Maple Woods

12th Annual Storytelling Celebration

The Kansas City Storytelling Celebration, hosted by MCC-Maple Woods, was celebrated with lively stories, anecdotes, myths, legends and lessons. This year’s celebration took place at more than 100 sites across the Kansas City Metro area. Check out our Featured Teller videos from the 2011 Celebration and join us Nov. 7-10, 2012.

Dan Keading:

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Dan Keding, storyteller of international acclaim, is well known for his telling of traditional world folktales, personal narratives of his boyhood in Chicago, ghost stories and dark tales, and superbly crafted original pieces. As a child he learned the traditional stories that his grandmother brought to this country from Croatia. A well-respected ballad singer, he accompanies himself on guitar, banjo and spoons. This combination of dynamic storytelling and powerful ballad singing has made him a festival and concert favorite throughout the US, Great Britain and Ireland, endearing him to audiences of all ages.

Gene Tagabon:

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Gene Tagaban is a Native American performing artist, storyteller, trainer, counselor and healer. His heritage is Cherokee, Tlingit and Filipino. Raised in Alaska, Gene's Native American name is Gaay Yaaw, loosely translates as Salmon Home Coming. He is of the Wooshkeetaan Eagle Thunderbird clan of Juneau, Alaska.

Leeny DelSemmonds:

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Leeny Del Seamonds, Master Story Performer, is a multi award-winning international performer of Latino, original and World tales that are uplifting and demonstrate the passion, resiliency and triumphs of the human spirit.

Loretta Washington:

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Loretta is a professional storyteller who performs for all age groups throughout Missouri and Illinois. She performs for schools, libraries, festivals, private groups and organizations. With her alluring stories, captivating voices and movements, she brings her stories to life.