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JOHNSON CITY, TN – For a unique and entertaining summer experience, families can travel to The International Storytelling Center (ISC) in Northeast Tennessee for Storytelling Live! as ISC hosts its seventh annual Teller-in-Residence Program, beginning June 3 and running through November 1.

“The Teller-in-Residence line-up encompasses a wealth of cultures, geography and styles, spread throughout a five-month period,” said Susan O’Connor, ISC’s director of programs. “It’s designed to offer our regional audience and our visitors an ongoing opportunity to see live storytelling in Jonesborough.”

Worldwide, the Storytelling Center is the only center of its kind, devoted solely to the art of storytelling. The program will bring 22 of the world's most talented storytellers from across the country and around the world to perform various stories on the stage of the Krispy Kreme Storytelling Theater located in the center. Each week will feature a different artist, all of whom will perform Tuesday through Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Special evening shows are also held at 7:30 p.m., with select Saturday morning children’s concerts taking place throughout the season as well.

Talents during the month of June include Bil Lepp, Dovie Thomason, Dolores Hydock and Paul Taylor. July will feature Andy Offutt Irwin, Gay Ducey, Gene Tagaban, Ed Stivender and Connie Regan-Blake. The month of August will bring Carmen Deedy, Dan Keding, Victoria Burnett and Jim May. Judith Black, Motoko, Mitch Capel, Billy Teare and Donald Davis will headline the month of September, with Nancy Donoval, Bill Mooney, Jennifer Armstrong and Sheila Kay Adams entertaining and concluding the season through October.

“Our mission is to inspire people around the world, both children and adults to celebrate their storytelling heritage, and to use the power of story to achieve their personal and community goals,” said Jimmy Neil Smith, founder and president of ISC.

Storytelling Live! offers attendees the opportunity to be entertained by a variety of storytellers and narratives, each with a distinct style and personality. While Bil Lepp, a five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars' Contest, will amuse audiences with tall-tales covering any subject from politics to human relationships, Gene Tagaban brings to life his Native American heritage, while partnering his words with the use of flutes and drums, dance, masks and regalia. All the way from Northern Ireland, Billy Teare, a 20-year veteran of the profession, brings a combination of music and songs, magic, juggling and theater skills to translate his legends.

“The Teller-in-Residence program truly showcases the industry's best and most entertaining performers and as each one takes the stage, I know audiences will be held captive from start to finish as they spin their tales,” said Brenda Whitson, executive director of the Johnson City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Tickets for Storytelling Live! can be purchased by calling (423) 913-1276 or (800) 952-8392 ext. 222. Tickets can also be purchased at the door prior to a performance, but many performances sell out, so reservations are recommended.

Copyright 2008 International Storytelling Center. All rights reserved. From http://www.storytellingcenter.com.
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