The DO TELL Story: Who are and who we serve!
‘The shortest distance between one person and another is their story.’ Rumi
The Purpose of DO TELL STORYFEST:
To promote the art of storytelling through performance, participation, and education.
Storytelling is an effective and entertaining form of communicating, teaching and connecting to others. When we know another’s story, we understand each other. When we understand one another, acceptance and empathy are created. Stories are memorable, transferable, and inspirational. Storytelling is a tradition of our county and region. We celebrate tellers, listeners and those who take the stories to heart.
DO TELL Storyfest is dedicated to:
- Encourage excellence in performance
- Local performers and local audiences
- Encouraging a young generation of tellers
- Taking storytelling to children
- Recognizing performers as professionals
- Diversity in performers, stories, and location
Volunteers & donations: We welcome volunteers who would like to work on our committee year round, just for a month, or on the day of the festival. We need all skill levels and welcome all. We practice diversity and openness throughout our organization. Donations of goods, services, or money are welcome and are tax deductible as we are partnering with the Flat Rock Play House and Henderson County 4-H. Contact festival director via Email or by phone, 828 388 0247 .
Educational Components:
- Free programs for kids: In the past we have offered 'Just Imagine' a free program of stories for kids 3-10. In 2012 we collaborated with the Flat Rock Play House and the Henderson County Education Foundation to broaden our reach with a School Day. We offer students and teachers FREE performances and workshops at the Play House to enjoy and learn from professional storytellers and facilitators. We hope to serve 500+ students. We welcome ideas and help on how to improve and expand our education segment.
- Children at Risk: Whenever possible, we take storytellers into Bruce Henderson County Schools and summer camp programs. This is our effort to educate and entertain the next generation of children as listeners and perhaps tellers. This component is funded, in part,by the Henderson County Arts Council Artists in Residence in Schools Program. If your school might like to host a storyteller, please contact the Festival Director via Email or by phone, 828 388 0247 .
- Training Teens: In 2010, we worked with a group of teenagers who learned the art of storytelling from the volunteer Festival Director. The teen Do Tell Storytellers performed at schools, summer camps and at the Do Tell Festival in 2010. This component was supported by Henderson County 4-H, the students and their families. If you have a group of students who want to learn storytelling skills, please contact the Festival Director via Email or by phone, 828 388 0247
- Public Programs: We offer programs from 20-60 minutes for civic and community groups as both education and entertainment. We request an honorarium for on-going support of our education program and festival.
We thank Our Sponsors from the bottoms of our hearts.
2012 sponsors are: Henderson County’s Arts Council, Asheville Storytelling Circle, Henderson County Education Foundation, 4-H, and the Flat Rock Play House, downtown Hendersonville businesses and individuals. We need more financial support and more volunteers to make the festival happen again. We want it to benefit the people of the area and the economy of our county. There are no paid staff or committee members. All our work is voluntary because we love storytelling!
Once upon a time...
I dreamed of seeing great folks listening to great stories in my hometown. The Do Tell Storytelling Festival came about one morning when I was having coffee with friends. I had recently moved back to Hendersonville after 25 years away. I had been living in the UK, where I had been a performing storyteller for 6 years. During that time I had been in a number of festivals and had run a festivals in London. I had always thought that Hendersonville would be a perfect venue for storytelling for the public. It is part of our Appalachian heritage and tradition; and we know that most everyone loves listening to stories.
I shared my vision for a day long festival with some friends over coffee, then I committed to put on a storytelling afternoon as a way to celebrate 100 years of 4-H in NC in July 2009. One thing led to another as people began to pitch in with me to make it happen. I began writing budgets, asking groups for money, applying for grants and booking tellers. In July 2009, the late, great folklorist Louise Bailey opened our 1st downtown festival with a bang. Over 400 people arrived to hear stories at the beautiful historic courthouse and in venues along Main Street. Over a dozen performers spun stories that inspired, entertained and moved folks to laughter and tears. DO TELL was born! In 2010, we served over 300 people!
In 2012, we are launching for our 3rd festival by collaborating with the Flat Rock Play House and our sponsors on a 3 day event! We all have a great deal of passion and interest in making it happen. No one on the committee is paid. We need the help, support and financial assistance of many groups and individuals. We charge a small admission price to cover costs of PR, artists’ fees, rent, and administration. It’s great value to see live storytelling, close up. We have a great line up of tellers and I am sure the festival will be very entertaining and inspiring
I try to live one of my favorite phrases- “Never underestimate the power of few committed individuals, they can change the world, and have!” (Margaret Mead).
Karen-Eve Bayne,
Do Tell Festival Director,
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