Award-winning artists to share kaleidoscope of stories

Posted on Friday, February 16, 2024

Whether growing up in New York, North Carolina or West Virginia, each of this year’s four tellers at the Azalea Storytelling Festival share an extraordinary gift of sharing tales and experiences that can connect with people across state lines and generations.

“It is through stories that we can find a common ground,” said Joyce Morgan Young, who co-founded the annual event with the late Pat Gay and the late Dr. Evelyn Jordan.

The three-day event will occur March 1-3 at Callaway Auditorium. Carol Cain ’82 will serve as the emcee.

Whenever Josh Goforth, a returning storyteller, takes the stage in LaGrange, he said it is like going to a large family reunion.

“Getting to see the wonderful friends I've made since I first started coming to the festival is a joy,” he said. “I cherish each visit I get to make to LaGrange.”

When it comes to telling stories, Goforth is right at home.

“Storytelling was always a part of my childhood,” he said. “Sitting on front porches with family and friends as they told old tales and sung songs was fairly commonplace for someone growing up in Madison County, North Carolina. I try to take people to those front porches with me.”

Another performer coming back to the LaGrange festival is Bil Lepp, who hails from West Virginia.

“I tell mostly Appalachian-based tall tales that are first and foremost fun, but also my stories try to paint Appalachia, and especially West Virginia, in the best light possible,” he said.

Also taking the stage is North Carolina native and the “Dean of Storytelling” Donald Davis, a longtime storyteller who performed at the festival's debut in 1997.

Coming up with something fresh to share with the audience every year is never an issue for this seasoned narrator.

“When experiencing life’s moments, there’s always a story to tell,” he said.

A newcomer to the Azalea Storytelling Festival is Regi Carpenter, of New York.

“I tell personal stories about growing up the fifth child in the fifth generation of Carpenters in a small town in northern New York on the St. Lawrence River,” she said. “I also share traditional stories from around the world. I think all my stories have a common element of humor and poignancy.”

In its 28^th year, the annual event has been recognized as one of the oldest storytelling festivals in the state of Georgia. It draws over 2,000 visitors every first weekend in March.

Tickets for individual days or the full three-day weekend can be purchased on the Lafayette Society for Performing Arts website, by phone at 706-882-9909, or in person at the festival.

“Attendees can expect to be entertained, prompted to recall stories of their own lives, possibly cry, definitely laugh and to be exposed to new and interesting places and people,” Young said.

 

Campus Notes

• In partnership with The Ball Out Foundation, the college will be participating in the Walk Against Gun Violence, scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m. The event will honor the memory of LaKevin DeBruce, senior captain of the LC football team, who tragically lost his life to gun violence on Nov. 18, 2023, in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. The walk will begin at the Callaway Education Building and conclude at Callaway Stadium. There will also be a bench unveiled in LaKevin’s memory.
• LaGrange College will host a site visit for continuing accreditation of its baccalaureate nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Campus members are invited to meet with the site visit team and share comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, at 10 a.m., at West Side’s Nursing Room C325. Written comments can also be submitted to:

Dr. Kathy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

3390 Peachtree Road Northeast, Suite 1400

Atlanta, Ga 30326

You can also email your statements to kchappell@acenursing.org.

The deadline to send your comments is March 1.

 

• Maria Riera Soriano '23 rang the Chapel Bell on Tuesday after accepting an Admission Counselor position at LaGrange College. Graduating seniors who are celebrating their first full-time, post-graduation job offer or admission to one or more graduate schools can come take part in this time-honored tradition. Before ringing the Chapel Bell, seniors are asked to complete an online form. They are encouraged to invite classmates, faculty or staff members to celebrate their accomplishments.

• Sports Management Associate Professor Clay Bolton had an article published on Sports Litigation Alert, a site from Hackney Publications, one of the leading publishers in sports and athletics law in the country.

• Winter Break will begin on Monday, Feb. 19. Classes will resume on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

 

Collegiate Enrichment

Applying the Lessons of History to the Workplace

Thursday, Feb. 22

11:15 a.m., Bailey Room

• The Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta will be offering “A Brave Space Experience” for students, faculty and staff. The event will focus on the impact of history on current inequities in organizations and industries and the roles organizations might take to address historical injustices to create diverse and inclusive environments. Those interested in attending the hour-long session must RSVP as there are limited numbers of participants.

RSVP for LC Faculty and Staff – http://forms.office.com/r/WhMDf4TrK4

RSVP for Students - http://forms.office.com/r/BbZgasgWji

Understanding Implicit Bias and Microaggressions

Thursday, Feb. 22

1:30 p.m., Bailey Room

• The Center for Civil and Human Rights will host “A Brave Space Experience” on campus. This session will focus on implicit bias, how it manifests as microaggression, and how we can identify and address it. Those interested in attending the hour-long event must RSVP as there are limited numbers of participants.

RSVP for LC Faculty and Staff – http://forms.office.com/r/XWbTNyAUFA

RSVP for Students - http://forms.office.com/r/SeU63eVxkv

Documentary: “Black Kung Fu Experience”

Thursday, Feb. 22

6:30 p.m., Dickson Assembly Room

• Black Girl Magic will host a screening of the documentary “Black Kung Fu Experience.”

 

Video of the Week

3D Journeys presents Dr. John Cook-Feb. 26

The 14^th season of 3D Journeys continues with Religion Professor John Cook, who will speak on “The Religions of Portugal.”

Internationally recognized as a leading authority on the ancient world, Dr. Cook examines this heavily Christian country in an exciting new light. Doors open at 9:30; lecture begins at 10:00. Board the door-to-door shuttle behind Sunny Gables Alumni House at 9:30.

 

Sports

Men’s Basketball

The Panthers beat Covenant 82-70 and lost to Piedmont 94-88 this past week. The team travels to Montgomery, Alabama, to take on Huntingdon on Saturday, Feb. 17, (tomorrow), at 4 p.m.

Men’s Basketball Coach Kendal Wallace recently achieved a career milestone by earning 187 wins, the most in program history.

Women’s Basketball

LC beat Covenant 78-58 and Piedmont 74-71. The team hits the road to face Huntingdon on Saturday, Feb. 17, (tomorrow), at 2 p.m.

Freshman Taylor Smith earned her second CCS Rookie of the Week award. She scored a team-high 21 points against Wesleyan on Jan. 24.

Lacrosse

The Panthers played two games this past weekend at Berry College. The team lost their first game 21-7 to Berry but beat Oglethorpe the following day 16-13. LC also took on Point this past Wednesday and won 17-12. The Panthers stay on the road to take on Illinois Tech on Saturday, Feb. 17, (tomorrow), at 1 p.m. The next day, LC faces Sewanee at 5 p.m.

Beach Volleyball

The team traveled to Truett McConnell this past Saturday and lost to Emmanuel 5-0 and Truett McConnell 5-0. The Panthers also traveled to Huntingdon this past Tuesday and lost 5-0.

Softball

The Panthers opened their season by sweeping Rhodes 2-0 this past Saturday. They won the first game 6-5 and the second game 7-0. The team played Birmingham-Southern on the road this past Wednesday and won 10-6 in the first game but lost 6-2 in the second. LC hosts Berry College on Saturday, Feb. 17, (tomorrow), at noon and 2 p.m. The following day, the Panthers take on Centre at home at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Baseball

LC opens the 2024 season this weekend against Brevard. The first games are on Saturday, Feb. 17, (tomorrow), at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The next day, the three-game home series ends with a 2 p.m. game. The Panthers also host Oglethorpe on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m.

Men’s Tennis

The team opened the season with a 9-0 loss to Birmingham-Southern on Friday, Feb. 9. The next day, the Panthers secured a 4-3 win over Coastal Alabama Monroeville CC. LC hits the road to face Truett McConnell on Saturday, Feb. 17, (tomorrow), at 2 p.m. The Panthers will host Johnson on Monday, Feb. 19.

Women's Tennis

The Panthers started their season on Saturday, Feb. 10, and lost 7-2 to Coastal Alabama Monroeville CC. The team will travel to Cleveland, Georgia, to face Truett McConnell on Saturday, Feb. 17, (tomorrow), at 2 p.m. Next week, LC will host Johnson.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Saturday, Feb. 17 – Softball (Home) vs. Berry, noon and 2 p.m., LC Softball Complex

Saturday, Feb. 17 – Women’s Tennis at Truett McConnell, 1 p.m., Cleveland, Georgia

Saturday, Feb. 17 – Lacrosse vs. Illinois Tech @ Ensworth High, 1 p.m., Nashville, Tennessee

Saturday, Feb. 17 – Men’s Tennis at Truett McConnell, 1 p.m., Cleveland, Georgia

Saturday, Feb. 17 – Baseball (Home) vs. Brevard, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium

Saturday, Feb. 17 – Women’s Basketball at Huntingdon, 2 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama

Saturday, Feb. 17 – Men’s Basketball at Huntingdon, 4 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama

Sunday, Feb. 18 – Softball (Home) vs. Centre, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., LC Softball Complex

Sunday, Feb. 18 – Baseball (Home) vs. Brevard, 2 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium

Sunday, Feb. 18 – Lacrosse vs. Sewanee @ Ensworth High, 5 p.m., Nashville, Tennessee

Monday, Feb. 19 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Johnson (TN), TBA, Greer Tennis Courts

Monday, Feb. 19 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Johnson (TN), TBA, Greer Tennis Courts

Tuesday, Feb. 20 – Baseball (Home) vs. Oglethorpe, 6 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium

Tuesday, Feb. 20 – Men’s Basketball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 7 p.m., Mariotti Gym

 

In the Headlines

Fayetteville Native to Perform in LaGrange College’s ‘Dancing at Lughnasa,’ Fayette County News, Feb. 14

Category: Arts and Culture, Community

Keywords: Festival, Music