ASU Kerr shines spotlight on local storytellers for ‘Gather’

New digital event brings together notable artists to share stories centered around the city of Phoenix

Pianist and Phoenix jazz favorite Charles Lewis.

By Alexis Alabado |
April 20, 2020

ASU Kerr Cultural Center will present “Gather,” a new digital storytelling event, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, via the venue’s Facebook Live page.

Co-presented by ASU Cultural Affairs venues ASU Kerr and ASU Gammage, the event is part of several livestreamed events that ASU Kerr will broadcast via Facebook Live in the month of April.

The livestream will feature three diverse and experienced storytellers: founder of Bicycle Nomad Erick Cedeño; Mathew Sandoval, faculty fellow at ASU’s Barrett, The Honors College in downtown Phoenix; and producer of the Storyline SLAM Dan Hoen Hull. In this first edition of “Gather,” stories centering around Phoenix will be shared, the craft of storytelling will be discussed and its future in the contemporary desert landscape will be celebrated. Pianist and local jazz favorite Charles Lewis will also perform during the streaming show.

“We hope to create inspiring digital gatherings that keep us connected to the stories, art and music of Phoenix-area residents during a time of increased isolation,” ASU Kerr General Manager Tracey Mason said.

Christine Anglin, ASU Kerr’s contracts and administration coordinator, and Fernanda Snellings, ASU Gammage’s artist liaison and engagement manager, are behind the “Gather” series. Impressed by the high caliber of storytellers in the Phoenix metropolitan area and driven by their own work as storytellers and poets, respectively, the pair have set out to present artists and compelling work that encourages listeners to share their own stories, Anglin said.

“Stories connect people and show us that we are not so different ... our stories speak to who we are,” Anglin said. “Phoenix has an active storytelling community filled with extremely talented storytellers ... and those who are willing to listen.”

Viewers can expect to be hoisted from their living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens and brought into a new world curated by the storyteller, Anglin added.

“We are proud to be able to share new livestreaming programming that supports Phoenix-area artists,” Mason said. “We want to strengthen the bonds between local creators, residents, viewers beyond Arizona and the beauty of the arts in any way we can.”

More information on “Gather” and other upcoming virtual events.

Erick Cedeño of Bicycle Nomad is a featured storyteller. Cedeño is a bicycling advocate, cyclo-tourist and the one-person-show behind Bicycle Nomad.
Mathew Sandoval is a faculty fellow at ASU’s Barrett, The Honors College in downtown Phoenix. He teaches courses on culture, performance, race and activism.
Dan Hoen Hull is an award-winning writer, storyteller, educator, Zen monk and a producer of the Storyline SLAM in partnership with Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix. Hull has been a part of the Phoenix storytelling scene for almost a decade and was named one of Arizona’s top five creatives by the Phoenix New Times in 2014.