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Willy Claflin returns to the Lower Brandywine Storytelling Festival after a hysterical, historical debut here in 2007, when he introduced the Brandywine Valley to the George Washington Method for Blues Ukulele. With Valley Forge so near and dear to our hearts here, it’s important to have our history right. And now we know just how much of an influence Martha Washington had on the history of this great country. Passersby on Route 52 surely must have wondered as the audience roared, “Red Hot Mama,” right on cue.
Willy has been a featured artist at the National Storytelling Festival in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009. In 2007 he headlined for National Story Night. In 2008 he was unable to make it to Jonesborough, as he was attending the Roswell, New Mexico Intergalactic Storytelling Festival.
Of course Willy is also ‘distremely well-known’ for touring with his faithful sidekick and palmated pal, Maynard Moose, the only authentic North American Moose currently on the festival circuit. They have been touring together since 1977. Maynard is the last known teller of ancient Mother Moose Tales. The preservation of this oral tradition has been his life’s work. In fact, Maynard himself has been honored with a Chair at the International Storytelling Theater in Jonesborough, Tennessee (made possible by the generosity of moose fan Phil Strauss, 2005).
Sometimes, he can be found at home in San Francisco with Jacqueline Darrigrand, his wife and co-conspirator. His son Brian Claflin, a comedian, vocalist and song writer, lives in Somerville MA. Brian and Willy have collaborated on a collection of the Claflin family’s favorite ballads titled: ‘In Yonder’s Wood.’
Off-stage, Willy is best known for his work in helping to save endangered squeaking rubber animals.
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