A Harvest of Seasonal Stories

The Great Barrington Council on Aging presents storyteller Davis Bates in a program of stories and songs to celebrate the season and the diverse heritage of the New England region on Friday, March 15 at 11 a.m. at the Great Barrington Senior Center. Entitled "Celebrating New England: A Harvest of Seasonal Stories," the program will involve the audience, through song and story, in a variety of cultural traditions. It will include farming stories and songs from both the past and present, sea songs and chanteys, Native American stories, folktales from immigrant cultures, and family stories from Davis' own family. There will also be plenty of sing-alongs.

Pete Seeger has called Davis "thoughtful, creative, human, and a fantastic storyteller." Davis' traditional and participatory style of storytelling is a refreshing change from videos and passive televised entertainment, empowering and encouraging audiences of all ages to join in the fun, and to take the stories home with them to share with others. He also encourages listeners to remember and tell stories from their own family and cultural tradition.

Davis Bates has been telling stories for over twenty years in schools, libraries, colleges and community settings around New England and across the country. His recording of Family Stories won a Parent's Choice Gold Award in 1996, and was named one of that year's Best Audio Recordings by Booklist Magazine. Davis has also served as director and consultant for several local and regional oral history and folk arts projects. Davis lives with his two young children in the village of Shelburne Falls, MA, and when he isn't collecting or learning stories he spends his time cutting cordwood and developing a nature sanctuary in a town nearby.

Be sure not to miss this wonderful program of traditional entertainment. This event is supported by a grant from the Great Barrington Cultural Council; for reservations or more info, call 413-528-1881.