The Techeland Arts Council teams up with locally-renowned author and photographer Mariana Titus at the Baldwin library Tuesday to present an evening of dialogue, sharing techniques on the art of interviewing.

This event, which begins at 6 p.m. and will last until 7:30 p.m., includes light refreshments and is free and open to the public. It is part of a continuing effort by the Techeland Arts Council to document and archive the oral history and folklore of the people of the Bayou Teche area in St. Mary Parish.

Titus brings a wealth of knowledge on the fine art of gathering anecdotes and stories, having authored five successful books that showcase the colorful and unique Bayou Teche area of Louisiana. She is well known for her ability to transcend cultural barriers and her work emphasizes the openness and appreciation for all aspects of life along Bayou Teche that she holds so dear.

According to her website, www.bayoutales.com, Mariana prefers stories that give the “...gift of a valuable lesson. Old folks are good with these, but sometimes just a simple exchange between old friends makes a great story.”

Her books will not be available for sale at this event, but Titus will autograph any pre-purchased copies you may want to bring along. All of her publications, ‘Rain, Cane, Bayou Refrain’, ‘Hurricanes, Healings and Dancing Ceilings’, ‘Summers Full of Porch Bull’, ‘Graveyards and Bayou Bars’, and her latest, ‘Sunday Mornings, Crowning Glories,’ can be ordered from her website.

Titus’ unique perspectives on a variety of subjects ranging from life to death in the southern Bayou state are well-reflected in her books. Through her photographic lens and her colorful text, she depicts her subject’s views of such time-honored traditions as planting and harvesting of sugar cane or peeling crawfish and drinking beer, all the while eloquently touching on such universal themes as family belonging, generosity, loss and loyalty.

Plan to attend this event if you would like to learn more about how to preserve those memorable stories shared by your family members and friends. Information will also be available throughout the evening for anyone wishing to become a TAC team member in helping to coordinate local oral histories.

In addition, any short written story featuring local people, places, customs or noteworthy events will be accepted during Tuesday’s event by TAC members. These written submitted stories will then be added to Techeland Art Council’s growing story archive and become eligible for inclusion into upcoming stage performances of TAC’s production of No Hitchin’. Any written story you may want to bring - ranging from a short, funny family joke to a high drama, life-changing event - will be accepted and included.

Go online at:

www.techelandartscouncil.org

The web site contains more information about this ongoing folklore oral history project and also for information on “No Hitchin’, ” the premiere stage performance of selected stories, slated for October 14, 15 and 16 of 2011 at the Teche Theatre of the Performing Arts.