Toronto Festival of Storytelling This Weekend

This doesn't take place in The Annex, but it sounds intriguing.
"Real stories. Real people. Historic settings. The City of Toronto’s Historic Museums Fabled City event will showcase Canada’s finest storytellers recounting fascinating tales from this city’s beginnings, all part of the 32nd Annual Toronto Festival of Storytelling, March 25 to 28.

Fabled City kicks off on Friday, March 26, with two intriguing stories of strength, resilience and generosity. Pauline Grondin brings to life the untold tale, not of the famed David Gibson but of his wife Eliza Gibson. Eliza’s Story highlights the life of Eliza Gibson’s work as a farmer and mother of seven and will be told at the Gibson House Museum. The evening includes a hearty meal and live music by fiddler Stephen Fuller and will run from, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This is an adult’s[sic] only event. Tickets cost: $40 a person, plus applicable taxes.

During the summer of 1847, some 38,000 poverty-stricken Irish immigrants passed through Toronto, a city of 20,000 at that time. Responding to the tragedy, innkeeper Thomas Montgomery hosted an aid benefit at the Montgomery Inn. On Friday, March 26, in the same room where the original benefit took place, storyteller Nan Brien, accompanied by the music ensemble Gin Lane, will take the audiences back to that night 163 years earlier with the No Irish Need Apply. The event will start at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $20 a person, plus applicable taxes. Ticket prices include refreshments. The event is suitable for adult audiences.

Starting at 11 a.m., on Saturday, March 27, the Market Gallery features St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Stories with Jazz. Seasoned storyteller Jim Blake will share tales about this historically-rich neighbourhood that surrounds St Lawrence Market. The storytelling will be accompanied by a jazz trio and the event is free.

Harriet Xanthakos tells the unbelievable yet true story about a female undercover journalist working for the Toronto News in 1894, in the story of Vic Steinberg: Girl Reporter! This event will be held on March 27, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Mackenzie House. Ticket prices: adults $12; seniors $10; children $8; plus applicable taxes.

Bringing their stately house into the modern era, storyteller Jeffrey Canton, in character as a workman, will tell stories of Toronto tradesmen in the late 1920s at the Spadina Museum. Audiences will also be able to take a hardhat tour of the current renovations (work permitting) taking place at the museum. Refreshments will follow the storytelling event. Spadina Museum, Saturday, March 27, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket prices: $15 adults; $12 seniors; $10 children; plus applicable taxes.

Pre-registration is required for all events. Tickets for individual events can be purchased at each location. For further information about Fabled City and all of the storytelling events taking place during the 32nd Annual Toronto Festival of Storytelling, visit http://www.toronto.ca/museums-events or visit http://www/torontofestivalofstorytelling.ca."

Happy listening!
Vanessa