Of Ginseng, Golden Apples, and the Rainbow Fish

Ancient Tales, Traditional Lore, Lively Tunes, and a Modern Mythic Adventure

Storytelling Concert with Doug Elliott

May 31, 2024

Earthaven Ecovillage
Near Asheville, NC

School of Integrated Living presents Doug Elliott, well-known storyteller, humorist, and naturalist!

In this program, Doug Elliott will tell about visiting Appalachian storyteller Ray Hicks, who is famous for his tales about the mythical folk hero Jack. Along with Jack’s exploits, you’ll hear a few of Ray’s own hair-raising adventures, such as when he was followed by a panther.

You’ll hear colorful folklore about the love life of ‘possums, bloodsucking owls, and tips for successful ‘seng hunting. Driving home with his head full of wild tales, Doug embarks on a true modern-day mythic journey where he catches a trout by hand; harvests wild apples, ginseng, and mushrooms; ponders Greek myths; meets three strangers; and finds himself living out his own folktale.

The program includes a poem by William Butler Yeats, quotes from the Roman poet Ovid, and some lively tunes, including a risqué herbal ballad by the great botanist Jim Duke. You’ll find out what happens when Artemis (also known as Diana) gets caught skinny dipping and when Atalanta loses a foot race, as well as what happens when Jack leaves home to sell a cow and comes back with a rock.

This concert is the evening before the Reaching Nature Connection Conference (RNC), also at Earthaven.

We offer a special one-night camping option for Friday evening after the concert. To round out your stay, register for the Saturday morning Earthaven tour.

Of Ginseng, Golden Apples, and Rainbow Fish
Doug Elliott and Michael Ismario performing at Earthaven Ecovillage

Program

Fun for the whole family!

Friday, May 31
6:00 pm (Optional) Dinner
7:30 pm Stories and Songs at Earthaven Ecovillage

Doug Elliott Storytelling Concert

Reservations and Cost

Show and dinner: Sliding scale $30 – $50

Show only: by donation

Friday night camping: $40

Logistics

Food
Examples of food served at School of Integrated Living programs

Delicious, omnivorous meals are prepared by talented culinary artists from the Earthaven community. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available. Snacks and beverages (tea, coffee) are provided. Participants are invited to help with meal clean-up. Many hands make light work.

As much food as possible is sourced from Earthaven and its surrounding farms and gardens, with some ingredients sourced from local grocery stores. Our meals are created with seasonal, local, fresh, wildcrafted, humanely-raised, and organic ingredients.

***If you have dietary needs beyond the ones listed here, please be prepared to bring supplemental food to support your nourishment and well-being. Our kitchen simply cannot accommodate all diets.

Program Specific Info

Dinner is included in the ticket price and must be pre-ordered. Reservations, which include the storytelling concert, are sliding scale $25-$45 per person.

Cancellation & Refunds

If you cancel your registration, you may:

  • Donate your tuition to support our continued work
  • Request a refund per our policy:
    • 90% refund for cancellations prior to 30 days before the start of the program
    • 50% refund for cancellations prior to 10 days before the start of the program

If SOIL cancels this program for any reason whatsoever, you would receive a 100% refund.

Contact us at [email protected] with registration questions.

Lodging

Camping Friday night after the concert is available at an additional cost of $40 per adult. A bed in the Campground Cabin is $50 (all ages). If you want to camp additional nights, register for camping on the camping page instead of here.

Read More About Accommodations

Location

This program takes place at Earthaven Ecovillage. This permaculture-based community offers a unique living classroom where participants will engage with the natural world, eco-infrastructure, and the intimate experience of rural community living.

What to Expect at Earthaven

Storyteller

Doug Elliott

Doug Elliott

Storyteller, Faculty

Doug Elliott is a naturalist, herbalist, storyteller, basket maker, back-country guide, philosopher, and harmonica wizard. He has spent a great deal of time with traditional country folk and indigenous people, learning their stories, folklore and traditional ways of relating to the natural world. In recent years, he has performed and presented programs at festivals, museums, botanical gardens, nature centers and schools from Canada to the Caribbean.

Registration

Complete the registration form, which takes 5-10 minutes. Complete your enrollment with a credit card authorization.

After your enrollment is processed, you will receive several confirmations…

  1. An automatic confirmation of receiving your registration form
  2. A payment confirmation from our card processor
  3. Confirmation that your registration has been processed

 

Contact Info - Step 1 of 3

Storytelling concert and dinner with Doug Elliott

Friday, May 31, 2024