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Join Patchwork Storytelling Guild for Deep Water: A Concert of Uncharted Stories in the Oral Tradition, an afternoon of captivating storytelling exploring the depths of human experience—both real and mythical. Expect a rich mix of voices, perspectives, and styles as esteemed tellers bring compelling stories to life.
Hosted by Denise McCormack, the concert also features masterful performances by Michele Belluomini, Tiffani Dean, Gigi McGraw, Christina Sturgis, Nancy Wexler Taylor, and Barb Sherf, each bringing their own unique lens and creative expression to the theme of Deep Water.
Come, listen, and be part of the story.
This program is made possible by The Rotunda. And we thank them wholeheartedly for their support.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
*Soul Skin, Seal Skin
The Waters That Change
Benjamin Franklin & Me
SOS: Grabbing the Buoys of Life
Page 143 Clearly States
Wade in the Water
*Sea & Stone: A Cinderfella Tale
*Generational Gold: a story passed down through time and oral tradition
Denise McCormack is a dynamic storyteller and president of the Patchwork Storytelling Guild. Her extensive involvement in cultural, educational, and artistic initiatives
fuels her passion to extol the transformative power of stories. In fact, she believes that there is a story for every time and purpose under heaven, each carrying the pot
Denise McCormack is a dynamic storyteller and president of the Patchwork Storytelling Guild. Her extensive involvement in cultural, educational, and artistic initiatives
fuels her passion to extol the transformative power of stories. In fact, she believes that there is a story for every time and purpose under heaven, each carrying the potential to inspire, educate, and unite.
In Denise's world of storytelling, great people, great messages, and great stories converge to ignite the imagination and evoke emotion and action. www.denisemccormack.live
Michele is a long-time storyteller. She often tells stories shared with her by various Native American tellers, as well as stories from around the world. She is a member of Patchwork Storytelling Guild and the National Storytelling Network. She is Adjunct Faculty at Community College of Philadelphia & she often does special presentations at the Penn Museum.
Tiffani Dean is a griot from Philadelphia who is equally adept at telling stories through visual art, written works, and performance art. Her work has been featured all over the US—both live and in print. Tiffany is the CEO of La Diva Dolls, LLC and the COO of The Collective Mic, LLC .
Gigi McGraw is a performance artist, cultural preservationist, and public presenter with a master’s degree in theater from Villanova University. She currently resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she is developing several projects that combine performance with sociology. Ms. McGraw uses creative artforms such as writing, drama, vis
Gigi McGraw is a performance artist, cultural preservationist, and public presenter with a master’s degree in theater from Villanova University. She currently resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she is developing several projects that combine performance with sociology. Ms. McGraw uses creative artforms such as writing, drama, visual art, dance, and photography to address universal themes with a specific focus on communities of color.
Barbara Sherf wears many hats—Storyteller, Writer, Speech Coach, Publicist, Marketer, Free Hugger, and more. An old school storyteller and personal historian, she helps others craft their messages and shares. This veteran Toastmaster of 25 years and award-winning print and broadcast journalist also conducts Public Speaking Boot Camps and facilitates one-on-one speech coaching.
Christina Sturgis is an award-winning journalist, storyteller and wordsmith. From her humble beginnings in a tiny home in Massachusetts, she always looked for the healing, but humorous, message in everyday occurrences. She is a graduate of Temple University, where she majored in communications, following a two-year stint at Bates College,
Christina Sturgis is an award-winning journalist, storyteller and wordsmith. From her humble beginnings in a tiny home in Massachusetts, she always looked for the healing, but humorous, message in everyday occurrences. She is a graduate of Temple University, where she majored in communications, following a two-year stint at Bates College, where she majored in theater. She is the editor of her church newsletter, The Pulse of DDUUC, and blogs at clsreal.com.
Nancy Wexler Taylor is a native of Philadelphia and currently resides in Doylestown, PA. Winning Best in Show in The Philadelphia Moth Nov.’19 and at First Person Arts in June 2023. She thanks her family and friends for the true stories she shares with strangers.
By Denise McCormack, Editor, Story Art
Originally published in Story Art, A Magazine for Storytellers, National Storytellers League, October-November-December 2013.
In 1995, Ulf Armstrong and other Scandinavian storytellers invited Larry Johnson and Elaine Wynne to Sweden and Norway to teach them how to create and tell personal stories, and Larry and Elaine brought Alle Berättares Dag, or Everyone Tell a Story Day, back to the United States.
Everyone Tell a Story Day encourages everyone—self-professed storyteller or not—to tell his or her own story to children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors, and it is traditionally celebrated on or about March 21 each year. Together, the husband-and-wife team promoted the event via U.S. newsletters such as Harlynne Geisler’s Story Bag, and in 2003, they again joined forces with Ulf Armstrong and others to make Everyone Tell a Story Day a worldwide event. Today, World Storytelling Day is celebrated every year in more than 25 countries.
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Addendum: The Growth of World Storytelling Day and Patchwork’s Role
The underlying rationale of World Storytelling Day—If you know my story, you won’t hate me so much—continues to resonate as storytellers worldwide share narratives that foster understanding and connection. As part of this tradition, Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild embraced World Storytelling Day as a hallmark event, complementing its long-standing participation in the storytelling tradition of Tellabration, rooted in 1988 as a beacon of the National Storytelling Network and supported since those early years by Patchwork.
When COVID-19 disrupted live performances, Patchwork adapted quickly, ensuring that World Storytelling Day continued uninterrupted. The 2020 theme, Voyages, was hosted by Patchwork on our virtual platforms, chiefly Youtube and, later, Zoom, enabling tellers from around the world to participate, broadening the event’s reach and impact.
World Storytelling Day remains a vital and dynamic tradition, uniting tellers and listeners across cultures. That's important.
DEEP WATER
Workshop, Lunch, and Story Concert.
Sunday, March 23 at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
This event is free w/pay-what-you-can options.
Let's support the art of storytelling together.
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Workshop SOLD OUT
Whether you are a master storyteller or a novice speaker, this workshop will add new luster to your storytelling skills; offer new insights into the innerworkings and shaping of stories; and wholly refresh your creativity in a warm and inviting community atmosphere.
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM | Lunch & Networking SOLD OUT
Enjoy lunch on us! We promise to have delicious food and great company. This is the chance to mix, mingle, and share stories with fellow creatives. (Pre-registration required. Deadline 3/20/25. Space limited.)
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Storytelling Showcase
It's time to immerse yourself in the worlds unfurled by our renowned and featured storytellers. It's a veritable feast for the story lover's soul!
Join us for an enriching storytelling workshop designed to enhance your storytelling toolbox—whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro. Participants will enjoy:
Recall and Retelling of Stories
Use of Attention Getters and Captivating Closings
Trimming Tales for Time, Recollection, and Presentation
Gigi McGraw is a performance artist, cultural preservationist, and public presenter with a master’s degree in theater from Villanova University. A resident of
Philadelphia, she is develops projects that combine performance with sociology. Ms. McGraw uses creative artforms— writing, drama, visual art, dance, and photography— to address u
Gigi McGraw is a performance artist, cultural preservationist, and public presenter with a master’s degree in theater from Villanova University. A resident of
Philadelphia, she is develops projects that combine performance with sociology. Ms. McGraw uses creative artforms— writing, drama, visual art, dance, and photography— to address universal themes with a specific focus on communities of color.
Barbara Sherf wears many hats—Storyteller, Writer, Speech Coach, Publicist, Marketer, Free Hugger, and more. An old school storyteller and personal historian, she helps others craft their messages and shares. This veteran Toastmaster of 25 years and award-winning print and broadcast journalist also conducts Public Speaking Boot Camps and facilitates one-on-one speech coaching.
Nancy Wexler Taylor is a native of Philadelphia and currently resides in Doylestown, PA. Winning Best in Show in The Philadelphia Moth Nov.’19 and at First Person Arts in June 2023. She thanks her family and friends for the true stories she shares with strangers.
Secure your spot! The interactive storytelling workshop will be followed by a catere lunch, offering a chance to connect, learn, and refine your storytelling skills with colleagues. Space is limited—reserve your seat today!
Rest assured that the food will be fresh and friendly. Concerns? Contact us.
The Rotunda, located in Philadelphia, PA, is a community-gathering place that is fueled by the belief that art is a catalyst for social change and that the arts can lead to the formation of meaningful partnerships between our parent organization the University of Pennsylvania, and surrounding neighborhoods. Over 300 events are offered every year, including live music, film, spoken word, theater, art, dance, education, youth programs, arts incubation, and various experimental genres. As an alcohol-free venue, The Rotunda provides a critical social alternative for all ages. At its core, The Rotunda is a shared space fostering learning, enrichment, and community support while empowering the public to present, produce, and promote their work.