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Funny, insightful, and frequently irreverent, Deedy’s narratives are culled from her childhood as a Cuban refugee in Decatur, Georgia. She tells each story with rapid-fire speech, pitch-perfect accents, humor and poignancy. This performance is for adults and children over 10.
She will also present an author’s talk about her children’s book,
The Peanut Man, at the Public Library of New London in the afternoon.
Workshops and small performances will take place during the day at the Thames Club featuring: Carol Birch, Tom Callinan, Glenn Harper, Darlene Kascak, Sharmont Influence Little, and Carolyn Stearns.
Read about our storytellers biographies at the link below.
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September 20, 2025 |
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THAMES CLUB
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10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
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The Gathering of Tellers
Darlene Kascak
Carol Birch
Carolyn Stearns
Sharmont Influence Little
Glenn Harper
Carmen Deedy |
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1:30 - 3:00 p.m. |
Workshop - Darlene Kascak - Discover the True Essence of Quinnetukut
Explore the diverse ways Indigenous people preserve and share their history, from captivating oral stories to intricate beadwork, baskets, and dance. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Native American storytelling and engage with cultural items that transcend time. Connecticut's history is often told through a colonized lens with written documents, overlooking the rich heritage and oral traditions of Indigenous people who have lived here for over 12,000 years. How knowledge is preserved and shared across cultures significantly influences our understanding of history. Join us for an inspiring presentation by Darlene Kascak from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, where you will uncover a more authentic and inclusive perspective on Connecticut's past through the voices and traditions of its Native peoples.
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1:30 – 3:00 p.m. |
Performance - Carol Birch with music Tom Callinan
The Beat Goes On: Stories From The Heartland
Courage and compassion are lessons and rhythms of the heart. An afternoon of stories and songs celebrate how the kindness of strangers moves people to face the ordinary - and extraordinary - challenges of living. Stories and songs touch on The Great Depression through World War II.
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3:30 - 5:00 p.m. |
Workshop - Carolyn Stearns – Your Roots Are Showing; Telling Historical Family Stories – Carolyn Stearns
That old family story needs new life pumped into it to engage the younger generation. Don’t let that ancestor’s story be forgotten! Workshop participants will go step by step exploring ways to engage listeners and highlight the legacy tale from generations past.
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3:15 – 4:00 p.m. |
Performance – Sharmont Influence Little - The Influence of Life
Step into the evocative world of Sharmont Influence Little, a poet and man whose life story is as compelling as his lyrical artistry. This heartfelt and immersive show takes you on an emotional voyage through the formative experiences, cultural crossroads, and social realities that have shaped him into the extraordinary individual he is today.
Through intimate storytelling, poetic recitations, and candid reflections, Sharmont Influence Little invites audiences to witness the silent struggles and triumphant moments that define his journey. Experience the raw honesty that brings tears of empathy and laughter alike, as Sharmont’s words echo the complexities of identity, resilience, and hope.
Prepare to be enthralled. Cultural influences and social insights have inspired moments that move audiences to tears or laughter with his humor. This show promises an unforgettable exploration of a life lived in homage to the power of words and the human spirit.
Join us for a showing that celebrates the poetic soul of Sharmont Influence Little, where every verse is a window into the heart, and every story a mirror of the human experience
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4:15 – 5:00 p.m. |
Performance - Glenn Harper – Folk Tales & Original Tales
LIBRARY
1:30 p.m. Student tellers, Carmen Deedy book signing
THE GARDE
7:30 p.m. Carmen Deedy
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The 2024 Connecticut Storytelling Festival & Conference
is made possible in part with funding from
The Connecticut Office of the Arts,
and story lovers like you.
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Thank you! |
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