Sunday, July 31, 2011

Storytelling Australia. National Gathering South Australia 2011

It's a vast country we live in and storytellers are scattered across the continent. There are storytelling Guilds in most States and Territories that serve to support the tellers, in professional practice and in storytelling for pleasure.

The advent of the internet and our skyping skills has encouraged mentoring relationships and skill and resource sharing to a point not previously dreamed of. But sometimes it's good to gather in one place.


South Australia hosted the 2011 Gathering. A three day event, it began with a Friday night concert of stories. Ruth Carson and Graham Ross invited tellers from around the country to participate. Pictured is Graham standing at the venue in front of the South Australian patchwork banner. Cold weather did not deter our audience who filled the room to capacity.


Day two we gathered around a table and with the use of skype continued the national discussion begun several years ago on how to advance storytelling in Australia. You can't see him very well - but that's Jesse the Wind Wanderer beaming in from Western Australia. We also had skypers from Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

Subject to the acceptance of the other Guilds, we
will be known in future as 'Storytelling Australia' and the word 'Guild' will be dropped. Soon we
shall gave a national logo and user friendly website - a gateway to the world that will have links to the member groups around the country.

These discussions were led by Gael Cresp (Victoria) and Shirley Way (Queensland). We thank them for their courage in leading such a feisty group!

Although looking content at the dinner on Saturday night - appearances can be deceptive - we were exhausted.

Day three was a solid round of workshops. With Book Week in August - and librarians and teachers gearing up for the theme 'One World Many Stories', the focus was on sharing new material and storytelling methodologies.


Pictured is Helen Lawry (South Australia) who
kicked off the day. She taught us three new stories and shared her method of memorising. SImultaneously, Gael Cresp worked with a small group of tellers demonstrating the role of story coach. Helen was followed by Jenni Woodroffe (WA) who explained how retellings of traditional tales had been used as a springboard to bookmaking in a primary school setting. Montgomery Kelly (SA) shared his approach to telling to small children and his new book Out of the Storytellers Hat. This is a wonderful new resource for us all. Finally Jackie Kerin (Vic) introduced her kamishibai and demonstrated how she is using it to spread tales in markets, festivals and schools.

On behalf of the Vic Guild, thank you to South Australia for your hospitality and to all the IT organisers who fought off the gremlins and helped facilitate a brilliant discussion on the the advancement of storytelling in Australia.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Gael Cresp. Storyteller and Author. Storytelling Guild Victoria


Storyteller Gael Cresp
Gael tells a mix of traditional tales, modern stories she has written and heavily adapted versions of old stories.

She works with children of all ages, parents, other adults, teachers, early education workers, health care professionals and large corporations entertaining and training.

Programs are designed around the needs of the listener.


Ph: 03 9569 6149

Storytelling Coaching
What do you want to know about your storytelling?

After storytelling for over 30 years I realized there were things I needed to know about my performance, specific questions I had about my process and delivery, so I began to look into the literature on developing one ' s storytelling and methods of teaching others how to develop theirs.

My methods are firmly rooted in the needs of the storyteller and I attempt to address the tellers ' direct and expressed wishes.

Individuals or Groups, in person or via Telephone or Skype. Confidential assistance.


BOOKS

The Biography of Gilbert Alexander Pig. (Cygnet/Benchmark, 1999 & Puffin, 2001)
and as The Tale of Gilbert Alexander Pig by Barefoot Books 2000. (UK & GB)




























Fish for Breakfast (A Windy Hollow Book, Benchmark, 2002)
$15 each (inc GST and Postage)

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Book a storyteller for Book Week. August 20 - 26 2011

Storytelling Guild Vic has a stable of experienced professional and voluntary storytellers and authors who will visit schools across Victoria. These are Storytellers who specialise in the practice of oral traditions and the links between oral literature and books.

No two Storytellers are the same. It's not too late to book for Book Week.

Learn more about our Storytellers and how to contact them.




Book Week, which celebrated its 65thbirthday in 2010, is the longest running children's festival in Australia.

Each year, many schools and public libraries from all over Australia spend a week celebrating books, Australian authors and illustrators. Classroom teachers, teacher librarians and public librarians develop activities, offer competitions and tell stories relating to a theme to highlight the importance of reading.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

The Storytelling Guild SA Gathering: 28 July - 30 2011

The Storytelling Guild SA is delighted to announce


If on winters night ... An evening of stories that wil transfix, delight and move. Storytellers from around the country are in Adelaide for a one off performance

Where: Church of the Trinity 318 Goodwood Road Clarence Park.
When: Friday 28 July gather some friends and share an evening with a difference.
Cost: $20.00 will get you in, a
gourmet supper and a glass of wine.
Tickets: Ruth 8340 8521 or email ruthrcar52@yahoo.com.au

On a winter's day ... Workshops for anyone who is interested in telling to children.

Learn the tricks of the trade and come away with 3 stories to tell, find the hidden treasures at 398.2 in your library, tell multi-dimential, multicultural stories to little ones and experience a Japanese style of storytelling the Australain way.
An opportunity to learn from the best just in time for Children's Book Week preparation.

When: 10am - 5.30pm Sunday July 31
Where: Majory Black House SACOSS 47 King William Road Unley (rear enterance).
Cost: $80.00 ... 4 workshops from experinced and awarded Storytellers, a years membership to The Storytelling Guild of Australia (SA) Inc., lunch and morning and afternoon tea as well as sharing time with people who are passionate about story.

For further information and registration forms:
Ruth 8340 8521 or email ruthrcar52@yahoo.com.au

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Matteo. Mentone Public Library, 30 July 2011

Mentone Public Subscription Library requests the pleasure of your company for the next instalment of An Author for All Seasons.

Our author talk series aims to introduce the Mentone and City of Kingston community with local, published authors in an intimate, friendly setting.

Next in the series is local folk story-teller and musician Matteo, who will be weaving his tales from the great tradition of Grimm’s and the cauldron of his own imagination at the library on Saturday, 30th July 2011 at 11am.

Entry is by gold coin donation. Matteo will be selling and signing his published works on conclusion of his presentation.

Bookings essential :

RSVP by: Friday, 22nd July 2011

Enquiries and Bookings, Please Contact:

  • Mrs. Jean Critchley – President 9584 2068
  • Ms. Sue Blackford – Secretary 9583 5648
  • Ms. Julia Reichstein – Publicity Jmrei1978@hotmail.com

Location: Rear of the Community Assistance and Information Bureau,

36 Florence Street, Mentone.

Learn more about: Matteo

Glen Eira Storytelling Festival. 11-26 August 2011.

Glen Eira Storytelling Festival
The Glen Eira Storytelling Festival is a new annual event produced by Glen Eira City Council. The event aims to celebrate storytelling through writing, film, visual art, music and performance and will be held from 11-26 August 2011.

The Glen Eira Storytelling Festival will also incorporate the ‘My Brother Jack Literary Competition’. The competition will open 11 August and close Friday 16 September, with the awards event held Sunday 23 October.

Poetry readings, improvisation performances, workshops, open mic sessions in local cafes, a literary lunch featuring Melbourne author Kerry Greenwood (Phryne Fisher mysteries), feature film screenings, children’s story time sessions and much more will make this an annual event not to be missed!
Open Mic
Held in three fantastic Glen Eira cafes, the Open Mic sessions will run for approximately two hours and be hosted by local entertainers, Janet McLeod and Russell Fletcher.

Readings/performances are limited to 10 minutes so everyone has a chance to participate.

Sunday 14 August, 3pm - Mr Burch, McKinnon

Sunday 21 August, 3pm - Mr Burch, McKinnon


Wednesday 17 August, 7pm - Goat House Café, Elsternwick

Wednesday 24 August, 7pm - Goat House Café, Elsternwick

Friday 19 August, 7pm - Santucci’s Café, Carnegie

Saturday 13 August, 7pm - Santucci’s Café, Carnegie

Saturday 20 August, 7pm - Santucci’s Café, Carnegie


Campfire Stories - Hosted by Janet McLeod
Thursday 25 August 6pm (Duration: Approx two hours)
FREE
Do you remember sitting around the campfire telling stories? Well come and relive those special times with your friends, family and community neighbours at Carnegie Library Forecourt. Hosted by a special guest storyteller, there will be a sausage sizzle, gas heating, hot and cold drinks (no alcohol please) and plenty of stories to keep everyone entertained.
So bring along your tall tales, true stories and maybe even your guitar and join in an evening of reminiscing
and merriment.

Improvisation storytelling workshop with Russell Fletcher
Sunday 21 August, 1pm (Duration: three hours)
Caulfield Park Pavillion
$20-25


Veteran comic improviser Russell Fletcher has taught improvisation workshops throughout Australia. His workshop will cover fundamental storytelling exercises for individuals, pairs, small groups and the whole group, and narrative styles and structures suited to improvised performance:
I see the job of an improviser as not only being entertaining, but to create satisfying stories on the spot. At worst you can still have a lot of fun. At its best, both the audience andthe performers can have a magic experience. Above all in this workshop, its crucial participants have a good time. That is the key element of improvisation!

BOOK ONLINE HERE


Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Newport Folk Festival: WORDS WORDS WORDS

This little festival has gone from strength to strength. Celebrating musicians, visual artists, writers and spoken word.

WORDS is an event dedicated to the wordsmiths in the community and guests, inviting them to step up to the mic and share their creative adventures.

Organised for the Newport Folk Club by Storytelling Vic - this is a mix of poetry, songs, recitation and traditional storytelling.

Pictured here at the mic is Lee Fox sharing with us her newest book for children Ella Kazoo Will Not Go To Sleep (illustrated by Cathy Wilcox). If you are following tales about Kamishibai storytelling in Victoria, Lee is another enthusiast of this style of story making.

Jan (Yarn) Wositzky stepped up with a comic piece. Later that evening Jan performed with the Bushwackers and Bullockies Bush Band in the Newport Substation to finally launch a cd they recorded 37 years ago! The Shearer's Dream.

JB Rowley, author and Vic Guild Storyteller told the story of Scheherazade. Scheherazade is the frame story for One Thousand and One Nights. This title is so familiar but few of us have heard the story and JB tells it masterfully.



See more pictures of the Festival and share some of the fun: Newport Folk Festival

Bushwackers and Bullockies: The Shearer's Dream CD and downloads available: here.

Willow and Bazaar Tales Storytelling


Willow Tales and Bazaar Tales brings together some of Australia’s best storytelling comedians, musicians, writers, poets, taxi drivers, journalists and eccentrics to tell their very best tales.








Upcoming dates and themes:

Willow Tales 28th Feb: LIFE AND DEATH
Bazaar Tales 5th Mar: THE FIRST TIME
Bazaar Tales 19th Mar: PARENTS

Willow Tales 28th Mar ON THE STAGE
Willow Takes 25th Apr: NOT AS IT SEEMS


WILLOW TALES
8:30pm Last Thursday of every month.
Willow Bar
222 High st
Northcote

BAZAAR TALES
8:30pm First and Third Tuesday of every month
HORSE BAZAAR
397 Little Lonsdale st
Melbourne



Join the Willow Tales and Bazaar Tales Storytelling Facebook group for more info.

Rocket Clock Story Slam: “Fears and Phobias”

We’re looking for stories of the daunting, the spine tingling and the terrifying. Great heights, confined spaces or creepy crawlies. The fear of failure, flying or clowns. Facing your fears or freezing on the spot.

Pre-register your intent to tell by emailing rocketclockss@gmail.com, or register on the night. Everyone is welcome to come along and listen, laugh, drink, cheer & weep.

Wednesday July 13, 2011
Doors open 7.30pm; slam kicks off 8.30pm.

Tickets:
$5 pre-sale (+ $2 booking fee) or $8 on the door. Book tickets now via the Bella Union website:
http://www.bellaunion.com.au/ticketing/show_367/.

Bella Union
Level 1, Trades Hall
Corner of Victoria & Lygon Streets
Carlton South

What is Rocket Clock?

Rocket Clock is a monthly story slam competition. Ten people each have five minutes to tell a story around a particular theme. Judges in the audience rate each story on both content and performance. Everyone has a great time.

More info:

rocketclock.com.au
Rocket Clock on Twitter
Rocket Clock on Facebook