Cap’s Off to You!-Alice Kane (Posthumously) and Celebrating Story

Featuring: Alice Kane

Delightful Librarian, Storytelling Pioneer, Enchanting Storyteller

While born in Ireland, she then lived in Canada and co-founded Storytellers School of Toronto. The audacity to create such an organization already brings warmth to my soul. One can always be a storyteller. Not everyone is a leader in the art. Yet, Alice inspired so many including those who had led as well as continue to lead the Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada.

Yet, does it stop in Canada? Of course not. While I never met Alice, I have heard her name whispered or celebrated upon the wind. Yes, much of what she did was in Canada. She was a children’s librarian who then shared stories from the page and gave it life to all who heard. She easily bridged Canada and Ireland, as her stories celebrated her ancestry and gave happy permission to anyone who would wish to share them. She laughed that although a children’s librarian, she told many of her stories to adults and often sang Irish tunes or even was accompanied by an Irish harpist.

One of Alice’s inspirations was Augusta Baker, another name known for creating a foundation for the national and international movement of storytelling. Alice quoted Augusta when she said, “If you recall the story and not the storyteller, then the teller is good.”

So it is fitting that Elinor Benjamin, former president of Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada, told one of Alice’s stories in the video below.

Let us remember Alice’s stories AND her. For she is good. Beyond good.

If you have links to add – video, audio, articles – please share by emailing info@storycrossroads.org or commenting on this blog post.

You can see more details on Alice Kane with the Story Artists Memorial.

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Story told by Elinor Benjamin but was heard first by Elinor on a cassette tape of stories told by Alice Kane. The quality of video is a little off at the beginning but gets better a few seconds later.

Do you know a Story Artist who has passed on and want others to remember them? Memories? Pictures? You can submit names and memories of Story Artists who have passed on through our online form. 

I appreciate Alice Kane for her way to go down the path of storytelling and waving people onward to also continue that path.

Alice still has a story. You have a story. We all have stories.

Cap’s Off to You!-Juel Ulven (Posthumously) and Celebrating Story

Featuring: Juel Ulven

Dedicated Leader, Banjo-Strummer, Heart-Warmer Human

The name Juel Ulven will forever be connected with the Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival. He led with such generosity. I never met him, though I knew of the importance of this Festival that continues on despite his passing. Seen strumming a banjo or sharing music and advice with others, his spirit will be with the 46th Festival coming up Labor Weekend 2022 and forever after.

While learning more about Juel, I noticed a newspaper pictures where he is holding up a sign of the Festival cancelled due to flooding. The last couple of years have brought us COVID and all the adapting for events including for Fox Valley. Juel was no stranger to fighting through the hard stuff. In fact, part of his battle included Long COVID and Leukemia.

Yet the battle continues. Despite declining health, Juel put 100%–nay 300%–in the continued planning of that event. Many volunteers and audience members can attest to his attention to detail and wanting to always be of help. Vel Weiss told me that he organized much from the hospital. Even two weeks before he passed, he participated in some sea shanties virtually.

If you have links to add – video, audio, articles – please share by emailing info@storycrossroads.org or commenting on this blog post.

You can see more details on Juel Ulven with the Story Artists Memorial.

I found it touching that while I had a hard time finding a video of Juel performing, I did find a different artist who was helped by Juel Ulven. This artist wished to find the first song in Carl Sandburg’s “The American Songbag” published in 1927 called “He’s Gone Away.” The artist said in the video description, “I ran across a reference to this book and was poised to order one from Amazon when I asked Juel Ulven if he had a copy. He answered “Several” and offered me one which I gladly accepted.”

The second video gives some flavor to what Juel dedicated so much in leading a wonderful festival. Now, the volunteers of today and those of the tomorrows can honor him forever. What a fitting image that the 2015 Fox Valley Festival shows a banjo.

Do you know a Story Artist who has passed on and want others to remember them? Memories? Pictures? You can submit names and memories of Story Artists who have passed on through our online form. 

I appreciate Juel Ulven for his dream and commitment that provides a legacy to inspire everyone around the world.

Juel still has a story. You have a story. We all have stories.

Cap’s Off to You!-Adella Adella the Storyteller/Adella Gautier (Posthumously) and Celebrating Story

Featuring: Adella Adella the Storyteller/Adella Gautier

Endearing Actress, Playful, Engaging Storyteller

How does an alter ego come about? One that is drawn to people with delight? I found it fascinating that Adella Gautier, a pioneering actress, loved storytelling to the point that she created another name to distinguish between her acting and her storytelling: Adella Adella the Storyteller. Even the name as a hint of a “Call and Response,” which is fitting considering the West African stories she was known to share. I really wish I could see her during this time on earth. I will need to get in line when I cross the veil as I am positive she is entertaining many in the heavens.

Adella Adella performed often in New Orleans. During the 1980s, she traveled from school to school. She did more than perform. She instructed and guided other youth in the art. I would be curious as to how many of those youth now have more respect and joy in stories due to her guest appearances.

Meanwhile, Adella Adella took on the stage as an actress. One time, she cross-dressed so she could be the driver in “Driving Miss Daisy.” What dedication and delight! She also did a one-woman show as Eartha Kitt.

Did her storytelling blend into her theatric? Absolutely. She was known for catching her fell actors off-guard. Yet, they reacted to the improv and continued the plays without missing a beat. Her fellow actors developed better skills in storytelling purely by her being part of the cast. Both the actors and audiences celebrated the surprises.

She did make appearances on TV shows. You can see a listing on IMDB.

Thankfully, we do have some videos to get a sense of what she was like.

If you have links to add – video, audio, articles – please share by emailing info@storycrossroads.org or commenting on this blog post.

You can see more details on Adella Adella’s page with the Story Artists Memorial.

Do you know a Story Artist who has passed on and want others to remember them? Memories? Pictures? You can submit names and memories of Story Artists who have passed on through our online form. 

I appreciate Adella Adella with her ability to play and tease people and get the best responses in the moment. Her natural storytelling talents were shared with others in performance and in workshops. She wanted the art to continue.

Adella Adella still has a story. You have a story. We all have stories.