Friday, August 29, saw the conclusion of another successful year of Tea and Tales at the Guelph Enabling Garden in Riverside park. Tea and Tales is a collaboration between the garden and the Guelph Guild of Storytellers. Since 2007, every Friday morning in July and August, an array of storytellers and entertainers come from all over Ontario to entertain local residents, guests, and casual passersby.
These events are admission free and even come with your choice of tea. Donations gratefully accepted. Run entirely by volunteers, Tea and Tales success is a testament to the community in which it is held. Organizer and storyteller, Brian Holstein, calls it a “connection point for the community, a place to activate the imagination, and plant the seeds for community connections.” The Enabling Garden is located behind the Evergreen Seniors’ Centre and is already a space dedicated to inclusiveness and accessibility. What better location to draw in the community for a morning of entertainment? This week’s send-off show featured storytellers Frank Toplin, Brian Holstein, and musician Tannis Slimmon. A rapt audience of all ages sat by the river under cover of shade and was taken on one adventure after another. This amazing community collaboration is truly one of Guelph’s hidden gems. Here’s to many more successful seasons!
