A Way with Words: An Afternoon of Multicultural Storytelling

Location: Wesley Forum of the Kenneth Kai Tai Yen Humanities Building, Pennington School (Directions)
Storytellers: Vikki Lynn Bryan, Shirley Johnson, Chief Bluejay – Barbara Michalski, Uma Shankar

Registration: WayWithWords.Eventbrite.com

Join us for an afternoon to embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of human experiences, traditions, and cultures through storytelling. We will delve into the transformative power of narrative, drawing inspiration from how Madeline Miller transforms the one-dimensional sorceress of The Odyssey into a complex and relatable protagonist in her novel Circe. We will explore the ripple effects of amplifying marginalized and diverse voices to share their truths and enrich our understanding of the human experience. This captivating event celebrates the power of storytelling to bridge divides, foster empathy, and ignite imaginations.

This event is in the format of three storytelling performances followed by a panel Q&A and is co-sponsored by the Pennington Public Library and the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum.

About Our Storytellers:

Vicki Lynn Bryan of Sweet Water: Speaking Stories & Tales uses life events, folk tales, and humor to inform and entertain her audiences. Vicki has appeared at the New Jersey Storytelling Festival (stage/virtual), New Jersey Storytelling Guild Virtual Peace Concert, New York City Tellebration, New Jersey Virtual Tellebrations, Montclair Channel 34’s Family Story Hour, Montclair Free Radio, church, and community events. She was honored as one of the twelve women recognized at the 2023 Women’s History Month Celebration sponsored by the Bergen County Board of Commissioners. 

Shirley Johnson, storyteller of multicultural and African-American tales, captivates her audiences with highly energized and creative presentations. A longtime teacher, Johnson shares stories that introduce children and adults to new characters and allow them to explore new lands and cultures. Her tales about Africans and African Americans are favorites at festivals and literary workshops throughout New Jersey and New York City.

Chief Bluejay – Barbara Michalski, Keeper of Culture, was given the name by her grandfather, Bill Thompson, late Chief Whippoorwill of the Unalachtigo (people near the ocean) Tribe of the Turkey Clan. Bluejay serves on the Tribal Council; she is the Tribal Secretary and one of the Storytellers of the Nation. She has been educating the public by attending events or festivals in the Lenapehokink (Homeland of the Lenape). She is a member of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania (LNPA), and she has immersed herself in the activities of the Nation.  

Uma Shankar has been a teacher of vocal Carnatic music for the past 15 years. This classical music system from the Southern part of India is part of a rich oral tradition with songs dating back to the 8th century. Teaching this to children growing up in the United States has necessitated Uma to be a music teacher and an ambassador of Indian culture, telling stories to make the music and its context come alive to her students. Uma also writes and translates poetry. She has been published in Red Noise Collective and Mid Atlantic Review. 

This event is part of the 2024 NEA Big Read – an initiative designed to broaden our imaginations and understanding of our world, our neighbors, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The featured book Circe by Madeline Miller retells a Greek story from the eponymous heroine’s point of view, giving voice to a lesser goddess of Homer’s The Odyssey. Please visit PenningtonLibrary.org/2024BigRead for a full calendar of events and more information.

NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.