Event Website: http://nhstorytelling.org/granite-state-story-swap
Event Contact Email: johnthebuddhist@gmail.com

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Tony Toledo of Beverly, Massachusetts is the featured speaker at the New Hampshire Storytelling Alliance’s 16th annual Granite State Story Swap (GSSS). on Saturday, May 7 at Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury, New Hampshire.
Tony Toledo has been telling stories to pay his bills since the end of the 20th Century. He has made elementary students jump, laugh and clap. When he opens his mouth he always shoots for magic. He modestly said that he doesn’t always hit it, but always aims high. One proof of his successful aim came In 2014 when he was surprised with the Brother Blue and Ruth Hill Storytelling Award by NEST (North East Storytelling)
Tony is the past President of the Board of NEST, the EMCEE Emeritus of Speak Up Spoken Word Open Mic in Lynn, MA (which he hosted every Wednesday for seven years), Corn Party Host for 29 years, and the Pie Potluck and Pie Story Swap Host every January for 14 years at the Beverly Library (80 people, 40 pies and 14 Stories). Tony is 64 years old but claims to read at a 69 year old level.
Granite State Story Swap (GSSS) is a gathering of storytellers and story lovers in a beautiful New Hampshire setting. The one day event, running from 8am to 4:30 pm, is low key and inexpensive. It offers storytellers the opportunity to tell and hear short tales of up to 10 minutes long and to visit with others who share their love of story.
At 9am, Toledo will present his keynote address, ”Stories Duct Tape Our Tired Hearts Together.” He explains,” The last two years have been a challenge to say the least. Story faces challenges with a grin. I will share what storytelling has meant for me, what it means for listeners, and what it can mean for our tomorrows.”
His afternoon concert is titled “Guess Who I Met At The Animal Fair?” Tony described this concert as putting “more meat on old folk tale bones. You’ll meet the Fox with a ton of Brains, the sniffing dogs, and the horse of dust and thunder. You’ll jump at the Graveyard Rats, wonder about the Fly Who Wanted to Get Married and feel bad when the turtle lands with a thud.”
A continental breakfast, light lunch, the keynote and the concert are included in the registration fee. In addition the schedule includes break-out circles for attendees to tell and listen in small groups and a concert of short (up to 10 minute) tales by tellers whose names are “drawn from a hat” that day.
General admission is $25; NHSA members in good standing get a discounted rate of $15. The combined price of dues plus admission is $35. VIP tickets at $50 help to support NHSA and its efforts to ensure the art of storytelling stays strong in New Hampshire.
For more information go to www.nhstorytelling.org. Canterbury Shaker Village is located 20 minutes north of Concord, New Hampshire, an hour west of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and approximately an hour and a half north of Boston, Massachusetts. Directions are at http://www.shakers.org/