Kalamazoo Valley Museum's Feb. 6 Virtual Storytelling Festival Focuses on "Raising a Generation That Changes the World"

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Jan. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Press Release
January 14, 2021

Media Contact Bill McElhone
Kalamazoo Valley Museum Director
269.373.7990 or [email protected]

Kalamazoo Valley Museum's Feb. 6 Virtual Storytelling Festival Focuses on
"Raising a Generation That Changes the World"

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum celebrates its Ninth Annual Storytelling Festival virtually from 1 to 6 p.m. on February 6, 2021. This past year has been full of challenges and struggles, and many people are all longing for a healthier, safer, and more kind and gentle environment. Throughout history and around the world, oral storytelling has been a means for teaching values, character, and morals. Join Museum staff and guest storytellers for stories that uplift and challenge everyone to embrace love, serve others, and make a difference. "Raising a Generation That Changes the World" can happen, one story at a time.

Inspired by author Susan Verde and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds' "I Am" picture book series, this year's Festival incorporates stories that teach about courage and adventure, compassion that moves us, empathy through understanding, action through service, mindful peace, and self-care. For listeners of all ages, the stories will be stirring conversation starters that can lead to growth and change.

Seasoned storytellers invite listeners into the story, where they often tap into emotions and past experiences while walking through an adventure. Noa Baum uses stories from history to bring alive characters who befriend the audience. Tim Cusack displays raw emotions from true stories of children and their reactions to the stories they've heard. Jenifer Strauss shares stories from her past and the effect they had on her. La'Ron Williams brings to life folktales and a song that speak to character and lessons learned. Adam Mellema has provided three very different stories: one true story of a servant heart, a story about compassion, and a new and futuristic story about being still. Mama Edie Armstrong tells two traditional tales with a moral at the end of each. Donna Marie Todd challenges listeners to step outside of their comfort zones and embrace the not-so-pretty truth in stereotypes and rejection. The Gemini brothers, Laz and San, have been playing music, singing songs, and telling stories for over four decades. End the Festival with a Gemini brothers concert of lullabies.

Participants will get to know the stories from Susan Verde and listen to a video on balancing your life with lots of messages of truth from Tim Cusack. Hear stories before the Festival from Noa Baum and learn more about each storyteller at our new Storytelling Festival website, kvmstorytelling.org/. All Storytelling Festival events are free. For other upcoming Museum offerings, go to kalamazoomuseum.org.

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.

Media Contact

Dawn Kemp, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 269.488.4685, [email protected]

SOURCE Kalamazoo Valley Museum