Rocky Mountain Storytelling's “2019 Story Seeds Conference and Concert”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 28, 2019

Media Contact:
Jennifer Shermer / Shermer Communications
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN STORYTELLING’S
“2019 STORY SEEDS CONFERENCE AND CONCERT” TO FEATURE INTERNATIONAL IRISH STORYTELLER LIZ WEIR AND 11 NATIONAL STORYTELLERS IN GOLDEN

The April 12 – 13 events feature local, national and international storytellers with featured teller co-sponsored by Metropolitan State University of Denver Journey Through Our Heritage


DENVER – Rocky Mountain Storytelling (RMS), the nonprofit, volunteer-led organization of storytellers, story listeners and story lovers based in Golden, CO, is delighted to announce its 2019 conference and concert this April: Story Seeds Conference and Concert. The three separate events include a conference, public concert and story slam, all taking place at the American Mountaineering Center at 710 10th Street in Golden, Colorado.

“We are very excited to bring the annual conference and concert back to Golden this year,” says Rocky Mountain Storytelling’s President and Board Member Kate Lutz. “It has become more important than ever to preserve the art of storytelling as the age of digital communication continues to boom. We feel this event is the perfect way to hear some fascinating storytellers and inspire a new generation to learn how to both share and enjoy this art.”

The public concert, “Friday Evening Stories in Concert” begins at 7:00 p.m. and features Liz Weir, Angel Vigil and Carolina Quiroga-Stultz.

· Weir, an Irish storyteller with an international reputation, was recently appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the UK's New Year 2019 Honours List for her services to the arts and education. The New Year Honours List recognizes the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom.

· Vigil is an accomplished author, performer, theatre director and educator. He is the author of six award-winning books on Hispanic and Western arts and culture. He is also the Colorado State Heritage Artist for Hispanic storytelling, specializing in the traditional stories of the Hispanic Southwest and Mexico. He has performed, directed and taught in theatre, dance and the circus arts. He also has appeared at national storytelling festivals throughout the United States.

· Quiroga-Stultz is a bilingual storyteller and podcaster with a large repertoire of bilingual stories that explore the Native and Afro-Latin American and Hispanic myths, legends and mysteries ranging from El Río Bravo to La Patagonia. She was recognized as the 2016 National Storytelling Network emerging artist.

The Friday Evening Stories in Concert is open to the public and targeted to an adult audience. Children over age 10 are welcome, also. Tickets are $15/each ($45 for families of 4+).

The “Story Seeds Conference” is Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and features a keynote presentation by Liz Weir, workshops with Glenda Bonin, Mark Goldman, Yvonne Healy, Maureen Korte, Julie Moss and Elaine Muray, as well as performances by Laura Deal, Pam Faro, Yvonne Healy, Elaine Muray, Susan Scott-Stevens, John Stansfield and 2018 RMS Story Slam Winner Dave Starr. The conference schedule of workshops and performances are found here.

Conference ticket prices also include lunch, the Friday evening concert and a ticket to the Saturday Evening RMS Story Slam.

Following the conference is the Saturday Evening RMS Story Slam at 7:00 p.m., which will include personal and traditional tales on the theme of “illusion.” Attendees are invited to bring their best five-minute story and put their name in a hat. RMS will choose 10 storytellers to perform. A panel of judges will determine the winner and award a prize. Storytellers are not allowed to bring notes on the stage.

“The concert, conference and slam will be filled with stories that entertain, delight and make you think,” said Lutz. “Adults love stories. If you love listening to stories or are just curious about a storytelling concert, come and enjoy the Friday evening concert and Saturday Slam. Want more? Enjoy the whole package, including concert, conference and slam. Everyone loves a good story.”

For more information and to purchase tickets to the concert, conference or story slam, visit RMS’s website. The press kit includes performer bios and images, conference agenda and more.

RMS is presenting the event with featured teller co-sponsored by Metropolitan State University of Denver Journey Through Our Heritage. The concert, conference and story slam are made possible by a generous grant from the Jefferson County SCFD.

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About Rocky Mountain Storytelling
Rocky Mountain Storytelling is a 501(c)(3) corporation made up of storytellers, story listeners and story lovers. The group’s mission is to create annual storytelling events that perpetuate the art of oral storytelling, educate and expose the community to storytelling, promote the history and traditions of storytelling from various social and cultural backgrounds, and provide a forum for the art, craft, and techniques of storytelling. To learn more, or become a member, visit www.rmstory.org .

About Keynote Liz Weir
Liz Weir is an Irish storyteller with an international reputation. She has performed on five continents appearing in venues from the Vanderbilt Hall of New York's Grand Central Station to libraries in Australia, from prisons in Canada to London's Royal Albert Hall. Having started her career as Children's Librarian for the City of Belfast, she saw firsthand the healing power of storytelling to bring communities together. Liz was the first winner of the International Storybridge Award from the National Storytelling Network, which cited her “exemplary work promoting the art of storytelling,” and has recently been be appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the UK's New Year 2019 Honours List for her services to the arts and education. The New Year Honours List recognizes the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom.