Schedule of Events

Friday, April 12, 2019

5:30 p.m.: Reception

6:00 p.m.: Welcome

6:15 p.m.: Rebecca Jernigan and Wendy Garrison present Robert Johnson at the Cross Roads

7:15 p.m.: Antonio Rocha

8:00 p.m.: Dismissal

Saturday, April 13, 2019

9:30 a.m.: Welcome

10:00 a.m.: Antonio Rocha

11:00 a.m.: Carrie Sue Ayvar

12:00 p.m.: Rebecca Jernigan

1:00 p.m.: Workshop with Mary Frances Massey

2:00 p.m.: Laurie McBride

3:00 p.m.: Question and Answer Panel

4:45 p.m.: Dismissal

Featuring:

Antonio Rocha

Antonio Rocha presents a unique fusion of verbal and mime narratives coated by his tenor voice and fantastical sound effects. He has been invited to perform across the USA in prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian, The National Storytelling Festival and on to various countries across six continents. His folktales, personal stories, mime sketches and physical comedy are filled with charismatic characters and important lessons. Antonio is an award wining storyteller  sure to delight your soul and tickle your funny bone. For more information please visit: www.storyinmotion.com

Carrie Sue Ayvar

Carrie Sue Ayvar is a third generation bilingual storyteller celebrating over 40 years dedicated to preserving and promoting this folk art. Telling in both Spanish and English, she works with children, preschool and school aged, as well as adults throughout the United States and Mexico. She performs in private and public schools, colleges, at parks, libraries, community festivals, museums, outreach programs and conferences. Across the United States, she shares her stories and instructs teachers and students on how to tell their own stories. Believing that stories are one of the best means of bridging varying experiences, Carrie Sue connects people, languages and cultures through her stories. For more information visit www.carriesueayvar.com

 Rebecca Jernigan

Rebecca Jernigan is an award-winning storyteller who uses her experience as an actress and playwright to bring to life classical and original literature. She has performed and offered workshops throughout the region as well as for the DODS schools in Europe and Bahrain. During a year of teaching in China she offered workshops in drama and storytelling to augment her ESL lessons. Dr. Jernigan has served the Mississippi Humanities Council as storyteller and scholar for literacy programs in English and Spanish. Her film credits include “The Client,” “Ode to Billy Joe” and the 2016 film “Texas Heart.” She was a member of the acting company of the Oxford/University Shakespeare Festival for three seasons. She designs performances, workshops and residencies. She is on the MAC teaching artist roster as the storyteller. For more information visit https://arts.ms.gov/artist/rebecca-jernigan/

Wendy Garrison

Garrison began gigging around Oxford in 1988 and hasn't stopped since. Her first band, High Water Mark, was a local favorite. She now plays solo as well as with the all-girl group, Maybelle's Lovers. In addition to regular gigs around the Oxford area, she has appeared at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale and the Holly Springs "Blues in the Alley". She was also a guest on the "Delta Sounds" radio show on KFFA Helena, Arkansas.

Mary Frances Massey

Mary Frances Massey's teaching programs include incorporating movement into the narration of favorite children's books and using movement to teach core classes. She also offers teacher development workshops. She was an artist in residence for King Early Childhood Education Center in 2016 and for Pontotoc Elementary in 2017. Massey is also a professional singer and can be heard on "Thacker Mountain Radio" on MPB and around the North Mississippi area with her band "Massey Tate." She is also a background vocalist in the recording industry.

Laurie McBride

Laurie McBride is in her second year as full-time public speaking and drama instructor at Itawamba Community College. Laurie's love for storytelling started on the lap of her parents, who faithfully read stories to her at a young age and took her to the library regularly. Madeline, Babaar, and Curious George were some of her favorite characters. In college, she took a Storytelling class. There and in Oral Interpretation of Literature courses, she encountered new stories and techniques. And along the way, she has shared her love for stories with students of all ages.

This project is supported in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov. 

This project was made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the Mississippi Humanities Council. To learn more about the Mississippi Humanities Council, visit www.mshumanities.org

Thank you Tupelo Quality of Life Committee for supporting the Narrative Storytelling Festival.

The Narrative Storytelling Festival will bring the power of storytelling to our community, in order to renew and promote the art of storytelling and introduce some of the best stories in the oral tradition to learners of all ages.

The 2019 Festival will take place April 12 and 13 and will feature Antonio Rocha, Carrie Sue Ayvar, Rebecca Jernigan and many more!

The festival is free and open to the public.