Kamishibai news: Jackie Kerin and Bernard Caleo

Jackie Kerin (Vic Guild teller) and Bernard Caleo (comic-book illustrator and storyteller) have been sharing the same the Kamishibai built by Ted Smith from the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club. Superbly crafted, from recycled eucalyptus, dovetailed corners and brass fittings, the Kamishibai is appearing in festivals here there and everywhere.

Jackie has taken the Kamishibai to the regional festivals, Daylesford Words in Winter and Aireys Inlet Festival of Words. It was in Daylesford, as a guest of Vic teller Anne E Stewart, she was caught on film. By the fire, perched on the coffee table and in warm socks and ugg boots, Annie filmed Jackie sharing her story of Split Dog. Next appearance: Ballan Literacy Trail September 2. This tiny town will be transformed into a story town. Under the bull-nose verandahs and in the old vacant shops - storytellers will share their tales. Weather permitting, the Kamishibai will be mounted on the back of Jackie's bike - like the Japanese storytellers of old.

Bernard Caleo was interviewed and filmed by Michael Shirrefs for the ABC program Artworks.

You can see Bernard at the Melbourne Writers Festival where he will be running a Kamishibai workshop and launching a new comic book by Mirranda Burton, Hidden.

Learn more: MWF

Learn more: Artworks

Suset, Soup and Stories: Clare Coburn and Gotthard Killian

sunset, soup and
stories

an evening of sharing stories
about belonging

with storyteller, Clare Coburn
and musician, Gotthard Killian

Sunday 28 August, 6pm

Christian Community chapel

319 Auburn Road, Hawthorn
Melways 59 F1

Contribute $10 or more to enjoy
nourishing stories at sunset
followed by a bowl of soup and a hunk of bread.

Learn more about Clare: here

News from An Author for All Seasons. Mentone Public Library

Julia Reichstein (Storytelling Guild Vic) has been more than busy organising a wonderful season of author and storyteller talks for the Mentone Public Library.

Our next Vic teller appearing at Mentone will be JB Rowley. JB is a well known guest here and interstate in schools and kindergartens as well as adult settings. Her first book, Whisper My Secret has the strong voice of an oral storyteller. An absorbing read, JB unravels a family secret with sensitivity and honesty

JB: 11.00am Saturday 24 September

More about JB here

George Ivanoff is taking to the speaker's chair this month. Although George is not an oral storyteller, we have included a plug for him on our blog as it is the rich mix of the literary and oral traditions that make this series of talks so exciting. George has written over 50 books for children and teenagers, including fiction and non-fiction. He has books on both the Victorian Premier’s and the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge booklists. His teen science fiction novel, Gamers’ Quest, won a 2010 Chronos Award for speculative fiction. The sequel,Gamers’ Challenge, is due to be published in September 2011.

George Ivanoff: 11.00am Saturday, 27^th August

More about George here.

And finally, we received this beautiful email from Mentone following on from storyteller Matteo's visit in July.

'On a dreary Saturday morning, inside Mentone Public Subscription Library, the subject was stories.
An audience of eighteen sat enchanted, mesmerised and willing passengers in an array of mystical worlds and far-away times,
as a gentle, playful, charismatic and relaxed story-teller by the name of Matteo, narrated his way into everyone's hearts.
Strumming both guitar and conga drums to set each scene and mood, Matteo invited all to be active players and co-narrators as stories of chivalry, seeming stupidity, daring and courage were shared, explored and disseminated.
It resulted in Matteo being barricaded in the library until 1.30pm as guests urged him to "play-on" and keep sharing more! An even greater discovery was made that morning beyond the realms of the joy of oral narrative and Matteo's talent; a forum was evoked, where discussion about our very own everyday challenges, methods of communication and lessons from our individual pasts was exchanged.
Guests entered to seek shelter, entertainment and companionship, and left with full bellies and warm, open hearts!

Thank-you, Matteo'

More about Matteo here

Bookings essential for Author for All Seasons. Please Contact:

• Mrs. Jean Critchley – President 9584 2068
• Ms. Sue Blackford – Secretary 9583 5648
• Ms. Julia Reichstein – Publicity Jmrei1978@hotmail.com

Location: Rear of the Community Assistance and Information Bureau,

36 Florence Street, Mentone.

Daylesford Words in Winter August 2011

Words in Winter celebrated its 10th Anniversary. This is a festival that embraces Clunes, Creswick, Trentham, Daylesford, Newstead and Maryborough - towns of the goldfields.

Through the influence and efforts of storyteller and Daylesford resident, Anne E. Stewart, several of the Vic storytellers have made this festival part of their storytelling calendar.

David Demant was here, there and everywhere delivering his Magic Lantern Show - he toured three of the five towns with his beautiful glass slides and exquisite lanterns, courtesy of Museum Victoria.

Anne used her charisma and clout to pull together a panel of storytellers. Jackie Kerin, Jan (Yarn) Wositzky and Matteo were invited to share a little of what brought them to practice the art of oral storytelling.

L - R: Jackie, Anne, Jan, Matteo

As part of Words in Winter, Daylesford celebrates a Family Day in the Town Hall. This year over 300 people participated in the day. You can see Matteo in action this photo, swallowed in the crowd during the first session of the day.

Our travelling guest storyteller Bettina Nissen carried the baton into the second session as Matteo and Jackie left to be back in Melbourne before sunset.

Keep and eye on the Words in Winter website and join us in 2012. The food is good, the wine is good but the company is the thing!

Learn more about Words in Winter here.

Bettina Nissen, travelling storyteller from Queensland

Queensland storyteller Bettina Nissen is living the dream. Having purchased a small van and equipped it with some of the necessities of life and a story box full of stories, Bettina has set of on a road trip.

She arrived in Daylesford in time for the Words in Winter Festival. As part of the festivities, there is a family day in the beautiful historic Daylesford Town Hall. Here Bettina found herself surrounded by over 300 children and accompanying adults.

Bettina lived in Melbourne for many years and as well as attending to her own practice, generously mentored beginning Vic tellers strengthening the art of oral storytelling and its place in our part of the world.

Bettina will be on the road for five weeks. The Vic Storytellers welcome her with open arms and if you would like to keep up with her adventures you can visit her blog here.

If you would like information about the Queensland Storytellers visit: Queensland Storytelling

Spirit of Woodford Awards:Original Stories & Yarns 2011 -12

Original Stories & Yarns Performance Award - DEADLINE 15 September

The Original Stories & Yarns Performance Award has a prize of $1,000 – Sponsored by the Queensland Folk Federation Inc and is open to an original story or yarn, fact or fiction, with an uplifting and inspirational storyline.

Entry: Original Stories & Yarns Performance Award PDF 163k)

Don't be deterred by distance or cost. If you are short listed you will receive a ticket to the Woodford Festival which includes camping. If you are not interested in taking your tent you can book into the on site Tent Motel. (Prices and details on festival website). These tents are spacious and clean and equipped with stretches - all you need to take is a sleeping bag. David Hallet is co-ordinating the Spirit of Woodford Story Award for the second time and invites you to consider putting in an entry for the award.

Be inspired to have a go. Previous Victorian winners and short listed storytellers include Cora Zon and Jackie Kerin

Email: david.a.hallett@gmail.com

All the info: Woodford Festival

Rocket Clock Story Slam: “Lost and Found” 10 August 2011

Rocket Clock Story Slam: “Lost and Found” We’re looking for stories of lost pets, lost opportunities and lost souls. Finding a solution or finding your feet. Reviving a lost art. Finding your way home. Fighting for a lost cause. Being found guilty or found out.

Pre-register your intent to tell by emailing rocketclockss@gmail.com or register on the night. Everyone is welcome to come along and listen, laugh, drink, cheer & weep.

Wednesday August 10, 2011
Doors open 7.30pm; slam kicks off 8.30pm.

Tickets:
$5 pre-sale (+ $2 booking fee) or $8 on the door. Book tickets now via the Bella Union website: http://www.bellaunion.com.au/ticketing/show_367/.

Bella Union
Level 1, Trades Hall
Corner of Victoria & Lygon Streets
Carlton South

What is Rocket Clock?

Rocket Clock is a monthly story slam competition. Ten people each have five minutes to tell a story around a particular theme. Judges in the audience rate each story on both content and performance. Everyone has

a great time.

More info:

rocketclock.com.au
Rocket Clock on Twitter
Rocket Clock on Facebook

More storytelling:

Willow Tales

Willow Tales brings together some of Australia’s best storytelling comedians, musicians, writers, poets, taxi drivers, journalists and eccentrics to tell their very best tales.

Fourth Thursday of every month.

Willow Bar
222 High St
Northcote

Next Willow Tales:

August 25, 8:30pm

More info: Willow Tales Facebook group

'Out of the Storyteller's Hat'. Stories for 3 - 7yr olds by Montgomery Kelly

OUT OF THE STORYTELLERS HAT by Montgomery Kelly (illustrated by Siovan Kelly) is a new book of stories to tell to 3-7 year olds.

A wonderful new resource created by one who has been telling stories for over 30 years to children in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania.

Monty has poured his knowledge and experience into this practical book which serves both the inexperienced and experienced storyteller.

Inside the pages you will find:

• 18 new easy-to-learn multicultural stories modelled on successful traditional
folktale patterns, 4 are new Australian stories.
• 18 new songs and poems with different ways of presenting them to children
• 29 age-appropriate follow-on activities.
• Ties into Book Week theme of One World Many Stories.
• Stories suited to the attention span of young children and take 5-7 minutes to tell. When used with one of the songs/poems and activities make an ideal mat session.
• Includes a DVD of Monty telling 7 stories - the easiest way to learn a story is to watch someone else telling it.
• A section on how to get started & succeed, with valuable tips from Monty’s 30 years storytelling experience.
• Character templates provided with alternative materials suggested to suit every budget.
• All stories use visual and sound anchors, devices that keep children’s attention anchored to the story.
• Indexes for story themes and character patterns.

This book has been well conceived. Spiral bound, it's designed to sit flat for tracing and photocopying.

At last those of us working in the early childhood zone have a practical Australian book, full to bursting with ideas to enrich our practice.

TO ORDER:

monty@montgomerykelly.com

$49.95 plus postage.

Learn more: OUT OF THE STORYTELLER'S HAT