Monday, March 25, 2013

Andrew McKenna teaches mask making 2013


Many storytellers use props and just as many don't. There are no rules. Some storytellers have collections of objects that symbolise their key stories; others have puppets, loops of string and musical instruments.


Andrew McKenna makes masks. In the spirit of sharing, he has created a page on his website with detailed and illustrated instructions of his preferred method.


These instructions are fool proof and with the exception of the sharp blades of the Bamix, it would be OK for children to have a go using his method.

There is no question that handmade props acquire a special magic with use. They are unique, they are yours and with time, they acquire scars from countless tellings.

If you would like to learn Andrew's mask making method, visit his website: here.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Storytelling Australia is making it easy for you to choose a storyteller for Children’s Book Week 2013


Children's Book Week is the longest running children's festival in Australia.
Dates for 2013: Saturday 17 – Friday 23 August 

Theme: Read across the universe.

Storytelling Australia (Victoria) has created a list of available storytellers for Children’s Book Week to assist busy teachers and librarians.

The storytellers are listed alphabetically with an indication of their preferred year levels and their travel preferences.  We do not take bookings. You can contact the storytellers directly via their websites and email addresses. Happy Book Week!

Learn more about Storytelling Australia (Vic) and our storytellers: here
Learn more about Children’s Book Week: here

K – 12
Travel: Melbourne Metropolitan area, regional Victoria and interstate.

Lynton’s professional name is Sketch n’ Tell. He engages in a range of activities which include visual art and storytelling.

K - 12
Travel: Tuesdays and Wednesdays: south-east Melbourne
Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays: Wonthaggi region (45 min radius)

Gael is an author and oral storyteller. She has written two picture books. As well a collection of original tales for telling, she also has a repertoire of traditional tales from around the world.

Early childhood - prep
Travel: Melbourne metropolitan area and southern bayside suburbs
If you are outside of these regions and would like to book Kerry-Anne please still make an enquiry.

Known as Fairy Love Heart, Kerry has 15 years experience in the kids’ entertainment industry.

Teena Hartnett (contact email: oden77@gmail.com)
K - 6 (secondary by special request)
Travel: Melbourne metropolitan area and regional Victoria

Teena began telling stories in the classroom to facilitate language learning, she is sensitive to a range of cultural needs and is always amazed by the power that stories have to connect people.

Mary Lou Keaney (contact email: gjkeaney@bigpond.com)
K- 4
Travel: Melbourne metropolitan area, regional towns within a 100 km radius of the CBD

Mary Lou is known as one of the oldest fairies in the business and one of the most memorable.

P – 12
Travel: Melbourne metropolitan area and regional towns within 100 km radius especially west of the Yarra River.

Jackie’s repertoire reflects her love of traditional stories from around the world and passion for turning Australian yarns into Tellable Tales. She is the author of two children’s picture books.

K - 6. (He will work with years 7 - 12 if the groups are interested in 'storytelling'.)  
Travel: south eastern suburbs of Melbourne but will travel around Victoria.

In the style of the Court Jester or Fool, Matteo's artistic career has led him to paint pictures with words, mime, sound effects, improvisation, fun, music and humour.

K - 6
Travel: Melbourne metropolitan area. Based in Castlemaine, will visit locations within a 100 kilometre radius.

Oisin has toured Ireland twice, performing at festivals including the prestigious Baboró International Children's Festival, Lough Gur Storytelling Festival and the Waterford Imagine Festival.

P - 12
Travel: Melbourne metropolitan area.

Julie tells folktales and trickster stories from around the world — the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia — building cultural connection through story.

P - 12
Travel: Melbourne metropolitan area.

JB offers fun and energetic performances for schools and is the author of the successful Trapped in Gondwana ebook series written for middle to upper primary age children who love fantasy with a mix of science.

Susanne Sandow (contact via email: suzess@bigpond.com)
K – 8
Travel: Melbourne metropolitan area, regional Victoria and interstate.

Suzanne has been telling stories to children for over 20 years. An actress and teacher, she tells traditional tales with a contemporary twist.

K- 12
Travel: Melbourne metropolitan area, regional Victoria and interstate.

Anne is an acclaimed storyteller with an international reputation. She is a versatile performer, with the stories, energy and voice to engage any audience.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Last Friday of the month Story Playshop 2013


An invitation from Clare Coburn: a regular story learning/telling/playing opportunity for whoever would like to come along.

Last Friday of the month Story Playshop is a new regular event in the Melbourne Storytelling calendar. Please read the poster for dates, times and location.

Clare Coburn, PhD
fabled communication



Monday, March 18, 2013

PAVE Festival: Performing and Visual Arts in Emerald 2013

























The Arabian Nights

JJ Sheills aka JJ Retailer of Tales has been telling stories, making puppets and performing in plays for longer than most us have had hot breakfasts!

A resident of the tiny town of Emerald in the Dandenong Mountains JJ is a regular contributor to the PAVE Festival. Last year with Storytelling Vic stalwarts (Matteo and Jackie Kerin), he presented a show to celebrate 200 years of the Brothers Grimm. This year he has set himself the challenge of researching and presenting some tales from the Arabian Nights.

In the company of other storytellers and a belly dancer, JJ will lead the audience through a selection of some of the most loved stories retold from a variety of translations.

Flights of Fancy: Arabian Nights
When: Monday 15 April
Where: Cafe Red Box (easy to find in the main street of Emerald)
Time: 7.00pm  - 10.00pm
Cost: $20 includes finger food

Warning: this is a night of adult storytelling

More info about PAVE here.


Friday, March 15, 2013

Niki Na Meadhra: Melbourne's White Night 2013

Melbourne's first White Night went off without a hitch. The weather was perfect -  balmy and not a breath of wind.

Niki Na Meadhra, one off our finest storytellers was caught in action outside Art Play at Birrarung Marr.

You can follow Niki on facebook at Hearth Tales.

Niki has kindly consented to us sharing these photos, especially posted for those of you are are not facebook users.

Enjoy.