Blogging

Jan Andrews has a blog wherein she shares her thoughts about a diversity of topics ranging from the Odyssey to Alan Shain. Take a moment and visit.

Call For Proposals For 2012 Conference

by Stephanie Beneteau

Dear friends,

The 20th annual Storytellers of Canada-Conteurs du Canada conference is happening in Montreal on August 1st to 5th, 2012. The first conference was in Montreal twenty years ago so we are hoping to make this conference very special! We are calling for proposals for workshops during the conference. The workshops will be in blocks of 150 minutes (two and a half hours). They can address a wide variety of topics including marketing, voice, audience development, repertoire and other professional improvement topics. There will be an honorarium for the workshop leaders, but travel, lodging and conference fees remain the responsibility of the participants. We remind you that you must be a member of SC-CC to give a workshop during the conference.

Please send your proposals to sccc2012@gmail.com before September 15th, 2011. Your proposal should include a title, objectives, a brief write-up for the program and a longer write-up for the programming committee to get a sense of the subject and methods of presentation. Please include a professional cv as well. Any technical requirements should also be specified, as well as the maximum number of participants you could accept in the workshop. We will attempt to answer everybody who sends us a proposal but cannot promise to get back to everybody if a large number of proposals are received.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Ask an Author

While attending the Fourth Stage performances, I sometimes ask random individuals for a few words about the telling. This particular audience member turned out to be an author. Her name is Heather Menzies and she is the author of ten books. I asked her a few questions.

To listen to the interview, click here.

A new Story Series by the Ottawa Storytellers: Free Thursday Evening Programming at the Bytowne Museum

Ottawa has many stories to tell! The murder of Thomas D'Arcy McGee, the Stoney Monday riots and the fire at the Booth Lumberyard to name a few. We are pleased to host a Story Series by the Ottawa Storytellers as part of our free Thursday night programming this summer.

• July 7 - Ruthanne Edward and Gail Anglin.
• July 21 - Ruth Stewart-Verger, Donna Stewart and Kim Kilpatrick
• August 4 - Ruthanne Edward and Kim Kilpatrick
• August 18 - Ruth Stewart Verger, Donna Stewart and Gail Anglin.

This has also been written up by the blog known as Apt613. Click for more information.

Face Time

Yes, OST has a Facebook page. It is simple to log into, and join. Then you can share information, gossip, opinions, with other like minded tellers.

Jo Maple, in season

Just before Robert Levigne stepped into his character of Jo Maple one evening at The Tea Party, I asked him a few questions. To listen to the interview, click here.

Not taking it for grant-ed

by Kim Kilpatrick

Hi there, Last year around this time, I applied for a big grant from Canada Council for the Arts to create a 1.5 hour storytelling performance piece about growing up blind and the adventures therein. Anyway, I didn't get the grant.

But, a couple of months ago, while meeting with Canada Council staff about accessibility of the forms etc., they said, "Were you highly recommended for a grant?" I had been, twice. Anyway, at the end of the year, if they have money left over, they may give a grant to someone who was highly recommended.

A few weeks ago, I had a call saying I would be awarded a grant but they didn't know how much and not to say a word until I received the letter. The letter came yesterday. I have $15,000 which is the amount I asked for. Some of that goes to pay my coaches, for someone to assist with creating publicity materials, etc. But most goes to my salary while I work on the piece.

I am so happy! I worked for days on the grant applications. It is so amazing! I can hardly believe it still. Thanks to all of you for being so supportive when I quit other work and began focusing on this. I didn't know if I'd done the right thing. I guess I did! Sorry again for the blank message.

Kim and tiny shiny Tulia

Tea and Scones

There is something about a good cup of hot tea to wash down a scone that has been covered in strawberry jam and cream that seems to lend itself to a convivial evening, and a chance to chat. And that is exactly what I did on a Tuesday evening when I caught up with Storytelling at the Tea Party co-organiser Mary Wiggin. To listen to the interview, click here.

Buenos Aires to Ottawa

We are doing a lot of sharing and growing as tellers. One of the more mobile tellers is Marta Singh, who commutes between Argentina and Canada. I asked Marta a few questions before her performances as part of 2wp. To listen to the interview, click here.

News Article about the Storytelling Conference in Yellowknife

Danica Lorer is a freelance reporter whose article appeared in the New Optimist. To read her June 9, 2011 article, click here.

Swap change

There have been some changes to the Thursday night Swap (the first Thursday of each month). First there is Jeff Wright. He is the new organizer for the swap. Heused to be a high school teacher. Now he performs in the school as a storyteller. As well, the food and beverages have improved, and are free!

Launch

Well, the NAC gets to tell the world about the Fourth Stage schedule first, for all of its programming. Storytelling will soon be revealed to all by our national institution. We await the news.

Touring A Love Story

Pat Holloway took up his digital recorder, prepared his questions, and stepped into the role of intrepid interviewer. His task, to track down two talented Italian tellers who were touring North America. The tellers were Paola Balbi, and her partner in story, Davide Bardi. To listen to Pat's interview, click here.