FEAST'S Online Story Swap

Every year it seems there are more opportunities to connect with storytellers around the world and it doesn't always mean jumping on a plane and traveling thousands of miles.

The Federation of Asian Story Tellers, of which Storytelling Australia Victoria is a non-resident member, is hosting regular online story swaps. These Story Swaps are FREE and you can either tell a story or tune in and listen.

I joined the November Story Swap and had a great time.

It's easy to participate. Once you've registered you're sent a link that asks you to download the ZOOM software which is simple to install and use.

From here on it's pretty straight forward. Roger Jenkins and Sheila Wee host the Story Swap from Singapore and you can see people popping up on the screen from around the world. Apart from the storyteller and Roger, participants are muted but they can chat. I took a screen shot of Meenu Sivaramakrishnan in action. (Thank  you to Meenu for allowing me to use this image). This will give you a bit of an idea. You can see the dialogue box in the corner. The chat has options so you can share your comments publicly or message the tellers privately.

Stories are supposed to be 6 - 8 minutes. On the evening I attended, all were folk tales and most of them, I had never heard before. The tellers checked in from India, Singapore, USA, Holland, Croatia and Australia.

The Swap begins at 8.00pm Singapore time, which is 11.00pm (daylight saving in Melbourne) where I am. So it was a late night night but it was worth it.

This is a you tube video of the first Swap held in September. Roger's introduction is enthusiastic and no wonder, over 50 people checked in! Have a look. Sometimes the audio struggles to stay in synch but if you move the cursor along, you'll get a good feel for what it's all about and the variety of stories and storytellers.

For more information visit FEAST's website. And maybe at the next Swap, I'll see you there.

Jackie Kerin
 

Changes afoot for SAV....

 

Jackie and Kate

 

Dear Friends and Members,

 

We, Jackie Kerin (SAV President) and Kate Lawrence (SAV Vice president), supported by the committee, have been at the helm of Storytelling Australia Victoria for over 4 years now and feel we have served well in our roles as president and vice president.

 

But the time is coming for us to step aside and encourage a new team to steer the ship.

 

At the 2019 AGM on 10th February at The Library at The Dock Performance Space, neither of us will nominate for our roles.

 

With respect to the succession process, we are letting you know well in advance to give those of you interested, time to consider nominating. 

 

If you want more information about the roles please do not hesitate to contact either or both of us – Kate 0402 080 445 or Jackie 0412 210 098

 

If you are interested in taking on either of these role, or joining the committee, it would help us enormously if you could let us know as soon as you decide.

 

Kate and I are happy to be around to hand the roles over to a new team who can take the organisation to the next chapter and we will remain available as support and a resource for the next committee.

 

We encourage you to put the AGM date in your diaries and come along on the day.

 

We have booked the Performance Space at the Dock for the afternoon. We will have access to lights, projector and screen. We will be inviting storytellers to make the most of this opportunity to

• Rehearse the story they will be telling on World Storytelling Day
• Share their current storytelling passion or project
• Air their dreams and wishes for 2019
• Teach us new story games
• Anything 10 minutes and story related

Let’s make it a story play day: think power point, PechaKucha BUT most of all think 10 minutes.

Following the AGM and Play Day we will go trawling Docklands for a place to eat and continue the fun.

 

Please put 10th February in you diaries and as we refine plans for the afternoon, we will let you know.

 

If you have any questions and would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Email: storytellingvic@live.com.au

Subject heading: Leadership roles

 

Cheers

Jackie and Kate

INVITATION: FEAST's Second STORY SWAP!

Storytelling Australia Victoria is a member and supporter of FEAST (Federation of Asian Storytellers). Hop on line and join in the story swap. Introduce yourself and get to know our storytelling family across Asia.

Join FEAST's Second STORY SWAP!

WHEN: Monday 17th December 2018, 8pm Singapore Time

This STORY SWAP is FREE and is open to anyone! You don't need to be a member of FEAST.

You can offer to tell a story, or simply sit back and enjoy your fellow storytellers as we swap stories.
We're looking for tellers to share a story on the theme of gifts, giving, or generosity. It's a chance to say hello and hear some stories!

When you register for the session, you will be sent a link so that you can join in. The link will ask you to download the ZOOM software which is very easy to install and use.

If you would like to tell a story or have any questions about the software, please contact the Swap Host - Roger Jenkins at rogerstoryteller@gmail.com

If you are chosen to tell a story, please make sure you can tell it in 6 MINUTES or less! We want to give as many tellers as possible tellers a chance to share a story.

SO WHY WAIT? SIGN UP HERE: http://tiny.cc/FEASTSWAP
Check the timing in your time zone here:http://tiny.cc/FEAST-TIME

2019 WORLD STORYTELLING DAY EoI

MEMBER INVITATION: EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Storytelling Australia Victoria (SAV) is celebrating World Storytelling Day with a:

• Show for adults: Stories from members and two video performances from overseas friends
• Display of Resources

WHEN:  Saturday the 23rd March 2019
WHERE:  The Library at the Dock performance space
TIME: 2:00 pm and 4:30 pm
TICKETS: $15+booking fee, $10+booking fee for seniors, pensioners, concession card holders, and students

THEME for 2019: MYTHS, LEGENDS AND EPICS.  

1. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: for the adult show

Alex Kharnam anthonycheung.photography

 *This event is curated for Storytelling Australia Victoria by Durgah Devi Palanisamy (Dee) and her support team.

• We have spaces for eight storytellers. 
• We request that each story is ten minutes or less.
• Selection of the storytellers will be based on the different genres of stories and the various styles of storytelling within our membership. You will need to be a current member of Storytelling Australia Victoria. Kindly ensure that your membership is active.

Chosen participants are requested to attend a full dress rehearsal at the Fabled Nights in Newport on Friday, 15th MARCH at 7:30pm. (You will be notified of the Fabled Nights events for 2019 shortly.) This is to ensure that all the performances are in sync with the theme and to assist the ordering of the stories. It is also a great way to build our community and take your story for a test run. If you are unable to attend, please be clear about this on your application so we can make other arrangements.

If you wish to toss your hat into the ring:

EMAIL: Dee,  devi.palanisamy@gmail.com  SUBJECT: World Storytelling Day EoI

*We will also host a free children's event earlier in the day. This event is curated by Anna Manuel with some of Storytelling Australia Victoria's specialist children's storytellers. More information to come.

Anna Manuel: anthonycheung.photography

2. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: showcase of storytelling resources 

Members are  invited to showcase their work and resources during this time. The community room in front of the theatre will be available. For example, storytellers can chose to display their kamashibai, puppets, books, games and advertisements. You are welcome to sell any merchandise.
*Storytelling Victoria take no responsibility for damage or loss of property. Displays must be ready by 1:30 pm on the day. We have access to the space from 12:30pm.

If you are interested to book a display space:

EMAIL: Dee  devi.palanisamy@gmail.com  SUBJECT: WSD showcase of resources EoI.

This information is coming to you early so you have plenty of time to research and practice your stories. World Storytelling Day is a ticketed public event where our skills are on display in a beautiful theatre in the city.

We would love all SAV members to save the date and come on down to hear great stories and show your support for this event.

*WSD logo Mats Rehnman (Sweden)
Photos taken at WSD 2018

FINAL FABLED NIGHTS for 2018

Our 2018 Banner was created by artist Rex Smeal

What a year it's been: stories, stories, stories.

Fabled Nights in Newport is an open-hearted space for people who want to learn to craft true tales, traditional stories, tall tales and yarns; heart to heart and without notes. We have folks who come along and strut their stuff, and folks who try out a new story or tell a tale for the first time.

Anna

We've mastered technology and beamed in storytellers, refusing to let distance get in the way of a good story.

Dave

Danielle

Dee

Jackie and Lily-Anne

Alex

We've filmed and timed ourselves.

We've celebrated with storytellers who have practiced with us and  then gone on to tell stories at the The Moth, Peace of Heart, World Storytelling Day, NIDA Nights, Stories by the Fire and Laborastory - just to name a few.

At Fabled Nights there's room for around 10 storytellers and we ask that stories be no longer than 10 minutes, give or take. We ask that stories be said not read.

We reserve 2 - 15 minute places for people who want to try out longer stories. We ask that kind hearts and commonsense prevail: racist and homophobic stories hurt people so please don't bring them to 'Fabled Nights'.

WHEN: November 16
WHERE: Newport Community HUB 13 Mason Street Newport, near Newport Station.
COST: $5.00 or $3.00 (Storytelling Vic and Newport Fiddle and Folk Club members). No Booking required.

*WHEEL CHAIR ACCESS
* FABLED NIGHTS is an intergenerational event. Children welcome at parent/carers discretion

Fabled Nights in Newport is a partnership event with Hobsons Bay Libraries and is supported by the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club.

PARKING: There is free parking at the rear of the building. Coming from Mason Street, turn left at Durkin Street then left into the car park. Entry to the HUB is from the park.

*Banner Rex Smeal http://rexsmealart.com/

END OF YEAR CELEBRATION in Newport

INVITATION 
TO MEMBERS AND FAMILIES

 The Storytelling Australia Victoria committee has been thinking about our end of year get-together. After much discussion we have settled on the personal touch!

An afternoon of story fun in the garden!

 THE PLAN...

• An end-of-year knees-up at Jackie's joint in Newport
• Come along for an afternoon of story sharing, games, charades – whatever playful story themed activities we can come up with

FOOD and DRINK tips

• Please bring a plate and drinks to share
• Vegetarian and gluten free options
• Meat free house

 BRING

• Hat and sunscreen in case we are outside
• Your playful self

 WHERE

• For privacy reasons, you will receive the address when you RSVP
• The house is Jackie and John’s home, 8 minutes walk from the Newport Station, 5 minutes walk to the mouth of the Yarra River, parks and playgrounds.

 DATE

• Saturday 24th November

 TIME

• 2.00 pm until all the cake is gone!

RSVP by 17th November
Email: storytellingvic@live.com.au
Subject Heading: End-of-Year
Text: Jackie 0412 210 098

We have room for a maximum of 30 people.

Children welcome but please be aware this is a private home with a beautiful garden so they may feel constrained.

REMEMBER this is a members and family event so it is essential that your membership is current. To renew follow this link.

If you are a new member or don’t know many of us, rest assured we are a friendly bunch and you will be made to feel welcome. Storytelling Vic takes pride in hospitality and welcoming newcomers.

Kate Lawrence: Story Wise

If you haven't already caught up with the adventures of Kate, perhaps its time. Our members are all unique and work with stories in many wondrous ways. For the past few years Kate has been sharing her passion for personal storytelling and her wish to see others (especially women) find their voice and shape their stories through workshops, individual coaching and by providing supportive spaces to tell. Kate facilitates the only all women story gatherings in Melbourne that we know of.

Alongside all this, Kate has created a series of podcasts from stories she collected at the sessions recorded at the Holgates Hotel in Woodend, she created and toured a one woman show Fantastic Feminist Folk Tales and she presented  at TED x Bendigo.

AND ... while doing all this, Kate has held a leadership role for Storytelling Australia Victoria as vice president for over 4 years. In 2018 alone, while wearing her SAV hat Kate curated Peace of Heart in Macedon, an evening of stories to mark World Peace Day, as well as advising and supporting emerging member storytellers.

Visit Kate's website and while you're are there, sign up to the newsletter and you can follow events and enjoy her thoughts.

Here she is on personal storytelling.

Sometimes people make glib comments about personal storytelling being indulgent, self serving and self absorbed. This can be taken on by some of the people I work with who say, even as they are drawn to personal storytelling, that they feel too self conscious or feel it is too self-centred, to share their stories.

This is thinking that must be examined and debunked if we are actually to tell our stories in ways that enable us to develop and fully use our voice as a means of self expression, and be helpful for others.

Exploring, understanding and expressing who we are, what we believe and feel is a core task of living. We are meaning making machines, but unless we reflect, and consciously share our experiences, in thoughtful and meaningful ways, we risk being reactive, and unconscious, and relating to ourselves and therefore each other in superficial ways.

If we are feeling self conscious when we tell, then we are ironically, doing exactly what we are afraid we would be doing - we are making the story all about us. It is when we share our story with the sole purpose of offering it, and the meaning making we have done through our story, as a gift, that we then step into our voice and express ourselves in the age old and sacred way of human communication. It is an act of leadership, and we are hungry to be lead, we are hungry to explore behind the masks we all wear, to feel, and grapple with what it means to be human.

This is an act of trust, trust in ourselves that our voice is worthy, trust in the audience that what we offer will resonate with at least one person who is listening, and we share as a gift and so ensure we are trustworthy, telling the right story for that time place and audience.