upcoming events


If you'd like to be on Dolores' e-mail list for a reminder about upcoming
story performances, send your e-mail address to doloreshydock@gmail.com

Items below in gold are open to the public.

JUNE 2023


Thursday, June 22: It's the Little Things ~ Five small objects that connect us to the Dutch Golden Age. 11 a.m. to noon, Mt. Laurel Public Library, 111 Olmstead Street, Mt. Laurel, AL. (Program is in church hall across the street from the library.)

You could hold them all in the palm of your hand: five little things from 400 years ago that helped shape the world we live in today. Think we invented wearable technology and the selfie in the 21st century? Think again! Those things -- and many other things we think we invented were part of life hundreds of years ago. Photographs, maps, paintings, and historical records help take the audience on a journey from the Arctic Sea to Singapore through the story of five tiny things that changed history in a big way. 


Sunday, June 25: Oh, Henry! The life and writing of William Sydney Porter. 11 a.m - noon, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Shoals, 1332 North Pine Street, Florence, AL. Free. Sponsored by the Alabama Humanities Alliance.

"O. Henry" is one of the most famous pseudonyms in American literature. It belonged to William Sydney Porter, who is often called "the master of the American short story." In this program, Will Porter's personal story is interwoven with updated tellings of some of the literary gems written by one of the most popular writers of his day.


Tuesday, June 27: Oh, Henry! The life and writing of William Sydney Porter. 
2 - 3 p.m., Anniston Public Library, 108 East 10th Street, Anniston, AL. Free. Sponsored by the library and the Alabama Humanities Alliance.

"O. Henry" is one of the most famous pseudonyms in American literature. It belonged to William Sydney Porter, who is often called "the master of the American short story." In this program, Will Porter's personal story is interwoven with updated tellings of some of the literary gems written by one of the most popular writers of his day.

Thursday, June 29: Starch in Their Petticoats ~ True stories of strong women who settled the West. 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Lineville City Library, 60119 Alabama Highqay 49, Lineville, AL. Free. Sponsored by the library and the Alabama Humanities Alliance.

They were tough, resourceful, and ready for anything! Storyteller Dolores Hydock brings to life true stories of women of guts and gusto who settled the American West. They were pioneers, homesteaders, pistol-packin' card sharks, entertainers, and "upstairs girls," but they all played a part in putting the shine in the Golden West of the 1800s. Photographs, diary excerpts, letters, and newspaper articles of the day help bring their stories to life. 



AUGUST 2023

Tuesday - Saturday, August 15 - 19: Teller-in-Residence, International Storytelling Center, Jonesborough, TN.  Hour-long story concerts every afternoon from 2 - 3 p.m. Tickets and info at www.storytellingcenter.net/storytelling-live-main/



SEPTEMBER 2023

Thursday, September 7: Every Picture Tells a Story ~ The storytelling of Norman Rockwell. 7 - 8 p.m., First Thursday Lecture Series, UAB Honors House, 1190 10th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL. Free; all are welcome to attend.

Norman Rockwell didn't just paint pictures; every picture told a story. This presentation shares surprising stories from Rockwell's life and career, and describes the creative process that Rockwell used to craft his one-image stories.

Tuesday, September 19: Shelf Life ~ Two key people in the making of the modern public ilbrary. 2 - 3 p.m., Anniston Public Library. Free. Sponsored by the library and the Alabama Humanities Alliance.

This program tells the surprising life stories of two people who helped shaped the future of the modern public library: Melvil Dewey, father of the Dewey Decimal Classification System, and Andrew Carnegie, sometimes called the Patron Saint of Public Libraries. Their stories include the contributions they made, the compulsions that drove their decisions, and the kudos and criticisms they received along the way.


OCTOBER 2023

Thursday, October 19: Stories and casual lunch. Stories start at 10:30 a.m., lunch to follow. Muscle Shoals Public Library, 1918 Avalon Avenue, Muscle Shoals, AL. Registration and other info TBA.



Thursday, October 26: Stories for monthly meeting of the Friends of the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest. 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Registration and other info TBA.



NOVEMBER 2023

Wednesday, November 1: Noon - 1 p.m., B. B. Comer Memorial Library, 314 N. Broadway Avenue, Sylacauga, AL.  Part of the library's Adult Lecture Series. Topic TBA. For info, call the library at 256-249-0961.



DECEMBER 2023

Friday, December 1: Jingle All the Way ~ Stories, songs, and sing-alongs, with Dolores Hydock and Bobby Horton. 7 - 8:30 p.m., Homewood Public Library, 1721 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL. Ticket info TBA.


Saturday, December 2: Christmas Stories. 10 a.m. - noon. Clarion Inn, 4900 Hatch Blvd., Sheffield, AL. Christmas stories follow a lovely brunch. Ticket info TBA. Sponsored by the Sheffield Public Library. For info, call the library at 256-386-5633.

Tuesday, December 5: Christmas Stories. 2 - 3 p.m., Anniston Public Library. Free.


Sunday, December 10: Jingle All the Way ~ Stories, songs, and sing-alongs, with Dolores Hydock and Bobby Horton. 4 - 5:30 p.m., Shelby County Arts Council Theatre, Columbiana, AL. Ticket info TBA.


Sunday, December 17: Christmas Stories. 10 - 10:45 a.m. Highland Hall of Independent Presbyterian Church, 3100 Highland Avenue, Birmingham. Free. All are welcome to attend.