Join us for the 96th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival® – the nation’s oldest continuously operating folk festival. Come on Thursday night, Aug 3 to hear Connie’s stories and come back Friday and Saturday to enjoy all the dance and music performances.
Connie has performed there numerous times over the years and she and her cousin, Barbara Freeman were awarded PERFORMER OF THE YEAR. The festival is a celebration of the Southern Appalachians with musicians, dancers, and storytellers who are preserving the traditions of these Mountains. The traditions involve not only the hand-clapping, toe-tapping rhythms of Bluegrass, the style and stories of century-old ballads, the high energy of clogging, the elegance of Big Circle Mountain Smooth Dance, the fun and entertainment of storytelling, but also include an awareness of the hardships and trials that have brought us to this place and time. More information at: https://folkheritage.org/asheville-events/mountain-dance-and-folk-festival/ and https://folkheritage.org/
Join Connie Regan-Blake Saturday, August 5, 2023 from 9am-10:30am MST (UTC -7) / 11am-12:30pm EST for a virtual workshop, “Cooking Up Stories.” Telling stories is as natural and vital as taking a breath! This workshop welcomes everyone: writers curious about the oral word, those who want to explore their personal experiences and those who simply love stories. Connie Regan-Blake generously shares tools she has developed and learned throughout her trailblazing storytelling career that has taken her around the world. Register now.
Want to know more to see if this workshop is a good fit for you? Watch this short video:
National Storytelling Network is gearing up for their 2023 Summer Auction. The auction will be entirely virtual and runs August 14-18, 2023. This is a great way to support NSN and gives you the opportunity to bid on story coaching with several nationally recognized storytellers (including myself) and pick up some great items! View auction items here.
NSN is accepting donations through July 24, 2023 for their auction.
I am thrilled to let you know that Ray Hicks is being honored with his very own “Legends & Lore” roadside marker! Come join us in Beech Mountain, NC, for a celebration of my mentor, friend and legendary storyteller. I am hosting the dedication and unveiling, followed by refreshments and storytelling from Beech Mountain native storyteller Orville Hicks, The Folktellers (myself and my cousin, Barbara Freeman) are coming back together to tell a short mountain tale; Vixi Jil Glen, an Asheville storyteller and dear friend of Ted Hicks, and more! The Historical museum has a wonderful replica of the Hicks homeplace with wood stacked on the front porch, the wood stove in the front room and the red checkered table cloth the kitchen. The Beech Mountain Historical Society (BMHS) gratefully acknowledges The William G. Pomeroy Foundation, which provided funding for the roadside marker honoring Ray Hicks (1922-2003), a native of Beech Mountain.
Some of the Hicks family will be there too. Ray would be turning 101 years old on August 29 – so perfect timing.
