One voice and one story can make
the everyday world fade around you.
In the oral traditions tent, one person
gives life to the memories and imaginations
of others. This is our portable history. Here the
voices of the past come alive through storytelling, poetry, riddles, fairy tales and comical recitations.

Saturday 10:00 am

 

Never Say Die Till You're Dead By's, Says I:
Tall Tales, Riddles and Recitations

 

When it comes to making a story stand out from the crowd it’s quite acceptable to stretch the truth a little. We’ve invited some our favourite truth- stretchers to test our limits. The nice thing is that sometimes the extraordinary is ordinary in Newfoundland and Labrador and maybe these tales are not so tall after all.

 

With:

Baxter Wareham, Ford Elms, Margaret Hitchens, and Dave Paddon

 

 

Saturday 11:00 am

 

Take This job and Shove It

Songs of resistance

 

The unifying power of song has long been a strong element in rebellions great and small throughou history. Whether to express displeasure with a merchant, a king, or a country, people have always found a common voice in song.

 

With:

Anita Best, Jim Payne, Eliza Carthy and Hammy Hamilton.

 

 

Saturday noon

 

String/Sing
Guitar and the traditional song

It’s sometimes hard to believe that the guitar is one of the newer instruments to accompany traditional music. We are proud this year to showcase a few of the folks who do it best.

With:

Martin Carthy, Archie Fisher, Chris Hennessey, and Sandy Morris with Anita Best.

 

 

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Sunday 10:00 am

 

The Tin Table
Folk Tales

 

From all over the World Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have long had an appreciation for a great yarn and storytelling has been a strong part of our traditions since the beginning. This year we welcome some folks who’ll share some tales from home and abroad that reflect how story telling has long helped people communicate.

 

With:

Mary Fearon, Melanie Ray and Margaret Hitchens.

 

 

 

Sunday 11:00 am

 

This All Happened

Oral History In Song

 

Before the internet and the smart- phone, song was a great means of communicating current events or making note of monumental moments in a people’s history. Here to give some examples are some of the finest in the craft.

 

With:

Keith Murphy, Archie Fisher, Linda Byrne and Matthew Byrne.

 

 

 

Sunday noon

 

The Bird in the Bush
Songs of seduction and courtship

 

Oral tradition is full of songs that talk of the guy who gets the girl or the girl who gets the guy or, more often than not fails miserably in both cases and somebody is left upset.

 

With:

Eliza Carthy , Archie Fisher, John Roberts and Anita Best.