Best wishes to all from the Vic Guild 2010

Its been a busy year for the Storytelling Guild (Vic). We've had the pleasure of rolling out the welcome mat for several overseas guests: Naomi Wilds (Adverse Camber UK) and Susan Gilchrist from Ohio.

Our storytellers have clocked up the miles, visiting kindergartens, schools, cultural institutions and festivals. Several were involved in the Melbourne Writer's Festival as part of the Children Book Council event as well as the Williamstown Literary Festival. The Hills tellers staged their first storytelling theatre piece, The Colours of Hope and The Ballarat Storytellers ran the successful Story Swap for the Daylesford Words in Winter Festival as well as telling tales at the Community Garden and and the Artisans fair. One of our members organised a national gathering of tellers for the Darwin Festival and of course there was our foray into Children's Television with the inaugural season of Storytime.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Click through our blog archives for more.

Our final gathering for the year was in Emerald in the Dandenong ranges. Some of us city folk met on platform 3 at the central station and travelled in comfort past the cramped suburban streets and up onto the slopes of Mountain Ash and fern gullies. The Hills Storytellers had the bar open and the heaters on when we arrived. After whipping through our AGM, we then settled down to some hilarious storytelling.

By the time this photo was taken, several folk had left for home. Soo... here are the stayers ... wishing you all (wherever you are in the world) a peaceful festive season and joyous 2011.

Diane Wolkstein: NGV Great Hall 30 January 2011

Journey to the West is one of the three great Chinese epics.Written by Wu Cheng'En in the sixteenth century and based on the historical Xuanzang, the epic recounts the many poignant and humorous adventures of the impetuous, all powerful Monkey King, whose concerns are himself, and the pure-hearted determined Tang Priest, who wants to help others. Together they struggle not only with demons and ogres, but also with one another as they travel from China to India to bring back the Buddhist scriptures.

With unexpected movement and song, Wolkstein breaks open the text, encouraging the audience to question the path of goodness (the Tang Priest) vs. the path of power (Monkey King) and how they might be integrated then -- and now.

Whether recounting epics, trickster stories or fairy tales, Diane enters and speaks from the heart. Throughout her more than 40 years as a storyteller she’s been known for her meticulous research, as well as her great range in repertoire.

In 2007, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg named June 22nd of that year “Diane Wolkstein Day,” in honor of Diane’s 40 years of storytelling.

Since 1967, Diane has occupied a unique place in the world of storytelling and literature, and has played a major role in the renewed interest in mythology and the modern storytelling movement.

Where: The NGV International I80 St Kilda Road

When: Sunday January 30th at 2 pm

Cost: FREE

The Vic Guild Welcomes Diane to Australia

www.dianewolkstein.com

The Ballarat Storytellers

The Ballarat Storytellers are a friendly and energetic bunch of wordsmiths. They meet regularly to practice their craft, arrange workshops and plan their storytelling calendar.

These storytellers are happy to donate their time and skills. Their talents have been enjoyed at the Daylesford Words in Winter Festival, Ballarat Artisan's Festival and The Community Garden.

Those interested in sharing or listening to stories are always welcome.

The group meet at:

The Known World Bookshop

14 Sturt Street

Ballarat

Acknowledgement

We wish to acknowledge the traditional owners and carers of this land and the Indigenous Community of Ballarat and the surrounding district. As aspiring storytellers we also wish to honour the storytellers of the Aboriginal Nations of Australia.

For more information contact Sheilagh: sheilaghkentish@hotmail.com or 0417347395

Feline Faery Fest: 10 and 11 December

Feline Faery Fest - a celebration of fairy cats, mermaids, mer-cats & dragons.

Storytellers:

JB Rowley (Friday 10th Dec)

Cora Zon (Saturday 11th Dec)
join with various musicians & visual artists.

Friday 10/12: Northcote Uniting Church
Saturday 11/12: Armadale Uniting Church

Lots of the pagan community will be there but we embrace diversity so all faiths welcome.

Doors open 6pm both nights, concert starts 7pm & there are craft stalls.

$15/$5 children/conc

Louisa John-Krol, the festival's founder, is one of the leading lights of the ethereal music scene.

Wishing you a joyful Yuletide & New Year.