Tellabration Events Planned Regionally

The Federation-Jewish Communities of Western Connecticut and Danbury Public Library are just two of the local venues that will host events for the annual Tellabration: Folktales from Around the World celebration. The 2007 celebration began earlier this month with a program for families presented by Jane Gangi and Marcia Hupp at The Barnum Museum in Bridgeport on November 3, and will continue until November 26 with a program of historical stories in North Stonington.

Tellabration! is traditionally observed at sites around the world on the weekend before Thanksgiving.  The very first Tellabration! was launched in Connecticut in 1988 and was billed as “Storytelling for Grownups.” Now adults, as well as families with children, are welcome to events throughout Connecticut.

On Saturday, November 17 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, Southbury resident Carol Birch will be the featured storyteller at Danbury Public Library.  Known as “The Rolls Royce of storytelling,” Ms Birch has earned her respected place in the forefront of platform storytelling with over 30 years of experience. She has appeared on the ABC’s Nightline, CBS This Morning and NPR, and was winner of the coveted National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence Award.

Ms Birch will perform at 2:10 pm. The library is at 170 Main Street, at the corner of West Street.

Danbury High School students will conduct a shadow puppet performance, along with a storyteller.  Mark Hasskarl, Director of the Danbury Library will emcee this year’s event.

The program is free of charge and refreshments will be available. For details about the Danbury event call Bert MacCarry at 796-0017.

In Southbury on Tuesday, November 20, Brownstein Jewish Family Service will host a Tellabration program for area adults at 1 pm. The program, at the Western CT Jewish Community Center, 444 Main Street North, will follow lunch at noon. Storyteller Hank Savin will present “Jewish Tales to Warm the Heart.”

In every generation a few true storytellers inherit the rhythm and feel of the Jewish soul. Mr Savin, one of those fortunate few, weaves his words around us until we are carried into the very heart of the story. His magic makes us all a part of the tale so we feel the laughter and tears of the people he so easily brings to life.  Telling his stories with reverence, grace and humor, Mr Savin has enthralled audiences from age five to 95.

A native of New London, Mr Savin was raised in the Conservative tradition with a very strong Orthodox in­fluence. On his grandmother’s farm in the New England “shtetl” of Chesterfield and at his parent’s home in New London, Judaism’s traditions and legends became an important part of his life.

Mr Savin was a featured teller in the origi­nal Tellabration in 1988. He has appeared on stage as Lazar Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof and as the narrator of a televised production of Peter and the Wolf with Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra.

Lunch reservations should be made by Friday, November 16 for this program. There is a suggested lunch donation of $5.50 for those aged 60 and above and $8 for those under 60. To make a reservation, call Debby Horowitz, Brownstein Jewish Family Service Director, at 267-3177 extension 105.

Additional local programs are also planned to take place on Friday, November 16, at Derby Public Library and New Fairfield Public Library; and Saturday, November 17, at Bethel Municipal Center and Ridgefield Theater Barn.

For more information about 2007 Tellebration! events, contact the National Storytelling Network (Tellabration.org) or the Connecticut Storytelling Center (ConnStoryCenter.org), the latter of which is based at Connecticut College in New London and has a listing of all 38 sites and program details for Connecticut.