This is an archive of my past updates
Updated October 28, 2011
Now I Know The World Is Round: Stories at the end of life, is now available for purchase. If you live in Winnipeg, you can contact me directly and buy a copy. There will be a book launch on November 29, at McNally-Robinson Booksellers, in Winnipeg, at 7:00PM. All are welcome to attend. You can buy a copy of my book then, if you like. Otherwise, simply click on
www.nowiknowtheworldisround.com
to order your copy.
September 18, 2011
Hello from sunny, warm, MOSQUITO-FREE Manitoba!
I have exciting news to share! My first book, "Now I Know The World Is Round: Stories at the end of life" will be available in late October.Contact me for a copy.The cover design by Yvonne Parks is very beautiful, and the book itself has been professionally edited. I am very pleased with it.
Here are some upcoming storytelling concerts:
October 7: I will be in Newfoundland, at Norris Point in Gros Morne. Anita Best and I will be giving a house concert on Oct. 7, at the Julia Ann Walsh Centre in Norris Point. It starts at 7:30, and should be a lot of fun. Anita Best wowed Winnipeg when she gave a concert here a few years ago, and I am thrilled to be sitting beside her and sharing stories with her.
October 13: I will be in St.John's Newfoundland at THe Rooms, at the Coffee and Culture Cafe, telling the story of Marie Anne and Jean Baptiste Lagimodiere, the grandparents of Louise Riel...from 2:30 -3:30 PM.
November 4: The Dark of the Year. This will be an intimate house concert presented by Magic of One. Click on the Magic link at the top of the page for more information.
Well, the last of the honey will be harvested tomorrow. It's very delicious, and is for sale if you contact me.
June 27, 2011
Hello everyone. Here is a summer update for you.
I am now a beekeeper. Yes, I have a hive out at Sage Garden Herbs. You won't see it if you shop at Sage Garden, as it's well hidden. I bought a fine hive from my beekeeping friends, Con and Kate Isaac, but it's been a slow start to the hive building because of our cold and wet weather.
I am back at the Fringe Festival this year with my 4 fine friends, storytellers, Kay Stone and Tom Roche, and musicians Michael Cobus and Kevin Scott. Our show is called, The Corpse Who Wouldn't Shut Up, and we've been having a lot of fun preparing for it. Check out our schedule at the www.magicofonestories.com.
If you like Celtic and Norse stories, than sign up for my 6 week course anytime from now and throughout the Fall. The University of Winnipeg Continuing Education will be offering my course, Norse and Celtic Mythology: The Old Stories are Still With Us, in January and February 2012. You can sign up anytime by goong to their website at www.dce.uwinnipeg.ca. The course cost is $49.00.
April 22, 2011
Hello my friends. Spring is taking its time getting here, and on top of cool weather there is flooding, with more water coming our way. Not to mention a federal election as well. PLEASE VOTE! All of the recent uprisings in the Near and Middle East just point out how precious democracy is.So don't be apathetic...cast your vote!
Magic of One is back at the Fringe Fest This year (July 13-24). To warm up, we're putting on a house concert in May for you.
The Dog, The Fly, and the Golden Hair.
Sunday May 29th 7:30 pm, 206 Ethelbert
A special storytelling and music concert that will be a warm up for our Fringe show later this summer.
Featuring storytellers:
Mary Louise Chown, Tom Roche, & Kay Stone
Musicians:
Michael Cobus & Kevin Scott
Suggested donation: $10
There is a limit of 25 seats, so please contact me, or Michael at treefrog@mts.net to reserve your place.
January 28, 2011
The Manitoba Storytelling Guild now has its own website:
www.manitobastorytelling.org
The Master Storytelling Class is in full swing with 8 students and I look forward to every Monday evening when we all gather in my living room to work on our stories and give each other valuable feedback. I am also enjoying teaching a group of students at Creative Retirement. The course is called Storytelling with a Twist, and is about using memories to fashion a story. We're talking, drawing, making music, and generally having a great time!
If you want to listen to some wonderful storytelling, check out my Story Pages for two concerts coming up on February 25 and March 19.
December 1, 2010
The Christmas season has officially begun! And Winnipeg looks like a fairytale city, perhaps the home of the Snow Queen, with all the soft white snow, clinging so beautifully to the branches of the bare trees, and the conifers.I really love winter, until about March 1st of every year, then it's time for the snow to disappear.
I have put a special link to my Cabbages and Kings Radio Show. Just click on Cabbages and Kings at the top of this page to get my playlist for the season, and news about special guests.
I will be teaching a MASTER STORYTELLING CLASS in 2011
We will be meeting once a week for 7 weeks from Jan 10-Feb 21, 2011, from 7:00-9:30 PM.The course is limited to 7 participants.
This course is for you if:
You have already taken a workshop on storytelling
OR
You have already done some storytelling at places such as Stone Soup, schools, festivals, workplace, etc
AND
You want to do in-depth work with challenging storytelling material of your choice
Note: The course is not designed to help you find a story to tell. You will be coming with your material or story already chosen.
Cost $120, $100 for Manitoba Storytelling Guild members
To register, send a cheque, along with contact information (email/phone number) to:
Manitoba Storytelling Guild, 35 Cordova St. Wpg MB R3N 0Z9
October 13, 2010
Hello my friends. Living in Winnipeg this past few weeks has been paradise. Our weather is so fine, with leaves turning, blue skies, and gardens refusing to die.
October is also the month for Halloween. I will be telling stories of ghosts and ghoulies on October 29 at the University Women's Club. I'm looking forward to it.
Norm Perrin will be my special guest on Cabbages and Kings this coming Saturday. Tune in at 95.9 FM, CKUW for stories every Saturday morning from 8 to 9 AM. Norman hails from Toronto, and he will have some interesting stories to tell, and a pennywhistle to play for you.
Alan Shane is really delighted to be our storytellers for Magic of One's concert on October 19th. He was born with a disability, and many of his stories tell about his many adventures, some amorous, dealing with everyday life. Check out the link to the Magic of One Website for more information on this concert with Alan Shain and Dave Clement. I will be your host, so expect a few stories from me.
Winnipeg's municipal elections are coming up at the end of the month.I don't care who you vote for, just PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE!
Updated September 1, 2010
Don't forget to tune into Cabbages and Kings at 95.9 FM, CKUW for stories every Saturday morning from 8 to 9 AM.
Check out the link to the Magic of One Website for more information on our fall concert with Alan Shain and Dave Clement.
Now that September is upon us, we start meeting with Allison Baird's Communication group, where Beda Drury and I listen to and tell stories with a wonderful group of folks who have experienced aphasia, or brain injury through a stroke, car accident or aneurism.
I am thrilled to report that my book on storytelling in hospice and palliative care has gone to the editor, so I can see the end in sight!
Updated June 15, 2010
Hello everyone,
Winnipeg is finally having fine summer weather. Yeah!
There is more storytelling coming up at the Fringe in July of this year. Magic of One is presenting a show called "Foiled by the Feathery Wife".Check out the link to the Magic of One Website for more information.
Updated May 30, 2010
Hello everyone,
Thanks to so many of you who responded to the Jun 5th workshop announcement from the Manitoba Storytelling Guild. There was high interest in the workshop, but many conflicting schedules and busy summer plans in June. So we are pushing back the workshop to the fall. I will be in touch with more details, or you can check out the Manitoba Storytelling Guild page on my website in the next few months for updates.
Updated May 24, 2010
Ah May! When the world goes green!
The International Storytelling Festival is over, but for anyone wanting to learn more about storytelling, check out the link to the Manitoba Storytelling guild for information about a great workshop coming up soon.
Also, my friend and storytelling colleague, Laura Cowie and I will be presenting 2 interesting workshops later this month. There is more information on the Braveheart pages.
There is more storytelling coming up at the Fringe in July of this year. Magic of One is presenting a show called "Foiled by the Feathery Wife".Check out the link to the Magic of One Website for more information.
Updated March 8, 2010
CABBAGES AND KINGS STORYTELLING SHOW
A fundraiser on World Storytelling Day
for The New Manitoba Storytelling Guild
with host
Mary Louise Chown
and
Wayne Drury
Jane Enkin
Rebecca Hiebert
Justin Lewis
Ron Robinson
Kay Stone
Music by Patrick Keenan
March 20, 2010 7:30 PM
Aqua Books, 274 Garry St.
Admission $10, at the door
My radio program, Cabbages and Kings is growing! The show is moving to a one hour slot starting on March 13. Beginning March 13, you can listen to Cabbages and Kings every Saturday morning from 8:00 -9:00 AM, as you have your morning coffee and plan your day.
So far, local and national storytellers have been telling stories on the 30 minute show, but now I am looking forward to a whole 60 minutes of air time. So I invite you to send me your storytelling CD's so that I can play them on the new extended program so I can feature your stories and help to spread the word about your work. The CKUW programs are archived for 6 weeks and can be downloaded from the CKUW website. The radio station has listeners all over the world. I’d love to hear from you.
If you have missed some of my shows, remember that you can hear recent programs on the CKUW archives
click here for past radio shows
radiocabbagesandkings@gmail.com
Updated January 26, 2010
Did you know that March 20 is WORLD STORYTELLING DAY?
All over the world, people will be gathering in large and small groups to hear and tell stories. Here in Winnipeg we will be celebrating the day with a CABBAGES AND KINGS LIVE RADIO SHOW. I will be telling stories along with 6 other great storytellers, and Patrick Keenan will be playing his own special brand of music. The cost is $10 at the door, and ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SUPPORT THE NEW MANITOB A STORYTELLING GUILD.
This week, Cabbages and Kings Radio will feature local storyteller Laurie Howard.
More news:
Prairie Voices is a trip of women who tell stories about the colourful history of Red River, the fur trade, and the Canadian West. We have presented our material at conferences , historical societies and house concerts. Contact me for more information.
Updated Dec 10, 2009
Cabbages and Kings has been running now for 2 months. If you have missed some of my shows, remember that you can hear recent programs on the CKUW archives by clicking here
Here's what you'll hear:
Nov 5th...2 haunting stories for the Halloween season...The Dream of Angus and Teigue Of Kane and the Corpse
Nov 12 Interview with Justin Jaron Lewis, and a wonderful story from the Jewish Hasidic tradition
Nov 19th interview and a story from Alan Garner's Stone Book Quarteth told by Jan Andrews, a visiting storyteller from Ottawa
Dec.10th Christmas and seasonal stories, poems and interview with Caroline McDowall
Dec 17th The story of the Happy Prince, told by Barbara Crowe
Jan 7th, 2010 First show of the new year
Updated September 30, 2009
Tune into my new radio program about storytelling!
The show is called "Cabbages and Kings"
and airs every Thursday from 12:30pm to 1pm on
CKUW 95.9 FM
Its great to be back in broadcasting, even if the technology has changed. My last radio show was on the armed forces network in Germany back in the 1970's. On Cabbages and Kings, you値l hear stories that span the ages, from ancient myths to modern urban legends, with musical breaks from my list of favourite tunes. The show is archived for 6 weeks after air time, and can be downloaded, or listened to by going to the CKUW website using the link above. I値l also be including tales and interviews with my storytelling friends here in Winnipeg, across Canada, and abroad. I壇 love to hear from you. Send me a message anytime, or tell me a story.
Updated July 11, 2009
Come and see some great storytelling at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.
Ever wonder what lies beneath the skin?
SKIN DEEP
is about hidden identities, mixed messages, and transformations. It’s a place where wolves howl, men sell their souls, skeletons grow back their skin, women become men, and musicians play with broken wings. The place to come and see master story-weavers at work and hear spellbinding music. These people are storytellers par excellence - they will hold you in the palm of their hands and give you no quarter! All have a different storytelling style and all are equally effective. Our storytellers and musicians span the ages.
Featuring Tom Roche, Kay Stone, Mary Louise Chown, Michael Cobus and Kevin Scott.
Venue 21 - Aqua Books, 274 Garry
$9, $7 for students and seniors
Check out the latest news about the Magic of One concert season on our new Magic of One website:
Updated June 15, 2009
Hello
Finally we have some summer weather here in Winnipeg. I think we took the sun with us when Art and I went to Great Britain and we brought it back when we returned. Visiting Orkney was spectacular. Also, the storytelling folks in Sussex, especially Steve Creffield, were welcoming and very good storytellers. I was part of their regular monthly storytelling gathering.
Here is a review of my Brighton Fringe Festival Performance of "Giving Birth Beside the Buffalo".
Storytelling - Giving Birth Beside the Buffalo
Reviewed by Sarah Agnew( http://broadwaybaby.com)
4 stars out of 5 for this performance.
Billed as storytelling, I didn’t actually believe that after I was sitting comfortably a story would begin. And begin it did, Mary Louise Chown dressed in moccasins and a loose fitting shirt tied with a sash stood before us and introduced her heroine, Marie-Anne Lagimodiere from Maskinonge. In quietened tones to a silent collection of listeners Chown recounted the true story of the first women to travel out west from Quebec by canoe.
The story of Marie-Anne is an incredible tale, rich in adventure where she faces danger, hardship and loneliness, overcoming every obstacle along the way. Her adventures begin when a trader Jean-Baptiste returns to her village and regales the villagers with tall tales. She quickly becomes engaged to him before he drops a bombshell that he has signed up to go west again. She has a choice, if she stays in her village then she may not see her husband again and if she does it will not be for a year or so. Her life will be mostly alone, surviving on little money, raising children or she could join her husband on his journey west and accompany him on his hunting and trading expeditions. No woman had attempted the second option before, which would mean travelling for months in a canoe, getting burnt by the sun, sleeping rough, carrying heavy loads, eating dried meats, with the prospect of being murdered by one of the first nations, eaten by grizzly bears, drowning in rough waters or facing some other danger.
As Marie-Anne’s story unravels we hear of how she uses her wits to save a young girl pursued by warriors, hiding her in stinking buffalo hide and of when heavily pregnant riding a mare that suddenly takes off after a buffalo herd as she clings on for dear life. After settling at the Red River her husband Jean-Baptiste agrees to walk & ride 3,000 km to Montreal on behalf of the settlers to deliver news of the violent confrontations that they were combating. After about four months he arrives safely only to be captured by North-West traders on his return journey. He is somehow released and finds his way back to his wife and children, a year after his intial setting out.
The magic of storytelling is in how Mary Louise Chown brought these thrilling stories that took place over two hundred years ago back to life. Stories that have been passed down through generations suddenly become alive once more in the telling, her struggles becoming immediate and her wonder is mirrored in our own. It was a delight to experience the art of storytelling, now a rare treat.
Updated April 3,2009
Hello!
It's been a busy 3 months since my last update. I don't know about you, but I am more than ready to see some green grass, and running water. I am also worried about the future of CBC Radio, and I hope Canadians will speak up through petitions and letters to their Members of Parliament about this issue.
Check out the Magic of One website:wwwmagicofonestories.com for information on the remaining concert, which takes place on TWO dates, April 17,in the evening and 18, in the afternoon.
Kay Stone, Jane Cahill and I have been hard at work preparing some of the exciting stories that make up Homer's famous Odyssey, and Chad Cornell has been practicing his flute and drum to accompany us. Please come out and support storytelling in Winnipeg. As far as I know, Magic of One is the only concert series in Canada that consistently presents stories for adult listeners, paired with musical accompaniment.
I am travelling to Great Britain during the month of May, and will be telling stories at the Brighton Fringe Festival.
Below is how my performance appears in the program.
14 May 2009
Theatre & Musicals
STORYTELLING "Giving Birth Beside the Buffalo"
The daring exploits of Marie Anne Lagimodiere, the first woman to travel by Voyageur canoe to the western lands that would later be part of Canada.
www.marylouisechown.com -60 minutes long.
Entrance Fee: £6.00
Time: 7:45 PM
Age suitability: All ages
The Venue: Coach House in Kemptown, 22 Walpole Rd, Sussex, Great Britain
After Brighton, my husband and I will fly up to Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands for a 2 week stay. The Orkney Folk Music Festival is on while we're there, and I may have a chance to tell a short story. Orkney has historic connections with the early days of Red River, as well as with the old Hudson Bay Fur trading company, so there will be many chances to visit museums and prowl through archives, adding to my knowledge of the early roots of the Red River Colony. Finally, we will travel up to the Lake District, where there will be another opportunity to tell stories in Grasmere, and spend time with our Morris dancing friends who billetted us when we toured England 3 years ago.The trip will guarantee to use up all of my airmiles accrued on my storytelling work here in Canada.
Let me tell you about another interesting storytelling venture happening here in Winnipeg, that I have been lucky to be part of. Since January, a small group of storytellers has been working with local Speech Pathologist Allison Baird, of Speechworks. She runs a group for adults who have difficulty speaking due to a brain injury, and she wanted to have storytellers come to her spring session program, in the hopes that they would encourage her clients to talk about everyday experiences. Anne Morton, Nancy Clendennan and I have been telling personal and family stories every other Thursday to this group. The sessions last 1&1/2 hours, beginning with one or two stories that we have prepared. Then the bulk of the time is spent listening to the others telling stories sparked by our tales. And what wonderful, humourous, deeply moving, and interesting stories they are.We three feel very fortunate to be part of Allison's project. This series ends in June, but we are hoping that we can find funding for a more permanent program after this pilot project is over.
Updated January,2009
Hello!
Here is a video which I have just uploaded to You Tube. It's the first video I ever produced, along with my daughter, Joanna Quanbury, back in 1999. There are so many entertaining videos on the Internet, that I thought it was time to add "Doing Time". I hope you like it. You can view a later video called "The Skin of This Planet", by clicking on my links page.
Updated November 30,2008
Hello!
Fall is over and winter is upon us, but in a kinder and more gentle way that in other years. No need for that really warm winter jacket and snow boots yet! The Fall has been filled with storytelling, here in Winnipeg, and in Elm Creek and Carman. At the Golden Prairie Art Gallery in Carman, we had an evening of stories of the turning of the year...of Samhein....with lights turned low and flashlights lighting up each listener's face. Many thanks to Brenda Kidd at the GPAC for organizing my trip to Elm Creek and Carman. My colleagues and I in BraveHeart Storytellers also had a chance to re visit Ecole Robert Browning for 3 days of storytelling. Our next BraveHeart project may be a compilation of the stories we tell for peace, empathy and conflict resolution. We have sold all of our CD's of "BraveHeart Stories to tell, Songs to Sing", but more can be made, so email me if you would like to buy a CD.
Check out the latest news about the remaining Magic of One concert season on our new Magic of One website:www.magicofonestories.com
Also see my Manitoba Storytelling Guild page for the latest news on the guild.
I have added some recent storytelling articles for your reading pleasure on my Published Works page.
Updated September 29, 2008
Hello!
Another season of storytelling begins again. My colleagues and I in BraveHeart Storytellers have just finished a week at Art city, where we presented our storytelling program "The House of Celebration".
There is news about the upcoming Magic of One season on our new Magic of One website:wwwmagicofonestories.com. Also see my Manitoba Storytelling Guild page for the latest news on the guild.
I have added some recent storytelling articles for your reading pleasure on my Published Works page.
The election is coming up on October 14th. PLEASE VOTE!
Updated July 18, 2008
Hello everyone
Our Magic Of One fringe show, The Seven Deadly Sins, is going really well, and we’d love to see you there. We're at Venue 21, Aqau Books on 274 Garry St.
Here is a review from our opening night that was posted by Hannah & Chris Wigglesworth on the CBC review site. Thanks Hannah and Chris!
"We went to opening night for this show and really enjoyed it. The stories held our attention from start to finish, and the music and storytelling fit really well together. There were six great stories from around the world including one from Canada about the gold rush in B.C. And there was lots of variety in the music (and musical instruments!) as well. It was even very kid-friendly (that is no sex or swearing) - but still lots of spice!!."
Spring has been very busy for me, with a storytelling workshop in Pinawa, thanks to the organizational talents of Irene Friesen and Darlene Hare. There has also been a wonderful week at Norway House with Val Clancy and Laura Cowie, my fellow BraveHeart Storytellers. While we were there, working with Grade One students, one little boy asked us how we managed to get a job that brought us to Norway House where we brought so much happiness to the children!
I will be playing my hammered dulcimer with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at the MTS Centre April 24th for the North American Premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. I have been practicing like crazy!
Coming up for me is a week's work in Killarney at the local Elementary/High School for their MADD days.We will be telling stories and making collage artworks. Also,I am lucky enough to go to Vancouver to participate in their 2008 Epic weekend. A group of storytellers will be telling the complete Ramayana, beginning Friday night, continuing all day Saturday, Saturday night, and Sunday morning.
Next comes the Winnipeg School Division's Young Author's Day, held this year at the University of Winnipeg. I am looking forward to helping a group of high schoolers bring their stories alive. International storyteller Laura Simms will be the keynote speaker at the conference.And speaking of Laura Simms,check out the Arthur Mauro Centre at St. Paul's College. They are presenting their 3rd annual storytelling festival in early May.
ALso on the horizon is a BraveHeart workshop called "All my Life's a Story",which Laura Cowie and I will be presenting in late May at the provincial Manitoba Child Care Conference.
MAGIC OF ONE AT THE FRINGE.
Between July 16-27th, 2008.
Don’t miss
The Seven Deadly Sins: Stories Told After The Fall
At a new Fringe venue
Aqua Books New Store
274 Garry Street
8:30 PM July 16-19, & July 23-26th
Starring local sinners:
Kay Stone & Tom Roche
Mary Louise Chown
With some
Wonderful Music by Michael Cobus and Kevin Scott
What’s the Las Vegas Fringe without some sinning? Gorge on the seven deadly biggies in a 75-minute show of stories old as sin itself, with music to match. We’ve got pride, envy, and a cobra! From the storytelling collective that has sated the local lust for tasty tales for over five years. These Sins are good for the soul.
watch here for news updates
Updated March 18, 2008
Storytelling is alive and well in Winnipeg, if the last few months are any indication.We have had 4 wonderful concerts presented by Magic of One Productions. So many people came to our March 14th concert that we had to bring out all the chairs from the storage room of the church hall! Check out the Magic of One page on this website for information about our Fringe Festival show coming in July and our plans for the 6th season of concerts.
In between working on my book about storytelling in hospitals, I have been busy telling stories in schools, and at the healing concerts organized by Sanctuary, which has a new home at the St. Norbert Arts Centre. The next concert takes place on March 21 at 7:00PM. This spring equinox coincides with a full moon, so it will be a wonderful night!
Music and dancing seems to be as important to me as storytelling. I have been lucky to be a member of the Fine Companions Dance band for over 20 years now, playing music for English Country Dancing, and now I have also begun to teach this wonderful dancing on Wednesday night at Harrow United Church. My teacher is Liz Goossen, who is also a good friend and fellow band member.You may have heard her play harp at the January Magic of One Concerts.
A group of storytellers have been meeting regularly to flesh out the Manitoba Storytelling Guild. More about this on the MSG page of the website.
BraveHeart Storytellers are planning a return trip to Norway House, to tell stories at Helen Betty Osborne School, in April. We are also presenting a workshop called "All My Life's A Circle" at the May conference of the Manitoba Child Care Association.
Stone Soup Stories has been meeting at Aqua Books for the last 3 years, and we will move along with owner Kelly Hughes to his new store at 114 Garry St. in April. Come on down to our April 12 meeting at 7:30. The group is open and free to all interested in telling or listening to stories. It's a great way to get started in storytelling, or practice a story in front of an appreciative and supportive audience.
And finally, check out the storytelling festivl organized by the Arthur Mauro Centre at the University of Manitoba.It's coming up in early May.Here is the website: http://www.umanitoba.ca/colleges/st_pauls/mauro_centre/outreach/storytelling/index.html
Updated December 18
I hope you like my newly designed website. Please email me if you have any feedback on it.
Updated May 30, 2007
Click here to listen to Angus a Celtic Love Story
Magic of One Productions presents
Hamster in a Tea Towel: Badd late night storytelling
Tues July 24-Sat July 28 @ 9:30 pm
Aqua Books, 89 Princess Street in the Exchange
$8.00 at the door.
Happy late spring or early summer, depending on where you live!
The Magic of One Concert Series has finished its fourth season, and is preparing for the fifth season of storytelling and music concerts. But we don't want to wait until October to tell you more stories, so 6 of us are going to be performing at this year's Winnipeg Fringe Festival, so come on down and hear us.
Manitoba now has another organization to work for storytellers and all those who love to listen to stories!
THE MANITOBA STORYTELLING GUILD has been formed and registered by Kate Isaac, Laura Cowie, and Mary Louise Chown. It's mandate is to support and promote the art of oral storytelling throughout Manitoba. Its first activity was to offer a storytelling workshop in January called Bring That Story to Life: How to research and give voice to historical people and events
which was co sponsored with Magic of One Productions.
The guild will only grow and develop with the help of all of you involved in some way with storytelling. Right now, it is simply a framework. Please get in touch with me if you want to help develop this further.
Earlier news and events posted January 5, 2007
Happy New Year to everyone and may you be well and happy in 2007!
The Magic of One Concert Series is halfway through it's fourth year of storytelling concerts supported by music. As I write, we are rehearsing for our 3rd concert, which takes place in January 26, 2007 here in Winnipeg. Call or email me for more details and to reserve tickets! A big thanks to all the Tellers and Musicians who shared their talents in the first 3 years of concerts and to all the volunteers who helped make it possible. And of course, thanks to all you who continue to be interested, especially as we move through a fourth season! To get information on the season line-up, click on Workshops and Performances.
I have finished my storytelling and music project in Palliative Care facilities at Riverview Health Centre and Grace Hospice, and I have begun work on a small book of stories and some poems, along with accounts of with my personal experiences and ways I have used the material in my work over the last 4 yrs. I am writing for my own satisfaction, to have something concrete to show, as storytelling and music are ephemeral activities, but so far I have received so much encouragement here in Winnipeg, that it may get published one day.Thanks to Manitoba Artists in Healthcare, and it's hard working director, Susan Johnson, I have enjoyed telling stories, listening to stories, and playing music at the bedside of patients in Palliative Care. It was a privelege to enter into the lives of those who are dying, to hear their stories and those of their families and the staff who care for them.
My trip north to Churchill in October was a wonderful experience! I was asked to work with the students in Grades 5 to 8 at the local school in Churchill, and to test run The House of Celebration , a new program designed by the three of us in BraveHeart Storytellers (Laura Cowie, Val Clancy, and myself). I also was treated to a day out to see the polar bears.
The Harvest Moon Festival on September 16-18/06 was a unique experience for me and my fellow storyteller, Wayne Drury. This is the first year that storytelling was offered. We hope i twill be a continuing tradition.
My colleagues, Laura Cowie and Val Clancy and I also be presented 2 workshops this Fall for the Manitoba Child Care Association, called Tell it from the Heart: Building Empathy and Community through Storytelling. We were honoured to be able to work with some of the youngest students at Pinkham School in Winnipeg this Fall. BraveHeart Storytellers are in the planning stage of our first CD of stories for nurturing empathy.
The House of Celebration has been accepted into the Manitoba Arts Council Artist -in-the-Schools program. We will be travelling to Norway House next April to work with students in the elementary school on the reserve. We can work with groups of any age, in schools or communities. We also have a training program designed to help adults who work with children and youth at risk. . Contact me for more information.