National Concert
Saturday, August 9, 7-9 pm
The National Concert, featuring Diane Ferlatte, Doc McConnell, Motoko, and Connie Regan-Blake, with Jim May as emcee, is included in your full conference package or your concert package ticket this year! If you are only attending for a day or have friends/family coming with you, individual tickets can be purchased for this concert for $15.
Diane Ferlatte has been researching, collecting and telling stories for over twenty years. While emphasizing the history, struggles and triumphs of the African American experience, she also loves to tell stories that hold truths touching upon our common humanity. Ferlatte has frequently performed at the National Storytelling Festival and many other festivals throughout the world. She also performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, as part of President Clinton's first inauguration.
Diane has received numerous honors including the National Storytelling Network’s “Circle of Excellence” Award, the National Black Storyteller's Zora Neale Hurston Award, and the California Arts Council’s highest ranking. All of her recordings have also won awards, including those from Parents’ Choice, the American Library Association, National Parenting Publications, the National Youth Storytelling Pegasus Award, Storytelling World Awards, iParenting Media, and a 2007 Grammy nomination. Ferlatte is profiled in "African American Voices of Triumph: Creative Fire", a Time/Life Books publication.
Southern storytelling with a mountain flavor is often the description used to describe Doc McConnell’s storytelling. Doc tells traditional stories and tall tales and is considered the best of the old time ‘pitch men’ as he recreates entertainment of days gone by in “Doc McConnell’s Old Medicine Show” complete with wagon, copper bracelets and entertainment.
Doc has been featured at major festivals, fairs, concerts, schools, colleges and conventions over much of the United States. He has appeared on many television and radio shows and was a founding member of the national and state storytelling organizations.
Doc has been honored with the National Storytelling Association “Circle of Excellence” award, the “Lifetime Achievement” award and is listed on the Tennessee Arts Commission artists’ roster. Doc’s presentations provide a fresh look at storytelling as a part of American life and everyday events.
A native of Osaka, Japan, Motoko first came to the U. S. as an exchange student to University of Massachusetts. Her earlier career included working as a Japanese language instructor at UMass for ten years. She trained with late master mime Tony Montanaro , and her partner Eshu Bumpus introduced her to the world of American storytelling. Motoko has performed professionally since 1993, going to hundreds of schools, libraries, museums and festivals, including the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Motoko also toured Japan as part of CarnegieKids in Miyazaki Project, sponsored by Carnegie Hall.
Motoko has appeared on “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” and in an educational video by Harcourt. She has been awarded numerous grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and New York State BOCES. Her debut CD, “The Promise of Chrysanthemums” won a 2002 Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award and a 2003 Storytelling World Award.
Connie Regan-Blake is one of America’s most celebrated storytellers. She has captivated the hearts and imaginations of people around the globe with her powerful performances and workshops. Entertaining audiences in 47 states and 16 countries, she brings the wisdom, humor and drama of stories to main stage concert halls, libraries and into the corporate world.
Both as a solo artist and a member of the acclaimed Folktellers duo, Connie has been featured on seven award-winning recordings – five audio and two videos produced by PBS. New Age Magazine, School Library Journal, and Southern Living have praised her work. She has been a guest on NPR’s All Things Considered, ABC Good Morning America and CNN.
As a founding board member of the National Storytelling Association (formerly NAPPS), and a frequent host and featured performer at the National Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, Connie helped ignite and shape the American storytelling revival.
with Jim May as your emcee!
Jim May (emcee), is an emmy award-winning storyteller and writer. His book, THE FARM ON NIPPERSINK CREEK, won a Public Librarian Association Best Book...award and he has presented his workshop, Personal Narrative, Culture and Myth across the US and in England, Ireland, and Canada.
Each spring he leads this workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico and at his home in Harvard, Illinois, on summer solstice weekend.
He is a member of the NSN Circle of Excellence.
Don't miss a special evening with these amazing performers!!
