Thursday, January 24, 2013

Matteo: Mornington Peninsula Regional Art Gallery

Young at art 2013 


Mornington Peninsula Regional Art Gallery

Tuesday 5 February - What a hoot!
Tuesday 5 March - Lucy Goosey
Tuesday 16 April - Go baby go!
Tuesday 7 May - Colour my world
Tuesday 4 June - Make a face
Tuesday 23 July - Hair, glorious hair
Tuesday 3 September - Swingin’ with my friends
Tuesday 8 October - Giddy up 
Tuesday 12 November - Look at me
Time 10am-11am
$5/child, carer free
Venue: MPRG, bookings essential call 5975 4395 

A very popular program for 0-5 year olds, with storyteller Matteo and the Gallery’s Education Coordinator. Sing, dance, clap and stomp your feet with Matteo! Do an exciting activity with the Education Coordinator afterwards.



Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery
Civic Reserve
Dunns Road
Mornington Victoria 3931
Telephone:    03 5975 4395
Fax:03 5977 0377
Email:mprg@mornpen.vic.gov.au

Learn more about Matteo here

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Andrew McKenna and Caithlin Meave. 26 January 2013


The thin place

Irish songs and stories of mystery and life 
Performed by Andrew McKenna and Caithlin Meave

There was a man who came here of the O’Donnells, and he was a bad man. A saint in heaven would have been bothered finding any good in him. He came here around the time of the Hunger. By God you should o’ seen things in them days …

The Irish have a brilliant tradition of telling tales, and Andrew McKenna and Caithlin Meave perform stories and songs that conjure the ‘thin place’, where our realm and the world of spirits intersects. 

I’m collaborating with lovely local singer Caithlin Meave for what will be a great gig. Hope to see you there!

Not suitable for children under 12.  

Newstead Live!
Saturday 26 January: Community Centre Newstead 2.50pm
Sunday 27 January: Anglican Church Newstead, 2.30pm

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Listening at the crossroads workshop. Sunday 10 and 17 February, 3 March 2013


Invitation from Clare Coburn ...

Last August and October I ran a few different versions of this workshop in New Zealand--a brief hour or so at an August conference for an audience of 70 arbitrators, mediators, various legal and counselling folk who loved it. Then I ran an overflowing weekend workshop on the Kapiti Coast north of Wellington and received enthusiastic feedback plus a wonderful response to a fully booked 1/2 day workshop at the Greytown Arts festival in the Wairarapa. 

Here in Australia it seems either we all know how to listen and deal with conflict, challenge and change in our lives OR perhaps it's my less than marvellous promotional skills (you can help by forwarding this on to anyone you think may be interested).

Now, I'm no guru. Although I call myself a professional listener, I'm a recovering conflict avoider and control freak who knows how much listening and stories can help. I want to share my fascination with these topics not just in NZ but right here in my home town in Australia. 

So, here's the challenge: I need at least eight more people to come along to three Sunday afternoons to explore this topic on 10, 17 February and 3 March from 1.30 to 5.30pm at 319 Auburn Road, Hawthorn. 

Here's what you'll explore:
  • stories of conflict, challenge and transformation from traditional sources and our own lives
  • creative ways to address conflict, challenge and change
  • a smidgen of theory from my extensive research and practice on this topic (my PhD is all about it, read the concluding chapter here).
 Who may like to join us:
  • ordinary listeners, professional listeners (teachers, educators, mediators, counsellors, legal folk) storytellers, writers 
  • those willing to explore conflict, challenge and change with a lively and fascinating group of people
EXCLUSIVE
Over the summer, I have created a few new exercises that even the kiwis haven't done yet. Come along and experience them.

More details please call me and I'll treat you to some intensive listening and creative responses!

Warm wishes 

Clare 
Clare Coburn, PhD
fabled communication

Leedy the Storyteller in Prague! 2013


I love it when storytellers send me emails of their exploits to share. Here is a hasty email, sent from an ipad from one busy storyteller! Leedy made good use of the National Storytelling network, harvesting ideas and contacts before her departure. You can follow her adventures on her blog and with luck and good management, on her return, we can organise a gathering to hear of her travels. Leedy is based in the Geelong area, west of Melbourne.
Jackie Kerin (blog)
...

This is me singing A ram sam to bi lingual kids at a  story telling session at a Community Centre in Prague. I then read Edward the Emu, told Tiddalick the frog,- with a balloon, sang kookaburra , der glomph went the little green frog. Have been asked to do a session at a Czech school on Australia day, and more sessions next week. The kids love the Aussie stories and I'm loving here!   Check out the blog - http://leedytales.blogspot.com.au/. For more pics.
Have a great day.
Leedy

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

AGM: Sunday 10th February followed by a Story Share. 2013


AGM: Sunday 10th February 2013 followed by a Story Share. (Special UK guest Martin Jefferd)

 It's that time of year! If you have been unable to make past gatherings - this is the one not to miss. It's your chance to be involved and contribute to the planning and ideas for 2013.

The AGM will last 60 mins - following on we will enjoy a café lunch (or bring along a lunch box if you prefer) then we shall reconvene for an informal Story Share.


AGM
Sunday 10 February
12.00 – 1.00 pm
We need five or six committee members: president, secretary / public officer, treasurer, maintainer of the membership list, Facebook coordinator, and Blog coordinator. Come along and have your say. What could we do better? What do we do well?

STORY SHARE
2.00 - 4.00pm
You are invited to meet other storytellers, share stories, achievements and plug your shows and ideas for 2013. New members especially welcome. UK storyteller, Martin Jefferd will be our special guest. Please keep your contribution to 15 mins or less.

Location
City Library (ask a librarian if you can’t find us)
AGM : Group Study Room
STORY SHARE: Majorca Room
253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Victoria 3000 

The library is located in the CAE building on the corner of Degraves Street and Flinders Lane, between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets. (Melway reference: Map 1B, M9)

MEMBERSHIP 

  • ·      Yearly Membership is $25
  • ·      Membership makes you eligible for listing as a storyteller on The Storytelling Australia (Vic) website.
  • ·      Your events and projects will be prioritised on our blog and Facebook attracting interest globally.
  • ·      You will be adding your voice and ideas to a storytelling community that connects nationally, supports artists and professional development.

ABOUT STORYTELLING AUSTRALIA (VICTORIA)
Storytelling Australia (Victoria) was created over thirty years out of a love of traditional oral storytelling. Initially called the Storytelling Guild of Victoria, the focus was lifting folk tales off the page and placing them back on the tongue. Since that time there has been a name change, the storytellers have grown in numbers and skill and are now connected nationally and internationally with fellow practitioners.

These days Storytelling (Vic) tellers can be found sharing their work in schools, libraries, museums, art galleries and literary and folk festivals here and around the world. The stories they tell range from retold traditional, historical, the personal and the modern tall story. Some are also published writers, others use their skills to heal and some to teach.

At a time when Melbourne’s literary and cultural life has been recognised and the city listed as one of only five UNESCO Cities of Literature, oral storytelling is re-emerging and blossoming.

It could be said that the story is connected to the book, like blossom to fruit.


President: Matteo matubrem@yahoo.com.au
Secretary: Anne Stewart anne@anneestewart.com.au. Phone: 0408 550 945408

Friday, January 4, 2013

Gael Cresp: Australian Storyteller working in the oral tradition and published author. 2013


Gael Cresp has been a member of Storytelling Australia (Vic) (formally Storytelling Guild of Victoria) since 1985. She has travelled widely around Australia and attended many National Conferences over the years. In the past, when the threads connecting Australian storytellers have seemed thin, Gael has frequently stepped up to the plate assuming roles within the storytelling community that others found beyond their skill. It’s a brave heart that voluntarily chairs a meeting attended by folk so gifted with the gab! Thank you Gael.

What came first - writing or storytelling?
Storytelling definitely came first! It generally takes several months of telling and re-telling a story (if only in my own head) for the words to arrange themselves in the correct order.
Is there a difference between a written tale and a told tale?
Eventually there is little difference but I find that intonation and gestures plus atmosphere carry a dimension in stories that are told that is much harder to achieve in written format. Then there are the picture books - again this format has an impact on the words and, sometimes, the tone of the story.
When did you become involved with Storytelling Australia and have you held any positions in the organisation?
I have been President, Treasurer and am currently Public Officer (although this should change at the soon-to-be-held AGM)
 What and who inspires you?
Other storytellers, the people who listen, those who ask questions and a desire to keep my family stories of how we came to this land and how we now live in it alive. These stories are important not only for my family but also for the Australian community as a whole. 
Who is your preferred audience?
I enjoy the challenge presented by 15 to 16 year olds who think that this grey haired old lady has nothing to offer them but I am happy to tell to anyone who will listen.
 What is your favourite children's book and why?
“The Little White Horse” by Elizabeth Gouge - it is a fantasy book set in Victorian times in England. It was the first chapter book I ever read and still lives in my mind (and on my bookshelves).
 Your favourite story?
I couldn’t really choose.
What is your most memorable moment at a storytelling session?
Very early in my storytelling I was with a group of 9 and 10 year olds at a Primary School in the northern suburbs of Melbourne - a very disadvantaged area with an extremely high migrant population. Deep into the telling of Bluebeard when the young woman held out the blood stained key and I mimed holding out my hand towards the children crowded together on the floor of the library the children gasped and all pulled away. From that moment on I was hooked on storytelling.
Another memorable moment was in the far north west of Tasmania with a group of 15 to 16 year olds who began the storytelling session staring out of the window in boredom. By the end of “Lady Ragnell” they were all watching me, absolutely still but with their heads still turned towards the window. They had become so engrossed in the story that they forgot to turn their heads to follow their eyes!
What changes have you seen in the storytelling networks in Australia and globally?
Contact via the internet, Facebook, Skype and this blog has lead to a great flowering of knowledge and chances for experiencing other ways of storytelling.
You are a great conference goer - what is the value of a storytelling conference?
Listening to others, seeing what works and what doesn’t, testing oneself among ones peers.
 What plans do you have in store for 2013?
I plan to get my web site up and running, maybe putting on a concert of storytelling near my home, finishing some of the stories I have in various drafts on my computer, put some more told stories on You Tube... Plans and plans. We will see how it all works out!
Gaels' Website will soon be appearing here.
Gael's commitment to ensuring storytellers connect and have their say is the stuff of legend. Here is the map and microphone she used in South Australia July 2011 when she chaired a lengthy meeting. We must also thank Shirley Way from Brisbane who is so tech savvy!







To purchase Gael's books - you can contact her directly.
The Biography of Gilbert Alexander Pig. (Cygnet/Benchmark, 1999 & Puffin, 2001)
and as The Tale of Gilbert Alexander Pig by Barefoot Books 2000. (UK & GB)
 Fish for Breakfast (A Windy Hollow Book, Benchmark, 2002)
$20 each or $35 for both (incl. GST and Postage)