Performers to tell tales as Grimms intended

Storytellers are coming to Naper Settlement this weekend to share their versions of fairy tales, but don't expect to hear sweet stories of helpful forest animals and happy endings.

Think darker. Think grimmer.

When master storyteller Judith Heineman and musician Dan Marcotte start spinning yarns, the tales they tell will be the original Brothers Grimm stories meant to frighten adults.

Their presentation, "Grimm's Grimmest: The Darker Side of Fairy Tales," is the next installment in Naper Settlement's History Speaks Lecture Series, in which speakers and historical actors each month explore a facet of history - often by portraying historical figures sharing their own stories.

"Grimm's Grimmest" is 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, in the museum village's Century Memorial Chapel. Tickets for this and most History Speaks events are $7 for adults and $6 for students and Settlement members, or $1 less if purchased in advance.

Naper Settlement's Lead Museum Educator Cindy Lackore scheduled "Grimm's Grimmest" to end a fright-filled weekend that includes All Hallows Eve: Village of Fear from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. The program is appropriate for ages 10 and older.

"The History Speaks Lecture Series brings history to life in a new and exciting way and that fits in with Naper Settlement's mission," Lackore said. "We thought that this program on the 19th century Brothers Grimm is definitely unique in presenting a different aspect of traditional fairy tales."

Heineman, founder of the Chicago Storytelling Guild, and Marcotte will tell the 19th century German stories accompanied by 16th century ballad tunes and interpreted with their 21st century imaginations. They wear period costumes, dress the set, display replica artifacts and perform on period musical instruments.

"Our program is highly interactive," Heineman said. "People will experience these stories in a way they haven't before. It's engaging, fun and it gets people into the stories."

The duo has presented programs to every major museum in Chicago, at more than 100 libraries, and to international audiences. The "Grimm's Grimmest" program has become so popular that they developed a CD, which has won a Parent's Choice Gold Award, a Storytelling World Honors Award, and a National Association of Parenting Publications Honors Award.

The History Speaks Lecture series is celebrating its 12th season this year featuring historic events of the 19th and 20th centuries with first-person interpretations and informative presentations. Presentations begin at 4 p.m. one Sunday a month in the chapel and last an hour, unless noted. Here's a look at the upcoming History Speaks events:

• "The Art and Life of Frida Kahlo," Nov. 8. Michelle Paluch-Mishur of Art Excursions Inc. presents a lecture on the paintings that expressed the passion, struggle and pain of artist Frida Kahlo's life.

• "The Legend of St. Nicholas," Dec. 13. Dressed as the English interpretation of St. Nicholas, Terry Lynch of HFK Presents will tell the festive tales of how this 4th century bishop influenced the many traditions of the holiday season throughout the world, both religious and secular. (No important secrets revealed!)

• "Bette Davis," Jan. 10, 2106. The witty, sharp portrayal by actress and historian Leslie Goddard reveals Bette Davis not only as a riveting personality, but as the ultimate star in the Golden Age of Hollywood.

• "Finding Sybil Dunbar," Feb. 7, 2106. Naper Settlement's Curator of Research Bryan Ogg will talk about the search for elusive historical information about Sybil Dunbar, Naperville's first known African-American female resident, and the collaborations that brought a satisfying conclusion to the search.

• "Tribal Tales from the River's Edge," March 13, 2106. Nineteenth century explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark collected stories, songs and artifacts from the dozens of distinct cultures they encountered in their journey west during the Corps of Discovery. In a dynamic performance, Brian "Fox" Ellis shares both folklore and true history from the American Indians met along the way.

• "Zelda Fitzgerald: This Side of Paradise - Her Story," April 10, 2106. Hear Lynn Rymarz describe the love story of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, how they rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, and how she haunted his famous fiction.

• "Beer: A History of Brewing in Chicagoland," 4 to 6:30 p.m. May 15, 2106. Come enjoy some hops and history with "Chicago by the Pint" author Denese Neu, who holds a Ph.D. in urban studies and appreciates good craft beer. She will present a program that weaves a story of the Chicago area as it intersects with beer, followed by a beer sampling. The ticket price has not yet been set.

For information, visit napersettlement.org or call (630) 420-6010.

If you go

What: "Grimm's Grimmest," part of the History Speaks Lecture Series

When: 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18

Where: Naper Settlement's Century Memorial Chapel, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville

Cost: $7 for adults, $6 for students and children ages 4 to 12

Info: (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org