Thursday, December 18, 2014

Become a Member of the WVSG!

West Virginia Storytelling Guild members have one thing in common: the love of the oral art of storytelling.  The members of the Guild are as diverse as the stories that they tell and enjoy.  Membership includes storytellers from the professional level to the beginner, as well as enthusiastic listeners and those interested in preserving oral tradition.

The West Virginia Storytelling Guild was formed to provide a support network for storytellers across the state.  We strive to preserve and promote the ancient art of oral storytelling across the state of West Virginia and the Appalachian region.

The WV Storytelling Guild assists in the production of West Virginia storytelling festivals and storytelling events throughout West Virginia. We are often part of folk festivals, music festivals, civic and community events; we tell stories in schools, at fairs, for conferences, and anywhere the need for a good story arises.

Membership benefits include:

  • Reduced ticket prices for storytelling events nationally through the WVSG's affiliate membership in the National Storytelling Network
  • "How-To" workshops taught by experienced guild members 
  • Opportunities to perform at guild-sponsored events across the state
  • Access to the guild's email listserve and Facebook page
  • promotion on this blog
  • support and guidance from other guild members


Membership in the West Virginia Storytelling Guild is $15.00 per year.

Become a member by filling out the membership form here, and submitting your payment via Paypal or mailed-in check.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Tellabration! Coming Soon to Beckley, WV

Some of the tellers at the 2011 Tamarack Tellabration event
It's that time of year! Tellabration events are spreading nationwide--even international events are being held. This recognition of storytelling is an annual event sponsored by storytelling guilds all around the globe, and the West Virginia Storytelling Guild has hosted an event in Beckley, WV at the Tamarack Arts and Crafts Center since at least 1996.

Susanna Holstein
Sue Atkinson
This year's line-up includes storytellers Danny McMillion, the event's organizer, Sue Atkinson, John Wyatt, and Susanna "Granny Sue" Holstein. The show starts at 5:00pm in the Tamarack theatre.

I hope you will join us for an evening of fine stories, songs and laughter. Be sure to check out the many arts and crafts available at Tamarack, and to sample some of the fine food and coffee available.

See you Saturday!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Storytelling Concert and Workshop to Be Held at the Frank and Jane Gabor WV Folklife Center at Fairmont State University



Grimm and Beyond
 A Storytelling Workshop with Master Storyteller Susan Gordon
and House Concert with Storytelling Friends

Sponsored by the WV Storytelling Guild and the Frank and Jane Gabor WV Folklife Center

Join Susan Gordon, a powerful teller of the traditional tale and the personal story, as she leads a one-day interactive workshop that invites the participants to tell a story of their own.  Susan will provide a range of exercises and activities to help participants bring a story of their choosing to life: a folk tale, a personal story, or perhaps one based on the Friday night concert tales. The ways storytelling, art and writing can help a person move through life’s challenges will also be discussed. Those attending this lively, interactive workshop will leave with a deeper understanding of story exploration and development, and new skills to implement in their future work. Suitable for older teens through adults, novice to experienced levels of telling.

             “Susan Gordon knows the depth of the Grimm Brothers’ tales and brings forth the power within them.” Dr. Margaret Yocom, Founder: Folklore Studies Program, George Mason University (http://folklore.gmu.edu)

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House Concert: Friday, Nov. 14th, 7:00 pm with Susan Gordon, Granny Sue Holstein,
Kirk Judd, and Jo Ann Dadisman

     Workshop: Sat., Nov. 15th, 9:30 am-4:30pm

Events will be held at the Frank and Jane Gabor WV Folklife Center on the Fairmont State University campus located at 1201 Locust Ave., Fairmont, WV 26554

Concert : $15.00 per person/Workshop: $40.00/Combined ticket for both events: $45.00


Call 304-864-0879 or email jdadisman@aol.com for more information about the workshop, concert, or directions.