Carers Week 2010: Newport Fiddle and Folk Club

Carers Victoria is the statewide voice for family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness or who are frail and aged. Over 700,000 Victorians provide unpaid unpaid care and support to a family member of friend.

From small beginnings in 1992, Carers Association Victoria was established. The core business of the organisation is about improving health, well being, resilience and the economic security of caring families.

Every year in October, carers across Australia gather to celebrate Carers Week.

The Newport Fiddle and Folk Club were proud to be part of the celebrations providing an evening of singing, dance and storytelling at a dinner arranged especially for the carers in the west. The line up Newport performers included the club choir, Serbian dances, various combinations of our musos performing some old and popular favourites and pictured is the Newport Strings playing Bach.

I was privileged to be invited to share the beautiful story of Edith's Lyrebird. A wonderful night.

www.carersvic.org.au/

The Village: 4 - 7 November

The Village: is a cross between a festival, a fairground and a fete. A collection of temporary theatre spaces- tents, inflatables, busses caravans and shipping containers.

The Village: is an act of optimism in a cynical world. The intention of the Village is to have artists and community members leave with a strong sense of the essential goodness of people

This will be my 5th year with The Village. Usually friend Matteo and self, work hard in a little tent telling stories to tiny people but this year we are trying something different.

Hope you can visit us. We are planing to tell some of our very favourite, very old and traditional tales. I often say about these stories - that if they were solid and I could hold them in my hand, they would be so valuable, I would have an armed guard at my side. Glad that is not the case and we can share

Come and join us ...

In the Yurt with Matteo and Jackie

Bedtime Stories for big people

9.30 - 10.00

Thursday 4

Friday 5

Where: Edinburgh Gardens, Nth Fitzroy

Weekdays: gates open 6.00pm

Weekends: Midday

http://www.thevillagefestival.com.au/

Melbourne Museum: 2 November Cup Day

Yes it's that time of year again -The Melbourne Cup. And I will be in Museum Victoria having a party with all the Phar Lap enthusiasts.

I kick off at 1.00pm. I will of course be dressed for the occasion - t'will be interesting to see if the suit still fits!

I'll be in the Melbourne Gallery. Don't be too shocked when you see the bones of the great horse. Its proof positive that he is no longer with us - just in case you believe , like Elvis, he is still out there somewhere.

11 Nicholson St

Carlton VIC 3053

Parking available or catch the Nicholson Street Tram

Open daily 10am – 5pm.
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Adult $8, Concession available and Child (3–16 years) free entry.

Fundraiser for Pigeons Projects: 11 November

There are many good reasons for checking in at the Bella Union Bar at Trades Hall and this is one of them.

Pigeons is a community group dedicated to assisting children improving their literacy skills and developing a passion for reading and writing.

The core value of Pigeons is to celebrate and support the crucial role that teachers play in education and to provide resources that can be adapted and evolved to meet their needs in the classroom.

Pigeons Projects are delivered to schools and students at no charge.

Come along and support the coop: 6.00pm. Thursday 11 November. Bella Union. Trades Hall $12.

read more: http://pigeonsprojects.org/

click on poster to enlarge

Western Union Writers celebrate 25 years

Western Union Writers gathered to feast and share stories. A celebration of 25 years of writing fiction, oral histories, poetry, nonfiction ... the lot!

This group is an inspiration and a testament of what can be achieved if writers and storytellers support each other.

As part of the evenings entertainment the Storytelling Guild was invited along to tell a yarn or two. David Demant and jb Rowley joined me in sharing this most pleasurable task.

I met many extraordinary people on the night but I was particularly thrilled to finally meet Margaret Campbell. I had an email conversation with Margaret some years ago when I was working to help coordinate the youth program for the Williamstown Literary Festival but we never met. Margaret started the Western Union Young Writers in 1994. Currently the group ranges in age from 10 - 15. They run a national writing competition (judged by Sheryl Clark) and self publish - they actually hand make their books of which there are 8 titles.

Congratulations to the Western Union ( especially Helen Cerne and Bronwen Hickmen) and thank you for your generosity and support of our storytelling guild.

pic: storyteller jb Rowley in conversation with Margaret Campbell (seated)

Rocket Clock: Time to Tell. October 6 Trades Hall

Last night I attended the inaugural Rocket Clock Story Slam at the Bella Union Bar in Trades Hall.

It was a blast. It's not often you can walk into a crowded bar alone and feel so comfortable. There was a buzz of nervous excitement as Storytellers and support crews gathered around tables undecided about whether to drink water or wine before stepping up onto the stage! Ten tellers took the plunge (including self). With only 5 minutes and a theme to work with, tales of pathos, boredom, transcendence, wisdom and lerv ... were woven around the notion of Firsts. The atmosphere was gentle, supportive and attentive.

I'll be back for more but I will have to wait until the school hols - clashing commitments. In the meantime I will be keeping an eye on the Rocket Clock website, checking out the themes and planning my next story.

Bella Union Bar

Level 1, Trades Hall
Corner of Victoria & Lygon Streets
Carlton South

Free entry. Doors open 7.30pm; slam kicks off 8pm.

http://rocketclock.com.au/