Worldwide Storytelling Festival, Created In Connecticut, Returns This Month

Tellabration, which was conceived by Connecticut storyteller and Connecticut Storytelling Center member J.G. Pinkerton and introduced in November 1988, has grown into an international phenomenon in 17 years.

Mr Pinkerton conceived the festival as a way to reintroduce grown-ups to the pleasures of storytelling as entertainment.

This year’s official Tellabration date is Saturday, November 20. On that day countless programs will be taking place around the world simultaneously.

The festival is always presented the weekend before Thanksgiving. There is considerable latitude in the date, however, and in Connecticut this year (as in years past) there are a number of events planned from November 12 until November 21. This year’s Connecticut Tellabration also honors National Storytelling Week and the 85th Annual Children’s Book Week, both of which will also be taking place during the November 12-21 span.

Local events follow. Additional information about events and Tellabration across the state and around the world is available online at www.ConnStoryCenter.org.

On Friday, November 19, Marcia Hupp and Ellie Toy will be the featured storytellers at New Fairfield Public Library. Their program will begin at 7 pm. Contact Debbie Nahabedian for additional information at 312-5682.

Then on Saturday, November 20, Ridgefield Theater Barn will host tellers Darla Shaw, Mary Clare Quine and storytellers beginning at 10 am. The theater barn is at 37 Halpin Lane. Contact Martha Bishop, 794-8735, for details.

Saturday’s events will also be offered at noon at Minor Memorial Library, 23 South Street in Ridgefield. Shari Lynn and Joyce Marie Rayno will be the guest tellers; contact Valerie Annis, at the library, for information, 860-350-2181.

North Branch Public Library, at 3455 Madison Avenue in Bridgeport, will host a program by tellers Bina Williams, Sue Fleming, Michele Jacobsen and Tess Beck beginning at 2:30. Contact Michelle Jacobson, 203-576-7828, for additional information.

Fred Black, Mary Claire Quine and student tellers will be the readers at Bethel Senior Center, 1 School Street (within the municipal center building) at 6:30 pm. Information on this program is available from Amy Schumann, 794-8756 extension 0.

New Milford Public Library will host a program at 8 pm on Saturday. Guest tellers will be Shari Lyn, Sue Ford, Joyce Marie Rayno, Marcello Martin, Les Julian and Cat Favoccia. The library is at 24 Main Street. Information about this program is available from Ms Ford; call 860-355-1191.

Another local program will be offered on Sunday, November 21.

Brookfield Public Library, at 182 Whisconier Road (Route 25), will host a reception and reading. The reception with guest tellers Keith Hughes, Carol Mon and Gail Zeiba will begin at 2:30. The readings will begin at 3. Contact Anita Barney at the library, 775-6241, for details.