Latino Storyteller Spins Tales that Bridge Cultures

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month (beginning Sept. 15)

By Karin Conrad

Leeny Del Seamonds’ most vivid childhood memories involve a bear on the loose, a granny in the closet, and a mink coat. They’re all part of a wild tale told by her Aunt Lilia who whispered, growled, sang and laughed her way through the family’s favorite story - El Oso, the bear.

Growing up in a large Cuban-American family in Philadelphia, Del Seamonds recalls that “telling stories was like breathing.” After dinner, the family would gather in the living room “to digest” and enjoy tales of heroism, foolishness, loyalty and love. Through these stories, Leeny and her cousins learned the value of la familia and the importance of “passing the torch” of history and traditions.

Today, Del Seamonds a Westford resident, is a renown story performer who’s taken the stories she heard in her grandmother’s living room to a global stage. Over the past 30 years, she’s entertained audiences from Kansas to Beijing with her unique combination of story, song and mime. And, her shows have earned her national recognition: In 2002, she was named National Storyteller of the Year and her recording “¡Ay Caramba! ¡Ay Ay Ay! Cuentos y Canciónes” (Latino Stories and Songs) won a 2003 Parents’ Choice Silver Award.

“I have sawdust running through my veins,” says Del Seamonds, referring to her sense of calling as a storyteller. “I have theater on both sides of the family,” she explains. Both of her maternal grandparents were vaudeville performers in Philadelphia. Her grandfather did sketch comedy while her grandmother was a concert pianist and radio singer. On her father’s side, his Cuban family “had the blessing of natural storytellers,” and gatherings always centered around the vividly told stories of her grandmother, father, aunts and uncles. Del Seamonds, though, was a standout even among her talented relatives and gravitated toward the spotlight at an early age, first appearing on stage when she was just 13.

Sharing her heritage

Along with her inborn dramatic flair, Del Seamonds was also drawn to performing by a desire to share her Latin heritage. “I try to share Latino culture in an interactive, positive way so the audience has fun while experiencing what it feels like to walk in someone else’s shoes,” she says. Hoping to convey some of what gives Latino culture its unique spirit, she spins tales about things close to her heart and reflective of her heritage: humor, inclusiveness and strong family ties.  

One of Del Seamond’s favorite stories is “El Medio Pollito,” a humorous yarn about a naughty half-chick who travels to Madrid to see the king.

“It’s such a funny story and Latino people aren’t afraid to laugh at themselves!” she says. As she acts out the traditional folktale, she invites listeners to join in, teaching them to sing a song and say a few words in Spanish. 

“People are able to learn it, act out parts, and speak Spanish. I add a little salsa, a little shoulder wiggling and maracas,” she explains. “Through the story, the audience is right there in the small village on the way to España. And they’ve gotten a taste of something new and different. ”   

Family provides inspiration

Family misadventures, such as her grandmother’s bear sighting, provide rich source material, yet even more compelling are Del Seamonds’ anecdotes of family love and support. In her story “Cielito Lindo” or “Lovely Piece of Heaven,” she relates how her grandmother reassured her she was special and beautiful. As a child, Del Seamonds had “big ears that stuck out and a lot of dark, brown moles on my face,” and her sister teased her mercilessly about her appearance. Once, her grandmother found her crumpled in tears and told her, “You don’t have moles. You have cielito lindo, little pieces of heaven,” and then sang affectionately about wanting to take her granddaughter’s moles and keep them for herself. “I wasn’t feeling short, ugly and big-eared anymore. I felt special,” says Del Seamonds.

Del Seamonds’ stories generally evoke an enthusiastic response, but “Cielito Lindo” and its theme of acceptance seems to resonate with young people in a particularly powerful way. 

After telling the story at an event, a woman and young girl came up to thank her. The girl asked questions about the story and “looked troubled.” Del Seamonds told her, “I can see what a beautiful young woman you’re going to become. You just have to let it shine through your eyes.” Del Seamonds later received an e-mail from the woman who said her words had deeply affected the girl. “You have no idea what this poor girl has gone through,” she wrote, “but she now says everything is going to be OK.”

People who attend Del Seamonds’ performances generally leave with something: encouragement, laughter, a new song or insight. And, eager to express their thanks, crowds of kids and adults approach her after her shows. “One group of kids gave me the ultimate compliment,” she says. “They said I was better than gym class!” She also recognizes the special connection she makes with the Latino kids in her audiences: “I can see the Latino kids give me a thumbs up, a smile and nod. Their faces just beam with pride.”

Aside from entertaining and inspiring people, Del Seamonds hopes to educate audiences, particularly parents, about the importance of sharing family stories. She emphasizes that stories provide an alternative to electronic media and reminds parents they don’t have to be a master storyteller to communicate something of value.

“I tell people not to get caught up in the idea that a story has to have a beginning, middle and end. The important thing is just to tell what happened,” she says. Telling children a story about when they were little is a seemingly simple act, but rich in meaning. “Stories communicate culture, values and history. They’re a way to pass the torch.”

INFO BOX

Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on Sept. 16, and Chile on Sept. 18.

SIDEBAR #1

Children’s books/CDs for Hispanic Heritage Month

Laura Foner, children’s librarian at the Connolly Branch of the Boston Public Library offers her recommendations for some great kids’ books related to Hispanic heritage.

Eight Animals Play Ball

Susan Middleton Elya

Ages 3-6

A rhyming picture book in English and Spanish about eight animals playing baseball. “What’s great about Elya’s books is they’re so funny,” says Foner.

Tomas and the Library Lady

Pat Mora

Ages 4-8

The true story of Tomas Rivera, son of migrant workers, who learned to love books and became a university chancellor.

My name is Maria Isabel

Alma Flor Ada

Ages 7-10

An early chapter book about a girl named Maria Isabel who starts at a new school where she is called “Mary” until she writes an essay about the importance of her name.

Esperanza Rising

Pam Munoz Ryan

Ages 9-12

A novel set in the 1930s about a Mexican girl whose wealthy family loses their fortune and immigrates to California. “It’s wonderful,” says Foner.

“¡Ay Caramba! ¡Ay Ay Ay! Cuentos y Canciónes” (Latino Stories and Songs)

This CD by Leeny Del Seamonds includes four family stories, three songs and four Latino folk tales.

SIDEBAR #2

October Performances by Leeny Del Seamonds (local)

October 27 - Leeny Del Seamonds performs "Which Way to the Witch?" for families with kids K-3 at J. V. Fletcher Library, Westford; 4 p.m.

October 27 - Leeny Del Seamonds performs "Shadows in the Woods - Spine-Tingling Tales" for families with kids Grades 4 and up at J. V. Fletcher Library, Westford; 7 p.m.

Karin Conrad is a freelance writer living in Waltham.