Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Storytelling at the Newport Folk Festival: an OPEN FLOOR, a presentation and a storytime for tiny tots: 3 - 5 July 2015


Storytelling Australia Vic has been hosting sessions at the Newport Folk Festival since it all began.

OPEN FLOOR: You’re invited. Saturday 4 July 6.00pm – 8.00pm

This is an invitation for storytellers of all kinds, the raconteur, folk teller and bush poet. This year Stories by the Fire will be hosted by Teena Hartnett and Ian McNally with a team of tellers from Storytelling Australia Victoria and members of the Newport Fiddle & Folk Club. Come and put your name on the board and join us by the fire. Cake and chai are a signature of this event. We ask that stories be 8 minutes or less so we can share as many as possible. We welcome ‘first timers’. 

*Arrive early to get your name on the board and avoid disappointment.


Thank you to all the previous MCs who have hosted this event: Matteo, Niki na Meadhra and Kate Lawrence, you are the people who put the spark into the evening. And thanks to those who tell as well as help with the washing up, especially JJ Sheills who always spends a large part of the evening with a tea towel in hand!

Our chai is donated every year by SAV member, Claudette D’Cruz from No Worries Curries.



THE MAHABHARATA ADVENTURE: Sunday 5 July 2.00pm - 3.00pm



With songs, stories, visual art, film, poetry and spices, The Mahabharata Adventure is a celebration and exploration of one of the world’s greatest stories. 'The Adventure' is the brainchild of Jackie Kerin and Gerry Nelson from Storytelling Australia Victoria and includes SAV members Peter Fernon and Lana Woolf as well as members of the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club and others.

This project grew out an idea to create a learning space for storytellers to broaden and deepen their knowledge of ancient stories. Initially an open Group set up on Facebook, the Australian participants were quickly joined by storytellers from Singapore, Indonesia, India and America. Truly a global adventure!


Claudette has also donated some spicy surprises for The Mahabharata Adventure.

STORY TIME FOR TINY TOTS Friday 3 July 9.30am – 10.15am

Songs, rhymes and stories for little people and their big friends with Jackie and Dharma. These two met at the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club almost 10 years ago and formed an instant bond learning from each other, swapping ideas and songs. They both love telling stories with, and for, the very young.





Newport Folk Festival: Full program details (times, venues, artists): HERE