Turnage hosts storytellers in worldwide celebration of stories

Published 7:18 pm Thursday, November 16, 2017

There will be tall tales told at the Turnage on Saturday.

From 1-2 p.m., Inner Banks Storytellers will be spinning yarns in the gallery of the downtown Washington theater as part of Tellabration, a worldwide event that celebrates the art of storytelling.

“Tellabration is an international day of storytelling. Within that 24-hour window, storytelling events are taking place around the world,” said Phoebe Wahab, an Inner Banks Storytellers member.

Wahab has a long history with storytelling: her first job at a Carolina Beach state park introduced her to the art.

“We would get lots and lots of families that just wanted to share with a second generation, ‘This is what storytelling is all about,’” she said.

Inner Banks Storytellers is a small group, who tell a range of stories: stories mixed with song, in the case of Linda Boyer; those that teach a lesson, for Judi Hickson; and Wahab tends to shares tales of animal friends. Adding to the mix will be representation from East Carolina University’s Storybook Theatre. And just as diverse are the people who like to hear their stories told, she said.

“The audience has been very diverse through the years. It’s always been a very nice audience, very appreciative,” she said.

While Tellabration is a free event, it’s bookended by two other children’s events offered by Arts of the Pamlico at the Turnage on Saturday. At 11 a.m., artist Liz Reed will help children make their own clay Christmas ornaments in the cookie-cutter shape of North Carolina. Children will be able to create their own using red and white clay, different elements for patterns and tools for writing on clay. The cost is $10 to make three ornaments.

Following Tellabration is a showing of the movie “Wall-E” at 2 p.m. The cost of movie is $5 and refreshments will be for sale.

For more information about events at the Turnage, call Arts of the Pamlico at 252-946-2504 or visit www.artsofthepamlico.org.