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"Cantastoria" is the Italian word for a traditional performance form originating in 6th Century India, involving the display of representational paintings accompanied by sung narration. Recently there has been a revival of interest in Cantastoria among performers, artists, puppeteers and activists in the West, who find that this ancient form has startlingly modern qualities and can easily be infused with fresh content. Historical, Lyrical, and Pathetical examples of the ancient and post-modern art of picture-story recitation will be presented by Clare Dolan, Chief Operating Philosopher of the Museum of Everyday Life (Vermont). Using examples from the permanent collection of the Museum of Everyday Life, Clare will demonstrate the versatility and saucy immediacy of this performance form, with stories ranging from accounts of bloody crime in the 1930's written by Bertolt Brecht, to the dilemmas of a modern-day heroine trying to make a living and achieve total happiness. In addition to the shows, a brief, entertaining historical overview of the performance form will be presented, and refreshments will be served.