his poignant, funny, sweet and versatile style. Geri Keams is Navajo and will tell us stories from her culture. Baba Jamal Koram serves as a medium of African folklore with stories that focus on spirit and culture. Milbre Burch, another consummate professional, brings rich stories from the American South.
The telling begins Friday evening at 8 p.m., when we will be treated to a tale from each of the tellers. The night wraps up around 10:30 p.m. and serves as a wonderful introduction to the flavor of each teller. Then Saturday at 9:30 a.m. the main course begins. There are two venues where the stories are told -– the amphitheatre and the old school house. Each hour there will be a teller in each venue so you have to choose. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. is open telling, when aspiring storytellers and storytellers who want a chance to present can sign up and tell us a story. And finally, from 7:30 to 10 p.m., is the evening concert with all the tellers. Tooinski, a master of reaching the child in all of us, will conduct the children’s ‘concert’ on Sunday from 10 to 11 a.m. From 11:45 till 1:30 p.m., catch the ‘Tales from the heart for the spirit,’ where each storyteller is present. This segment in particular reaches way into our hearts and souls, and is an amazing energy with which to end the festival.
The Storytelling is what you think you are coming for and certainly it is the focus. However, the energy of the place, the various foods offered by local vendors and the folks in attendance make for a truly full experience. Nevada City is a great old town with old hotels, or you can camp in the State Park’s campground at Malakoff Diggins. The renovated mining town of North Bloomfield is part of the park, as is a most refreshing little lake.
The Storytelling takes place at the comfortable and shaded North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center, situated on San Juan Ridge, a very rural and laid-back area. For information call 530-265-2826 or visit sierrastorytellingfestival.org.
~ Rolf Godon Ph.D is a long time Truckee resident, psychologist and KiGong instructor, a lover of the great outdoors, a journeyer into physical locales as well as travels of the mind and spirit. 530-587-2557.
