It has been said that James Murray’s stories flow more like a gentle stream than the raging river of today’s modern world.
From the moment Murray walks out onto the stage he has an impact on his audiences. Whether making them laugh, bringing a tear to their eye or simply bringing back some precious memories, his stories strike an emotional chord with each and every person who hears them.
On Aug. 5, storyteller James Murray, accompanied by violinist Aimee Balloun, will take the stage at the Hub Arts Collective in downtown Vernon.
Those who have seen and listened to Murray on stage often say that he has a very special ability to make each and every audience member feel like he is telling his stories just to them. His informal stage presentation and comfortable storytelling manner just seems to invite listeners into the kitchen — where they can sit around, laugh and enjoy his often humorous, sometimes poignant, but always entertaining stories.
Over the years Murray has received numerous accolades and awards for both his writing and storytelling. He is a three-time winner of the esteemed Ron Miller Storyteller Award from the Outdoor Writers of Canada and most recently he was honoured with a Paul Harris Fellowship.
A Fair Exchange Of Gifts, Murray’s wonderfully heartwarming and poignant story about what he would give his old dog Duffy for Christmas brought tears to many a listener’s eye when it first aired on CBC Radio at Christmas back in 2003. Murray continues to tell the story to appreciative audiences — now by popular demand.
Murray performs regularly in theatres, at coffee houses, festivals, schools, workshops and conferences. He has performed on stage everywhere from the McNee Centre in Vancouver to Music By The River in Enderby, the Mountain Arts Festival to the Stseptekwle Storytelling Festival and Shuswap International Writers Festival. He has shared the stage locally with the likes of Greg Sczebel, Ted Crouch and Blu and Kelly Hopkins, as well as Valdy, Garnett Rogers and the Okanagan Symphony’s Denis Letourneau and Susan Shaeffer.
Murray says that he is looking forward to performing on stage at the Hub.
“I like to be able to connect with an audience, to watch their expressions, to see it in their eyes when they are relating to a particular story,” said Murray. “For me, the audience is an integral part of the storytelling process.”
Whether lighthearted and humorous or poignant and insightful, Murray’s stories will most certainly entertain everyone who comes out to hear him.
Reserve your tickets early so you won’t be disappointed.
James Murray will be at The Hub Arts Collective Sunday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m., 2906-30th Ave., Vernon. Tickets are $10 available through the Ticket Seller box office (250-549-7469) and at the door.
