June 15 Stories (and Songs) at NAC 4th Stage

"Salty, Sweet and Sweaty" is the tantalizing title of an evening of "stories for a summer night" to be presented by Tom Lips, Lucie Roy and Alan Shain at the 4th Stage of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 15. Though the accent is on storytelling, I will be throwing a few original songs into the mix. Tickets are $15, or $10 for students.

Here is how the website of the Ottawa Storytellers describes the event:

"The title says it all! Anticipate tales of love and longing, of summer adventures; tales with an innocence to them, tales with a sharpness – a tang. Some will be personal stories from the hopes, dreams, histories of the tellers; some will be literary. All will come together in a rich weaving designed to offer you an evening of summer pleasure and bring our season to a close.

Tellers: Tom Lips, Lucie Roy, Alan Shain

Tom Lips. A man of many talents, Tom is both storyteller and singer/songwriter. His credits include performances in Ottawa, Toronto, North Bay and England; his latest CD is entitled Practical Man. He has been an important figure in all events on the Ottawa storytelling scene for the last several years and is known for his ability to make audiences both laugh and cry -- sometimes all at the same time!

Lucie Roy. Whether telling personal stories or tales drawn from the rich universal repertoire of folktales and legends, Lucie tells with gusto. Fluently bilingual, she founded the Cercle de conteurs de l’Est de l’Ontario in 2004. She has told at 4th Stage both in English, and in French as part of the Contes Nomades series; at the Sergeant Recruteur in Montreal; at the Byward Market during Bytown days. She teaches storytelling and coaches new storytellers, something she enjoys almost more than telling itself.

Alan Shain. Alan comes to storytelling from a background in stand-up comedy at Yuk Yuks. He has toured extensively in Canada, Australia and England with his one-man theatre piece, "Still Waiting For That Special Bus." A disability activist, born with cerebal palsy, he has committed himself to improving opportunities for all disability artists. He tells tales both personal and traditional and is a master at shaping his material so that listeners cannot help but enter into his stories’ world."

Hope to see you there!