Celebrate April Fool’s Day with storyteller Doc McConnell in “A Celebration of Fools, Tricksters and Scamps,” Sunday at 2 p.m. at Johnson City’s Down Home.
Carrying out the theme of April Fool’s Day, the program will feature stories about fools and tricksters, as well as some tall-tales, said Dr. Joseph Sobol, coordinator of the university’s storytelling master’s degree program.
Since the early 1970’s, McConnell was one of the first recognizable storytellers at Jonesborough’s National Story-telling Festival.
McConnell, who Sobol calls a great tall-tale teller, has traveled across the country with his “Old Time Medicine Show,” and has appeared on numerous television and radio shows.
The program will not only feature the well-known McConnell from Rogersville, but will also include a variety of storytellers from the university, such as Sobol, Delanna Reed and graduate student Molly Catron.
Sobol is a nationally known storyteller, musician and composer. He is also the author of The Storyteller’s Journey: An American Revival.
“I’ve been telling stories since about 1981,” he said.
The program is sponsored by ETSU’s Master’s Degree Program in Storytelling and Reading, which provides a degree with a basis of theory and practice in storytelling.
The program, Sobol said “has 60 or 70 odd graduates from all over the country.”
The program is also trying to build a reputation with similar programs.
“We’re also working to make connections with other programs across campus,” Sobol said.
As part of the department of curriculum and instruction, the program also works to prepare many education majors by providing undergraduate storytelling classes.
In the summer, Sobol said, the program turns into a party with an abundance of special programs and visiting storytellers.
Admission to Sunday’s program will cost $10 for the general public and $7 for students.
“Expect it to be fun,” Sobol said. “The Down Home is a great old venue in Johnson City, if student’s haven’t been there, they should get to know it.”
Down Home is located at 300 W. Main Street in Johnson City. For more information contact the storytelling office at 439-7863 or Down Home at 929-9822.

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