Kansas Storytelling Festival will be April 27-28 in Downs
The Downs Arts Council invites you to share in the magic of storytelling at the Kansas Storytelling Festival April 27 and 28, Downs, Kansas. The KSF opens on Friday afternoon and closes Saturday evening.
The Kansas Storytelling Festival brings five nationally-renowned storytellers to Downs, the storytelling capital of Kansas. There’s something for everyone including homespun tales, historical portrayals, poetry, swapping grounds, workshops, puppets, stories for children, and music. Storytelling sessions will be held at multiple venues, all within comfortable walking distance.
The nationally recognized Uncalled For Trio, comprised of Andy Offutt Irwin, Kim Weitkamp and Bil Lepp, will entertain individually and in cahoots with each other.
Using dramatic interpretations, Pippa White will tell of the heritage and traditions of our communities and families.
Dino O’Dell will be delighting with his stories and music for the young and not-so-young.
“The Downs Legends are residents from the area portraying Historical Local Legends. Festival-goers in past years have enthusiastically received the stories of early citizens in the community who made unique and valuable contributions,” said Kenneth Lee, master storyteller.
Sherry Knouf, Downs Carnegie Library, tells that this year’s legends will feature Jesse “Buffalo” Jones, a frontiersman and wildlife preservationist; Howard Herman Ruede, an early Osborne County homesteader; Elsie Reasoner Ralph, America’s first female war correspondent; and Sarah Jane, a tribute to the women and girls who homesteaded the prairies.
With Friends University, KSF invites teachers and librarians to enroll in Storytelling in Education Special Opportunity: Graduate College Credit.
“This is an opportunity to pick up one graduate credit hour while attending the Festival and enjoying all the fun of the weekend,” said Glennys Doane, KSF Chair.
We save stories.
“Step into the welcoming mini workshop-like Story Shed, which is really a specially-designed sound booth. Inside the Story Shed, you can tell and record your own personal stories or tales which will be archived for all to remember,” said Brett Doane, Story Shed designer.
Each April since 1994, we honor stories by hosting the Kansas Storytelling Festival.
