Storyteller and Author Willy Claflin to Appear September 14

Monday, September 14, 2009, 7 p.m. Elliott University Center Auditorium, UNCG Campus

Free and Open to the Public

Have you ever engaged in quadrapedagogy with a shaggy ruminant whose life’s work is preserving traditional moose tales? Learned to use your voice in myriad different ways to tell the story of Little Red Riding Hood? Sung traditional folksongs with a master collector of the genre?

If not, acclaimed storyteller, children’s book author, and folk-singer Willy Claflin and his sidekick Maynard Moose are coming to UNC Greensboro on Monday, September 14, concluding with a public performance at 7 p.m. in the Elliott University Center Auditorium. Sponsored by the University Libraries, the event is free and open to the public. Earlier in the day, Claflin will perform at UNCG for elementary schoolchildren in area schools in cooperation with the UNCG School of Education, then speak to UNCG students in K-6 methods classes in the School of Education. Claflin will also appear at BOOKMARKS: The Triad’s Festival of Books, on Saturday, September 12 in Winston-Salem, the third straight year UNCG and BOOKMARKS have collaborated to bring a notable figure in children’s literature to the area.

Performing as a full-time storyteller since the early 1980's following a career in teaching and folk music, Claflin brings to UNCG a wealth of stories and puppet monologues to his repertoire of traditional and original songs. His work encompasses stories from many cultures; ballads of the British Isles and Appalachia; misadventures in the Maine woods; and hilarious observations from Willy and his sidekicks like the puppet Maynard Moose.

The University Libraries is proud to invite alumni, educators, parents and young people to these performances. Listen to our podcast. We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of Pam and David Sprinkle and Betty and Bill Hicks for Mr. Claflin’s appearances in the Triad, as well as the O. Henry Hotel. Pam and Betty are members of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the UNCG Libraries.

We have been advised that due to the greatly increased number of students on our campus this fall, attendees are advised to park in the Oakland Avenue Parking Deck on the UNCG campus. Walker Deck, where many visitors to the Libraries park, is especially crowded and space may not be available.

As Maynard Moose often says, “thank you for your detention.”