Rockabilly Heartbreaker

What do you get when you mix toe-tappin’ tunes with super fun stories? You get skiffle rockin’ blues and foot-stompin’ tales for an evening that you won’t want to take sitting down! Featuring Ottawa storytellers Gail Anglin and Dawn-Xavier Franklin with the music of The Barrow Gang Buskers. Celebrate the end of the season with an entertaining and upbeat evening of stories and songs!

Gail Anglin is a storyteller and musician whose roots were anchored in the Appalachian soil of the Shawangunk Mountains where she grew up. Over the course of her association with Ottawa StoryTellers she has performed in dozens of shows, served on the Board, organized festivals, directed the Spirits of the Times series at local museums, and generally done what she could to let other Ottawans in on how great storytelling is!

Dawn Xavier-Franklin is a comedian, storyteller, and speaker from Ottawa. She has performed stand-up comedy for four years as “Dawn Xanklin” and writes about being a wife, mom, and Black Nerd. As “Dawn Xavier-Franklin,” she’s been a contest-winning public speaker in her Toastmasters area for three years running. In 2021, Dawn was voted Ottawa’s Best Comedian in the 2021 edition of the FACES Magazine Awards. Dawn is also a versatile communications professional with 15+ years of experience in multiple sectors developing content for digital channels. She has writing experience developing spoken and written content for diverse audiences. Dawn is on the Board of Directors of Ottawa StoryTellers. She’s hosted Ottawa StoryTellers’ (un)told show since February 2020, a show that features original and personal storytelling. Dawn has shared stories online in several shows including editions of (un)told and The Iridescent Robot Storytelling Club (show and podcast).

The Barrow Gang Buskers are: George Stryker, Nathan Morris, John Cormier, Kevin Smith, Jill Shipley, and Cyndi Kennedy. George Stryker has been a solo performer and has formed and played in numerous bands including The Alley Cats, The Echos, The Mockingbirds, and The Wild Ones. At Barrymore’s, he’s opened for Meatloaf, Rosanne Cash, Jonny Winter, The Stray Cats, Platinum Blond, Trooper, and Teenage Head. Nathan Morris previously played upright bass and electric bass in the JW Jones Blues Band, including recording several albums and playing shows across Canada and in Europe. He has also played and recorded with folk singer Trevor Tchir. John Cormier is the guitarist and founding member of Ottawa rockabilly band The Kingmakers. Kevin Smith is an original member of the veteran rock band The Town Cryers. Jill Shipley is a familiar singer at local open stages and has performed in OST tent shows. Cyndi Kennedy fronts the classic rock band the Gnarlys and has been a vocalist for almost 30 years in all genres of music and in musical theatre.

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