Thursday, December 22, 2016

Best wishes from Storytelling Australia Victoria

2016 has been a year of creativity: shows, podcasts, concerts, slams but most especially informal gatherings around fires, food and stories.

Many thanks to the team who gather every month via teleconference to grease the wheels and attend to the nuts and bolts that keep a not for profit organisation like ours afloat.

This year we managed to create two monthly events where you can tell stories, listen and most importantly practice the art of storytelling, whether your passion be for traditional folk and fairy tale, tall stories and yarns or true personal storytelling. Fabled Nights in Newport and Fabled Afternoons in The Raw Garden in East Brighton will resume in February 2017 and continue to November. We'll keep you posted.


In partnership with  Mariam Issa and the RAW Garden we celebrated some special days: World Storytelling Day, International Women's Day and Diwali.
Diwali in the RAW Garden
With the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club and Hobsons Bay Libraries supporting us, we have moved into the new Community HUB and now have a venue with a beautiful kitchen and (soon) some lights and little fancy technology! To be explored more fully in the New Year.

Thank you to the storytellers who list themselves on our website and promote their adventures via our blog and Facebook. The interest in the work of our members ranges from educational, shows and applied storytelling (therapeutic, story catching with the elderly).

And to the Groups who publicise themselves on our website - we are grateful as these show a breadth of interest and possibilities for folks checking in from the outside.

Thank you to Matt McArthur and Kate Lawrence who are recording storytellers at our events for future podcasting.

And thanks to Alex and Miles Kharnam who film and take photos for storytellers. Storytellers wishing to apply for festivals and conferences and who need pics in action for the websites, have all benefited from their contribution.
Alex and Miles: Fabled Nights in Newport
Hugs to Roslyn Quin who has hosted two events in the stunning Eltham Library, Susan Hall, our gal in Geelong and Teena Hartnett who organised our end of year boat trip up the Maribyrnong. And ALL of you who have rocked up to planning days, helped with the dishes, setting up and putting away.
Our trip up the Maribyrnong
Looking forward to seeing what we can come up with in 2017. If you have ideas and dreams for Storytelling Vic, become a member and join in the shenanigans. And if you have a little energy to spare, we are always all ears!!!

So on behalf of the committee: Kate Lawrence, Teena Hartnett, Louisa John Krol, Roslyn Quin, Katherine Phelps and Ronda Gault, wishing you all a safe festive season.

Time to crack open the champagne!

Jackie Kerin (blog, Facebook and president)

Niki na Meadhra: Fair and Furious: The Women of the Táin February 2017

Devised and performed by Niki na Meadhra, for all ages. 
Photo: Caveboy Studios

WHEN: Friday 24 February @ 8.00pm and 25 Saturday @ 3.00pm
WHERE: The Celtic Club, Brian Boru Room, 320 Queen Street Melbourne
COST: $30 (full price), $20.00 (concession), $15 school children

Some academics have declared The Táin misogynistic in its treatment of female characters, but having spent time with them, as a storyteller, I can't agree - unless my only measure of women is to characterise them as whores or virgins. To me, these women and goddesses are sexually bold, potent, complex and vivid.  Niki na Meadhra

Niki is a highly experienced performer. Her family connections tie her to Ireland and she loves its mythologies, and communicates its mythology and cosmology with infectious joy.

Learn more about Niki: HERE
Follow her on Facebook: HERE

Saturday, December 17, 2016

2017 Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference: Call for Presentations




So Many Mattresses: Truth, Reality, Fiction on a European Bed

Would we recognise a real Australian fairy tale if it came to our doorstep, lacking the traditional fairy tale robes of 'once upon a time ...

The is the AFTS's 4th anual conference.

If you would like to submit a proposal (academic paper or performance) visit  the AFTS website and all the details are there. Deadline: 5.00pm January 27
 
WHEN: 24 June 2017
WHERE: Glen Eira Town Hall, Caulfield, Victoria
Australian Fairy Tale Society: HERE