Storytelling at Words in Winter. Daylesford 2013

Storytelling at Daylesford Words in Winter has been programmed by Anne E Stewart from Storytelling Australia.

FRIDAY 9^TH AUGUST: THE REX CINEMA

Sweeney Of The Birds

What is madness, when the sane are slaughtering one another? Sweeney of the Birds is based on an ancient Irish epic, centring around King Sweeney, who in the thick of battle ‘levitates in a frantic cumbersome motion, like a bird of the air’. Performed by Andrew McKenna.

Bookings:  0423 934 192

Where:  The Rex Cinema, in the Arcade 

When:    Friday 9th August 

Time :     8-9pm

Cost: $15/$10

SATURDAY 10^TH AUGUST: THE REX CINEMA

Storytelling Australia presents - Alex Dawia – from Bougainville

Healer, storyteller and social activist, Alex Dawia shares folktales from his homeland and tells the inspiring story of how the humble vanilla bean has brought new hope to his community.

Where:  The Rex Cinema                                                                           

When:    Saturday 10th August                                                                                              

Time:    10.30-11.30 am

Cost:   Adults $5 Children free

Kamishibai Stories - Jackie Kerin

Hailing from 1920′s Japan, the Kamishibai storyteller would strap a small wooden stage to their bicycle with illustrated cards and trays of handmade sweets, pedaling from town to town with tales of adventure.

Join storyteller Jackie Kerin as she revives this sweet experience with her Kamishibai rig and enjoy tasty tales from all over the world. Brought to you by Storytelling Australia (Vic)

Where:  The Rex Festival Hub                                                                                           

When:    Saturday 10th August                                                                                                 

Time :     11am1pm                                                                                                                            Cost :     Gold coin

A Sheltering Spirit -  Andrew McKenna and Caithlin Meave

Tales and songs of love and loss

A woman braves a crazed wolf to save her lover; a gorgeous poetic vision of The Dream of Angus, where a young man is plagued by dreams of a girl and wakes each morning with a white feather on his chest; and a father lost to the river for ever … Andrew McKenna and Caithlin Meave perform stories and songs about great acts, noble deeds and people going to the edge for love.

Bookings: 0423 934 192

Where:  The Rex Cinema, in the Arcade                                                                             

When    Saturday 10th August                                                                                              

Time      9.30pm10.30am                                                                                                                   Cost :     $15/$10

SUNDAY 11^TH AUGUST: THE REX CINEMA

Children’s Storytelling with Andrew McKenna

Where:  The Rex Festival Hub 

When:    Sunday 11th August 

Time:    11.30am 

Cost:     Gold Coin

The Inaugural Maurice May Story Slam

Patriarch of Captains Creek organic farm and a natural born storyteller, Maurice May’s passion for the environment has been passed on to his granddaughter Stephanie Hodgins May. To honour his memory she’s looking for your story of the land and environment.5 minutes per story, 3 guest judges from the audience, great prizes and glory, supporting Stephanie’s Federal campaign for the Greens.

Register for Story Slam by Aug 9 with Anne E Stewart  anne@anneestewart.com.au

Where:  The Rex Festival Hub 

When    Sunday 11th August 

Time     12-2pm 

Cost     $5

Children’s Storytelling - Fairy Lou and Matteo

Storytelling Australia (Vic) presents two of the finest fairies in the business. Fairy Lou is always ready with her wand, wishes and stardust and Matteo has been variously described as a genie, a funky pirate or a gypsy. Even the grownups will love them.

Don’t miss two of Australia’s premier storytellers at this year’s Words in Winter Festival!

Where:  The Rex Festival Hub 

When:    Sunday 11th August 

Time:      3pm 

Cost :    Gold Coin

See complete Words in Winter program HERE 

Storytelling at the 6th Newport Folk Festival 2013

This Festival has grown from the grassroots. An initiative of the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club, its managed entirely by volunteers.

Storytelling has always had a place at the Festival but this year, with the support of Storytelling Australia (Vic), the stories and the tellers shone bright.

Festivals are wonderful places to connect with others who share the same passion, build relationships and collaborations and plan fresh projects.

Here are three short videos to share some of the highlights for those who couldn't be there.

Stories by the Fire: hosted by Niki na Meadhra and Kate Lawrence for Storytelling Australia (Vic)



The launch of The Man from Ironbark and other Australian poems and stories: Dave Davies has been reciting verse and telling stories around camp fires for over 60 years



The Miller's Tale: The retelling of The Miller's Tale from the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer with Jackie Kerin, Simon Leverton and Danny O'Connell.

Federation for European Storytelling Conference (FEST) Rome 2013

Jackie Kerin sharing the Roman experience.

With the support of storytelling colleagues, friends, my Folk Club and Hobsons Bay Council, I represented Storytelling Australia (Victoria) at the Federation for European Storytelling Conference. Following the Conference was the Rome International Storytelling Festival.

The idea for a European Federation for European Storytelling was first mooted in 2001, in Paris at the Maison du Conte in response to the challenge faced by storytellers to be recognized for their art. Behind the Federation is the idea that as a group, storytellers would have more ‘weight’ as well as providing a network for building expertise, collaborations, and the development of new storytellers.

FEST is a not for profit organization with its address in Belgium.

To be a member you have to be based in Europe. Members include: storytellers, producers and festival directors. Non members are welcome.

Since its formation, FEST has met in Oslo (Norway), Lausanne (Switzerland), Reading (England) and Toledo (Spain).

This year, FEST attracted 90 delegates. The non member guests included, Canada, Pakistan, the USA, Singapore and Australia.

The conference is a mix of discussions and idea sharing: training young storytellers, audience development, putting storytelling on the cultural map.

Many discussions were parallel to those we have in Australia eg, agreement of the function and design of a website, cultural appropriation, encouraging young tellers etc

The big difference between Australian and European storytelling, as I saw it, is the separation of storytelling as art, from storytelling as a ‘tool’ to educate, heal etc. Many of the storytellers are deeply connected to their oral traditions and focus on the folk tales from their place. I perceived less interest in original stories and autobiographical storytelling.

The next FEST Conference will take place in 2014 in the north of Sweden and should we wish to send another Australian we will need time to fundraise and apply for grants to get them there. FEST was exhilarating and exhausting. I learned much and am keen to share my experience.

I met several old friends of Australian storytellers and compiled this little film for you all.

I have also created this video of the Conference. Its a little rough (my first attempt at such a thing) but I thought it was a better way of sharing the experience with you, rather than a long email.

Jackie Kerin: Off to Rome to the Federation for European Storytelling Conference and Festival 2013

I’m off to Rome for the Federation for European Storytelling Conference. Its a privilege to represent my storytelling colleagues from Storytelling Australia (Vic). Seems like the popularity of oral storytelling is going from strength to strength. Look no further than UK Daniel Morden’s spectacular impact at the recent Sydney Writer’s Festival.

I won’t be presenting at the FEST Conference; Australia is not a member of the Federation (wrong continent) but I have memory stick in my bag with photos and introductions from some of the finest Victorian Tellers, that I will show off with pride.

Following the Conference I’ll be working at the Rome International Storytelling Festival where I have a show, for children and one for adults. I'll be telling original stories based on material bandicooted from the State Library of Victoria newspaper indexes, tall stories inspired by the work of Graham Seal and Bill Wannan, stuff from my own head blended with urban myth and I have my indi comics/zines and original kamishibai story packs to trade.

I’ll be working with Mariella Bertelli, who will also be translating for me. Mariella visited Storytelling Australia (Vic) a while ago – some of you will remember her tale from The Decameron.

As I lay my stuff out to pack – I'm thinking it looks like I've raided one of those Aussie souvenir shops in Swanston Street but I can assure you, its all of the finest quality, original and loved. I've purchased a new memory card for my camera with the plan of documenting the experience to share on my return.

Ciao!

La Senora Jackie K

Thanks for your support:

Storytelling Australia (Vic)

Newport Fiddle and Folk Club

Transisitions Hobsons Bay

Captain’s Creek

Leonie Kervin

Gael Cresp

and family and other friends.