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This paper aims to promote the valued tradition of: Deep South 'Storytelling' as a method for preserving culture, lore, and tradition. Storytelling is the oldest form of oral history. Orators have used stories for hundreds of years to chronicle important events in history.
Cities all over The Deep South are preserving the honored tradition of storytelling with annual festivals that promote the custom of storytelling.
Attendees come from many other parts of the country (as well as the world). As such, these festivals also serve to educate many others as to our rich Deep South heritage, traditions, and way of life.
In addition to offering others an increased understanding of Deep South culture, these festivals also enhance Deep South Economic Development.
Note: Economic Development of New Orleans Area Festivals www.neworleanscvb.com/new_site/visitor/researchfestivals.cfm
Great teachers, such as Plato, Homer, and Socrates, are remembered for their use of the spoken word in instruction through stories, myths, and parables.
Storytelling is the foundation for which we remember the past and predict the future. Storytelling is not only a form of entertainment, it is also an integral thread in the design of our lives, and no one tells a story like a Southerner!
Some particularly successful Deep South Storytelling festivals include:
1) Tennessee Williams Literary Festival: [New Orleans, Louisiana]
March 24-28, 2004
This festival is a five-day celebration that honors storytelling as well as a showcase forum for national and regional scholars, writers, and performers. This festival is held in the historic French Quarter, an area rich in folklore, mystery, and many a notorious storyteller.
www.tennesseewilliams.net
Ph: 504-581-1144
Email: info@tenneseewilliams.net
2) Winter Storytelling Festival: [Kennesaw, Georgia]
January 30-31, 2004
This festival is associated with Kennesaw State University where more than 30 storytellers shared their tall tales, folk tales, true tales, literary stories, and historical stories for people of all ages. This festival has special sessions for families and children (as well as educators interested in using storytelling in the classroom).
Cultural heritage was also featured as Gayle Ross, an acclaimed Cherokee storyteller, conducted a workshop on: "Seeing Red" - "Storytelling from a Native American Perspective".
Another first for the festival was the inclusion of Craig Watson's "Storytelling in Organizations" which featured ways in which storytelling can be used to enhance innovative ideas in the workplace as well as advance and promote the following of policies in the workplace. Mr Watson is an employee development and training professional.
www.kennesaw.edu/arts/WEEKLY_NEWS_POSTS/1-20-04-Storytelling.html
http://www.southernorderofstorytellers.com
Ph: 770-587-2735
Email: sosmailcmt@aol.com
3) Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival: [South Carolina]
Patchwork Tales began in 1996 as a project to promote storytelling and to enhance family literacy in South Carolina.
The 2004 host is The York County Library in Rock Hill, SC. Sensational storytelling talent is always in the 'Patchwork Tales' line up.
Music, educational workshops, and theatric options round out the mix of educational and entertainment options. 2004 also featured a "Ghostly Gallery," which is presented a special concert of eerie tales for teens and adults.
Other featured 2004 National Storytellers included: Jackson Gillman, and Heather Forest ; Connie Regan-Blake; Roger Day.
Major sponsors Friends of York County Library, Comporium Communications and The Herald. Patchwork Tales also receives assistance from the City of Rock Hill.
Ph: 803-981-5837
E-Mail: prasst@hotmail.com
www.patchworktales.org
Comment:
These festivals are not only preserving southern tradition and culture, they are also presenting an opportunity for the South to increase tourism and educate other parts of the country on our traditions. Increases in positive tourism such as this are sure to have an economic benefit to the communities that support these festivals.
For example, The Tennessee Williams festival attracts thousands of writers, storytellers, and curious individuals from all over the country. The cost to attend ranges from $25-$500 depending on which classes and seminars the attendees choose. This festival is a non-profit organization and all proceeds go to furthering the promotion of the festival and to promoting Louisiana culture. This paper will further investigate the economic impact of the other festivals on their communities.
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