FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2015
Media Contact: Jill Schacter jschacter@cityofevanston.org
Phone:  847/448-8628

Weekend of Inspired Storytelling Comes to Evanston

The Evanston Public Library welcomes some of the nation's best storytellers to Evanston for the 1st Annual Evanston Public Library Storytelling Festival. The free festival, offering entertainment for all ages, will be held October 9-11, featuring six nationally touring storytellers, MOTH GrandSlam winners, and favorites from Chicago's fast-growing personal storytelling scene. Audiences will also hear tales and Spoken Word poetry by accomplished student storytellers from Northwestern University and Evanston schools. Venues for the weekend long festival will include the Main Library, a large outdoor tent adjacent to the Library, The Celtic Knot, and The Woman's Club of Evanston. Some events will be open to adults only, while others are geared to families.

Multi-cultural folktales, evening "fringe" stories, ghost stories, an open mic, a writer's workshop, a panel discussion led by Northwestern's Rives Collins, and a showcase of stories in honor of one of the country's most revered storytellers, Evanston's own Syd Lieberman, will all be part of the 25 festival events. Scott Whitehair and Stephanie Douglass, who together host the popular Chicago storytelling show "This Much is True" will perform along with special guests.

"Stories have the power to connect, engage and inspire us. Through the voice of a strong storyteller and the power of words, we can be transported, inspired to change, driven to action, or drawn to greater empathy for another point of view. We are delighted to create this excellent opportunity for all to connect through live storytelling," said Karen Danczak Lyons, director of Evanston Public Library, and co-director, with Susan Stone, of the storytelling festival.

"The Evanston community will be amazed to discover the incredible talent and diversity at this festival. All listeners will find stories here which will resonate with them, moving them to laughter or tears. This is a special chance to be enlightened as well as entertained," said Susan Stone, founder and co-director of the Evanston Public Library Storytelling Festival.

Festival Events Schedule

The festival begins on Friday, October 9, from 7-9 pm with an outdoor showcase ("Olio") of all six headlining storytellers in an outdoor tent adjacent to the Main Library. On Saturday, October 10, multiple events will run from 9:30 am until 10:30 pm, some simultaneously at different downtown venues. On Sunday, October 11, the festival runs from 10 am to 8 pm. Information about the festival including a full schedule can be found on the Evanston Public Library website at epl.org/storyfestival.

Volunteer opportunties are available for the Evanston Public Library Storytelling Festival. Please contact: Mary Kling, Evanston Public Library Volunteer Coordinator, at mkling@cityofevanston.org or by calling 847-448-8645

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact: Wynn Shawver, Evanston Public Library Chief Development Officer at wshawver@cityofevanston.org or by calling 847-448-8657.

The First Annual Evanston Public Library Storytelling Festival is made possible in large part due to leadership support from the Evanston Public Library Friends. This project is funded in part by the National Storytelling Network. Additional venue space is generously provided by The Celtic Knot and the Woman's Club of Evanston.

About the Evanston Public Library

For more than 140 years, the Library has provided educational, culturally-rich resources for all residents, helped children prepare for school through the joys of reading and learning, celebrated Evanston’s diversity, and helped residents find information they seek. The Library is more than a building of books; it is a place to meet, connect, learn and explore. To learn more, visit www.epl.org.