MEDIA CONTACTS:
BOB ROTATORI - 216-635-3263, rrr@clevelandmetroparks.com
ALYSSA COOK-ALEXANDER - 216-635-3274, aca@clevelandmetroparks.com
Writers, oral historians and history buffs are invited to sharpen their storytelling skills at the 2013 Ohio Storytelling Conference & Festival on Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5 at Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Nature Center.
Join featured storyteller, Doug Elliot, at this conference, which brings tales and tale-tellers from Ohio and nearby states to tell their stories and learn from expert storytellers.
On Friday, May 3, enjoy a potluck dinner, spooky stories and story swap with fellow storytellers.
On Saturday, May 4, morning events will begin with the featured teller Doug Elliot's presentation on crafting stories from life by using personal experience, folklore, natural history, mythology and humor.
Participants have several options for afternoon workshops based on skill and interest. Workshop offerings include basic storytelling skills, advanced topic and nature storytelling with workshops taught by presenters: Yvonne Healy, Bette Lou Higgins, Foster Brown, Cristie Merce, Susan Gilchrist, Bev Stives and Judy Riggle.
Workshops will cover a variety of topics, including telling nature stories, creating story characters, basic storytelling skills, research and more.
Saturday will conclude with an open mic and all-ages Storytelling Concert featuring Doug Elliot (ticket included in full conference registration).
On Sunday, May 5, enjoy a relaxing story swapping morning and an afternoon all-ages family concert with adult and youth storytellers.
This event is presented by Cleveland Metroparks and The Ohio Order for the Preservation of Storytelling (O.O.P.S.), with assistance from local storytellers of Western Reserve Association for the Preservation & Perpetuation of Storytelling (WRAPPS) and Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers (CABS).
The registration for the full conference is $65 for adults, $55 for O.O.P.S members, and $45 for high school students/college students and seniors. Participants who register before April 26 can pay discounted fees of $60/$50/$40, respectively. Individual fees for workshops are also available. Additional tickets for the Saturday night Storytelling Concert are $5 each.
Rocky River Nature Center is located at 24000 Valley Parkway in Rocky River Reservation, north of Cedar Point Road in North Olmsted.
For more information, call 440-734-6660. A full listing of workshops and registration packet are available on clevelandmetroparks.com, under the �Learn� tab, under the �nature/visitors center� link to Rocky River Nature Center's page.
Craft beautiful stories with the 2013 Ohio Storytelling Conference and Festival in Cleveland Metroparks - part of your life, naturally!
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