Last Saturday night, international rogue and nationally renowned storyteller Andy Offutt Irwin, stopped by The Auld Shebeen in Fairfax, VA to sing some songs, quote some poetry, whistle a tune or two, and do some storytelling on our stage.
The storytelling show/extravaganza was hosted by Jessica Robinson, who shared a story about her husband and kids while they tried to listen patiently from the audience, but mostly squirmed around and shouted things – especially her husband.
Once Jessica had completed the opening act, effectively lulling her son to sleep, Andy took the stage and ran. He sang songs about a cyclops, another about a protozoa. He quoted Robert Frost and Kurt Vonnegut. He whistled and produced sound effects. And he told some stories.
Here is a song about storytelling and story listening called Tarry Here. I hope you will tarry long enough to listen through the song and the rest of the videos.
Here’s a story with a little of Andy’s Aunt Marguerite and a little about a young man named Chaz, in which Andy gives us back the stars.
And here’s a song about a Cyclops that you will not be able to get out of your head. My gift to you from Andy.
I love true, personal storytelling. I started Better Said Than Done to bring the art of personal narrative to Northern Virginia. But I also love these interludes, these visits from storytellers who sing and whistle and lie. It’s great to get to see the full range of the art of storytelling. And Andy brought it all with him, to our our little stage in the City of Fairfax.
We return from fantasy and song to our usual fare of true, personal storytelling on Friday, September 27th, at The Auld Shebeen, with “Old School: stories of tradition, education, and age.”
Details and advance entry here.
