River Talk returns to center Nov. 20

The “Chilkat Chit Chat Cafe” is reopening for this season’s River Talk program 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20.

The event, put on by Lynn Canal Community Players, transforms the Chilkat Center lobby into an intimate, coffeehouse-style venue for Chilkat Valley residents to tell their stories.

November’s theme is “Coming Home,” and seven storytellers will take seven minutes to regale the audience with a tale related to that theme.

River Talk began last winter with two sessions, but this season will feature five. Storytellers in December, January, February and March will play on the themes “New Beginnings,” “Is it Really Love?,” “Bear Tales (Bare Tails)” and “Along the Chilkat.”

LCCP secretary and treasurer Annette Smith said after last year’s success the group decided to continue River Talk in the 2014-2015 season.

“That was kind of a pilot program and it was very well-received,” Smith said. “It’s good to kind of get together in a casual atmosphere and share your stories and listen and chit chat.”

The theme “Coming Home” should go well with the holidays. “We kind of thought that was good for the holiday season, November and December, but it could be anything. They can be funny, sad, bad, whatever. But they do have to keep it to seven minutes, so it’s a good idea to practice a little bit ahead of time,” Smith said.

Residents Heather Lende and Eileen McIver are the only two who have signed up so far, and both also participated during last season’s River Talk series.

“We’re looking for new people for sure, but that doesn’t preclude the old people from (participating). We have plenty of room,” Smith said.

Beer, wine, coffee and treats will be for sale.

LCCP also is putting together the Holly Jolly Christmas Follies variety show and is looking for dancers, singers, actors and comedians.

Call Smith at 766-2708 to sign up for River Talk or the Follies.

In other LCCP news, Tod Sebens will be directing “Dancing at Lugnhasa,” a drama set in 1930s Ireland, with rehearsals set to start in January. Call Sebens at 321-2302 to ask about participating.

Amanda Randles will be staging “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)” this spring. 

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