 May/Summer 2001 (XXXIX 3) |
ince the earliest days of founder George Fox's visit to this country in the 17th century, Quakers' traditions of vocal ministry and oral history have carried our story across America and throughout the world. In 1998, Moorestown Meeting (NJ) storyteller and long-time member Arlene Kavanaugh died, leaving an unrestricted bequest to the Meeting. The Meeting decided to designate the bequest for promoting vocal ministry as a means of sharing the universal values of Friends in Arlene's memory. So it is with great joy that Moorestown Meeting presents the Vocal Arts Festival on Saturday, June 16, on the grounds of the Meeting and Moorestown Friends School, 118 East Main Street, Moorestown, New Jersey.
This full-day program of storytellers, musicians, jugglers and workshops celebrates the joy of stories, especially those that reflect the values of Quakers and the testimonies of Friends. The gate opens at 9:30 a.m. and programs will run all day, culminating with a 7 p.m. concert by the Snake Brothers, a rollicking bluegrass band started at Moorestown Friends School and known for their songs celebrating life in New Jersey.
We hope you'll join us to celebrate – through song and story – friendship, community, environment and nature, simplicity, peace and equity among the people of the world. Help us encourage storytelling for both children and adults and recognize the Meeting's 300th anniversary and the meetinghouse's 200th anniversary. Presented with grateful memories of our friend Arlene Kavanaugh, and with thanks to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for its financial support.
The energetic schedule of events will be held in three tents, the school and Meeting grounds, and the meetinghouse. Admission of $10 per person or $25 for families (1 or 2 adults and their children) includes all entertainment, workshops, and tours for the whole day. All venues are wheelchair accessible; parking will be designated. Food and beverages will be sold; picnic baskets are welcome.
Display tables invited
The Meeting invites displays from Quaker organizations and Peace & Social Concern committees, artisans and crafters. If you are interested in displaying or selling, please contact Barbara Kreider at bquinnk@hotmail.com, or contact the Meeting at 856-235-1561 or moorestownmm@msn.com.
See these talented storytellers, musicians, and artists in the Quaker tradition from the Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting areas:
- Julie Della Torre, founder of the New Jersey Storytelling Festival
- The Faith and Practice band of Doylestown Meeting (PA)
- Queen Nur of Burlington County
- Juggler Randini the Remarkable of West Chester Meeting (PA)
- Vickie Vaughn, New Jersey's Troubadour
- Spiral Q Puppets with founder Matty Boy Hart
- Amy Rosenberg
- Julie Pasqual
- Kandy Lippincott
- Kathryn Weidener
Other activities include:
- Workshops on writing your life story, family genealogy, the history of Quaker meetinghouses, and more
- Guided tours of the school grounds and Meetinghouse with local historians
- Displays on Quaker history and our tradition of vocal ministry, and an on-site Philadelphia Yearly Meeting bookstore and information kiosk
- A special juggling workshop on the lawn, from 2:00 to 5:00. Drop in and join the fun.
- An open-mike session at 5 p.m. for aspiring new storytellers young and old (including you!)
Vocal Arts Festival Committee
Moorestown Meeting (NJ)
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM