Welcome to STORY!
Story City, Iowa
(515) 733-4214, mainstreet@storycity.com

STORY! 

I Am Somebody

with Linda Gorham

Catered by Chris Hansen from The Cottage

Ticket Prices:

Storyteller's table (7 available)  $50 per ticket

Reserved Seating $35

General Seating $25 per ticket

Please Call 515-733-4214 for tickets and more information. 

 This site sponsored in part by

Our STORY!

Once upon a time… Storytellers Michael Cotter and Bev Jackson-Cotter, from Austin Minnesota, were on route to the Iowa State Fair on I-35. They were

talking about how much Iowans embrace storytelling and how they would like to help start a Storytelling Festival somewhere in Iowa. They were thinking about places they knew and discussing “where would be the perfect fit” when they drove past Story City. It had to be here!

The Cotters’ went on to the Iowa State Fair and asked other story tellers if they knew anyone from Story City. It wasn’t long before Dick Layman of WHO radio contacted business owner Sue Ernest. Sue reached out to others she knew would be interested in putting together a festival of  this sort.

Story City’s long standing tradition of live theater with Judge Story’s Theatrical Troupe, made a storytelling festival a natural extension of the art scene, already alive and well here in town. So a group of local residents and the storytellers began the hard work of producing a festival. It took a few years of planning, but the creation of a STORY! Board and a local guild, made STORY! Celebrating the Art of Storytelling a reality in 2006.

2011 will be our sixth annual STORY! and we are 
so proud of the Cotter’s vision becoming a reality, 
so we can share not only our love of storytelling, 
but also our love of this wonderful town, with all 
who come to Celebrate STORY! with us!

And the STORY! Continues…..

Schedule

Schedule

Click Here for a printable PDF copy.

Tellers

Donald Davis was born in a Southern Appalachian mountain world rich in stories.  He recounts tales learned from a family of traditional storytellers who have lived on the same Western North Carolina land since 1781.  Davis grew up hearing gentle fairy tales, scary mountain lore, ancient Welsh and Scottish folktales, and-most importantly-nourishing true-to-life stories of his own neighbors and kin.  Davis is a graduate of Duke University Divinity School, a retired Methodist minister, former Chairperson for the National Storytelling Association, a featured teller at the Smithsonian Institution, the World's Fair, festivals and concerts throughout the U.S. and the world, a prolific author and producer of books and tapes, a master teacher of workshops and storytelling courses, a guest host for a National Public Radio Program and a father of four sons.

Anne Shimojima has delighted youth and adult audiences of all sizes with her graceful and spirited telling of folktales from her Asian heritage and around the world.  Her thirty-plus years as a school library media specialist have given her a rich knowledge of story and a keen ear for performance.  Anne has also taught graduate courses in storytelling and for seven years was on the Board of Directors of the Wild Onion Storytelling Celebration in Chicago.

Jorge Pena Indian name is wamblee ho'ka waste (Good Singer Eagle).  His ancestral grandfathers are Chief Poca Ropa (Few Clothes) of the Lipan Apachae and Young Man Afraid of His Horses of the Oglala Lakota Nation. Jorge brings the stories and the songs of both the Lakota and Lipan Apache people as tought to him by his grandmother and by his uncle.  Jorge tells the story of the tickster, Iktomi, including actions to make up for the expletives that are lost in English.  He also tells the stories of the animals and their rightful place amongst the two legged people.  He sings songs with his drum representing the heartbeat of all living beings. 

Peninnah Schram, internationally known storyteller, teacher, author, and recording artist, is Professor of Speech and Drama at Stern College of Yeshiva University.  She travels across the U.S. and other countries as a featured presenter at storytelling festivals, conferences, and as Performing Artist-in-Residence.  Peninnah tells Jewish folktales of wisdom and humor, interweaving melody and dialogue.  Peninnah is the author of ten books of Jewish folktales.  She has also recorded a CD with singer/guitarist Gerard Edery.  Peninnah is a recipient of storytelling awards including the National Storytelling Network’s 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award "For sustained and exemplary contributions to storytelling in America."

About Story City

Story City offers the best of small town life while being only minutes away from Iowa State University. This progressive Main Street Community offers a quality mix of shopping, restaurants, and recreational opportunities. A variety of year-round festivals and events enhance the quality of life and offer a unique glimpse into Story City's history and preservation ethic.

Story City is a thriving business and industrial community with plenty of old world charm. Shoppers from miles around find just what they are looking for in our bustling downtown business district or at the nearby Factory Stores of America outlet mall. Visitors are invited to relax by the pool, enjoy the challenging and beautiful nine-hole golf course or play a rousing game of tennis. Appetites can be satisfied at a wide variety of restaurants, and visitors can choose from modern, quaint, or outdoor accommodations.

For more information please visit our website www.storycity.net

Call or e-mail Story City GCC at 515-733-4214, chamber@storycity.net.

Accommodations

STORY! Stops

2011 Stops are still being planned- check back for updates

STORY! Stops

2011 Stops - Saturday continued