Chloe Stromberg
It’s a frigid and windy night. The fury of ice whipping into your face cannot be tamed, as you struggle to take another step. You can feel your hands numbing, and your sensations fading. The gloves and hat you’re wearing prove to be useless. Searching for some relief from the cold, you see it; a sign lights up with the words, The Pablo Center at the Confluence. Stepping in, you hear the sweet melody of holiday warmth, accompanied by prolific words that feel like a perfectly warm hug. A saving grace from the harsh atmosphere of which you came. You now see why it is only the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild that can truly bring Joy to the Word.
If you’re looking for a fun outing this winter, the CVWG is here to provide a mix of stories paired with cozy music. This live event is just the thing to lift your spirits this holiday season! Enjoy a combination of holiday storytelling from performers, Ken Szymanski, Patti See, Justin Schenck, and Jerrika Mighelle paired with the sweet melodies of holiday tunes brought to you by the Uke Klub.
I asked Joy to the Word storytellers Patti See, and Ken Szymanski to speak about their past and present involvement with Joy to the Word.
Patti See began by giving us a sneak peek at the piece she is working on in preparation for the event. Her story addresses the elephant in the room: how the holidays, for many people, are not all candy canes and chestnuts roasting by the fire. She shows the negative emotions that arise from the chaos of it all, while keeping her story funny and poignant.
“I suspect many people—especially those who frantically try to put together memorable Christmases for their families/friends--feel this way too,” See says.
Ken Szymanski, a returner to the Joy to the Word stage, knows all too well the power of blending spoken word with music.
“I’ve been a fan of spoken word events since I was a student at UW-EC in the late 90s, and I love how they’ve evolved over the years,” Szymanski says. “Add in live music, and it becomes two of my favorite things joined together.” ”
“I’ve been a fan of spoken word events since I was a student at UW-EC in the late 90s, and I love how they’ve evolved over the years,” Szymanski says. “Add in live music, and it becomes two of my favorite things joined together.”
Szymanski describes Joy to the Word as an “excellent opportunity for community members to unplug, gather in person, and enjoy the power of music and storytelling.” Like See, he fully recognizes the stress and chaos that the holidays can bring, which is why it is important to have these lighter moments.
“When people struggle to get in the holiday spirit, sometimes stories and songs from the past can remind them of what they loved about the season in the first place,” Szymanski remarks.
Joy to the Word is a wonderful seasonal tradition for the Chippewa Valley, See says. Being a part of the fun allows her to reflect on her own childhood traditions, including one formed at the hands of her parents every Christmas morning. “My dad would sit beneath the Christmas tree and throw gifts at his eight kids like some maniacal elf while my mom would scream ‘Fragile!’ in his direction,” Sees says. For her, the emotions that arise from the giving and receiving of gifts around the holidays mean just as much as the presents themselves.
Don’t miss out on this present: Sound & Stories presents “Joy to the Word”, on Thursday, December 18th from 7pm to 8:30pm. Buy tickets today!