Mariposa News - 23rd Mariposa Storytelling Festival, March 12

It’s time to mark your calendars for your annual escape to Historic Mariposa and Yosemite National Park to spend a weekend mesmerized by the voices of Storytellers. Enjoy three days of magical storytelling performances performed by six world renowned tellers at the 23^rd Mariposa Storytelling Festival, March 12 – 14, 2010 while basking in Gold Rush History and the breathless beauty of our nation’s most inspiring national park. In storytelling, everybody has their own window seat, and the audience and the teller go “into” the story together, and at the Mariposa County Arts Council’s 23^rd Mariposa Storytelling Festival you won’t want to miss a single word!

Producer/Director, Marilyn Rudzik, has gathered together six popular storytellers whose combined talents encompass a wealth of cultures, traditions, and styles. Returning for his fourth appearance at the Mariposa Storytelling Festival, Donald Davis, the “father of family stories” will leave listeners from eight to ninety-eight limp with laughter while at the same time they struggle with a lump in their throat. Beth Horner’s lively traditional storytelling style often incorporates music, creating a unique performance critics have called “dynamite” while Syd Lieberman tells poignant and hilarious personal stories, transports you to the rocky surface of Mars, and navigates the mad world of Edgar Alan Poe as easily as he wanders the foolish streets of Chelm.

Set your imaginations on “travel” as Olga Loya, a nationally recognized bilingual storyteller spins her Latin-American folklore and personal stories with a variety of performance styles that often includes surprises for her audience. Dip a bit south as Brazilian native, Antonio Rocha, a world renowned storyteller and mime, uses his unique talents to encourage his audience to activate their imaginations through rich symbolism and charming imagery. Then return, via San Diego, for Sarah Saulter’s tales of tricksters, magical beings and wise fools. With a voice filled with warmth and respect, she can bring the most fanciful characters to life.

For ticket information and more about our six 2010 featured Storytellers, please visit our web page at: www.arts-mariposa.org or call the Mariposa County Arts Council at (209) 966-3155 or (800) 903-9936. Arrive early for the Festival to enjoy “History Alive” on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at the Mariposa Museum and History Center and meet, in person, some of our county’s most loveable historical characters.