GRASS VALLEY, CA, April 21, 2026 – The Center for the Arts presents Illumination Tales, a mesmerizing solo storytelling performance by A Heady Lore Production, created and performed by multidisciplinary artist Dalrymple MacAlpin. This event is made possible in part through the generous support of Save Mart.
Blending myth, poetry, and theatrical storytelling, Illumination Tales transports audiences into the ancient world of Irish legend. At its heart is the story of Finn mac Cumhaill, one of Ireland’s most legendary heroes, and the mystical power of poetry—an art capable of bringing wisdom, madness, or even death.
Drawing from rare surviving fragments of 6th-century manuscripts, the performance reimagines three mythic episodes from Finn’s life, weaving them into a vivid and immersive theatrical experience. Through rich language and evocative performance, the piece breathes new life into stories that have endured for centuries.
The performance unfolds in three parts: The Druid’s Daughter, which explores Finn’s origins and early training in the poetic arts; The Salmon of Knowledge, a tale of sacrifice and the pursuit of wisdom told from an unexpected perspective; and The Faerie Fort, where a grown Finn confronts destiny on the threshold between worlds during the ancient festival of Samhain.
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, MacAlpin’s creative path led him west to Nevada City, where he now lives with his family in the Sierra Foothills, working from a private studio known as The Hollow Hill. Surrounded by instruments, stories, and an ever-growing cast of handcrafted puppets, he continues to develop a body of work rooted in mythology, folklore, and the mystical traditions that connect them.
A singer, puppeteer, composer, and playwright, MacAlpin blends music, theatre, and puppetry into immersive, participatory performances that invite audiences into a shared imaginative space.
“Illumination Tales is an invitation to step beyond the familiar and into a living world of myth—where story, music, and imagination meet in real time.” says MacAlpin. “I hope audiences leave with a renewed sense of wonder—and a feeling that these ancient stories still belong to them.”
“The enduring language of fairy tales, folklore, and myth feels increasingly relevant today,” he adds. “These stories reconnect us to who we are and why we are, acting as golden threads between waking life and the intuitive world of imagination.”
“I believe everyone carries stories within themselves—stories that hold meaning, memory, healing, and transformation,” he continues. “Again and again, they remind us that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary things.”
With a runtime of 60 minutes, Illumination Tales offers an intimate and transporting journey into mythic storytelling traditions, perfect for audiences drawn to folklore, history, and the power of the spoken word.
Learn more and reserve tickets at thecenterforthearts.org. Discover more about Dalrymple MacAlpin and A Heady Lore Production at dalrymplemacalpin.com/illumination-tales.
WHAT: Illumination Tales presented by The Center for the Arts and A Heady Lore Production
WHERE: The Center for the Arts | 314 West Main Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945
WHEN: May 6, 2026 • 10:00 AM
TICKETS: Free for Youth
WEBSITE & INFO: thecenterforthearts.org | (530) 274-8384
CONTACT INFO: boxoffice@thecenterforthearts.org | (530) 274-8384