On Saturday, October 11, the Central Library is open to registered Heartland Book Festival attendees only. Regular services, such as hold pickups, public computers and phones, and public meeting rooms, will not be available.
The 16th Annual Kansas City Storytelling Celebration features a lineup of lively stories, anecdotes, myths, legends, and lessons.
Opening the evening is a Friday Night Family Fun family concert in the Kids’ Corner at 6:30 p.m., offering tales for all ages.
It’s followed by a ghost-tales session at 7 p.m. in the Truman Forum Auditorium with four visiting storytellers: Baba Jamal Koram, who spotlights the history, humor, music, and lore of African and African American cultures; Grammy-nominated Milbre Burch, whose repertoire ranges from folktales, fiction, and fairy tales to personal stories; Bil Lepp, a five-time winner of the West Virginia Liars’ Contest; and Olga Loya, whose performances draw from family and her Latino/Latina culture. Ages 13 and up.
Koram, Burch, Lepp, and Loya return to the Truman Forum Auditorium for a grand storytelling finale. Appropriate for ages 13 and up.