The Magic of One
Magic of One has its own website: www.magicofonestories.com
Check here for the latest information on our 2008/9 season.
What is Magic of One?
A Collaborative Spoken Word Concert Series With Storytellers and Musicians
Magic of One Productions is enjoying its fifth annual concert series, bringing story lovers of all ages a diverse lineup of storytelling performances enhanced by live music. Themes include the Celtic North, stories of the pioneers, Medieval tales, and tales of the Romanie people with Flamenco guitar and dance. Taking in myth, legend, and folktale, as well as personal and historical stories, oral storytelling is alive, well, and relevant today.
At its best, a storytelling performance is an entertaining and inspiring act of co-creation, with the audience investing just as much energy as the teller. We’ve prepared an ambitious program this year to create many such moments.
All performances take place in Winnipeg at Unitarian Church Hall, 603 Wellington Crescent, on November 17, January 26, and March 23. All performances are at 8 p.m.
"Storytelling might be the most elemental of performing arts—it requires just a teller and an audience. And the idea that each person is important is an ever-present motif in world folktales and mythologies. In these times, when many people feel helpless to act, listeners can come away from a performance remembering their own vital importance." -Mary Louise Chown
The Magic of One at the 2008 Winnipeg Fringe Festival
"The Seven Deadly Sins: Stories Told After The Fall "
The show features sinners Tom Roche, Kay Stone, and Mary Louise Chown, accompanied by sinfully good music. You can find us at a new Fringe venue.....Aqua Books new store at 274 Garry. Check here for more details as they are finalized.
The Magic of One 5th season, 2008-2009
We're excited about our plans for next year at Magic of One.
Anita Best ....traditional ballad singer and storyteller from Newfoundland...formerly with the group Figgy Duff, comes to Winnipeg for concerts on November 7th at the Unitarian Church Hall, and November 8th at the Manitou Opera House, Manitou, MB. She will be joined by Al Thorleifson, a storyteller and musician living in Manitou. Anita will also be available for a lecture at the University of Winnipeg, and for a storytelling workshop sponsored by the Manitoba Storytelling Guild.
On January 23, 2009, local raconteur Ron Robinson is joined by Rebecca Hiebert and Winnipeg singer/songwriter Dan Frechette,for"Love Like Salt"
,an evening of stories and songs about life and love.
On February 28th, we will be repeating"Tales From the Ramayana"
, with Laura Cowie, Jamie Oliviero, and Tom Roche. This concert will be presented at the Indo Canadian Arts and Cultural Centre, 479 St. Mary's Road..
On April 17th, we will present "The Wine Dark Sea: Tales From Homer's Odyssey"
,with Jane Cahill,Kay Stone,and Mary Louise Chown.
All concerts are at the Unitarian Church Hall on Wellington Crescent @ 8:00PM.
Date
Magic of One Productions Storytelling and Music Concerts 2007/08
(with funding from Canada Council)
Artistic Director: Mary Louise Chown
Friday, Oct.26/07 "Under the Harvest Moon: Stories and Music from the Celtic North"
Stories Kate Isaac, Larry Fisher, and Mary Louise Chown
Music: Susan & Paul Hammer, with Cathy Rayner on fiddle, Larry Fisher on harp
Note: The October concert is dedicated to the memory of Joyce Birch
Friday, Nov.23/07 "Mail Order Brides and Manitoba Laundry: Stories of Courage"
Stories: Guest tellers Glenna Janzen & Carol Leigh Wehking from Hamilton, Ontario
Music..... Tusia Kozub, playing the grand piano Saturday, Nov.24/07 Carol Leigh and Glenna will give a workshop on telling stories from true life. This workshop is for storytellers and writers.
Contact Mary Louise 489-6994 for information and to register.
See the Manitoba Storytelling Guild page for more informationFriday Jan.25/08 "The Age of Chivalry: Stories from the Middle Ages"
Stories: Guest teller Melanie Ray from Vancouver, and Tom Roche
Music: Michael Cobus and Liz Goossen
Prelude music: Medieval songs sung by members of This Merrie CompanieSunday Jan.27/08 Melanie Ray will give a workshop on character development for all levels of storytelling. Contact Mary Louise 489-6994 for information and to register. See the Manitoba Storytelling Guild page for more information Friday Mar.14/08 "Magic Cloaks and Caravans: Stories of Journeys"
Stories: Earthstory ( Kay Stone, Jane Cahill, Mary Louise Chown)
Music: Claire Marchand, Flamenco Dance and Philippe Meunier, Flamenco Guitar
Tickets: $12 in advance, from McNally Robinson Grant Park & Prairie Sky Books
$15 @ the door.
Season Pass $40 available only by calling 489-6994
How Magic of One began...
A chance conversation over coffee at my home, between Laura Cowie, Kay Stone and me launched the idea of the Magic of One Concerts. This was in spring of 2003. We had a vision and belief that one person can make a difference, a critical notion in the world today where so many people feel helpless to act. The idea that each person is important is a ubiquitous motif in world folktales and mythologies. Entertainment would be our first priority, but we also hoped that the performances would also inspire listeners to remember their own vital importance in these troubled times. We each could recognize and experience the negativity that spirals from a world descending into war. But we also each stubbornly believed in and knew the power of story to uplift the human spirit, and to encourage action and hope in terrible times. We realized that storytelling was the gift we had to offer our community at this time.
We were tired of the waiting game....waiting for museums, or festivals, or schools to call on us. Why not create our own work, and offer music to complement the stories? I knew a fair number of local musicians playing in a variety of genres who might like some extra work as well. Why not sometimes bring in storytellers from across the country.... those fine tellers whom Kay and I had known through our SCCC connections over the years? This seemed too good an idea to leave on the back burner.
We organized a 6-part monthly concert series, The Magic of One, an innovative program of oral stories interwoven with music that took place from October 2003 to April 2004. Storytellers and musicians worked together over an eight-month period to create six one-of-a-kind presentations in October, November, January, February, March and April. Our plan has succeeded beyond our own imaginations! Our first bit of good fortune was to receive a Canada Council grant for the first season, followed by a sold out crowd on the night of the first concert, and 75% capacity for the other 5 concerts.
The enthusiasm of the listeners, and of the participating tellers and musicians, inspired us to organize the second year of ambitious programming, and then a third season. We received no grant funds for the second season, but all of the performers agreed to accept reduced pay rather than not be part of the concerts.
For our third season, Laura and I continued to be the artistic directors, with Kay leaving to work on a new book project. Maureen Macintosh and Ann Tyre joined our group, as volunteer coordinator and treasurer. In our fourth year, Randy Matthes came on board to design posters, and handle publicity. Each concert is different in content, and style, but the same in its' emphasis on fine storytelling and beautiful music. This year, our fifth, I continued as artistic director, aided by a planning committee of advisors....Anne Morton, Margaret Keller, Maureen Macintosh, Gerri Serrette, and Kay Stone.