FLATWATER TALES PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED
TICKETS NOW ON SALE!!
The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival features three nationally acclaimed storytellers for the June 2023 performances: Lyn Ford, Bil Lepp and Rev. Robert B. Jones.
Known for their wit and wisdom, all three will perform different stories at every show. Our 6th annual event returns live to the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge, Tennessee on Friday, June 2 and Saturday June 3, 2023. Performances are at 7 PM June 2 and at 10 AM, 2 PM and 7 PM on Saturday, June 3.
Robert Jones and Lyn Ford kick off the festival with special daytime workshops on June 1 and 2.
Two Special Events!!
Our Friday and Saturday evening shows each include a special event. On Friday, June 2, Robert Jones will headline with a feature presentation, “American History Through Music.” And on Saturday night, June 3, Bil Lepp will perform a special Oak Ridge-themed story, “I Guess Ol’ John Wasn’t Crazy After All: John Hendrix, the Prophet of Oak Ridge.” Both shows are from 7 – 9 PM including stories from all tellers
Saturday, June 3, also includes a morning family show, 10 AM – 12 Noon, and an afternoon show, 2 – 4 PM, when every teller will perform different stories at every show.
Special Workshops
Thursday, June 1, Lyn Ford will lead a 3 hour workshop,“Collecting Family Stories: Gathering and Creating Spoken and Written Narratives” from 12:30 to 3:30 at the UT Arboretum auditorium in Oak Ridge.
On Friday, June 2, Robert Jones will lead a 3 hour workshop,“Celebrating Diversity: Using Music and Stories Build Bridges” from 9:30 to 12:30 at the UT Arboretum auditorium in Oak Ridge.
Special Tour of Oak Ridge Manhattan Project Sites
As a special, no added cost, feature of the 2023 Flatwater Tales Festival, Oak Ridge City Historian, Ray Smith, is again providing a driving tour of Oak Ridge. The tour will begin and end at the Grove Center Theater parking lot. The tour starts at 1:00 pm on Friday, June 2, 2023. Tickets for the tour are free, and you only need one ticket per car. The email associated with the ticket lets us keep in touch with you for any updates you need to know.
This year’s tour will include a visit to John Hendrix’s grave as Bil Lepp will be telling the John Hendrix story Saturday evening. It will also include stops at The Alexander Guest House lobby, the Oak Ridge International Friendship Bell, the Secret City Commemorative Walk, and the Scarboro Community Center. Driving portions of the tour will feature Jackson Square and the east portion of the Oak Ridge Historic District.
Tickets…Tickets…Tickets!!!
Several generous donations enable us to reduce all storytelling ticket prices for 2023. We are also providing tickets for children at each show but request that children at the evening shows be 10+ years old due to the length of the show into the the night.
Tickets are now on sale with our red Buy Tickets! button, at Eventbrite, or in person at the Ferrell Shop in Oak Ridge (cash or check only please). Take advantage of our Early Bird Special and get a discount when you buy tickets for both the afternoon and evening shows on Saturday.
These tickets make great gifts for family and friends of all ages. Shop now!
The Tellers
Rev. Robert Jones, Sr. is a native of Detroit and an inspirational storyteller and musician. He celebrates history, humor and the power of American Roots music. Whether he’s telling stories about growing up in his native Detroit, sharing tales about old blues musicians or inspirational stories drawn from history or scripture, Robert loves telling stories that reach both the mind and the heart.
He shares his deep love for traditional American and African American traditional music in live performances that interweave timeless stories with songs. For more than 30 years Robert has entertained and educated audiences of all ages at festivals, schools, colleges, libraries, union halls, prisons, churches and civil rights organizations. At the heart of his message is the belief that cultural diversity tells a story that should be celebrated, not just tolerated. He makes his home in Detroit and performs throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. An award-winning multi-instrumentalist, he is accomplished at guitar, harmonica, mandolin, banjo and fiddle and has recorded many albums of original and traditional songs.
Bil Lepp, a five-time veteran of the Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival, is the star of the History Channel’s “Man vs. History.” An award-winning storyteller, author and recording artist, Bil’s humorous family-friendly tall tales and stories have earned him the appreciation of listeners of all ages from all walks of life. Though a five-time champion of the West Virginia Liar’s Contest, Lepp’s stories often contain morsels of truth which present universal themes in clever and witty ways. His 28 books and audio collections have won numerous awards.
