Iowa State University

Inside Iowa State
May 1, 1998

Tale tellers to gather May 2

by Steve Sullivan

A master storyteller's concert, workshops and a little fibbing will highlight the International Storytelling Festival Saturday, May 2.

Three workshops will be conducted by master storytellers Brenda Wong Aoki, Kevin Locke and Omofolabo Ajayi-Soyinka. They will discuss effective story telling techniques and tell stories of African, Asian and Native American cultures.

The festival also will feature a "Swapping Ground," where festival participants may share stories, and a "Liar's Bench," where participants vie to tell the biggest fib and longest lie.

Aoki, Locke and Ajayi-Soyinka will perform at the master storyteller's concert at 7:30 p.m. in Fisher Theater.

Aoki is a storyteller, solo theater artist, singer and actress. She is known for her lyrical solo pieces in which she creates a wide spectrum of characters. She has performed throughout the United States, Canada and Japan.

Locke is a Lakota dancer, flute player and storyteller. His stories focus on many traditional Native American legends. Locke has performed throughout the world.

Ajayi-Soyinka's story telling technique is movement-based and draws primarily from her Yoruba background in Nigeria and other West African traditions. She creates human and animal characters in her story telling.

Most festival events, including the workshops, are free and open to the public. Tickets for the evening concert are $10 ($8 for students) and on sale at Iowa State Center box office and through TicketMaster.

The festival is presented by the ISU Theatre and ISU International Resource Center. For more information, call 4- 7627.

Storytelling Workshop
Saturday May 2
Memorial Union, 4-7627

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