Margaret Chatham

2631 Kirklyn St. Falls Church, VA 22043
margaret.chatham@verizon.net
703-698-5456

Margaret Chatham

Introduction

Margaret is an eclectic teller of ethnic tales from around the world who also tells literary stories “just-so,” always putting the story on center stage. She sometimes supplements her word-weaving with string figures, music, or dolls from her world-wide collection, while entertaining and enlightening audiences from age 4 to 104. Margaret has more than 30 years of storytelling experience. A founding member, past president, and current newsletter editor for Voices in the Glen, Margaret Chatham began her storytelling as a children’s librarian in Hawaii.

Programs Offered

Margaret Chatham will design a story program to fit your needs, drawing from a repertoire of over 150 stories from 6 continents and several islands. Here are a few samples:

Tales From the First Times: stories from the ancient world. This can include ancient Egyptian, Greek, Sumerian, Hittite, or Chinese tales.
Magic By the Book-It’s a Funny Thing…Jane Yolen, Patricia C. Wrede, Natalie Babbitt, E. Nesbit, Rudyard Kipling all wrote tales of magic and humor which jump from the page for out-loud enjoyment
It Was a Dark and Stormy Night-winter shivers from around the Arctic Circle
Tricks and Turnabouts-Anansi, Br’er Rabbit, Nasr-ed-Din Hodja, Coyote, and Jack: the world is full of tricksters
From the Land of the Rising Sun-Folktales from Japan, or a sampling from Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, and Hmong stories. This can include a Hmong pa ndau storycloth and dolls from the represented cultures.
Three Worlds of Hispanic Tales-Hispanic stories from Native American, African and Spanish roots
A Middle Eastern Tour-from the adventures of the Arabian nights to the humor of Nasr-ed-Din Hodja
Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day specials
Celtic Tales, of wee folk, pookas, mermaids, and the people who meet them
Margaret’s Favorite: to create a program to suit your theme and audience

Audio Tape

Cat Tales: Four Furry Tales includes “The Cat Who Walked By Himself” from Just-So Stories by Rudyard Kipling; “Naming a Cat,” a Chinese folktale; “The King of the Cats,” adapted from Joseph Jacobs’ More English Fairy Tales; and “The Boy Who Drew Cats,” Japanese folktale originally translated by Lafcadio Hearn. Available for $12, including shipping and handling: send check to Margaret Chatham, 2631 Kirklyn St., Falls Church, VA 22043, with your complete mailing address.

Clients

Folklore Society of Greater Washington’s Washington Folk Festival, every time it has been held, 1985 to present; also their Midwinter Festival most years
Southern Maryland Celtic Festival, 1992 to present (except 2009, when daughter Ann got married on that day)
Potomac Celtic Festival – 1994-2010 (except the one when it fell on the same weekend as a family reunion in Missouri) Organized & ran the storytelling stage 2002-2010.
Maryland Faerie Fest, Mermaid Tales, May 2011
Green Spring Manor House Teas, most recently programs for Christmas, 2008, and Valentine’s Day, 2011; planned Mother-Daughter Tea, Nov 12, 2011
Fairfax County Public Libraries, various. Most recently Burke Centre Library: “Midnight at Bunnyman Bridge” 2009
Long Branch Nature Center — Br’er Rabbit Tales, July 2010; Tales from the Deep, Dark Woods, July 2011
Reston’s Walker Nature Center – Br’er Rabbit Tales, Feb 2010
National Museum of the Marine Corps – Halloween, 2009
Tellebrations in Kensington & Frederick, MD, Alexandria, Falls Church & Leesburg, VA, and Colts Neck, NJ
Kensington Story Salon, with husband Ralph, several times, first Wednesday in January
Voices in the Glen Storytelling Festival, 1984-2003 (alas, it is no more!)
Schools ranging from preschools to high schools, history days, book fairs
Scouting groups: boys and girls, campfires and pack meetings.
Churches, Retirement homes and Alzheimer’s respite centers
Clubs & Associations: Old Dominion Doll Club, Women’s Association of Northern Virginia, Clifton Community Women’s Club, Drott Lodge, Maryland Doll Club, Gladys McDowell Doll Study Club
Private occasions from birthday parties for children who love reading, to Halloween parties, to a wedding reception

Testimonials

With Ralph Chatham: Recipient 2003 National Storytelling Network Oracle Award for Regional Leadership and Service

“I’m happy to tell people about your talent for bringing a story to life, connecting honestly and meaningfully with an audience.” Rhonda Belyea, Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 2008

“I hadn’t intended to stay, but her telling drew me in.”

- Potomac Celtic Festival attendee, June 2002

“Everyone really enjoyed the magic you shared with your gift of storytelling. we might make it a yearly event . I’ll keep your phone number!!”

- Beverly Bray, James K. Polk Elementary School, Alexandria, Va. March 5, 2004