On Sunday March 28, 2010, members of the Tuscaloosa community joined together for the Second Annual Black Warrior Storytelling Festival hosted the University of Alabama’s Creative Campus. Although original plans were to hold the event at the Park at Manderson Landing, bad weather pushed the festival indoors to the Riverside Community Center at the University of Alabama’s Campus. At first, this seemed to be somewhat of a set back to those involved, but after the festival commenced participants were able to enjoy the more personal and intimate aspect of storytelling.
Audience members enjoyed the stories of Maxie Thomas, Frye Galliard, Kathryn Scheldt, Jack Leigh, Brian Oliu, Sara Margaret Cates, Blake Williams, Jody Evans, Steve Clark, Angeles Burke, and Daniel Potts. Two audience members shared their spoken word, and Jerry Ryan with Ol’ Blue provided musical entertainment during the lunch break. Drew Baker, Abigail Hardin, Bonnie Clark, and Kathryn White led downstairs area of the community center through interacting with stories. It was a kid-friendly zone created expressing your personal story though art, yoga, drum circle, and outdoor activities.
Overall it was a wonderfully light-hearted and eclectic event held in Tuscaloosa. Listeners of all ages from all places were in attendance, as well as, the support from various sponsors like Pi Beta Phi and Kappa Kappa Gamma Sororities, L.I.T.E., Supe Store, the Community Service Center, McAlister’s Deli, and University Programs along with the Tuscaloosa News, Crimson White, and WVUA documenting the festival. At the end of the day, the Black Warrior Storytelling Festival was one of the most interesting, diverse, and culturally engaging events I have attended at the University of Alabama. It was a pleasure to be a part of the events coordinating team as Creative Campus was the driving force behind this project, and a huge factor in its success. We thank each participant for taking the initiative to support the arts through the Black Warrior Storytelling Festival because everyone has a story to tell.
Biographies:
Emcee Ramell Ross is a charismatic and funny individual who has just moved to Greensboro, AL from Washington D.C.
He graduated from Georgetown University where he double-majored in English and Sociology, with a minor in Art
He is an accomplished photographer who has been involved with Project M and the Pie Lab. He says, “What I do is make stuff, pictures, films, and teach stuff, photograph and film.”
The Black Warrior Storytelling Festival is very pleased and honored to have Ramell as our emcee.
Drew Baker is a Tuscaloosa native who has starred in several Theatre Tuscaloosa productions. Along with her many lead roles, she has directed plays as well as instructed drama classes and programs such as the Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre Summer Camp.
Angeles Burke is a Senior at the University of Alabama majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Theatre. She is part of the Alabama Forensics Council who will be traveling to the American Forensics Association 2010 National tournament in Wisconsin. Thank you to my family, friends, coaches and Dr. Thompson for supporting me in my love of performance.
Sara-Margaret Cates is a Tuscaloosa native and graduate of the University of Montevallo in Theatre, Sara-Margaret has taught high school theatre and spent many hours on and off stage with local and professional companies, including Theatre Tuscaloosa and Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre. She is also a fledgling writer and editor when she's not working at UA and taking classes towards her MA. Having toured as a Professional Actor and Director with Missoula Children's Theatre, she particularly loves children's stories. Shel Silverstein is one of her all-time favorite writers.
Molly Catron is a storytelling whiz with a Masters of Arts in Storytelling from East Tennessee State University. She lives on a farm in East Tennessee with husband, Wayne, a herd of goats, three cows, three dogs and a bird. She is Nana to three granddaughter and two grandsons and loves to play the guitar, make jewelry, sew, and sit on the porch.
Bonnie Clark is an independent researcher focusing on storytelling about Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth. She has presented a paper on his Supreme Court cases at ASALH (Assoc. for the Study of African American Life and History) as well as volunteered with the Education Department of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. She has also told stories at Birmingham Young Author’s Conference, BCRI Juneteenth Celebration, and various elementary schools.
Steve Clark is a small-town guy from Elba, AL and is the author of Bear Revelations. The book is a tribute to the Man, his boss and idol forever, Paul W. Bryant, the greatest football coach in the world. Clark enjoys reliving his experiences with the Coach and sharing his stories with the public.
Jody Evans is a teacher, writer, performer, and mom. She teaches creative writing at Hillcrest High School, writes a single parent column for Kids Life Magazine and Chattanooga Christian Family, enjoys performing in dramas at Capstone Church, and is always on the go with her two sons, Hunter and Parker.
Frye Gaillard is a firm believer in preserving the rich history of Alabama, specifically in regards to Civil Rights. In his most recent book, Alabama's Civil Rights Trail, he emphasizes the major importance of the movement. He has devoted decades to covering the American South as a journalist, author and photographer and currently serves as writer-in-residence at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
Abigail Hardin is a sophomore at the University of Alabama majoring in Creative Writing. She was insecure growing up because reactions from other children about a birthmark on her face would make her feel different. As a result of her experience, she wrote a children’s book titled, “look at me; i am just like you” hoping to help children appreciate, rather than spurn, differences in others. Abigail has read her book to over 3,000 children, and the responses from teachers, administrators, and the students themselves have been overwhelmingly positive. She decided to establish Open My Eyes, a non-profit foundation, with the goal of supporting projects and initiatives focused on character development.
Jack Leigh is a Tuscaloosa businessman who grew up in 50’s and 60’s listening to some remarkable musicians from this area. People like bluesman and touring partner of Robert Johnson; Johnny Shines or John Townsend of the Sanford-Townsend Band. He recently was instrumental in bringing back to Tuscaloosa for a “Homecoming” concert at the Bama Theater, Chuck Leavell, formerly with the Allman Brothers and for the last 28 years keyboardist for the Rolling Stones. He will tell about these people and many more who have entertained the people of West Alabama.
Brian Oliu is originally from New Jersey and currently teaches at the University of Alabama. His work has been published in many literary magazines and has been featured in Norton's Best Creative Nonfiction Volume 2, as well as Best American Essays 2009. His series 'E-Mails To The University of Alabama English Department Flag-Football League' is featured in McSweeney's Internet Tendency.
Maxie Thomas returned from serving in the military to serving in the Civil Rights Movement as he fought for justice and equality in the state of Alabama. He is currently the West Alabama Community Traffic Safety Director, but not a day goes by that he forgets the inspiring and challenging times of this era.
Kathryn Scheldt grew up in Camden, South Carolina and studied classical guitar under Grammy Award winning artist David Russell. In her most recent album, Southern Girl, this singer and song-writer collaborates with Frye Gaillard who describes her music as "country-folk-Americana groove". Together, the two celebrate the Southern culture as their gifts for music and words unfold.
Kathryn White draws inspiration from her childhood spent near the Atlantic Ocean in Jacksonville, Florida for her quirky folk art. She has resided in the Tuscaloosa area for thirty years now, and teaches at one of the local elementary schools.
Blake Williams is a senior Communication Studies major at the University of Alabama. He is a nationally recognized member of the UA Forensics Council, and studied acting at Atlantic Theater Company and Circle in the Square Theater School the past two summers in New York City. He is thrilled to be a part of the second annual Black Warrior storytelling festival.
Photos from 2010's Black Warrior Storytelling Festival:
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