The inaugural Charleston Tells Storytelling Festival is set for March 8-9, 2013, but you don’t have to wait until then to enjoy the laughter, tall tales and musical delights of some of the best performers the Lowcountry has to offer.

Gather the family, and attend these free pre-Festival events. It’s the perfect opportunity to leave your cares behind, and let the imagination of these amazing storytellers transport you to a different place and time.

Freshfields Village at 1 p.m.
49 Village Green Lane, Kiawah Island

Nationally acclaimed storyteller and playwright, Sharon Cooper Murray, also known as The Gullah Lady, will enlighten audiences with stories about Gullah traditions and culture during Freshfields’ Fall Festival. The annual festival includes music, face painting, an art show and more. Presented in partnership with Freshfields Village.

Felix Davis Community Center at 11 a.m.
4800 Park Circle, North Charleston

Storyteller Hawk Hurst will share stories and songs about ancient cultures as a special highlight of this year’s Reading on the Circle in North Charleston. Bring the family and enjoy crafts for kids, a visit by the Charleston County Public Library Bookmobile and even receive free books. Presented in partnership with Lowcountry Literacy Round Table and Reading on the Circle.

Circular Congregational Church at 7 p.m.
150 Meeting Street, Charleston

Enjoy music, poetry and enchanting tales from world-renowned storyteller Heather Forest. Forest’s wit, elegance, comedy and original music are woven together as she shares fables, fairytales and ancient stories of adventure and enchantment. Her concerts feature an array of vivid characters and lively musical participation. Sponsored by the S.C. Storytelling Network in partnership with the Circular Congregational Church.

Sponsored by SC Storytelling Network which receives funds from the SC Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts

Claire Willett		David Baxley		Hawk Hurst		Heather Forest

Take part in this annual worldwide event as families of all types and sizes gather on six continents this day to hear stories, share laughter and enjoy the art of storytelling. Activities are planned at five CCPL branches. Presented in partnership with the Charleston Area Professional Storytellers and the S.C. Storytelling Network, which is funded in part by the S.C. Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Seven Sensational Stories
Johns Island Regional Library at 11 a.m.
Storyteller Tim Lowry spins seven world folk tales in his signature style. Perfect for children, Lowry’s animated tales feature whimsical vocals and audience participation.

Kaleidoscope of Stories
James Island Library at 11 a.m.
Storytellers Claire Willett and Hawk Hurst share animated yarns especially for children. Hear stories about events long ago and others from current times.

Tales from Africa and Beyond
Otranto Regional Library at 11 a.m.
Children will enjoy playful tales from Africa and the Caribbean featuring teller Minerva King, plus some laugh-filled, humorous stories from David Baxley.

Fun and Folktales
Mt. Pleasant Regional Library at 11 a.m.
Enjoy Linda Stout’s enthusiastic storytelling style of as she shares old and modern folktales in this fun children’s program.

Tales in the Afternoon
Main Library from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Wrap up this day of celebration with an afternoon of stories from some of the best local storytellers. Perfect for the whole family, these stories will have you laughing and crying, often at the same time. The afternoon features stories from tellers David Baxley, Hawk Hurst, Minerva King, Tim Lowry, Sharon Cooper Murray, Linda Stout and Claire Willett.

Lowcountry Senior Center from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
865 Riverland Drive, Charleston

Enjoy a morning of laughter, and maybe a few tears, as storytellers Claire Willett and David Baxley share stories of days gone by plus a few about events of today. Willett, who often tells stories passed down from her grandmother, enjoys stories with humor and an occasional twist or message. Known for making audiences both laugh and cry, Baxley shares stories from the early 1940s to current times. The fun-filled morning is sure to make you leave wanting more. Presented in partnership with Lowcountry Senior Center.

Charleston Jewish Community Center at 1 p.m.
1645 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd., Charleston

Bring the family for an afternoon of great stories featuring teller Minerva King. With words and music, King will delight the audience with tales of Jewish folklore and other multi-cultural stories from around the world. Presented in partnership with the Charleston Jewish Community Center.

Linda Stout		Sharron Cooper Murray		Minverva King		Tim Lowry

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