Michael Katz

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Today we were treated to a visit by amazing storyteller and local legend, Michael Katz.  I look forward to Mr. Katz’s visit every year.  He tells stories from a variety of cultures, and he weaves acting, audience participation, and a moral into every one.

He began his presentation by getting everyone’s attention with a singing bowl. He spoke to the students about mindfulness and the importance of paying attention.  We practiced paying attention to our breath and the sound of the bowl before Mr. Katz told us two stories: one with origins in Japan and China, and one with Black American roots.

Here’s the first story:

The students were a rapt and appreciative audience.  Thank you to Mr. Katz for sharing your talents with us, and thank you to Mrs. Riley and Mrs. Hardy for arranging this special event!

Michael Katz

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Famous storyteller Michael Katz visited today!  We look forward to his visit every year because of his animated and interactive storytelling style.  Here’s a description from his website: Michael tells stories which weave together both the comic and the profound using his own highly energetic, animated and interactive style of storytelling. Michael’s stories include multicultural folktales, myths, original stories and personal narratives. Michael has performed at theatres, concert halls, festivals, school assemblies, and libraries throughout the U.S. Because of Michael’s extensive research of stories, his repertoire is so vast he can find the right story for almost any event.

He opened by using a “singing bowl” to focus the audience’s attention.

Then, he shared a story about a man who learns to be happy with the way things are:

Next, he told the story of an old woman who figures out how to keep local trouble-makers out of her pear tree.  He told this story, which comes from Mexico, partially in English and partially in Spanish.

Finally, he finished with a story in which he played the characters of a monkey, a bull, and a garden fairy using minimalistic costume pieces, which he attached to a belt when he wasn’t using them.

A big thank you goes to Mrs. Brace for arranging this opportunity for us, and to Michael Katz for sharing his talents!

Rapt students enjoy hearing stories.

Michael Katz

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Yesterday, local celebrity storyteller Michael Katz came by!  Mr. Katz is a favorite visitor each year.  He tells stories from various cultures in engaging ways that allow the students to participate in the storytelling experience.  From Mr. Katz’s website: Michael Katz has been a storyteller since 1984 and has been featured at such illustrious locations as the openings of both the Los Angeles Getty Center and the Disney Concert Hall. MIchael is the host of the radio storytelling program Katz Pajamas heard on NPR station KCBX FM. He is one of the founding members of the national touring theatre company BOXTALES, and was the founding Artistic Director for the Flying Leap Storytelling Festival in Solvang, California. 

Here are some photos and videos from yesterday’s visit:

Thank you to Mrs. Brace for organizing this fun event!