“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”
For Moira McKinnon, Philip Pullman’s thoughts on storytelling encapsulate perfectly the magic of the Midget Grizzlies’ annual storytelling event.
The event—which each year brings together 10 storytellers from across Jasper to share some of their most hilarious, heartfelt and gut-wrenching tales—is celebrating its fifth year this March.
For McKinnon, who organized the special anniversary show, watching Jasperites grace the stage and pour out their hearts is always a rewarding experience.
“The stories have ranged from absolutely hilarious to sad and very moving,” she said in an interview Feb. 20. “We’ve had sitting on the edge of your seat tales, we’ve had just short anecdotal tales, and all kinds of other stuff. There’s been a real range of fabulous stories over the years.”
This year, in a special bonus event, some of the most popular storytellers from the previous five years will return to the stage with their best stories, joined by some new faces who will weave fresh tales for the audience.
Traditionally, the event has been a fundraiser for the Midget girls hockey team, but McKinnon said that with the team sitting in such good financial shape this year, all the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Jasper Sustainability Club for Youth’s efforts to bring a SEED classroom to town.
In the past the event has been held at the Downstream Lounge, but this year McKinnon has moved it to the Jasper Legion, which has the capacity to hold about 100 more people.
Considering the event has sold out each year, McKinnon believes the bigger venue promises an even fuller and better show.
“I mean, we’ve always not only sold out, but we’ve had people asking and we’ve never really had posters or advertised or anything.
“It’s a highly entertaining evening and, you know, it’s really a guaranteed good time. I seriously consider giving a money-back guarantee [for people who] don’t enjoy [themselves], because I’ve never known anybody who didn’t enjoy it.”
The show will take place at the Jasper Legion March 4, with the doors opening at 6 p.m. and stories starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20, and are available at Barefoot in Park and Candy Bear’s Lair, or by contacting McKinnon at 780-257-6330.
McKinnon said that while the proceeds from this special event will be given to the Jasper Sustainability Club for Youth, the next event will once again raise money for the hockey team.
Trevor Nichols
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