Rocket Clock story slam: November 10 Trades Hall

FYI: Rocket Clock story slam Wednesday 10 November

Theme: Close Shaves stories of near misses, close encounters and brushes with fame/death/anything else. It’s time to tell that story about that thing that almost happened … but didn’t.

Time: 5 mins

Check out: October slam winner, Matt Burgan in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0AwF92oFW4

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

Free entry. Doors open 7.30pm. Slam kicks off 8pm.

Support Rocket Clock - let's make it a happening thang and there will be stories every month at the Bella Union throughout 2011!

Matteo

Matteo is a Vic Storyteller from way back.

In the style of the Court Jester or Fool, Matteo's artistic career has led him to paint pictures with words, mime, sound effects, improvisation, fun, music and humour. He views his art as an interactive sport, where audiences are encouraged to participate and be part of the story. He works with small children (4yrs) through to adults.

His advantage – he is doing what he loves!

Types of Stories:

• Old Wonder Tales, such as Grimm's Fairy Tales made humorous
• Adventure Stories with male/female heroes
• Fairy Stories, old and new
• Animal tales
• Scary stories (for Hallowe'en, for example)
• Thematic and instructive stories, like emergency situations or Purim
• Stories of spirit and heart
• Drawing stories 

Types of Clients:

• Primary Schools 
• Art Galleries 
• City Councils  
• Kindergartens
• Libraries
• Festivals

  

Bookings:

matubrem@yahoo.com.au

0412 7658 92

Pics of Matteo were taken at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery 2010

Enjoy the magic of Matteo ....

jb Rowley, David Demant and Jackie Kerin celebrate with Western Union Writers

Its 25 years since three Werribbee writers got together and began what is now Western Union Writers group.

Pic: jb in conversation with Margaret Campbell a prolific writer, editor and the coordinator of Western Union Young Writers

The Vic Guild was invited to celebrate the Union's anniversary, join in the feasting and entertain with a story or three.

Jb, David Demant and myself rose to the challenge - sharing a variety of tales.

Jb began with her story - an adaptation of the short story,The Last Leaf by O'Henry. This tale set off a train of memories for Wolf Heidecker. Wolf grew up in Germany and remembered reading The Last Leaf as a little boy in school in Germany. Wolf has been in Australia since 1997 working as a producer, director, actor and singer. Wolf has a production coming up at La Mamma in November http://www.lamama.com.au/ (click on Spring programs Foxholes of the Mind)

David followed with two short tales involving food - Honey Cake and Sardines. David has a terrific sense of humour and dry wit. These two tales have biographical links that give his listeners clues to a unique past.

And I followed with my tale about a lyrebird called James. The Lyre is the symbol for the Vic Guild - there is a connection in my mind.

This writers group is inspirational - the way in which they support each other, their breadth of vision and imagination.

A table displaying the published works of the Western Union was groaning under the weight - a truly astonishing testament to the group's energy. We were also invited to add our books to the mix.

Thankyou to Helen Cerne, Bronwen Hickmen and all the writers who made us feel so welcome and for their generous support of the Vic Storytelling Guild.

Helen is a small independent publisher http://www.vanarkpress.com/

Jackie K

David signing copies of his book The First Computer Mouse

Christine Carlton (NSW) visits Victoria

Christine Carlton is in Melbourne for Celebrating Story: Bringing People and Work to Life.

The conference is about:

Seeking new (or old) ways to help bring meaningful connection, relationship and work to fruition within the workplace and beyond
• Interested in learning more about the many and diverse ways of working with story and narrative across business, community and government
•A story or narrative practitioner in any guise.

Christine has this to say about stories: Stories are the storehouses of meaning. Whether stories are told around the campfire, in the pub, at the kitchen table or in the staff room, boardroom or waiting for a bus, they contain all that is in life – the humorous and sad, the real and imaginary, the simple and complex. Everyone is a keeper of stories and some stories are just waiting to be told.

When Christine knew she was coming to Melbourne she checked out the Vic Guild blog and decided to make a night of it at the Rocket Clock Story Slam at Trades Hall.

Welcome to our beautiful city Christine.

For more info on the conference:

www.babelfishgroup.com/files/CelebratingStoryConference.pdf

NB. Victorian storyteller and writer Julie Perrin is also presenting at the conference. Visit our archives storytellingguildvic.blogspot.com/2010/09/julie-perrin-restoring-world-re.html

Rocket Clock: Time to Tell. So how was it? ......

So how was the inaugural Rocket Clock Story Slam?

It went off with a BANG! The Bella Union Bar at Trades Hall was packed with nervous storytellers and their supporters. With five minutes to tell a story, a theme (Firsts) and places for 10 tellers - names were drawn out of a hat and the list placed under the board. Three judges rated the stories out of ten and the winner was rewarded with a free ticket to a Fringe music event.

Rocket Clock is a gentle good hearted evening, no heckling, attentive listeners (despite being in a bar). The tellers are required to take to the stage under the lights, use a mic and the room is dim, so folk used to seeing faces may take a second or two to feel at home.

Storytellers had a variety of styles in both the telling and the content; some had a stand-up feel, some where less structured - more like a string of anecdotes, some tales were self deprecating, some transcendent. Men, women and folk of all ages had a crack at a story.

There are so many ways to celebrate the art of the storyteller and Rocket Clock has brought something new to town for you all to enjoy. Be comfortable to turn up on your own, its a friendly crowd and you will be absorbed into the night, share a table and maybe make a new story friend. Parking is good all around Town Hall.

Sooo there you have it ... no excuses ... go along and enjoy.

To keep up to date with Rocket Clock vists their website http://rocketclock.com.au/. You can also follow developments on facebook and Twitter

Anne E Stewart: Q'ld State Library October 15

Anne E Stewart is preparing to head north again. This time she will be working at the State Library of Queensland Storytelling Workshop with Anne E Stewart Friday 15th October 2010 10.00am – 1.00pm When Anne E Stewart started telling stories over 30 years ago it was all about developing a love of language and literature in young readers. But over the years she came to realise that storytelling caters to all ages and is an important tool for sharing cultural understanding, reflecting issues of social justice and supporting the unique makeup of various Australian communities. In this workshop Anne will talk about these aspects while providing practical advice on developing programs for libraries. She will tell of the knowledge she has garnered working with indigenous stories and offer protocols she has developed over many years. The basics of storytelling will be explained and supported by an exploration of various libraries and their unique resources and clientele. Anne is passionate and enthusiastic about her work and will inspire participants to develop their own storytelling skills and programs. “Not a clever sharing of the mind alone, but rather a sharing of heart and spirit” Ruth Sawyer The Way of the Storyteller Anne will also be part of the State Library of Queensland – Stories in the Parkland marquee at the Queensland Multicultural Festival, Sunday 17th October 2010, Roma Street Parkland. When - Friday 15th October, 2010 Where - The Studio, Level 1 - State Library of Queensland Time - 10.00am – 1.00pm (the workshop will be followed by lunch) Cost - Free RSVP to Lyn Thompson by the 8th October 2010. lyn.thompson@slq.qld.gov.au Ph: 07 3842 9979

Kamishibai : Storytelling

Chris Downes, Sarah Howell, Ben Hutchings, Jo Waite,

and Bernard Caleo.

To learn more about these comic artists http://www.cardigancomics.com/

These guys are enriching our ideas about storytelling by combining spoken tales with comic art in the style of the Japanese kamishibai storytellers. Last night was the launch of their show. Kids in Berlin was packed with a crowd of storytelling and comic art enthusiasts. Hopefully these pics will tempt you to visit the exhibition or better still the performances ( check dates below).

At: Kids in Berlin, 472 Victoria Street, North

Melbourne

Exhibition: from Tuesday 28 September until Sunday 10 October (yes it goes past the Fringe dates)

Opening night: Tuesday 28 September, 6 - 8pm

Performances: Tuesdays 28 September, 5 October, 12 October, 6 - 8pm

FREE!

Bernard Caleo in full flight