My Son Was Mortified. The Crowd Was Spellbound.
Celtic Myths, Magic & Witch Trials at the San Antonio Highland Games
Last month, I performed three shows of “Celtic Myths, Magic and Witch Trials” at the San Antonio Highland Games. This interactive presentation blends historical research with audience participation and storytelling.
When History Meets Storytelling
Audiences got a chance to:
- Recite an actual spell from the 18th century
- Hear behind-the-scenes research learned from writing my Tales of Witchborn series: To Rescue a Witch and To Condemn a Witch
- Make a witch bottle with real anti-hex ingredients
- And hold a mock witch trial where one person was accused, and everyone had a chance to judge her guilt or innocence.
It was intense. Especially for my son, Henry…
Do you remember when you were a teenager and you thought your parents were so embarrassing you wanted to cringe? Well, I brought that next level, because before the show I put on a witch’s hat and wandered through the fair grounds while my sixteen-year-old son rang a cowbell and said, “Witch trial at 11:30!”
Yep, he was mortified, but I told him that it would make a great story one day. He’s a good kid for helping out his wacky mom and got lots of ‘atta boy’s from onlookers. (As well as people calling out, “More cowbell!” like Christopher Walken in the famous SNL sketch.)
The shows were a hit and one even had people standing outside the tent to watch. I’d been practicing for months, so I’m glad it connected. The festival promoters have asked me to come back and speak again next year, and I’ve applied to do the show at the Austin Celtic Festival in November. If you’re looking for a Celtic myths, magic, and witch trials presentation for your library, festival, or event, you can learn more at LisaTraugott.com.
Being a historical fiction author means I get to bring history to LIFE. And apparently, it means my teenager builds character too.
Drop a comment if your mom/kid would do the same!
Lisa 😉
P.S. – Here are my books:
