Storytelling and music have always gone hand in hand, like campfires and the great outdoors. On Saturday, March 21, the Mesquite Storytellers of Abilene invite the community to experience that timeless pairing at their annual event, A Mesquite Flavored Evening. The evening will feature local storytellers and musicians alongside nationally-known storyteller Larry Thompson. Earlier that day, Thompson will also lead a collaborative workshop with the Abilene Writers Guild.
Mesquite Storytellers of Abilene first brought this event to Abilene in 2022 as a way to highlight local storytellers and musicians who both have great stories to share. During the past two years, a nationally-known teller has been added to the program, along with a workshop prior to the event. This year, they have teamed up with the Abilene Writers Guild to provide the workshop, “Whose Voice Tells the Tale? Finding the Heart and Voice of Your Story.”
The Storytellers have been meeting and hosting community events since the 1990s. Founding members included Dr. Rosanna Herndon and Naoma Huff. Herndon was a nationally award-winning storyteller and author known for stories rooted in Scottish West Texas, including “The Line from Here to There.” Huff was a deeply loved and respected educator in Clyde, Texas. Their influence helped establish a local storytelling tradition that continues today.
At monthly meetings, guild members practice their craft and share stories. Several members have performed at the Texas Storytelling Festival in Denton as Rising Stars — an event recognizing upcoming talent. The guild also offers storytellers to local organizations seeking lively, memorable entertainment. Stories might be personal, biblical, historical, fractured fairy tales, tall tales or even flat-out lies.
This year, A Mesquite Flavored Evening will include musicians Greg Young and Tony Barker, who will perform and share the stories behind their songs. Local storytellers Beverly Priddy and Mark Young will also take the stage with some of their favorite tales. The featured storyteller, Larry Thompson, blends his cowboy humor and folklore and delivers equal parts wonder, wit and wisdom. Thompson is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Will Rogers Medallion Award for cowboy poetry and first-place finishes in Liars’ Contests. His latest books include “Under Starry Skies” and “Ember and Echoes.”
A Mesquite Flavored Evening takes place at Frontier Texas on Saturday, March 21, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
The Abilene Writers Guild workshop led by Thompson is open to everyone and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 21, at the First Baptist Church Dining Room (at the corner of N. 2nd and Hickory.) The workshop focus will be less on rules and formulas and more on helping participants recognize the stories they already carry. The $15 workshop is designed to help writers, storytellers and curious participants. The Abilene Writers Guild Annual Writing Contest winners will be announced during the workshop.
A combination ticket for both events is available for $20. The Mesquite Storytellers of Abilene meet at 3801 Oldham Lane on the third Tuesday of each month (except December) at 6 p.m. The Abilene Writers Guild meets at Rose Park Senior Center on the fourth Thursday of each month (except November and December) at 7 p.m. These meetings are open to the public.
Both events are supported in part by a grant from the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council.
Contributed by Mesquite Storytellers
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