THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK STORYTELLERS, INC.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!
“In the Tradition…”
Annual National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference
Baltimore will be the center of the Black Storytelling world! On November 14 - 18, 2012, The National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. (NABS) along with their Baltimore-based affiliate, GRIOTS CIRCLE OF MARYLAND, INC. will present the 30th “In the Tradition…” Annual National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference” at The Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards and throughout the Baltimore community. The first "In the Tradition..." A Festival of Black Storytelling was held at Morgan State University in Baltimore in 1983 and now returning “home” to Baltimore; Hence this year’s theme, in honor of their Ancestors and traditions, "Coming Home…Our Family Tells Stories!"
In 1982, nationally renowned storyteller, Baltimore’s first officially appointed Griot – the late, great Mary Carter Smith of Baltimore, Maryland, and esteemed Linda Goss of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, now, residing in Baltimore– founded “In the Tradition…” National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference. These visionaries then created the National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc., so that more opportunities would be afforded the African American storytellers to perpetuate the African oral tradition and preserve the folklore of African people.
Master Storytellers, as well as, beginners, storytellers with instruments and storytellers who dance, storytellers of all styles will be on hand to entertain, inspire, educate and enliven the myths, recite the poems and recount the history of a people. They will come from throughout the nation, as well as, the African Diaspora. Local Baltimore storytellers and other national artists will participate in celebrating the Black storytelling legacy in Maryland, the nation and throughout the world!
The National Association of Black Storytellers is proud to present this one-of-a-kind event as we return to the wonderful city of Baltimore where we started! Thousands of youth and adults, schools and libraries, will experience – “In the Tradition…” – the spirit of Black Storytelling. Festival and Conference goers will find themselves mesmerized with a unique learning experience in storytelling workshops during the day and enjoy performances of nationally renowned Black storytellers in concerts in the evenings. The Baltimore public and attendees from all over the country are invited and encouraged to participate and attend. The highlights are –
ADOPT-A-TELLER: Storytellers available to perform in local schools, libraries and for organizations all week long.
WORKSHOPS: For the teller, for the youth, for the teacher, for the librarian, for the spiritual leader, for the community service provider covering varied interests in and levels of storytelling.
OPENING GALA, STORYTELLING CONCERT AND LOVE CIRCLE: Traditional opening with stories, music, dance and an honoring of the ancestors.
AFRICAN AMERICAN MARKET PLACE/KARAMU CORNER: Cultural clothing, instruments, jewelry and more! Storytelling, demonstrations, games and culture "talk" sharing as would be occurring at any marketplace.
VILLAGE STORYTELLING CONCERT: Our fifteen Affiliates from all over the country will share their unique regional and cultural flare as they weave their stories. A crowd pleaser!!
LIARS’ CONTEST/AUCTION: Festival Favorite! Members and the Baltimore community non-members can compete…sharing their fantastic fabrications.
ZORA NEALE HURSTON AWARD AND STORYTELLING CONCERT: An evening storytelling concert and recognition of excellence in the Black storytelling community!
UNITY CIRCLE: Sacred stories and traditional closing bring the weekend to an end.
Since the first Festival and Conference in Baltimore, NABS has traveled around the nation; most recently, New Orleans ('04), Tampa ('05), San Diego ('06), Atlanta (’07), Cincinnati (’08), Little Rock (’09), Minneapolis (’10), Atlanta (’11) and, for the fourth time, BALTIMORE!
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