“Around the hearthstone every night, a storyteller lives forever.” —Anonymous
Long Beach Searches for Greatest Storyteller on Monday, June 29, started off strong with 80-year old poet and drama coach for Desilu Studios, Joyce Wheeler. Next we met Peter Laudenslager, Billy Howe, Bhella Bell, Evie King, and runner-up John Kin. John told of being a kid and entering a greased pig contest! Who knew, right?
The last storyteller, Gregg Oreo, won the audience and judge’s votes, along with $100. His story was about an association with Walt Disney, ending with an original song. John Kin got a gift certificate for Malarkey’s.
Along with the audience votes, five judges’ weighed in with five points each.
They were: editor, Harry Saltzgaver; novelist, Darlene Quinn; community volunteer, Ann Fry; surf legend and ecologist, Jericho Popler; and Grammy-winning songwriter, Paul Williams. Live music was provided by songwriter, James Grey.
Mid-year finals will be held Mon., July 27, at Malarkeys, on Alamitos Bay.
This show will feature the winning two tellers from March, April, May and June. Future storytelling evenings will resume in the fall.
Long Beach Searches for Greatest Storyteller has been a Long Beach event for five years and is produced by local, Mariana Williams.
