Stories
- Ruth Halpern, “Grandma Elsie Loves Lists”
- Wayne Harris, “The May Day Parade”
- Marijo, “Colored Secrits from a Blak Quilt” (excerpt)
- Gay Ducey, “It’s Only a Paper Moon: Stories About Perception”
Music
French Toast Trio
Featuring Olivier Zyngier, Laura Wingerd, Steven Friedland
About the Performers
Ruth Halpern performs and teaches storytelling and writing workshops for all ages in schools, libraries, storytelling festivals, and river rafts. She has participated in grants from the California Arts Council and the NEA. The Los Angeles Times calls her “a spellbinding master storyteller.” Her recording, She Set Out to Seek Her Fortune-Tales of Adventures Heroines, was voted one of the top 25 children’s recordings of the past 25 years by the Parents’ Choice Foundation.
Wayne Harris is an up and coming Bay Area storyteller. Coming off the success of his last play, Train Stories, Wayne is embarking on a new journey / project in conjunction with renown director David Ford. Wayne is also the manager of an East Bay school district transportation department and in what little time is left works with various youth organization.
Marijo is an actor, storyteller, writer, director, and arts educator. She trained at A.C.T; has performed in theatre, stand-up comedy and storytelling. Marijo has toured her solo works throughout the U.S.,Germany, London and Zimbabwe. Marijo is known as a Griot and Truth-Teller!
Gay Ducey is a nationally recognized storyteller who learned an appreciation for stories in the best way possible: from family. Descended from generations of Southern women who treasured independence and a sassy mouth, she grew up in New Orleans with its endless parade of ritual, ceremony and play. A Berkeley resident since 1967, the Bay Area’s constantly changing social landscape and New Orleans’ timeless enchantments have formed an artist who relishes diverse experience yet reveres the traditional place of stories in family and community. She still can’t resist stepping into any parade that passes by.