Connie is telling stories at Pack Memorial Library in downtown Asheville. Her performance is part of the Perspectives Storytelling Project in collaboration with the Asheville Art Museum.
Connie with Rosa and Ray Hicks
Ray Hicks at National Storytelling Festival – Photo by Tom Raymond
From Another Time: Celebrating the Legacy of Ray Hicks
We have been looking up to him from the beginning . . . the lanky 6’ 7’’ man of the mountains, who came out into the world, bearing old-world gifts that have enriched modern lives beyond measure. Connie Regan-Blake first met Ray Hicks on October 7, 1973, in Jonesborough, Tennessee. It was an afternoon that changed her life . . . and the course of storytelling in the United States. The setting was the first National Storytelling Festival. Come listen to stories of how Ray became the face of traditional Appalachian mountain storytelling along with Connie’s personal reflections on her long friendship with the Hicks family.
Plan now to attend the 50th annual National Storytelling Festival! Connie Regan-Blake is performing and has the distinct pleasure of being on stage for all 49 Festivals so far.
On a warm October weekend in 1973 the first National Storytelling Festival was held in historic Jonesborough, TN. Hay bales and wagons were the stages, and audience and tellers together didn’t number more than 60. It was intimate, but something happened that weekend that forever changed our culture, this
traditional art form, and the little Tennessee town.
Connie is giving a special featured storytelling performance From Another Time: Celebrating the Legacy of Ray Hicks at 4pm Saturday, October 8th in the Library Tent – We have been looking up to him from the beginning . . . the lanky 6’ 7’’ man of the mountains, who came out into the world, bearing old-world gifts that have enriched modern lives beyond measure. Connie Regan-Blake first met Ray Hicks on October 14, 1973, in Jonesborough, Tennessee. It was an afternoon that changed her life . . . and the course of storytelling in the United States. The setting was the first National Storytelling Festival. Come listen to stories of how Ray became the face of traditional Appalachian mountain storytelling along with Connie’s personal reflections on her long friendship with the Hicks family.
See International Storytelling Center for tickets and more info.
This fall Connie is excited to again offer an online learning opportunity to grow your storytelling voice and creativity!
Join her on Wednesday afternoons (check your timezone) starting October 26, 2022 to explore “The Landscapes of Story and Telling.” These four story-work sessions with a weekly format allows for skills to grow over time while encouraging a consistency in discovering, revisiting and refining your stories.
During these weekly sessions participants are invited to:
- Draw on memories & traditional stories in developing and growing your stories
- Work with partners and in small groups to illuminate new viewpoints
- Practice deep listening and appreciative feedback
- Increase confidence in giving voice to your stories
- Cultivate your skills and delight in telling stories
All are welcome: Connie’s current and former students as well as newcomers.
If you know of others who might enjoy and benefit from the classes, your help in spreading the word is always appreciated! To register and check out all the details, visit the workshop page.
Look who Connie met hiking on Frying Pan Mountain on the Blueridge Parkway recently. Her name is Sheila, and turns out, she is an emotional support skeleton! 
Connie and Sheila want to share with you this “spooktacular” storytelling event coming up just across the mountain in Jonesborough.
Get ready for ghost stories, seasonal craft beer, and spooky tunes! The Town of Jonesborough, Tennessee is hosting the storytelling event “Brews & Boos” on Saturday evening, October 29th, 2022 featuring world-renowned storytellers Connie Regan-Blake and Michael Reno Harrell. The event is taking place in the in Jimmy Neil Smith Park (Storytelling Park behind the International Storytelling Center on Main Street) from 8-10pm.
Gates will open at 7 p.m. with live music from regional artist K.T. Vandyke. Main Street Café & Catering will serve local favorites Depot Street Brews and Gypsy Circus Cider while concessions will also be available. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets, due to ground seating only.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 the day of the event and can be purchased online or by calling the Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010. A limited number of tickets will be available at the gate.
Connie’s award-winning storytelling recordings including her “Chilling Ghost Stories: Haunting Tales for Adults & Teens” will be available for purchase
You can find all of the event details on their website: https://jonesborough.com/boo
Here is the direct link to tickets: https://townofjonesborough.thundertix.com/events/191263
Here is a link to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/788415535760801
This fall Connie is excited to again offer an online learning opportunity to grow your storytelling voice and creativity!
Join her on Wednesday afternoons (check your timezone) starting October 26, 2022 to explore “The Landscapes of Story and Telling.” These four story-work sessions with a weekly format allows for skills to grow over time while encouraging a consistency in discovering, revisiting and refining your stories.
During these weekly sessions participants are invited to:
- Draw on memories & traditional stories in developing and growing your stories
- Work with partners and in small groups to illuminate new viewpoints
- Practice deep listening and appreciative feedback
- Increase confidence in giving voice to your stories
- Cultivate your skills and delight in telling stories
All are welcome: Connie’s current and former students as well as newcomers.
If you know of others who might enjoy and benefit from the classes, your help in spreading the word is always appreciated! To register and check out all the details, visit the workshop page.
Connie is telling to residents of a local Senior’s home. (This is a private event.) 
Connie is available for your event both in the Asheville area and beyond. Her storytelling performances range from hilarious traditional Appalachian Mountain tales to poignant true-life dramas with listeners laughing in one moment and catching their breath in awe in the next. She has performed for national & regional conferences of every genre, family reunions, churches as well as festivals, libraries and more! Connie’s stories are tailored to engage, entertain and inspire all her listeners. Email her office for more details.
I am delighted to be attending the National Association of Black Storytellers 40th Festival & Conference. There is still time to register and I hope to see you there! https://www.nabsinc.org/
The Power of BlackStorytelling 40th NABS Festival And Conference Highlights
*Black Heritage Tour * Opening Gala and Mary Carter Smith Love Circle * Passing of the Cow Tail Switch *
Learn the art of Black storytelling * Workshops for professional and aspiring storytellers * Master Storytellers Workshops * “In The Tradition…” Concert * Zora Neale Hurston Concert * Network with others interested in preserving the African and African American oral tradition. *See the National Association of Black Storytellers Affiliates Showcased during Village Tellin’ *. * Appalachian Storytelling Awardees * Meet featured tellers and purchase their recordings and writings. *Visit African American Marketplace with African imports, Afro-centric wearable art, 
African American literature, Black art, Karamu Corner featuring BlackStorytelling Song & Game Swap! * Conversation With The Elders * Brother Blue Circle of Elders Breakfast & Concert *, Conversation With The Elders * Our most popular Jackie Torrence Tall Tales Contest * Mama Linda Goss Wax figure unveiling! Hours and hours of Black Storytelling for story listeners.
This fall Connie is excited to again offer an online learning opportunity to grow your storytelling voice and creativity!
Join her on Wednesday afternoons (check your timezone) starting October 26, 2022 to explore “The Landscapes of Story and Telling.” These four story-work sessions with a weekly format allows for skills to grow over time while encouraging a consistency in discovering, revisiting and refining your stories.
During these weekly sessions participants are invited to:
- Draw on memories & traditional stories in developing and growing your stories
- Work with partners and in small groups to illuminate new viewpoints
- Practice deep listening and appreciative feedback
- Increase confidence in giving voice to your stories
- Cultivate your skills and delight in telling stories
All are welcome: Connie’s current and former students as well as newcomers.
If you know of others who might enjoy and benefit from the classes, your help in spreading the word is always appreciated! To register and check out all the details, visit the workshop page.
This fall Connie is excited to again offer an online learning opportunity to grow your storytelling voice and creativity!
Join her on Wednesday afternoons (check your timezone) starting October 26, 2022 to explore “The Landscapes of Story and Telling.” These four story-work sessions with a weekly format allows for skills to grow over time while encouraging a consistency in discovering, revisiting and refining your stories.
During these weekly sessions participants are invited to:
- Draw on memories & traditional stories in developing and growing your stories
- Work with partners and in small groups to illuminate new viewpoints
- Practice deep listening and appreciative feedback
- Increase confidence in giving voice to your stories
- Cultivate your skills and delight in telling stories
All are welcome: Connie’s current and former students as well as newcomers.
If you know of others who might enjoy and benefit from the classes, your help in spreading the word is always appreciated! To register and check out all the details, visit the workshop page.
The focus of this “Taking Your Story to the Stage” 3-day workshop is on storytelling performance. Each participant is asked to come with a story that is almost “stage-ready.” Set in Connie’s home tucked in the beautiful mountains surrounding Asheville, NC, this workshop provides a supportive, affirming atmosphere to nurture storytellers’ performance skills and confidence. “Taking Your Story to the Stage” is open only to those who have previously studied with Connie. If you have not had this opportunity and/or Connie has not heard you tell a story, a private coaching session may be required. If you’d like to add your name to the list of participants now contact Connie. For more details check out the Spring Taking page here.
Even if you are not available for the workshop, please join nationally celebrated storyteller, Connie Regan-Blake, as she hosts her workshop tellers in an enchanting evening of storytelling in “A Slice of Life: An Evening of Stories” on December 3, 2022 at Black Mountain Center for the Arts.