A storyteller as well as a writer, Jan has a particular love for traditional folk and fairy tales. She produces a winter series of tellings from the world’s great epics and has organized weekend performances of such works as The Odyssey – in its entirety- at her home. She writes about times of struggle and darkness but also about finding the way through the darkness to change and hope. Jan is past Coordinator of Storytellers of Canada.

“In a slow voice, Mike Burns tells stories of heroes and devils, warriors and princesses, wise men and village idiots”
(C. Fidelman, Gazette, Mtl1998)

Burns has hundreds of stories in his repertoire, absorbed by osmosis thanks to a family tradition. Born in Ireland, Mike tells in Gaelic, English and French and has told tales in Vermont, Quebec, the East Coast, and is a staple of Hurley’s Irish Pub in Montreal . He has been published in an anthology ‘Ghostwise’ and has a recording of stories ‘The King of Birds’ (traditional Irish tales).

Transplanted from the Yukon, Tlingit performers Sharon Shorty and Duane Ghastant’ Aucoin better known as ‘Gramma Susie and Cash Creek Charlie’ reflect the old time elders that we grew up with: feisty, opinionated, wise and most of all, funny. Whether sharing their language, traditional stories, dances and songs, or making observations on current issues, Susie & Charlie are able to make crowds of all ages laugh.

Venezuelan Latin Vocalist, Eliana Cuevas is accompanied by her sextet. Latin music with a jazz influence, Eliana will perform original material with some classic Latin standards.

She has been the lead vocalist for groups like latin-folk band Cassava; Brazilian outfit Pedras da Rua; amongst others and has had the opportunity fo perform/record with bands such as salsa powerhouse Marron Matizado; reggae group Tabarruk and latin-jazz unit Cruzao (led by Nick Ali and winners of the 2001 Montreal Jazz Festivals’s Prix du Jazz award for ‘Canadian Group of the Year’). Eliana performs fluently in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

Eliana Cuevas Sextet is comprised of Chendy Leon(drumset), Luisito Orbegoso (percussion), Luis Guerra (piano), Bob Rice (trumpet & flugelhorn), Louis Simão (bass), and, of course, Eliana Cuevas as vocalist.

Not a ‘wee’ musician, Host of CKUA Radio’s ‘The Celtic Show’ , storyteller and writer, the larger than life Andy Donnelly joins us with his tales of the sea, fish, boatbuilding, love, emotion, and broken hearts. As quoted ‘Andy stepped on a rake a couple of years ago and when he came to again spouting euphemisms and gently weeping over ‘the sheer beauty of it all’, he realized he had awakened a poet. For a good chortle logue on to this web site and you’ll get a good tasting of Andy Donnelly.

With age-old tradition William Dumas learned stories from his elders. William is Rocky Cree from the Opiponapiwin Cree Nation He keeps alive the cultural and oral traditions of his elders through a rich blend of news, gossip, myth and mysticism. He is an Aboriginal Education Consultant for Mystery Lake School Division in Thompson, Manitoba.

Veteran storyteller, published author and member of the Storytellers of Canada, Roberta Kennedy was born and raised on Haida Gwaii, Kwee-gay-ee-ones (Big Precious Cloud) tells stories of long ago; when the world was new, when the animals taught her ancestors how to live as true Haida people. She also drums and sings traditional Haida songs.

Part poet, philosopher, actor, comedian, cartoonist, producer, director full time teacher and storyteller Cheryl Neill performs with her trusty acoustic guitar engaging us with her witty, gritty, punchy take on modern life for women. With five chap books under her belt, numerous musical cd’s, and her own comedy troupe Cheryl is a multi-faceted performer with big ideas and a brazen nature in her telling. Absolutely captivating and engaging.

Storyteller, performer and percussionist Rico is also a counsellor, teacher, facilitator and a master of ceremonies. He tells folktales, fairytales, fables and legends from the extremely rich and diverse Latino and Hispanic cultures. He tells in English, Spanish and Spanglish. Recurrent themes throughout his telling are explorations of equity and positive social change. He works with at risk youth and he listens to their stories and encourages them to draw on their experiences to achieve healthy changes in their lives.

David Thiaw is a singer, storyteller, composer, linguist, teacher, drum craftsman but foremost a percussionist. The roots of David’s music and teaching reach back to his boyhood in Senegal. He formed his first drum and dance troupe when he was 14 years old and has traveled the world exploring the diversity of African culture and music around the world. His influences have been Manfila Kante, Zak Diouf and Ladji Kamara.

He is accompanied by dancer, William Rose.

With over 15 years experience in Japan, Noriko Yamamoto, silent storyteller / mime and clown has performed in schools, libraries, galleries and storytelling festivals since moving to Canada in 1994. Her performances are Japanese in character with universal underlying themes. Choreographed to music.

‘Trudi Fruiti’ the clown is excited to be a part of this years International Storytelling Festival. For the past 10 years entertaining children of all ages has taken her around the Yukon, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Trudi Fruiti possesses a diverse performance background ranging from gymnastics and trampoline coaching to professional childcare and teaching of musical theatre. Look for her roaming around the storytelling festival.