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The countdown is on towards the VSG annual summer picnic for Guild members and their guests. WHERE? The home of Andrea and Richard, 3910 Finnerty Road (We’re about 150 yards from UVIC. (250 294 5790) WHEN? August 7, Sunday, from 3-7pm. ROUGH PLAN: 3-4 PM: Relax and chat in the garden, Walk through Haro Woods…

The countdown is on towards the VSG annual summer picnic for Guild members and their guests. WHERE? The home of Andrea and Richard, 3910 Finnerty Road (We’re about 150 yards from UVIC. (250 294 5790) WHEN? August 7, Sunday, from 3-7pm. ROUGH PLAN: 3-4 PM: Relax and chat in the garden, Walk through Haro Woods…

Storytelling in Victoria and the establishment of the Victoria Storytellers Guild began thanks to the work of Barbara Hutcheson and Margaret Toakley. They were senior in the Central Library’s Children’s Department. Twenty-two years ago they brought in tellers ‘from away’ for performances and workshops. The first to come were Nan Gregory and Melanie Ray. Those who…

It was my great privilege to represent the Victoria Storytellers Guild (VSG) at the recent 19th Storytellers Conference in Yellowknife, NWT called Story North. Here are a few of the highlights. As the Air Canada flight began it’s decent into Yellowknife one could see large snow covered areas and it was apparent we had arrived…

Our host, Dianne Gilliland, who presided over a full house and a full slate of tellers, opened with a surprise poem setting a fine example of humour and good storytelling before introducing the first teller of the evening. Lee Porteous’ Chinese tale, “The Living Queen,” showed virtue rewarded by the Goddess Kuan Yin and along…

Check out the good news about Kim Weitkamp’s concert Penny Candy Love on Saturday June 4 featured in Monday Magazine. A big enthusiastic crowd enjoyed the show. Kim was amazing!

Molly Raher Newman as Emily Carr Sandra was our lively host while Margo once again provided brief, gentle interludes of music on her Hang (a Swiss instrument, pronounced “Hung”) for an evening that included visiting tellers who surprised and delighted us. The first was no less a personage of renown than Emily Carr in her…

Storytellers from the Victoria Storytellers Guild are taking part in the Theatre SKAM Bike Ride in July. On Saturday July 9 from 3:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Sunday July 10 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., two talented sisters, Cat and Meghan Thom, will weave ancient traditions with original compositions through story and song. On Sundays…

It has just been announced that Shoshana Litman has been chosen to be one of the tellers during Canadian Children’s Book Week 2012. These tellers, who are members of SC-CC, are chosen by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre staff. Applicants are scored by an anonymous jury of experienced peers from provinces across Canada. In addition to the costs…

Photo of Margo McLoughlin by Katherine McGinnis Shirley Routliffe hosted another full house of listeners at Stories at Fern on April 18. We had the pleasure of hearing Margo McLoughlin play her Hang between stories, giving us time to let the stories settle within us. Janna led off with a story of her connection to…

Just got the latest advert from StoryNorth, The annual SC-CC AGM and Conference. This year it will be in Yellowknife, NWT 26-29 May.  More info from Peg Hasted, Patricia Houston or Al Fowler.

Congratulations to Victoria Storytellers Guild Member, Sylvia Olsen, who won the Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing for her book, “Working With Wool: A Coast Salish Legacy and the Cowichan Sweater.” The B.C. Historical Federation’s annual award recognizes the best non-fiction book representing an aspect of British Columbia history. “Working with Wool” has also been nominated…

Photo by Katherine McGinnis “Listening to a story is not a passive experience. It is an action-filled colorful event in the theatre of the mind. Storytelling, by its nature, is an audience-involving art form. As the storyteller’s narrative, shared in words and gestures, is perceived by the listener, vivid images are created in the listener’s…

For details of what’s happening at this year’s annual conference of the Storytellers of Canada- Conteurs du Canada, check out Al Fowler’s storytelling blog #yyjstoryteller.

SATURDAY JUNE 4th 2011 at 7:30 p.m.A humorous look at life, love and other quandries with:KIM WEITKAMP – HUMORIST, SINGER/SONG WRITER, STORYTELLER Grace Lutheran Church, 1273 Fort St. (Northeast of Moss St.)Tickets: Advance $15.00 and $20.00 at the doorTickets Available from: Chronicles of Crime, 1057 Fort St.Munro’s Books, 1108 Government StreetIvy’s Bookshop, 2188 Oak Bay…

Photo by Katherine McGinnis of VSG VP, Lee Porteous, and Treasurer, Andrea Samuels, selling tickets to this sold out event. World Storytelling Day Concert at Intrepid Theatre Club Water, Water, WaterMarch 20, 2011Summary of Stories1. Pat Carfra – “The Selkie of Skule Skerry” – a Scottish folktale. A selkie emerges from the ocean and transforms into…

Jennifer as host welcomed a full house of tellers and listeners, old and new. At the Membership table a box for donations to the Red Cross to bring aid to Japan following the recent series of natural disasters there, earthquake, volcanic eruption and tsunami. Jennifer’s story “The Burning of the Rice Fields” told of the…

The next deadline for Canada |council grants for professional storytellers is 15 April. Read the details at http://www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/writing/io127227335980156250.htm

Intrepid Theatre Club (Fisgard at Blanshard). Our kick-off event, World Storytelling Day (featured in the above photo by Penny Tennenhouse) was such a hit, we had to turn people away at the door. Our April, May and June concerts were lots of fun as well. For more information about future concerts, contact: Lee Porteous atevents@victoriastorytellers.ca…

FALL INTO STORIES IN OCTOBER Listen to and tell stories with the Victoria Storytellers Guild: MONDAY, October 17, doors open at 7:15 p.m. Stories start at 7:30 p.m. 1831 Fern St. (Park on Begbie.) Admission: $5.00 Students $3.00 (includes tea and goodies) Do you want to tell a story? Contact host Lee Porteus leeporteus@shaw.ca We’re…

Celebrate World Water and World Storytelling DayMarch 22, 2011, 10:30 a.m. Oak Bay Library, 1442 Monterey, Free. Registration appreciated: 250-592-2489Enjoy fun, participatory stories and songs for children aged 5 to 10 (all ages welcome). Explore rivers, oceans and mud puddles through the magic of your imagination, movement and voice with Juan de Fuca Library Branch…

In honour of World Storytelling Day, Tall Tales Books (795 Fort Street) is hosting extra Storytime sessions this month. In addition to regular Wednesday Storytimes, the store added two Friday sessions with Shoshana Litman during Spring Break and a “Teddy Bear Picnic” themed Saturday session with Peg Hasted. You can expect some great Teddy Bear…

Intrepid Theatre Club: 1609 Blanshard at Fisgard Sunday March 20, 2011 Afternoon concert for children and families: 2 – 3 pm Evening concert for adults and mature children: 7 – 9 pm Storytellers: Pat Carfra, Jennifer Ferris, Diane Gilliland, Peg Hasted, Jacquie Hunt, Sandra Johnson, Shoshana Litman, Margo McLoughlin, and Faye Mogensen. Evening Concert Host: Lee Porteous Tickets…

Tell-Tales presents: TALL TALES, LOUD LIES – stories that only an April fool would take seriously. Friday, April l, 2011 7:00 pm At Serious Coffee – 230 Cook Street Village, Victoria, BC Come and tell a 5 to 8 minute story that could be: – a personal story that stretches the truth – a far-fetched folktale – an out-and-out lie Entrance…

Special Saturday Storytime: Teddy Bear Picnic!Saturday March 12, 11:00am Bring your Teddy Bear (or other favourite stuffed friend) to Tall Tales Books for the Teddy Bear Picnic! Join us for a special Saturday Storytime with Peg Hasted as she presents some Teddy Bear themed stories and songs. Perfect for ages 2 to 5, but open…

Richard Wagamese, an acclaimed Ojibway story teller, memoirist and novelist, will demonstrate the importance and value of storytelling in a performance he will give at Royal Roads University on March 9, 2011. Several of us were impressed by this tellers performance at UVic. This will be an entirely different performance. It’s free, except for parking, and…

The following is courtesy of Anne Forrester and Janna   In keeping with the Valentine’s month Love theme, hosted by Sylvia Olsen, a large crowd of listeners tried out a new, theatre-style seating arrangement on which the Executive will appreciate comment from members. Janna’s “unlikely love story” told just enough of “The Blue Faience Hippopotamus”, to whet listeners’ appetites…

Scene + Heard is a project that connects the oldest form of storytelling with some of the most modern. CineVic: Society of Independent Filmmakers and Puente Theatre’s project is the next phase of a collaboration project between local filmmakers and traditional oral storytellers, and will feature six works. Each story is either a traditional story…

VSG members are invited to visit the guild library of books, CD’s, DVD’s, tapes, magazines:   Monday, January 31, 2011 7:30 – 9 pm Jennifer Ferris’s house – 2811 Prior Street, Victoria  (north of Hillside, #4 bus) (Prior Street has a yellow corner store and tennis shop at corner) Please respond by email ferris.stories@shaw.ca if…

Hosted by Shoshanna Litman, our January meeting once again filled the house, this time to be treated to stories that were “lighthearted and fun”. Shirley Routliffe took us back to the family fun her father used to create for the whole family by playing hide-and-seek according to dad’s special rules.  After creating some pandemonium by…

 Hosted by Dorothy Tubman we had a literally full house of listeners and tellers for an evening of seasonal stories. Pat, accompanying herself on the guitar, led off with the sung ballad “Christmas in the Trenches”, recapturing the true story of a brief time when soldiers from both sides of the warring countries in World War One…

Date:      Monday January 10, 2010 Time:      5:30 p.m. Location: Victoria Cownden’s houseFor more information, contact Victoria at      scownden@telus.net

What is at the top of a storyteller’s wish list ?? A book about storytelling that will be a great read and widen the world of their chosen field of artistic expression. Such a book is TEAM UP ! TELL IN TANDEM ! by Jonatha Hammer Wright of OOps  (Ohio Order for the Preservation of Storytelling) .…

Pat hosted the evening suggesting a “looseknit theme of Remembrance”. As a prelude to Pat’s telling of “Dunkirk – a Ballad ” by Robert Nathan, Janna set the scene by recalling wartime happenings on the Home Front in Southern England experienced as a 17 year-old at the time of Dunkirk – May 1940 – in the form…

Monday, December 6, 2010 @8:00 pm Congregation Emanu-El, 1461 Blanshard Street Songs and Singalong with The Jewish Community Choir Also Featuring: Stories with Maggidah Shoshana Litman Greg Davidson, Piano & Josie Davidson, Soprano Menorah-Lighting (bring your menorah & candles) Refreshments Admission by Donation Food Bank Drop Box Available Further Information:  250.385-3378

Sono Nis Press invites you to a celebration and launch for Working with Wool A Coast Salish Legacy and the Cowichan Sweater by Sylvia Olsen • Sunday, December 5, 2010 7 pm to 8:30 pm at Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss Street, Victoria, B.C. Hors d’oeuvres/desserts at 7 pm Author Presentation at 7:30…

Gift Certificates Available: The gift of story, a perfect little addition to a greeting card, admits one adult, valid indefinitely, on sale at the desk every Fern St. for just $5

Narrative Bridges: Compassionate Storytelling for Healing Communities, Facilitated by Margo McLoughlin, Royal Roads University Continuing Studies, Saturday January 22, 2011, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Margo will introduce participants to the power of folktales as a vehicle for inspiring reflection and building community connection.

Hanukah Program for Oaklands Elementary School with World Folk Duo, Kouskous (Gary Cohen and Amber Wood) and Maggidah Shoshana Litman, Wednesday December 1, 2010 at 12:45 p.m. Hanukah Concert and Stories with the Victoria Jewish Community Choir, lead by Jazz Vocalist, Carol Sokoloff, with stories from Maggidah Shoshana Litman at Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue, Blanshard Street at Pandora. Proposed date:…

Storytime continues on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Shoshana Litman and special guests, Sandra Johnson and Peg Hasted, at Tall Tales Books, www.talltalesbooks.ca, 795 Fort Street, Victoria, B.C. Free. Fun, participatory stories and songs for children and plenty of pages for kids of all ages. www.talltalesbooks.ca

Congratulations to Shoshana Litman,… the writer. With some guidance from Pat Carfra and Peg Hasted, Guild Publicity Director Shoshana had an article on storytelling published in this months Island Parent magazine. Click here to read the article (page 20):  “Sharing Stories With Children.” It will take a minute to load.

Hosted by Anne Forester – celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving, Women’s History and Halloween themes, the evening’s stories encompassed the unexpected, the thoroughly spooky, and a variety of unusual love affairs. Jennifer led off with a tale of a spunky young woman with a kind heart in B.C.’s boisterous gold rush days, one Joanna McGuire, followed by Janna’s version of  Hans…

Shoshana Litman – Jewish storyteller Mon Oct 25  7:00 to 8:00 pm in the FirstMet United Church Chapel(Corner of Quadra and Balmoral – enter off Balmoral) Shoshana tells stories that come from her heart, the heart of the Jewish people, and the heart of God. STORYTELLERS PLEASE NOTE: This is the first of a monthly series of storytelling…

Congratulations to Sylvia Olsen, author and VSG member, who won the $5,000 Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize for Counting on Hope  (Sono Nis Press). The subject of her novel is a teenage aboriginal girl in 1863 on Kuper Is. Olsen said she loved inspiring young people with her novels. “I get to be with teenagers…

Organizer Dale Jarvis sends the following:The theme for 2011 is “Water” and there is already a discussion starting on the WSD listserv. If you want to participate in the discussions, you can subscribe to the WSD email discussion list. Send a message to: storytellingday-subscribe@pytte.net As you plan events in your own communities, members can post…

Join the Around Town Tellers and special Guests in a great ghoulish evening of stories and music and who knows what that goes BUMP under the stairs….            Friday evening, October 8,2010                             7:30-9:30pm    “Things That Go Bump in the Night”      …

Our gathering at Fern on September 20th was hosted by Carol Kenway, ably assisted by puppet Souris, her white mouse, who sat safely on her shoulder through a number of stories about cats !  Pat C. led off with a story of most successful pleas in grandchildrens’ handwritten letters to the Sun God begging for…

                     PORT ANGELES, Washington – “Now There Is This To Tell” is the theme of the Sixteenth Annual Forest Storytelling Festival that will be held on October 15 -17 in the Peninsula College Little Theater in Port Angeles.  It is a rare opportunity to experience professional storytelling…

From: Margaret Murphy   Subject: Fw: Emailing: CultureDaysStoryTellingPosterFinal2010 Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2010 19:28:23 -0700 Hi Dear Story Friends, Please see the attached announcement about a story/music concert coming up Saturday evening September 25th in Nanaimo. Nanaimo Centre Stage, 25 Victoria Road, Nanaimo  7:00-9:00pm  Doors open at 6:30pm Several Around Town Tellers and Friends are sharing stories of culinary delights from around the world: Laurie Peck, Sandy…