FolkTales set to Music from Around the Globe

The WMI FolkTales podcast is an original award-winning production that features improvised re-imaginings of classic folk tales from around the world, hosted by acclaimed storyteller Bill Gordh. Each episode features a guest artist who joins Bill for a musical re-telling of a beloved story from their culture. Recommended for children of all ages.

WMI Folk Tales podcasts are supported by music lovers like you. We thank you!

Podcast producer: Kate Winn
Audio courtesy of Cliff Hahn Sound
Podcast artwork courtesy of Cody Hudson – https://www.struggleinc.com

Latest Episodes:

South America - The Two Girls with Harpist Edmar Castaneda and Bill Gordh Jun 02, 2022

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Storyteller Bill Gordh and Colombian harpist Edmar Castaneda improvise the South American folktale "The Two Girls" - a cautionary tale of two girls: one from a humble home, whose compassion earns her a well-deserved reward for helping an elderly woman in their village. The other girl who is spoiled and cruel, tries to take advantage of the same woman... but is in for a rude awakening.
More about Edmar Castaneda
WMI Folktales are supported by a grant from Con Edison and world music lovers like you. We thank you!

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Brazil - Night Comes to the Rainforest with Cyro Baptista and Bill Gordh Mar 21, 2022

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Storyteller Bill Gordh and percussionist Cyro Baptista improvise the Brazilian folktale "Night Comes to the Rainforest". The story follows a farmer's wife, the daughter of the mighty Snake King, who tells her husband about night, which he has never experienced. They decide to send three friends on a mission to fetch darkness from the Snake King. He hands them a nut containing night, with strict instructions not to open it until they return to his daughter, but temptation gets the better of them.
More about Cyro Baptista
sound editing courtesy of Iuri Oriente
WMI FolkTales podcasts are supported by world music lovers like you. We thank you!

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Ireland - Red Rory and the Fairies with Seamus Egan and Bill Gordh Mar 15, 2022

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Storyteller Bill Gordh and multi-instrumentalist Seamus Egan improvise the Irish folktale "Red Rory and the Fairies". Red Rory likes showing off and telling stories - especially about the fairies. When he takes his fibbing a step too far, the fairies strike back with their playful wrath, throwing a wrench in his plans to head home for dinner with a trail of tricks and hurdles.
More about Seamus Egan
Listen to WMI Plus At Home with Seamus Egan and Stephen Winick
Sound editing courtesy of David Klym
WMI FolkTales podcasts are supported by a grant from Con Edison and world music lovers like you. We thank you!

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India - Grandmother Rabbit and the Elephant King with Saraswathi Ranganathan and Bill Gordh Feb 14, 2022

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Storyteller Bill Gordh and veena player Saraswathi Ranganathan improvise the Indian folktale "Grandmother Rabbit and The Elephant King", an enchanting story that dives into the drama between two ponds, one ruled by rabbits and the other by elephants. When the elephant's watering hole dries up, they barge into the bunny's pond, causing chaos. But wise Grandmother Rabbit has a plan to reclaim their turf.
More about Saraswathi Ranganathan
WMI FolkTales podcasts are supported by a grant from Con Edison and world music lovers like you. We thank you!

Support the show

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