Wednesday, December 30, 2015

WORKSHOP and PERFORMANCE: 13 January 2016


 Fire, Water, Earth and Air
How do the stories from the two hemispheres fuse the elements?
Storytelling Workshops and Performance
Jointly presented by Storytelling Australia Victoria and the Art Gallery of Ballarat

International Storytellers
 CHRISTINE WILLISON from WALES & CADU CINELLI from BRAZIL 


  introduced by local storyteller 
  ANNE  E STEWART
 
 Anne in action at the Art Gallery of Ballart

 plus stories by members of
   STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS

9.30 Anne E Stewart Welcome and Introduction to the Gallery   

10.00 Morning Tea (provided)

10.30 Christine Willison, will spark off memories and imagination to inspire new ideas for storytelling. Sharing stories from her repertoire she will illustrate and define the creative and developmental processes involved with storytelling including presentation, performance and visualisation skills. Christine will encourage people to paint picture with words.

 
Christine on her beloved Pembrokeshire coast

12.30 Lunch (bring your own or take advantage of the many cafes nearby)

1.30  Cadu Cinelli performing as Os Tapetes Contadores de Histórias, (The Carpet Storytellers) from Brazil, has created and used carpets and other cloth objects (panels, suitcases, aprons, clothes, boxes and cloth books) as the scenery for authored and popular tales from all over the world, in the attempt to encourage children, youngsters and adults to enjoy arts and reading. He will tell some stories from this repertoire

 
Cadu working with exquisite textile props made by himself and from Peru, France and other places

3.30 Afternoon Tea (provided)

4.00 Open Mic Storytelling inspired by art in the Gallery (or call Anne on 0408 550 945)

 
 Allis tells a story in front of 'Under the Burden and Heat of the Day' by David Davies - January 2015 w/shop

WHERE: Art Gallery of Ballarat  40 Lydiard Street Ballarat HERE

WHEN: Wednesday 13 January 2016

COST: $25 or $20 (members of Storytelling Australia Victoria only)

BOOKINGS (Essential): Art Gallery of Ballarat 5320 5858
Book online HERE

If you require further information: call Anne E Stewart  0408 550 945 


TRANSPORT
The Gallery is a short walk from the Train Station. For Melbourne commuters, check the timetable HERE.There will be a few of us departing from Southern Cross and Footscray Stations. If you'd like to travel with fellow storytellers call Jackie 0412 210 098
 

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Thank you storytellers. 2015 has been a wonderful year.


Thank you to all those people who have contributed so much of their time and talents during 2015, ensuring that Storytelling Australia Victoria continues to grow.

The SAV committee has met monthly via teleconference throughout the year.  In addition we’ve had several full days where we’ve met to discuss and clarify our vision, values and purpose. Thank you Kate Lawrence, Teena Hartnett, Louisa John-Krol, Lana Woolf, Suzanne Sandow, Niki na Meadhra, Roslyn Quin and Ronda Gault for all the minute taking, room booking, photocopying, cake, ideas, but above all your time.

Looking back, our main role in 2015 has been supporting storytellers and groups with publicity and events and getting news out to you about festivals and conferences, local and international. It’s been rewarding to see storytellers connecting and supporting each other’s dreams and aspirations.

We look forward to launching a SAV monthly storytelling event ‘Fabled Nights’. We’re still looking for a venue in the CBD that feels just right.  In 2016 members can expect a newsletter. Nearly there… 

World Storytelling Day ideas are simmering. The theme is ‘Strong Women’. WSD is set in cement in the SAV calendar. Details to be sorted but the plan is to celebrate in Mariam Issa's R.A.W. Garden. Mariam is also keen to  have storytellers in her garden on a monthly basis throughout 2016. Kate Lawrence is coordinating so let her know if you would like to be involved.
Mariam Issa is looking forward to filling her garden with stories
 
Gerry Nelson providing the music on World Storytelling Day
 

Here’s a snapshot of some of the adventures of our members harvested from our blog and Facebook.

Outside Melbourne
Ballarat's Simon Carroll snapped with Roslyn Quin at the Village Festival
 
Simon Carroll kick-started Ballarat Spoken Word (Facebook). Kate Lawrence is running a monthly open mic in Woodend called the Story Door. Ronda Gault made good use of the Words in Winter Festival and organised the inaugural Maryborough Storytelling gathering and there are plans for this to grow. (Watch this space.) In January, Anne E Stewart and the Ballarat Storytellers (with SAV) offered a workshop: Myth and Reality at the Art Gallery of Ballarat with visiting UK storyteller Christine Willison. In Wonthaggi, Gael Cresp offered workshops through the U3A and stories for Adults at the local library.
Train traveling storytellers enjoying a wine after The Mabinogion w/shop
 
The storytellers who stepped up to the mic at the inaugural Story Door
 
Groups
If you explore our website, you’ll find three groups that might be of interest. The Victorian Fairy Tale Ring is led by Louisa John-Krol. The Mahabharata Project is a group that connects via Facebook with interested people from around the world (administered by SAV members Gerry Nelson and Jackie Kerin). The Ballarat Storytellers is the longest running group.
Peter Fernon 'The Mahabharata Adventure' Newport Folk Festival 
 
 The Victorian Fairy Ring organised a mid-winter gathering at Strathvea

Shows
Beginning in February, Katherine Phelps ran a monthly, family friendly variety show, Sandbox Land. Jan Wositzky had a good year performing Canakkale Gallipoli. Lest We Forget. Jackie Kerin sprouted wings and launched her collaborative piece Tales from the Flyway (stories inspired by migratory shore birds). Roslyn Quin offered shows in events across Melbourne throughout the year. And  Niki na Meadhra developed her show Dancing the Bones of Irish Legend.
Niki in action at a private House Concert in Melbourne

Sandbox Land
 
Workshops and Festivals
Kim Billington’s therapeutic work has been of great interest. Teena Hartnett and Kate Lawrence ran workshops in personal storytelling at the Glen Eira and Williamstown Literary Festivals. Teena and Ian McNally co-hosted the annual open floor event at the Newport Folk Festival.
Glen Eira storytelling Festival
 

Travellers
Niki na Meadhra and Anne E Stewart enjoyed overseas storytelling adventures. Anne headed of to the The Festival at the Edge (UK) and Niki to the Sneem Storytelling Festival (Ireland).

Resources and Stories
Thank you to the people who have shared storytelling resources and contributed stories to the website. If you have filmed or recorded a complete story and would like to add it to the site – send it through. Let the world see us in action.

Connections
Lana Woolf giving it her all in 'Scenes on the Yarra'
 
Lana Woolf joined us from Melbourne Spoken Word. The possibility of the poets and storytellers exploring collaborative projects is exciting. The conversations between SAV and our sister storytelling organisations around the country grow. We welcomed NSW President Christine Carlton at our AGM. The National networks have never been stronger. International links have been strengthened and forged by our travellers to the UK and Ireland and in Asia through the Mahabharata Project.

Thank you to all who have sent us news of your events, stories and adventures to share. It is satisfying to see you connecting and sharing your news on our Facebook.

Thank you to those who invest and promote themselves as Victorian Storytellers on our website. Our site is increasingly a go-to place for people looking to engage and connect; our impact and visibility grows with your confidence in us as a place to be seen.

Thank you to Alex Kharnam and Miles who have attended and filmed and  photographed so many events throughout the year,  not to mention fixing our props. We look forward to hearing some of your stories in 2016.
Jan Wositzky rehearsing with Miles for a story about a Dragon













So … there is only one last thing to say: THANK YOU.

Jackie Kerin (president)


Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Kim Billington. WORK SHOP Therapeutic Storytelling: 4 March, 2 September 2016


Stories contain hidden messages about possible ways of overcoming adversity. Stories use metaphors that can change the way we see ourselves and our world. They help to connect us to each other and help in finding meaning and hope.  Storytelling encompasses both external therapeutic input and child-directed healing.

This workshop will be interactive and practical with ample demonstrations and with brief exercises to develop skills. The developmental appropriateness, value and efficacy of storytelling in therapy will be explored. You will have a chance to consider why storytelling works, how to introduce and incorporate storytelling in counselling, gain a resource of sample stories as well as ideas of where to look for suitable stories for therapy.

You will have the opportunity to:
  • Understand how stories can facilitate healing
  • Understand the theory informing this work
  • Experience and discuss the therapeutic uses of story telling
  • Practise creating and telling stories
  • Develop ways to  incorporate storytelling into practice
  • Gain a set of story resources to use for counselling 
  • Learn in the safety and support of a small group environment
This workshop is of interest to:
Psychologists, school counsellors, social workers, counsellors, case workers, child and family counsellors, psychotherapists, pastoral workers, other allied health professionals and students of these disciplines. Provisional psychologists can attend at student rates.

Workshop Venue:
WellSpring Centre - 10 Y Street, Ashburton, Melbourne. Residential street parking and walking distance to trains and buses.
 
Facilitor:
Kim Billington - Masters in Counselling, Grad Cert in Narrative Therapy.

For all the details, registration etc visit  HERE

*  Kim is a member of Storytelling Australia Victoria. This workshop is an independent project.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Expression of Interest: International Storytelling Festival Iran 2016

click on poster to enlarge
 
For questions: 18th.storytellingfes@gmail.com

NB Kanoon will pay all costs including accommodation and food.
Several Australian storytellers have attended this festival in the past and enjoyed the hospitality of the Festival.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Anne E Stewart: WORKSHOP. In the Spirit of Kinship to Country.... Stories for the Journey.


Photo: Poppy Cagacj for “Daylesford Strong Women” Exhibition Jan 2015, Daylesford Convent Gallery

Anne E Stewart's Workshop has been postponed but don't be disappointed - it will be going ahead and Storytelling Vic will let you know the new date in plenty of time.

In this one day workshop Anne E Stewart will inspire, nurture and encourage your storytelling. 
She will guide you on your storyteller’s journey by facilitating:
  • goal setting,
  • story selection,
  • understanding the pace and rhythm of stories
  • and the development of performance skills.
Anne  will share ‘tricks of the trade’ gleaned over nearly 4o years storytelling. Working with myths, legends, folktales, historic and personal narratives the participants will start to develop and enhance  their own repertoire. For more details check Anne’s website

Anne E Stewart is an acclaimed storyteller with an international reputation. A versatile performer Anne has the energy and voice to engage any audience. Her focus is on the shared stories of Australia honouring Indigenous Celtic , Asian and World stories. Anne has told stories in some of Australia’s major cultural institutions, art galleries and libraries as well as on ABC radio and TV. She has been invited guest at Storytelling festivals throughout Australia, Iran, the UK and in Mexico and Colombia.