Storytelling program not just for kids

Heartwarming tales tonight at the Monroe County Public Library will be the perfect start to a Valentine's Day weekend. "Wintertelling," a storytelling and music program, will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m.\nThe Bloomington Storytellers' Guild and the local singing duo Davis & Devitt will join to present a night full of entertainment co-sponsored by the Adult Services department of the library.\nThe storytelling program is set up to entertain teenagers and adults, not just children. \n"Our goal for the program is to let adults realize that storytelling isn't just for children. It is a great form of entertainment for adults as well," said Jane Ruddick, program coordinator. \nTonight's program consists of professional storytellers who will tell six stories. There will be a break for local musicians Sharlee Davis and Will Devitt to perform between each set of two stories. Stephanie Holman, who is a member of Bloomington's Storytellers' Guild, is in charge of finding a band that coordinates well with the stories being told. \n"Davis and Devitt have just come out with a new CD, so they will be playing songs from their new CD and then some from their old one also. Their music is a mix of original modern folk, country and rock, and it mixes well with the stories," Holman said. \nThe stories to be told at tonight's event were selectively picked based on which stories help make the program flow best under the heart-warming theme.\n"We just pick stories based on which ones flow best with the theme of the program. Some of the stories are based on real events that have to do with the storyteller, some are humorous and others are folklore," Holman said.\nEach of the storytellers has to be trained by taking classes at IU or by having experience through a job at the library. \n"Each storyteller is a trained professional and has background experience telling stories. The storyteller picks a story that they like to tell, which is usually folklore, then we pick which ones we like for the particular program," Richey said. \nThis is the fourth annual Wintertelling program. \n"The program has been enjoyable each year we have had it. We always have positive feedback from the program by the audience," Ruddick said. "I think adults are surprised to discover how much they enjoy storytelling and how it's not just for children." \nThe event has a bigger attraction each subsequent year the program is held. \n"I think that most of the people who find the program enjoyable publicize for us by word of mouth," Ruddick said. "More people hear about the program and want to come and see how good is it for themselves." \nThe sponsors of the program encourage teenagers and adults to attend the program for their enjoyment.\n"Since it's free of charge, we're expecting a pretty big crowd to come. We hope people attend because it is really an enjoyable show," Rickey said. "Adults don't realize that storytelling can be for people of all ages, not just children, and we want them to see that for themselves."\nHolman added, "I think the program will be nice because our theme coordinates with Valentine's Day and the program will be full of humor and heart-warming stories."\n-- Contact staff writer Nellie Summerfield at nsummerf@indiana.edu.