Music, Meet Words

The premise behind Telling Stories is simple: Blend commissioned, contemporary chamber music with original essays read by the authors in a casual setting, playing to a young audience that might otherwise overlook these particular disciplines, and using a loose theme to tie everything together in a pleasant package. Tonight’s theme...

By Susan Froyd

March 18, 2010

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The premise behind Telling Stories is simple: Blend commissioned, contemporary chamber music with original essays read by the authors in a casual setting, playing to a young audience that might otherwise overlook these particular disciplines, and using a loose theme to tie everything together in a pleasant package. Tonight’s theme is “Sound of Silence” — but the evening will feature quite a bit of noise. “You will actually get to hear some marimba bluegrass. I’m not sure how often that happens!” says Telling Stories founder (and marimba player) Jennie Dorris, who is also one of Westword’s 2010 MasterMinds. The marimba bluegrass will accompany a friend’s essay that “explores the idea of her having children and how absolutely loud children can be, and then learning the value of the ruckus.”

Also on the agenda: music by local composers Anne Guzzo and Conrad Kehn, and readings by Jeanine Fritz, Brianna Dolby and Megan Quinn. “Local composers are one of our passions,” Dorris explains. “Conrad Kehn has a piece for soprano and cello about the little stories he tells his daughters at bedtime, and Anne Guzzo’s work is all about the sounds of the West and the open air.” Live painting and a raffle of the work top off the night, which starts at 7 p.m. at the D Note, 7519 Grandview Avenue in Arvada.

Admission is $10 at the door; find more info at www.tellingstoriesmusic.org.
Sat., March 20, 7 p.m., 2010

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Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

Contact: Susan Froyd

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