IF YOU'RE ONE of those people who lingers in your car long after reaching a destination just to hear the end of Garrison Keillor's "The News from Lake Wobegon" or David Sedaris on "This American Life," then the Magnolia Storytelling Festival in Roswell may be for you.
Geared more for adults than children, the festival features two days of performances by nationally renowned storytellers and regional folklore experts.
Workshops are threaded throughout the weekend. Some are credit-earning courses for educators, but others, says Mary Williams of the Historic Roswell Convention &Visitors Bureau, can help anyone use storytelling skills in everyday life, from applying for jobs to recording family memories. For a full schedule, visit www.cvb.roswell.ga.us.
Performances
Headlining performers include Barbara McBride-Smith and Donald Davis. McBride-Smith has told stories on NPR and specializes in funny, feminist tales with a heart, recounted in a deep Texas drawl. Davis was born into the Appalachian storytelling tradition and has appeared on NPR, CNN and as a featured teller at the Smithsonian Institution.
Both perform 7-9 p.m. June 27 and June 28. Children's stories are presented 3-4 p.m. June 27 and 2:15-3 p.m. June 28.
Tours
The Roswell Mysteries, Lies & Legends Tour caps off the first day at 9:15 p.m. June 27 with storytellers posted around town to recount stories, including the legend of the ghost in the Public House, built in the 1850s. Roswell Ghost Tours will present a special ghost tour for the festival at 9:15 p.m. June 28.
Workshops
Topics include Personal Mythology: Self discovery through storytelling (2-4 p.m. June 28); and Dream, Tell, Write: How to tell stories based on family memories (10 a.m.-noon June 28). Festivalgoers are invited to record their own stories on CD (3:45-5 p.m. June 28; sign-up required) and listen to World War II veterans record their stories (4-5:15 p.m. June 27).
> THE 411: Magnolia Storytelling Festival. $25 for two-day adult admission, includes all performances, plus two workshops; $20 for children and seniors. 10 a.m. June 27-28. (Children and their chaperones admitted for free to attend the children's hour: 3-4 p.m. June 27 and 2:15-3:30 p.m. June 28.) Bulloch Hall, 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell. 770-640-3253, www.cvb.roswell.ga.us.
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