Taking Jonesborough, TN on the road, planting story-seeds along the way

The Merry Band of Jonesborough Storytellers taking our  town on the road, July 24 - August 2, 015.

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From the upper left, David Claunch, Linda Poland and Libby Tipton. From the lower left, Saundra Kelley, Delanna Reed and Jeff Stratton. Judy Butterfly Farlow and Sherril Miller and her husband Bob are out of town.

So now you can see us: six of the eight storytellers going on tour to Kansas City July 24 - August 2. In truth, we were a merry band of cut-ups yesterday as we posed for photographer Jo Anne Jones, in our new storytelling vests. We were in front of the railroad tracks at the Mill Spring Gazebo on Spring Street, temperatures were soaring, and none of us could quite figure out why the good professor - who looked cool as a cucumber, didn't have her vest on . . .   Actually, we hoped one of the famous Jonesborough storytelling trains would come through while we were there, but it wasn't to be.  

Our next fundraising event is scheduled for July 17th, $5 donation at the door.

1. 1. Tellers: Libby Tipton, Delanna Reed, Linda Poland, Jeff Stratton, 
   2. Sherril Miller with Saundra Kelley as MC.
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1. The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

   Directions
2. 4.45 Google reviews
3. Coffee Shop
6. Address: 216 E Main St, Johnson City, TN 37604
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He's funny, he's smart, he's an astute judge of human character?

Yes, he's all those  things and more, and his name is David Claunch. He's been telling stories ever since the choosy bug bit him at the International Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough in '03, but he's also a great clown and balloon twister, too. Not long after, he left his job as a construction engineer, entered the masters in storytelling program and ETSU, and then began clowning. One thing is certain - our lives have never been dull since David entered them. He's also a good man to have at your side in time of need.

Imagine David in Bhutan with his red hair, bottle of bubbles and red clown noses to pass around to a bunch of monks and you'll get some idea of his eclectic approach. His story about making them smile is worth a fortune cookie with good news inside.

Here, we see him with fellow road trip member, Libby SheltonTipton, who is also our sign language interpreter, going over the route we'll take to Kansas City. The countdown is on, departure is 8am, July 24!

KANSAS CITY HERE WE COME!

Libby Tipton – Mountain Interpreter

www.storytellersguild.org

      Libby Tipton, a performing member of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild, is a part of the JSG KANSAS CITY HERE WE COME storytelling troupe.  Nationally certified since 1987 through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, she’ll perform as an oral tradition storyteller, and as a professional sign language interpreter. To see her interpret is to see an artist at work, as she deftly translates stories into language for the deaf using her hands.

     Growing up in the family conclave in Flag Pond, TN, she learned to hunt from her deaf father, to shoot straight and true, and to love the land. From her strong mother, who is also deaf, and an advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing, she learned to uphold the rights of those in need. She also had a granny straight out of a fairy tale, one filled with the wisdom of these ancient mountains.

     If you love the sweet twang of mountain talk, particularly Appalachian, then you’ll surely appreciate Libby Tipton. Born to parents who just happened to be deaf, Libby’s talents as an interpreter for the hearing impaired developed early – but storytelling, now that was in her genes from the beginning.

     We will perform in four states in ten venues on our road trip July 24 – 28, after which we will attend the National Storytelling Network’s annual conference in Kansas City, MO. The venue schedule will go up next week, so you can put us on your calendar if we’re coming your direction. 

         Keep watch on this blog, follow us on Facebook, and check out our crowdfunding site:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/jsg-kansas-city-road-trip-transmedia-storytelling

  

You must see this - https://youtu.be/2ph0w2LBzn0

I'm wrapping up a long, lazy Sunday afternoon with my weekly blog about the Kansas City Road Trip. Having just finished whip-stitching three of the reversible blue vests we'll wear during concerts, it seemed appropriate to share with you about what we've been up to this week. We had two old-fashioned sewing bees to cut, assemble and sew the vests under the direction of storyteller Judy Butterfly Farlow, and then divided them up for the final stitching.

While some of us sewed, two of the guild's most loquacious storytellers, Jeff Stratton and Linda Poland,worked on a video to post on YouTube. They had recently hit the streets to hawk our rummage sale, doing such a fine job with it we decided they were the right ones to do our Kansas City Here We Come infomercial. With Delanna Reed, PhD (who is also one of our tellers,) behind the camera, the team produced an excellent piece that tells who we are, and what we are doing. Check it out here - https://youtu.be/2ph0w2LBzn0

They first practiced down at the Jonesborough United Methodist Church, doing it in storytelling style - knowing the topic very well, but going for a nice, spontaneous result. The next day the team went out to Jeff's home, sat on the front porch and filmed something to be proud of, almost off the cuff!

Speaking of proud, the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild is extremely pleased with the combined group efforts of those planning to go on this trip, and those who are working hard to see that we get there. Follow us as we progress towards our goal, help us raise money, and see us plant story-seeds from here to Kansas City, Missouri. At this point, we are booked for 10 gigs in four states beginning in Corbin, KY with the summer school kids July 24, and ending just prior to the beginning of the National Storytelling Network's annual conference in Kansas City. There, we'll have a house concert/story slam with their guild and anybody else who happens to drop by. Does this sound like fun or not? I think it does and I can't wait to don my blue vest, attach my treasured JSG name tag and go forth in story.