Talking story at the new Williamstown Library

The Williamstown Library has been rebuilt. It’s less than a year since the books and librarians moved in and already there's a brilliant calendar of events. Last night I had the fun (Technology! Ouch!) of talking about oral storytelling and in particular Lyrebird! A true story from a tellable tale, to film to book. Librarian Amanda has created a gorgeous bushland display at child height. If you are in the Williamstown area, our new library is well worth a visit.

Also copies of Lyrebird! A true story are available at Book and Paper, a short walk from the library.

Book and Paper: HERE

Williamstown Library : HERE

The Library is hosting events as part of the 10th Williamstown Literary Festival. Details and program: HERE

Lyrebird! A true story. The story behind the story: 16 May Williamstown Library 2013

Please join me at the Williamstown Library and share the story behind the story of my new book.

From the moment I stumbled across the tale of 'James', one of the first Lyrebirds to be filmed and recorded in display, I was hooked. Definitely a story that needed dusting off and bringing into the light. Illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe and published by Museum Victoria, our book has been received with praise and delight. I've had emails and calls from bird lovers around the country.

Lyrebird!A true story has been short listed by the Children's Book Council of Australia which is a splendid thing as it means even more young people will have the chance to enjoy the story.

Whenever I have the opportunity to speak - I learn more about these wondrous birds. Please come and share your bird anecdotes with me. As my storytelling friend Bettina Nissen frequently says, 'Stories beget stories'. For example: this photo of the road sign was sent to me by Peter  C... who lives on the Belgrave Ferny Creek Road, Ferny Creek. With Peter's help, we were finally able to prove, beyond doubt, the location of this beautiful tale.

Williamstown Library 104 Ferguson Street Williamstown
16 May 7-00 - 8.30
Free

Booking and details HERE

Launch of the Williamstown Literary Festival Program 29 May - 2 June 2013

It hard to take a photograph that makes a Festival launch look interesting but I promise you all these people are fascinating!

I had a list of things to do today but it all went on the back burner when I received a message from Ange Altair (President) saying it was all go at the Town Hall.

The fun of festivals is making new friends who share an interest in words and ideas and meeting up with old ones.

Here, pictured left to right, is Lowan Clarke. Lowan will be conducting one of the workshops for the Festival: Industrial Landscapes.

Next to Lowan is Isabelle Rowan and Randall Stephens. I like the way Randall appears to be sporting a set of horns - a mischievous performance poet by any measure. Randall and Isabelle are part of a session titled: Love Writing with a Twist - Rated MA 15+.  Erotic gender bending romance is the genre of the moment. (Doesn't the idea of 'bending gender' only hold if you subscribe to a heteronormative view? Perhaps I shall find the answer to this and other questions if I go along?)

And of course, the woman in red, is the current President of the Lit Fest and one of the co founders along with Robin Grove and Catherine Ryan.

The festival is 10 years old this year. You can read all about the Willy Lit Fest HERE.

Newstead Short Story Tattoo. Fire Stories 2013

It’s six years since I visited the inaugural Newstead Short Story Tattoo at this tiny town in Central Victoria. Curated by Neil Boyack, it’s the only festival in Australia that celebrates the short story. I loved it the first time but it was even better the second time around as I had the fun of meeting up with folk I hadn’t seen since the first time. (… if that makes sense?)

I was there for Fire Stories on Saturday night but made the most of my time attending the sessions in the Community Hall and then cruising over to Clunes Booktown for more readings and more chat and more coffee.

It's worth checking out the website HERE. Be astounded at the guests and the originality of this remarkable event.

As well as spending time with mates from Storytelling Australia (Vic) Anne E Stewart and Andrew McKenna, I had the joy of catching up with Phil Mac, poet, musician and raconteur. I could say so much about my weekend away but I don’t like reading long blogs, so on that basis, I shall spare you. But I urge you … get to know Neil aand Phil.

The sublime Phil playing saw and reminding us that spoken language is music too.

Learn more about Neil Boyack HERE

And Phil Mac: HERE

House concert to celebrate 21 years! Hobart 2013

 Its often said that in the days of old, the seat by the fire was reserved for the storyteller.

My daughter and friends have reignited the tradition of the house concert. This is the second time I've had the privilege of telling stories for her tribe.

This time we were celebrating 21 years of beautiful Zoe. There was a singing/guitar duo, stories, a wonderful speech by her Dad and all topped off with a fabulous, funny and loving performance in the back garden by Magic Alister.

DIY entertainment - its the best!

Preparations to attend the Federation for European Storytelling Conference and Rome Storytelling Festival: 2013

If it takes a raffle to get to Rome, so be it!

When Canadian/Roman storyteller Mariella Bertelli visited Melbourne a while ago we were delighted to discover a shared passion for Kamishibai storytelling. At the time, I was also in the middle of a project based on the Canterbury Tales for the Williamstown Literary Festival and Mariella had a deep interest the Decameron; another overlapping curiosity.

Over a year passed and then a few weeks ago Mariella contacted me and suggested I apply to represent Storytelling Australia (Vic) at the Federation for European Storytelling Conference: Rome 2013 and then stay on for the Rome Storytelling Festival.

This was tempting but seemed impossible. Not so … with the support of my storytelling colleagues in Victoria and the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club, obstacles have been swept aside and the tickets for Rome booked! I am the first Australian to attend the conference and hope to do my mates proud.

I will also be creating two shows with Mariella (one for adults and one for children) and a kamishibai workshop.

As part of the Live@Newport program, organized by the Simon Leverton and the NFFC, a raffle was held with gifts donated by friends and supporters.

Enormous thanks to:

Leonie Kervin

Transitions Hobsons Bay

Breizoz

Captain’s Creek

I'll be heading off in mid June!!!

The Newport Fiddle and Folk Club takes pride in welcoming travelling musicians and storytellers. Here David Doyle from Stone Soup Storytelling (Plymouth UK) is invited to draw the raffle.

Newstead Short Story Tattoo 3,4,5 May 2013

…..wanna’ hear a story?

Newstead Short Story Tattoo

May 3,4,5

Newstead Vic

www.newsteadtattoo.org

Newstead Short Story Tattoo arrives again in May 2013 championing storytelling in all forms with an infectious, seductive and engaging arrangement of sessions such as Survival Stories, Horror Stories, Earth Stories, Sticky Stories, Sisters Salon, Nano Narratives, Scripted Stories, as well as the signature, outdoor, surround sound, storytelling extravaganza Fire Stories.  In a fine moment of cross collaboration and date synchronising, Newstead Short Story Tattoo is also presenting an event at Clunes Booktown, entitled ‘Stralian Stories. The writers, fighters, talkers and speakers are also impressive including the modern hunter-gatherer Rohan Anderson, Cate Kennedy, Courtney Collins, Josephine Rowe, Amy Espeseth, Greeg Macainsh, Jordie Albiston, Frank Golding, Dr Fred Cahir, Leonie Stevens, Kate Hood, Carmel Bird, Klare Lanson, Patrick Pittman andAndrew Mckenna to name but a few. Musicians are also in abundance and include Archer Shepherd who’ll be playing the Tex Morton Story, Melbourne’s own international tech-rockers Black Cab, David Thrussell, the sweet-folk-popLucy Jean Roleff, Phil Mac playing the saw and telling road stories, beforeAndrew Til winds up the Pioneer mixer and tells stories through his music library. Der Kommisar will also be hammering out 80’s tunes in the Zombie-Goth-80’s disco post Horror Stories at the opening night party. For all details check the website. 

Other sugar coating to consider

·       Entry to all events is by donation

·       3 Stella Prize shortlisted authors appearing

·       Print off program and all details on website

·       Bar available at all events post a.m.

·       Note-  Clunes is only 25 minutes from Newstead and the annual Booktown event is on, a great reason for all story lovers and bookworms to do some visiting…

·       Newstead wants you

·       Open mic at most events

More information: Neil Boyack

0409685621

Or contact via email through www.neilboyack.com

I'm counting the sleeps. This is one of my favourite celebrations of story in the calendar.