Southern Ohio Storytelling Festival

This is where I'll be tonight!

 In downtown Chillicothe Ohio, at the Majestic Theater, telling ghost stories with several other fine tellers

on this stage. If you can't come, find a dark, cozy place tonight and tell a ghost story of you own.

There will be lots of stories, today and tomorrow, at the Pump House in Chillicothe. Some of the best tellers in the US will be there. What an opportunity to hear great performances in a lovely setting. I hope to see some of you there.


Copyright 2012 Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Moon over Majestic

It was ghost stories night at the Majestic Theatre in downtown Chillicothe, Ohio.

Friday night: clouds skittered across the sky as the moon rode, almost full, behind them.

Chillicothe is an old city, the first capital of Ohio, with a rich history and a tradition of ghostly tales that has been in place long before there were people called storytellers coming to tell tales. This year I was one of six tellers invited to share a ghost story during the Southern Ohio Storytelling Festival. There were other stories Thursday evening and all day Friday, of course, and on into Saturday. We got there in time to hear some of our favorite storytellers tell, greet friends and enjoy the lovely park setting at the Pump House by the river.

Then it was time to head over to the Majestic. I went early just to feel the history and the past of the place. The setting was perfect for ghost stories--a quiet street, an arching neon sign glowing red in the darkness, the moon flitting in and out of the clouds.

I watched her for some time, enjoying the juxtaposition of moon and neon and old buildings. Then I ventured inside.

The stage was lit up and ready for us--and the air, apparently, full of orbs. They certainly showed up in my camera anyway (click the photo to see it in a larger format; you should be able to see the orbs then). Some people believe that orbs indicate the presence of spirits. Whether you believe that or not, there are many stories about ghosts being sighted in the theater along with other odd occurrences. A man in top hat and tails, for instance, is said to stroll the isles from time to time.

(If you enlarge this photo, you can see some odd shadows in the seats to the left. Probably just a trick of the camera, right?)

I don't know if we disturbed any spirits, but we told some fine tales. There was an obligatory "vanishing hitchhiker" story, a jump tale with a funny ending, a strange tale of conjure and magic from the days of slavery, a literary tale by H.G. Wells, and one teller told an original story she had written. I sang a ballad and told the story of Big John, a coal miner who died in the mines and supposedly came back to save his brothers.

I learned during the evening that Chillicothe hosts a ghost walk and I do believe I might have to return to this pretty town and see what other spirits may linger in its historic buildings.

Southern Ohio Festival Report

It was just what I needed: a weekend away in a pretty little town, friends old and new, and lots and lots of stories and laughter.

The weather cooperated--the rain held off until everyone was safely in the Majestic Theatre on Friday, and by Saturday morning the skies were clearing.

The storytellers cooperated too--good tales, music and conversation.

And the audiences responded by listening, laughing at the right places, and apparently having a very good time.

It was a treat to be able to sit and talk with Bil and Paula Lepp, to meet Willy Claflin and Kim Weitkamp, and to reconnect with many of my Ohio storytelling friends.

This year the festival seems to have gotten its feet under it. Attendance was good, and even with the cutbacks at schools re offsite events, quite a few schools brought students for the Friday concerts.

The volunteers who staff the Southern Ohio Storytelling Festival are the real reason for the event's success. They were organized, professional, and there to take care of any problem or answer any question. I felt valued and cared for, and did not have to worry about transportation, food, water or any other detail--all I needed to do was tell stories.

So hats off to Bill McKell and his legions of excellent volunteers, to the people of Chillicothe and surrounding areas who came to the festival, to the sound men for providing great sound and support, and to the other storytellers who made the weekend a real pleasure.

Next year's festival is planned for the same time in September, so get it on your calendar. This is one good event.