Martin Jefferd in Melbourne: February 2013

 Once again Storytellling Australia (Vic) had the pleasure of hearing Martin Giffard (UK storyteller) tell stories.

Martin and Christine have a very good reason to visit Melbourne regularly as their grandchildren live here.

Our Storytellers are so scattered across Victoria, its hard for us to meet but we were able to combine our AGM with an informal story share to fit in with Martin's schedule.

Its wonderful to hear what folk have been up to and their plans for 2013. As we so rarely have the chance to enjoy each others skills, this kind of relax exchange is a treat.

Martin shared two masterfully crafted stories with us and then it was our pleasure to decamp to DeGraves Street, drink a little wine and hear more about the storytellers in the UK and Bristol in particular.

With luck, Martin will return next year. If so, I think we should try for a real celebratory Story night!

Thank you Martin - you're in inspiration. 

Safe travel and best wishes from your storytelling friends in Australia.

Announcing Two Conferences of Folk Belief & the Supernatural: Shetland (UK) in March 2014

Usually information about about conferences is shared via our Facebook but this looked so interesting I've posted it on our blog as well.

The Island Dynamics organisation is putting on a pair of interconnected conferences in Shetland in March 2014 concerning folk belief and the supernatural.

“Folk Belief and Traditions of the Supernatural: Experience, Place, Ritual, and Narrative”, 25-30 March 2014, Shetland, UK

Web: www.islandynamics.org/folkloreconference.html

This innovative conference explores the nature of folk belief and supernatural experience through a series of excursions into the remote communities of the North Isles of the Shetland archipelago. Our small, international group of delegates will speak with tradition bearers and visit sites of local legend. The final days of the conference will be spent in Shetland’s main town of Lerwick, where conference presentations will take place alongside those of “The Supernatural in Literature and Film” conference (below). Due to the unusual nature of this event, if you are interested in attending, it is necessary for you to register and reserve a space as soon as possible. This conference is a collaboration of the Folklore Society, Indiana University’s Department of Folklore & Ethnomusicology, and Nanzan University’s Anthropological Institute.

“The Supernatural in Literature and Film: Ghosts, Fairies, Aliens, Vampires, Monsters, and Demons”, 29-31 March 2014, Shetland, UK

Web: www.islanddynamics.org/supernatural-2014.html

This conference will bring together researchers and practitioners to discuss the role of the supernatural in books and movies, past and present, worldwide. The opening days of the conference will consist of conference presentations to a mixed audience of academics and non-academics. These presentations will take place alongside those of “Folk Belief and Traditions of the Supernatural” (above). On the final day of the conference, delegates will take a storyteller-led tour of some of Shetland stunning sites of natural and cultural heritage. The final deadline for abstracts is 1 October 2013, but to take advantage of early registration rates, you must submit your abstract by 1 June 2013 at the latest.

If you have any questions about either of these events, please check out the websites or e-mail me at agrydehoj@islanddynamics.org.

All the best,
Adam Grydehøj,
Director of Island Dynamics

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A STORYTELLING ADVENTURE IN HAWAII? July 2013

CALLING ALL STORYTELLERS

       ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A STORYTELLING

       ADVENTURE IN HAWAII THIS SUMMER?

YES? We would LOVE to include visiting mainland storytellers in our 3^rd Annual Talk Story Camp (right on the edge of Windward Oahu).  Come as a camper, or apply as a featured guest performer/teacher and contribute. Either way,         You’ll never see and hear Hawaii like this again!

It’s now a fact- it WILL happen! I am sharing this fact with you and invite you to plan to attend.

    A narrative & photos from last year at  www.talkstorycamp.com

So What’s Camp Cost? Dunno yet, but it’ll be cheap to attend. And we will organize excursions before & after as well,

EXAMPLE: We’ll  likely do a group Spooky Tales Show at Kailua Park for TEENS on Monday, July 22, 6-8:30pm

We will take guests to local museums if visitors are interested. Polynesian Culture Center is nearby. We also visited local farms one year and hiked. We arranged performances in Summer Fun Programs one year too. There are Bed & Breakfasts nearby, and Waikiki is 30-45 minutes away for those who don’t enjoy the thought of beachfront camping.

Structure: I don’t know (yet exactly), but it will mix a choice of organized sessions (adults and for kids)(story with crafts, story learning, story swaps, local and visiting talents) with common meals, Imu (stone cooked dinner) dinner Saturday night, canoe rides each day, and free time (swim!). We do have families as well as storytelling enthusiasts. So if you want to add your name to the talent pool for this programming, let me know!

Want to be considered as a Featured Guest Teller/Teacher? If you want to offer a workshop, have a specialty (storytelling or puppetry or story craft or nature walk)(kids and or kid/adults andor for adults) tell me about it. Speak up.

Send me to a website, YouTube, whatever you have to introduce me to your work and tell me what you want to offer.

We pay featured performers what we can: a gorgeous long weekend on the beach, with local talents and families in

a camp right on the beach where we ‘talk story’. We can cover your camp and food at camp and some of your on-island transport and possibly some housing before & after, OK? Bring your own tent if you can.

Basically, fly yourself here and we’ll help with the rest.

For Both of the past two years our Featured Guest Tellers were Gene Tagaban, Lyn Ford, Linda Yemoto

So just send me a note on what you are thinking. More details will be shared with those expressing interest.

Speak up and let me know you are curious/interested/enthusiastic and pack you swimsuit!

Aloha,

Jeff Gere

www.jeffgere.com

Cock and Bull host two storytelling nights in different locations around Melbourne. 2013

Cock and Bull host two storytelling nights in different locations around Melbourne. There’s a good chance there is one near you!

Cock and Bull brings together some of Australia’s best storytelling comedians, musicians, writers, poets, taxi drivers, journalists and eccentrics to tell their very best tales based on a different theme each show.

Cock and Bull (Fitzroy)

Bazaar Tales (City) 

More info about Cock and Bull: HERE

If you wish to tell a story, please contact Cock and Bull on Facebook or at podcast@cockandbull.com.au. 

You can also contact the individual event pages on Facebook.

Join the Cock and Bull Facebook page for locations, dates, times and themes:

https://www.facebook.com/cockandbullpodcast

And ... check out the podcast: 

https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/the-cock-and-bull/id628237052

Jackie kerin. Eastern Regional Libraries: Belgrave Literary Lunch. 28 February 2013

I'm looking forward to travelling to the Dandenongs and sharing the story behind the story of one of the first lyrebirds filmed and recorded in display. I also plan to show off Storytelling Australia (Vic's) new banner, designed and stitched by Susan Pepper.

Lyrebird! A true story is close to my heart and is part of a collection of original Tellable Australian Tales. These stories are in oral language for use by story makers working in the spoken tradition. I dream of these tales being told and spread around the world ... well we all have dreams ...

As well as stories, I will be showing a film which contains archival footage of my lyebird protagonist, taken in the 1930s by Ray Littlejohns.

Jackie K


Literary Lunch – Meet Jackie Kerin 

Jackie Kerin is a gifted storyteller whose presentations are loved by children and adults alike. Her book Phar Lap the Wonder Horse was selected as a notable book in the Children’s Book Awards. 

When Jackie came across the story of flower farmer, Edith Wilkinson and her garden guest James the lyrebird, she just had to share the story. The result was a prize winning short story which became a short film and then a children’s book published by Museum Victoria. 

This is an opportunity to hear a magical story which is part of the rich heritage of the Dandenongs. 

Cost $12.50 includes lunch 

Bookings essential 9754 7266 or online

When
12:30 pm Thursday 28/02/13

Where
Belgrave Library

Cost
$12.50

Book now!

Transforming Writers Festival in Warburton March 7-10, 2013

Warburton, a pristine river town in the Upper Yarra Valley, will host first-time event ‘Transforming Writers’ this March.

With a focus on writing and expression that supports personal and social change and development, and an emphasis on community, interdependence and collaboration, this series of weekend workshops will appeal to anyone interested in enhancing their own writing and storytelling skills for both personal and professional development. Participants will be of varied backgrounds and experiences and no writing experience is required.

Transforming Writers is the first event of its kind and seeks to build a sense of belonging and genre for writers whose focus is transforming in nature and fosters change, for example in areas of environment, social justice, community and spirituality. Co-founder Lindy Schneider says, ‘Transforming Writers touches on both the way writing is able to transform us as people, and on the power of our words to transform others.’

Simon Oats

ATT: Of particular interest to storytellers working in the oral tradition will be Simon Oats. Simon is an acclaimed storyteller, musician, actor and teacher and a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts. His most recent storytelling show “Orpheus in the Underworld” has been acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. He is the author of Storytelling for Intercultural Connections – A Handbook for Australian Schools.

INFORMATION SPECIFIC LINKS (for full information):

Website www.transformingwriters.com.au

•  Stories that heal with Dr Lewis Mehl-Madrona

•  Liberating the story with Dr Lewis Mehl-Madrona, Dr Rocky Crocker and Barbara Mainguy

•  The Rhythm of Writing with Murray Goodchild

•  Writing from Depth and Mystery with Maya Ward

•  The Elements of Storytelling with Simon Oats

•  Transformational Writing with Keith Simons