WHAT IS JUSTSTORIES?

JustStories Storytelling Concerts are devoted to strengthening and honoring the human family through sharing stories of ethnic identity, immigration and race relations to honor our unique cultures and to celebrate our diversity and common humanity. Our goal is to promote understanding and cooperation between people of diverse cultures and to celebrate our differences and commonalities. The festival is dedicated to seeing and hearing one another. When we see and hear each other, we can value each other. When we know someone else’s stories, it’s easier to accept, appreciate and understand them. This concert will be energizing, empowering, thought provoking and, most of all, entertaining

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CONCERT DESCRIPTION

This year’s high school concert at Maria High School will feature Nancy Wang of San Francisco premiering an original piece, Bittersweet: A Chinese American Daughter’s Legacy. China is often in the news. Come learn about the Chinese in America – on the west coast and right here in Chicago! Nancy was a JustStories Fellowship recipient this year and created this new story under the direction of Susan O’Halloran. Her husband and performing partner, Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo, will join us by adding a tandem, traditional Asian folk story to the mix and a little music as well.

In addition, Robert Jones of Detroit will blend music and stories to create a tapestry of this country’s history and a celebration of the rich diversity that is America today. We’ll coax Robert’s wife, Sister Bernice, to share a few songs as well. Susan O’Halloran, JustStories co-producer, will tell a story of people in Chicago (including Maria High School students) supporting their Muslim neighbors after 9/11.

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PERFORMERS’ BIOS

Here’s a little more on each performer:

Nancy Wang and Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo founded Eth-Noh-Tec in 1982, Eth-Noh-Tec is a kinetic story theater company based in San Francisco, weaving [tec] together distinctive cultural elements of the East and West [eth] to create new possibilities [noh]. Eth-Noh-Tec produces and performs contemporary presentations of traditional folktales from the many countries and cultures of Asia through storytelling, theater, dance, and music. Eth-Noh-Tec has performed at venues including at the Smithsonian, Kennedy Center, and the National Storytelling Festival and at President Obama’s Inaugural Celebration. Eth-Noh-Tec has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, California Arts Council, and San Francisco Grants for the Arts, San Francisco Arts Commission, Zellerbach Family Fund, Walter & Elise Haas Fund, and William and Flora Hewlett Foundation among others. Eth-Noh-Tec’s awards include the 2008 Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Network. www.ethnohtec.org

For over 20 years Robert Jones of Detroit has been a champion of American Roots music, with a special emphasis on traditional African American music. Spirituals, blues, work songs, field hollers, country music, folk songs, gospel and original songs are all a part of fabric of American Roots Music. This is the music that gave the world jazz, R&B, bluegrass, rock and even Hip Hop. This music also communicates history and tradition that goes far beyond mere music. Robert shows us the blending of American styles that can serve as a model for what is possible – celebrating both our unique gifts and our universal triumphs. www.revrobertjones.com

Susan O’Halloran is a Chicago writer, story artist, corporate workshop leader and keynote speaker whose work explores the complex issues of social justice. She is author of four books and producer of performances, videos and films including Black, White and Brown: Tribes & Bridges at the Steppenwolf Theatre and More Alike Than Not: Stories of Three Americans – Catholic, Jewish and Muslim. The Chicago Reader says O’Halloran “has mastered the Irish art of telling stories that are funny and heart-wrenching at the same time.” Susan was a National Storytelling Network keynote speaker and several times a featured teller at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough. www.susanohalloran.com

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ARRIVAL
For invited schools:
Concert starts promptly at 10 am. Please arrive by latest 9:45 am. Doors open at 9:30 am.

Buses can let students off at the main entrance on California Avenue door and park in rear parking lot east of the school.

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DOWNLOADABLE DISCUSSION GUIDE

Click here to download the discussion guide

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SPONSORS

This event is presented by Angels Studio/Chicago, a communications ministry of the Chicago Province of the Society of the Divine Word and O’Halloran Communications/Evanston. This high school performance is a gift from Angels Studio and the SVD and offered to students and staff free of charge.

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