2010 Storytelling Workshops

2010-05-20

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This year’s storytelling workshops held in conjunction with the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival will offer an interactive chance to learn about the craft of telling stories through words and music of some critically acclaimed storytellers.

Choctaw author and storyteller Tim Tingle will offer “An Indian Look at America” at McCook Community College on June 11 from 9 a.m.-noon and the music workshop from 1-4 p.m. will feature Anne and Pete Sibley, winners of the 2009 Great American Duet Sing-Off on National Public Radio’s "A Prairie Home Companion.”

The Buffalo Commons workshops are free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Please call the Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise at 308-345-8122 or email CFEMcCook@mpcc.edu to register for these offerings.

“MCC is delighted to host this year’s Buffalo Commons workshops in the Weeth Theater, which offers an intimate workshop setting with superb lighting and excellent acoustics,” said Doug Joyce, Area Dean of Economic Development and Training at the Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise.

In the morning workshop, Tingle will discuss “who is, who isn’t, who gets to say,” and “what do Indians have to do with America, anyway?”

“Wading through the myths, we hope to arrive at some history-based truths, aided by handouts, bibliographies, and activity materials for all levels,” Tingle said.

Workshop participants can expect to discuss Andrew Jackson, “Little Big Man,” Buffalo Bill, Blue Creek, Wounded Knee, Kevin Costner, Yosemite, Tonto, plus favorite films, books, and characters of workshop participants.

Author of six books, Tingle was a featured speaker at the Native American wing of the Smithsonian Institute in 2006 and 2007. At the 2008 American Library Association Conference in Anaheim, California, he performed on the multi-ethnic concert, “Many Voices, One Nation.” His first book, “Walking the Choctaw Road,” is a fictional depiction of tribal history covering two centuries, and his upcoming children’s book, “Saltypie” is a family tale of 20th century Indian struggles and triumphs. Tingle’s first children’s book, “Crossing Bok Chitto,” was an Editor’s Choice in the New York Times Book Review and won the 2008 American Indian Youth Literature Award.

'' Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival Music Workshop – Circling Around the Song'' will be held Friday, June 11, 1-4 p.m. in the Weeth Theater. Anne and Pete Sibley present a music workshop like a community gathering, circling around the song. Learn about supporting the voice—both physically and emotionally—and singing with all your heart. This workshop includes harmony singing and all of its fun and tricky nuances, including blending and phrasing. Come join The Sibleys for a warm and inspiring workshop that’s all about their favorite instrument: the voice.

In the afternoon workshop held at the Weeth Theater on the MCC campus, Anne and Pete Sibley will present a music workshop -- like a community gathering -- circling around the song.

Workshop participants can learn about supporting the voice—both physically and emotionally—and singing with all your heart. This workshop includes harmony singing and all of its fun and tricky nuances, including blending and phrasing. It’s a workshop focused on the Sibley’s favorite instrument: the voice, and past workshop participants call it a “warm and inspiring workshop.”

Last summer, the couple released their fourth and most critically-acclaimed CD, “Coming Home.” Prior releases are “Will You Walk With Me” (2005), “Winter on the Great Divide” (2007) and “Think of This River.” (2004).

The Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival is supported in part by the Nebraska Arts Council through competitive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a federal agency, and funds from the Nebraska Cultural Endowment (NCE).

“We encourage the community to take advantage of these grant-funded offerings. They’re both going to be great learning experiences and a lot of fun,” Joyce said.