Season-end Review: Once Upon A Slam

by Gail Anglin

The first glorious season of Once Upon a Slam came to a smashing finale Saturday night, June 25th, at the Mercury Lounge. With the disco ball sparkling and DJ Rusty's music cranking up the crowd, excitement over the coming performance by the winners of the monthly contests mounted. Ruthanne Edward, the series' founder and Slam Master, looking the height of 1940's chic in a dress of blue with large white polka dots and contrasting red jewellery and cute little pumps, explained the evening's format and hosted the event with her usual cheeky charm. This was a night of champions - each teller showing her or his distinctive style, each delighting the audience and challenging the judges to weigh one great story against another. Tellers Kathryn Hunt. Phil Nagy, Kim Kilpatrick, David Merleau, David Hickey, Danielle KL Gregoire, Ron Langton, Robin Le William-North told (and in one case, sang) every possible type of story from true personal stories to untrue personal stories, from science fiction fantasy to traditional tales. The crowd responded to the tellings with gasps, cheers, snapped fingers, and laughter. Every listener was certain that if the judges were any good, the scores would tally up to a win for their personal favourite of the evening. In a surprise climax, two contestants were declared the winner - Co-champions David (Hobbes) Hickey and Danielle KL Gregoire, with Ron Langton capturing third place.

(Editor: I thought this would be a good place to entertain you with a story that was recorded on June 25th at the Once Upon A Slam. Entitled Vacation, just click to listen to this 5 minute story)

If you've been to a Slam before, you know how much fun it is; if you haven't you'll have a chance soon to take in a historical slam on August 25th at the Bytown Museum. Once Upon a Slam takes a two-month holiday and resumes in September on the last Friday of the month. ($7, slammers free).

Yellowknife in Review

by Donna Stewart

Just over a month ago, well after midnight, I stepped off an airplane into sunshine. I had arrived in Yellowknife, the home of the midnight sun, for the 19th annual SC-CC conference. A van from the Explorer Hotel was waiting for us, and drove us straight to the center of activities. Not that all the delegates stayed there, but here we ate, and assembled for transport to a number of activities.

Many of the attendees stayed in private homes. The local supporters of the Woman's Shelter offered a bed to anyone who made a donation. On Thursday morning there was a communications Workshop offered to those who were interested in ways to promote their organisation and the art of storytelling across Canada. That evening the conference began. Buses were available to take everyone to the Northern Heritage Centre. Upstairs there was a welcome, introductions, and updates, refreshments and socialization. Then downstairs for the story launch, followed by stories from the four corners. For this the tellers were chosen by draw (when you registered your name was put in box of north, south, east, west). The four drawn were asked to tell a story celebrating their direction.

The StorySave CD launched this year was Lorne Brown. And well worth buying.

The next three days each began with a story. A morning of business, the afternoon and evening were workshops and story (some in the Northern Heritage Centre, some in Sir John Franklin High school, others in Northern United Place). Finally We ended the program with a telling around a campfire (which was not lit because of possible fire hazard) on the beach at Great Slave Lake,. Long days with blue skies, warm temperatures, marvellous organization, food included in the registration fee, friendly helpful volunteers, good telling, and the best ever workshops all made this one of the best conferences I have ever attended. And surprisingly one of the cheapest.

SC-CC Conference Review

by Ruth Stewart-Verger

The Yellowknife 2011 Storynorth SC-CC Conference was amazing. The participants came away feeling good about the conference, good about SC-CC and good about the North. What could be better?

Ben Nind brought the conference to Yellowknife because he believes strongly in the power of Narrative-of Story. He encourages the people of the north to use that power. By telling one's own story, the story of one's history, one's experiences, one's legends, one's heroes and even the villains, one begins to see the interweaving themes, the over-arching connections. When others listen to that story in an environment of respect, one feels empowered. That confidence encourages more storytelling.

As Ben Nind says - storytelling is a very powerful, political action. An action that leaders in government and corporations of the North are beginning to notice. During the conference government officials, leaders of native organizations and local politicians all "checked in" to see how the conference was going… how it was received by the northerners, how the southerners were responding.

We were there to bear witness, to hear the stories of the north, to acknowledge the value of these stories.

And the stories! We heard Patrick Scott tell of the power of story --- of how, by telling their stories during the Berger commission's hearings on the McKenzie Delta pipeline, the people of the north changed government and corporate policies and actions. We heard Ivan Coyote's stories of growing up a Yukoner. Michael Kusugak told us adventures his family experienced living in igloos and hide tents on the eastern tundra. We laughed at the antics of Grandma Susie (Sharon Shorty) from Whitehorse. Scott McQueen regaled us with dogsled races and treks across the ice and snow. Rene Fumoleau shared memories of living north of '60 for more than six decades. We were amazed by John B. Zoe's eloquent and articulate story of the 2000 year history of the Dene. John B. Zoe's story started at the time when animals and humans could talk the same language and change shape. He drew for us a picture of the events and the land that shaped his people. He ended with a hint of tomorrow; a hint of hope for this earth of ours.

Elora Braden, daughter of Pat Braden, is the Young Storyteller Scholarship winner. We got to hear her tell in the Next Generation Conference and got to know her at the events and meals. Elora is studying theatre in Vancouver this year-so all you in B.C. be on the look out for her! I heard it repeated several times over the 5 days in Yellowknife: "the next generation of tellers are our future".

The midnight sun was exhilarating. May in Yellowknife, and we stood on the beach of Long Lake, the night time sun shining brighter than home in Ottawa during the day. The rugged Canadian Shield was awe-inspiring. We climbed huge boulders and were dived bombed by terns. The food was delicious. There was Arctic Char, Salmon, Musk Ox, bowls overflowing with fruit, choice selection of vegetables and legumes, and dozens of pastries. It was a treat to have a 5-star chef and fully staffed kitchen on site!

And the people, well it is the people that make me want to come to each and every conference. I will be there in Montreal.

Organisational Review: April 20, 2011

A number of OST members met at the Ottawa Arts Council board room, in Arts Court. The topic for deliberation: increasing and diversifying the audience for storytelling. Tara from Strategic Moves lead the discussion. The discussion described the present audience by venue: the Tea Party, the Fourth Stage, the Swap and Ruthanne's Once Upon A Slam. One of the questions asked was which audiences might like storytelling, for example: theatre, folk arts, festival fringe, literary arts, and spoken word audiences. This lead to the possibility at directing information to these possible cross over audiences. As well, OST has participated in questionnaires about storytelling, and so far, the reviews have been good. So, Storytelling can grow. It is an artform that can be appreciated, and that means the potential for larger audiences. As well, there is a strategy coming together as to which audiences that are out there already can be reach out to effectively.

Tea Party: April 12, 2011

The first Tuesday in April saw Mary Wiggin and Phil Nagy telling tales about the Frozen Thames. It was the night of the English portion of the election debate. Just around the block were parked the campaign buses with the face of their leaders painted on the sides. In spite of the big four and the televised debate, our amazing duo presented well delivered stories to a fully filled room. No cup half empty on this night.

The Fourth Stage: Jan and Jennifer

With Jan Andrews and Jennifer Cayley we have come to expect an artistically entertaining show. This was an evening of love stories harvested from a number of sources, the bible, poetry, and literature. And then there was broccoli. This one story had the audience roaring with laughter.