Patchwork Storytelling Guild presents A Patchwork of Stories for Grown Ups on Sunday, September 11 @ 3 PM EST at the Rotunda. This live event is open to the public. Patchwork offers Pay-What-You-Can ticket options for greater accessibility for all. Running Time: 65 minutes.

Patchwork returns with a whole new bag of stories to celebrate the folkloric art, craft, and practice of the oral tradition of storytelling. Featured in this amazing lineup are, in alphabetical order, Michele Belluomini, Ingrid Bohn, Barbara Cohen-Kligerman, and Denise McCormack.

According to McCormack, president of Patchwork and host of the event,

“A Patchwork of Stories for Grown Ups means to offer a unique balance of folktales that complement one another for an hour of entertainment bliss. Each story has been carefully selected and crafted by the tellers, and we’re excited to share them. This is truly the stuff of fringe tradition, a grand experiment in offering the experience of meaningful performance art.”

This program is sure to delight story lovers everywhere. Spread the word!

SHOW YOUR SUPPORTDonations are appreciated and will be awarded to the tellers as an honorarium for their work.

FEATURED TELLERS:

DENISE MCCORMACKDenise McCormack loves to spin yarns and is deeply committed to sharing the history, benefits, and practices of storytelling in a broad spectrum of applications for education and community to business, health, and well-being.

Among her many roles, McCormack is president of the Patchwork Storytelling Guild, coordinator and creative director of the Lehigh Valley Family Storytelling Series, and an active member of various other local and national organizations wherein storytelling and the arts play an integral role.

For more information, go to: https://www.denisemccormack.live/

MICHELE BELLUOMINIMichele Belluomini has been telling stories to children and adults for the last 15 years; she has performed in schools, libraries, and museums, as well as at universities in the Philadelphia area.

Michele presented solo performances on the “Fringe” stage at the 2006 National Storytelling Conference in Pittsburgh and at the 2012 National Storytelling Conference in Cincinnati, as well as performed in a host of Patchwork events, Tellebration festivals, the New Jersey Storytelling festival, and the Lehigh Valley’s Story Fusion.

BARBARA COHEN-KLIGERMANBarbara Cohen-Kligerman studied storytelling with Brooklyn-based author and scholar Yitzhak Buxbaum. She has told stories in several locations in New York and the Delaware Valley, including the internally televised Story Time at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

INGRID BOHNIngrid is an Interactive Theater and Storytelling artist who’s been active in theater productions for over 30 years. She shares traditional folk and fairy tales from all over the world and brings her multifaceted characters to life, with something for everyone. Ingrid appears throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She encourages role playing and audience participation and is a proud member of the Patchwork and Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guilds.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Patchwork promotes storytelling as a vibrant, contemporary art form, as well as a folk tradition, a way of celebrating life, and a tool for personal and social transformation.

Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit organization in 1984 in response to the decline of storytelling in the oral tradition and provides opportunities for training, performance, and education, along with encouragement and an open forum for storytellers and audiences to connect.

To meet its mission, Patchwork hosts monthly story swaps where everyone is welcome and encouraged to tell, listen, or both, as well as coaching, and other events wherein the craft of story is explored and practiced.

More info and tickets: https://fringearts.com/event/a-patchwork-of-stories-for-grownups-2/

Fire Museum Presents: Al Bilali Soudan

Proof of Covid 19 vaccination status and mask wearing required.

Al Bilali Soudan:

Al Bilali Soudan - an ancient name for the city of Timbuktu - present an improvisational tour de force of traditional rhythms and scales. Their style is Tehardent, the Tamasheq name for their traditional stringed instrument. A precursor of the modern banjo, the Tehardent has accompanied griots, bards, dancers and vocalists for centuries. They hail from a well-known Tuareg family which has performed this music for generations. Abellow Yattara, a master of the instrument, is the group leader. His uncle, Aboubacrine Yattara plays the bass tehardent. Other members of the group include Mohamed Ag Abellow, Tchiale Ag Aboubacrine, Mohamed Dicko and Abdoulaye Ag Mohamed. Their ease with one another is obvious in the verve of their relaxed performance. Their work represents cultural preservation renewed.

This genre of music has been performed from at least the 16th century by Tuareg griots to celebrate the end of harvest and the changing seasons, heroic warriors, and noble families. In contrast to Tuareg contemporary acts like Tinariwen and Bombino, Al Bilali Soudan take an acoustic approach to Tamashek folk music traditions.

Admission is FREE. Advance registration is strongly encouraged. Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/al-bilali-soudan-tickets-399642390147

Proof of Covid 19 vaccination status and mask wearing required.

SATURDAY (order subject to change)

Tamara L. Xavier (movement/lecture)Kai Moon Oceans (inspirational talk)Glynnis Reed (fine art/poetry)O (performance art)Badd Gurlz Inq. (music)Stephanie Durann (poetry)Cassendre Xavier (music)Erika Richards (illustrator/PowerPoint presentation)In Memoriam: Monette Sudler; Niama WilliamsSincere Melody (spoken word) tentative

SUNDAY (order subject to change)

Sincere Melody (spoken word)Angel Hogan (poetry)Tamara L. Xavier (movement/lecture)Kai Moon Oceans (inspirational talk)Asha Mullock (filmmaker)Nikki Powerhouse (author/performer)Cassendre Xavier (music)Erika Richards (fine artist/PowerPoint presentation)Glynnis Reed (fine art/poetry)Keisha Oliver (artist/writer)Ghettosongbird

Streaming live at https://YouTube.com/TheRotundaPhilly

SATURDAY (order subject to change)

Tamara L. Xavier (movement/lecture)Kai Moon Oceans (inspirational talk)Glynnis Reed (fine art/poetry)O (performance art)Badd Gurlz Inq. (music)Stephanie Durann (poetry)Cassendre Xavier (music)Erika Richards (illustrator/PowerPoint presentation)In Memoriam: Monette Sudler; Niama WilliamsSincere Melody (spoken word) tentative

SUNDAY (order subject to change)

Sincere Melody (spoken word)Angel Hogan (poetry)Tamara L. Xavier (movement/lecture)Kai Moon Oceans (inspirational talk)Asha Mullock (filmmaker)Nikki Powerhouse (author/performer)Cassendre Xavier (music)Erika Richards (fine artist/PowerPoint presentation)Glynnis Reed (fine art/poetry)Keisha Oliver (artist/writer)Ghettosongbird (music)

Streaming live at https://YouTube.com/TheRotundaPhilly

Denise McCormack presents Metaphor and the Power of Story on Sunday, September 25 @ 6 PM at The Rotunda. General audiences. Running time: approx. 60 minutes. PWYW. Donations accepted. (Suggested $15 pp)

Storyteller Denise McCormack shares early versions of the “oldest” folktales and ascribed moral guideposts to uncover the often twisted and often subversive nature of the stories we live by and to expose what really lies behind the curtains, under the covers, and even in broad daylight. Who’s afraid of the big, bad, wolfHEALTH & SAFETY

Proof of vaccination is required to attend this event, and masks must be worn for the duration of the performance. Audience members will be asked to show proof of vaccination before entering the venue. Both digital and physical proof of vaccination are accepted. Please plan accordinglyDenise McCormack values and promotes the art, craft, and practice of the oral tradition of storytelling and offers programs and insights for a variety of purposes.

According to McCormack whose mantra is “There is a story for every time and purpose under heaven,”

Stories, even and especially the simple folk and fable, shine a light on little things that have far reaching implications, including the power to draw us together in community.

Among McCormack’s favorites are tales of aged heroes and strong, wise women; creation tales, myths, and epics that speak of values and perseverance; and both prose and poetry that bring to life the magic of our glorious world. Of course, you’ll also find her singing ditties with kiddies and offering stories to grow on, too!

McCormack has been a featured teller at local, regional, and national venues, including the National Storytellers Network conferences (KS, CA),NJ Storytelling Festivals (Grounds for Sculpture and Howell Living History Farm), and Philadelphia stages (The Rotunda, Parkway Central Library main stage, etc.), NYC’s Artists Without Borders, Godfrey Daniels (Bethlehem, Pa),and many others.

Among her many roles, McCormack is president of the Patchwork Storytelling Guild, coordinator and creative director of the Lehigh Valley Family Storytelling Series, liaison for the National Storytelling Network, and an active member of various other local and national organizations wherein storytelling and the arts play an integral role.

For more information, go to: https://www.denisemccormack.live/

ABOUT THE ARTIST

McCormack has been a featured teller and workshop presenter at local and regional fringes and festivals, including the National Storytellers Network conferences and Philadelphia stages, and educator conferences. She has also developed and facilitated local story slams and swaps.

Moreover, trying to keep up with her creative initiatives over the course of the pandemic has resulted in digital media and audio/video productions which expand and connect community and story.

More info and tickets: https://fringearts.com/event/metaphor/