Jackie Kerin

Canterbury Tales Book Club Project: Williamstown Literary Festival 2012

2012-03-05T16:09:00.005+11:00

The Canterbury Tales Book Club Project ...

WARNING: Coarse language, violence, sexual references and blasphemy.

The WiIliamstown Literary Festival is well and truly engraved in my calendar. This is my community coming together to celebrate ideas, language, new publications, old tomes ...

As well as honouring locals who have made their mark in the literary world, established authors from afar are invited to come and share the talk and of course there are open mics for poets and storytellers who have something to say.

In my continuing enthusiasm to have spoken language at literary festivals, some mates and I have been entrusted with a spot on the Sunday of the festival where we will be sharing our examination of The Canterbury Tales and yes ... they are rude and blasphemous - hence the warning.

The Canterbury Tales mark a turn in the history of English Literature, a popularising of the vernacular, a shift away from the use of French and Latin for the purposes of literature.

This is Chaucer 101 for enjoyment and education. It will be provocative but above all it is our wish to whet your curiosity. Isn’t that what a Festival of Literature is all about?

Here we are at our first meeting. That's Catherine Ryan with the bike. Catherine is preparing 'the lecture' and Danny O'Connell, (pointing the finger) is tackling the Miller's Tale. Simon Leverton is sitting at the head of the table eating and thinking about music - he's our MD.

Missing for the first meet/moot was Bernard Caleo, comic book maker, who is creating a Kamishibai version of the Nun's Priest's Tale. Bernard is busily making a documentary about the Melbourne's Graphic Novelists. Check it out:

Claire Saxby was also absent from our first meeting. Lordy! its like herding cats getting a bunch of creatives in the same place at one time. Claire is a well loved writer for children but what is less well know is she is an amazing poet and our favourite MC.

Learn more about the Williamstown Literary Festival here.

Qualia Lounge Book Worm Showdown: raising money to educate kids

2012-02-26T10:24:00.005+11:00

Eric Forest, chef and storyteller at the Qualia Lounge

An email arrived in my in box this week from Eric Forrest. Inside the subject bar was written, 'a quest for storytellers'.

Reading on. I learned that Eric was hosting a week long fundraiser for Room to Read. This is a global organisation dedicated to promoting and enabling education through programs focused on literacy and gender equality in education.

Here's the thing ... for every poet or storyteller who was prepared to stand up and read, recite or tell, Qualia Lounge was offering to put $20 towards Room to Read.

Well who's gunna argue with that! By the end of the night we had over $160 in the hat. The money will go to a program in Laos supporting female literacy

But there was a twist ... at the completion of the performances folk voted (with monopoly money) for their highlight and the lucky winner received a $100 bar tab and had the privilege of wearing the worm!

Poet, Randall Stephens, was surprised by the announcement and perhaps wary about donning the worm. Before our eyes he transformed from happy poet to evil annalid.

The Qualia Lounge is a unique idea and my kind of place. I was welcomed like I was walking into a home. Its a place where strangers introduce themselves, hands are shaken and ideas and stories traded around wine and nibbles. And of course I had great fun sharing a story with my new best friends.

So ...

Details about Qualia Lounge here

Check out Randall Stephens here

And most importantly if you are interested in supporting Room to Read check it out here

Kamishibai mate and comic book maker Bernard Caleo has a new monthly comic

2012-02-22T13:34:00.002+11:00

I'm excited. My first episode arrived in the post today!

Stories in pictures: Traffic signal boxes in Hobart

2012-02-15T10:57:00.003+11:00

I've been enjoying a ten day break in Tasmania taking in the sights of Bruny Island and MONA, as well as enjoying the food and wine and open-hearted Tasmanian hospitality.

Stories are everywhere - in the air we breathe.

In Hobart, it pays to spend time waiting for the lights to change as so many of the traffic signal boxes have been painted with stories.

Here on the corner of Argyle and Davey Streets, artist Valentina Marshall has drawn our attention to the Australian Spotted Handfish.

At 12 cms, this species is listed as endangered - the Northern Pacific Seastar being one of the factors in its decline. Its home is the Lower Derwent River estuary, Frederick Henry Bay, D'Entrecasteaux Channel and the northern reaches of Storm Bay. This is one very sweet animal!

If you're handy with a paint brush and have a story to tell, you can decorate a TSB. Check out the Urban Smart website here and find out how.

Pictures are stories!

Home Cooked Comics Festival: Kamishibai and other outdoor stories

2012-01-29T14:25:00.007+11:00

I've been watching the weather all week - checking the long range forecast which changes constantly and feeds open air performance anxiety. The Home Cooked Comics Festival in Batman Park (how bizarre is that?) promised to be a celebration for those who love comic books and graphic novels but it could have all gone to mush if it had been too wet, too hot, too windy...

But the elements were kind. The weather was perfect - hottish but with a cooling breeze and Batman Park has a good scattering of mature, shady trees - all up, a wonderful environment for an outing with the bike and the Kamishibai.

The festival had a fabulous buzz and though I was busy telling stories for most it and missed out on a lot, I can say in all honesty the vibe was happy, the smiles stretched from ear to ear and folk were coming up to me expressing open hearted delight at the whole thing. The program included a parade, a fight choreography workshop, giant comic book making, live music ... Bernard Caleo mcd the Comics Quiz... You can read more about the program here.

Thanks to the Festival and Darebin Council for inviting me along. The K was a huge a success. I am absolutely hooked on the idea of taking stories out into the world - into parks, markets and festivals.

On the subject of the joy of taking stories out into public spaces, here is a video clip of friend Luis Correia Carmelo selling stories in a park in Portugal. His stories cost between 1 and 5 euro.

Enjoy ...

Kamishibai hits the road

2012-01-25T13:34:00.012+11:00

Peter - up to his elbows in bike entrails

Oh Boy! Has this been a process!

Not having the skills to make my own kamishibai rig, Peter Santos who sold me my bike, bravely took on the challenge.

With Christmas and New Year and a constant stream of helmut heads wanting his beautiful bikes, I have had to be patient. But at last the rig has been fitted and I have been pedalling the streets of Newport road testing the design.

Bel supervises all sales

The box is made of powder coated steel and fixed to the pack rack with four removable clamps. Ted Smith, who made the K inserted 3 earth magnets into the base of the K and it clamps to the lid. The beauty of this idea is I can sit the K on any angle.

Inside the box is a shelf. The K sits snug in a purpose stitched blanket case and is prevented from bouncing around by a roll of socks. The bottom shelf fits a ton of drawings. The rig is very heavy and the steering is different - just need to be cautious. The Pilen bike is so beautifully geared and balanced, that I really do not notice any extra effort pedalling. I know of no other bike that could cope so well with the load.

Peter has fitted the bike with a double leg kickstand but to add to the stability I have added a few tent poles. These will be replaced in time with Clickstands.

Now I know all this detailed info will not be of interest to everyone - but trust me, there are kamishibai enthusiasts around the world and this kind of sharing conversation makes us happy!

Peter Santos : psbikes

Clickstands

Bookings: The Storytelling Garden tania@storygarden.com.au

Immigration Museum Kids Fest: All Aboard! 21-22 Jan 2012

2012-01-23T17:36:00.011+11:00

The temperature is rising and the tennis is growing ever more exciting. International visitors are pouring into the city looking unmistakably like fans - I think its the visors!

But in the Immigration Museum, we were kept cool by the historic thick walls. Just as well, as children raced through the doors to enjoy All Aboard : a special children’s festival for children aged 3-12 and their families.

Packed with exciting performances, inspiring art installations, fun activities and adventure trails celebrating journeys and arrivals, the punters were treated to hours of fun.

The staff created a beautiful storytelling space for me with a plush red chair. I had the fun of telling some of my favourite stories from around the world: Spain, Hawaii, Turkey and China ... just to name a few.

And how about my gold Thai silk fisherman's pants? I felt very exotic!

Next week I will be at The Home Cooked Comics Festival

Date: Saturday 28 January
Time: 3-7pm
Location: Batman Park, corner St Georges and Arthurton Roads, Northcote.
The Home Cooked Comics Festival is a free celebration for those who love comic books and graphic novels. There will be live music by Animaux and Squid Squad, fight choreography and comic making workshops, Kamishibai (Japanese ‘paper drama’) and the Allen & Unwin Comics Quiz Show.

Storytelling off the back of my bike

2012-01-19T14:38:00.014+11:00

I live in a beautiful part of Melbourne in a community that is embracing of diversity and supportive of the arts the environment. Today I had a taste of it all when I had the privilege of telling stories as part of GOWEST for Midsumma.

Hobsons Bay proudly creates opportunities and events at this time of year supporting and representing GLBTIQ (Gay Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer) communities in the west.

Such a perfect morning, I was able to ride my bike around Port Phillip Bay, through the Williamstown Wetlands, around the old racecourse where Phar Lap once thrilled the crowds and along the Altona Esplanade under the towering Norfolk Pines.

My bike coped magnificently with a heavy basket loaded with props and all sorts of bibs and bobs that a storyteller needs. The frame, rack and stand are so sturdy, that even with such a load, it's

perfectly stable and I can work out off the back of

it without any fear of a topple.

Please enjoy the pics I took on the way. If only I had a better lens I could have shown you some of the birds I saw: rails, swans, stilts, pelicans, grebes ... and I narrowly missed a tiger snake who likes to cross the path between one pond and the next. But I did nearly collide with a frantic parent who was dealing with a catatonic child. Ahh ... urban wildlife

This sculpture marks the site of the old Williamstown racecourse. Its called Requiem for a Champion and the artist is Yvonne George.

This pic was taken on a bridge crossing one of the ponds in the Williamstown Wetlands. Beyond is Port Phillip Bay. With so much rain in the past two years - the vegetation is looking brilliant and the wildlife is thriving - and only about 12 ks from the CBD.

Coming into Altona, the bike path follows the esplanade under the trees. Glorious!

Thankyou to Hobsons Bay librarians for inviting me to be their guest storyteller. Info about preschool Storytime and Rhymetime here. And thankyou Russell for taking the photos.

This weekend: Immigration Museum: Kid's Fest: All Aboard!

January 21 and 22

12.15 2.15. 3.15

Bookings: The Storytelling Garden tania@storygarden.com.au

Story Time in Altona Park 19 January 2012

2012-01-13T19:34:00.013+11:00

As part of GoWest: celebrating Queer Culture in Melbourne's west, I will be telling stories to children in the park.

The idea is to load my gear onto the back of my beautiful bike and pedal to Logan Reserve. I had a test run today. I loaded up my little beauty - my Pilen (that's Swedish for arrow in case you had forgotten) and went for a buzz around the back streets of Newport. Stately as a galleon we sailed around corners and glided up hills into the wind.

So weather permitting, next week I will be delivering stories off the back of my bike.

My Kamishibai is not ready yet so I have opted for the basket however I have been advised that the numbers could be large at this gig and the kamishiba would not work so well.

However ... the K will be at The Home Cooked Comics Festival info: here.

In the meantime I will be at the Rainbow Family Story Time – celebrating all our unique families. Bring a rug, and relax on the lawns.

19th January

10.30am to 11.30am

Logan Reserve, Pier Street, Altona.

I tell stories all over Melbourne. If you want me to visit you ...

email Tania: The Storytelling Garden tania@storygarden.com.au

Visit my website here

Rest In Peace Lyrebird 'Chook'

2011-12-29T14:01:00.002+11:00

He shimmied and he shook

Like no ordinary chook.

He was handsome, he was bright,

He had feathers bronze and white,

A little chestnut black and grey -

His tail a wonder in display.

Chook died peacefully on 29 December 2012.

Chook was hand reared and lived for 32 years. He arrived at the Adelaide Zoo from Healesville Sanctuary 20 years ago. Now his aviary is silent.

In researching for my book about Lyrebird James and Edith Wilkinson, I don't think there is a you tube I haven't watched. This one of Chook is one of my favourites but then there are so many favourites.

Condolences to Adelaide Zoo and fans of Chook.

Tango Tangents. La Mama Sunday 18 December 2011

2011-12-15T19:51:00.003+11:00

We are just having too much fun with this show ... last chance to see before 2012!!

Presented by The Sunset Sisters with special guests Tango Mundo.

Tango songs and stories from a woman’s point of view. A lively mix of original songs by Faye Bendrups, Alison Richards and Ella Filar, some classic ‘Euro Tango’, the work of Argentinian writer Luisa Valenzuela and the voice play Last Tango in Brunswick by Alison Richards and Jackie Kerin.

2pm

La Mama Courthouse

$25 Full | $15 Concession

Ten Tellable Australian Tales

2011-12-11T10:00:00.007+11:00

I have been locked in the study trying to cobble together a presentation for the OWOVM Conference next week. How to squeeze all I want to share into 15 minutes is proving problematical. As well as sharing information about the storytelling networks I'm plugged into around Australia and abroad, I want to share the work I have been doing on the Ten Tellable Australian Tales. I've chosen these three: Edith's Lyrebird which you can see on the video clip, Split Dog and Phar Lap.

1. Edith's Lyerbird is the story of James and Edith Wilkinson. James was one of the first male lyrebirds to be filmed and recorded in display. Edith was a flower farmer in the 1930s living on the slope of Mt Dandenong. Soon this story will be available as a book but it will be called Lyrebird! a true story. This version will be more detailed with loads of information about these birds and other songbirds that live on the mountain. Illustrator: Peter Gouldthorpe. Publisher: Museum Victoria. Yes .. the spoken story is connected to the book like blossom to fruit!

2. Split Dog comes from my fascination with tall stories. He apparently appears in Nth American folk tale, sometimes as Davey Crocket's dog but his adventures have also made it into Australian folklore.

3. Phar Lap the wonder horse. This tellable is written in ballad form. Reciting traditional verse and contemporary original poetry is still popular. In my city of Melbourne, any night of the week. you will find poets, declaiming, rapping and rhyming in pubs across town. Only last week I had the fun of reciting Phar Lap in the Carbine Bar during the Cocktail Hour! You can hear more about this one on the Museum Victoria website, and you can hear me tell it to you ... website here.

Writing this post has been a diversion from the task at hand - now its back to work!

Frocks on Bikes and Kamishibai update

2011-12-08T13:01:00.004+11:00

Now you might be thinking what this post has to do with storytelling or my continuing evolution as an artist.

The story is a little convoluted I admit. For months now I have been working on the kamishibai-on-

bike-project. My old bike was not suitable for a rig. After weeks of browsing bike shops - eight in all, I found the perfect bike at psbikes in Yarraville.

It's stylishly black, like the traditional kamishibai bikes and a step-through, so I no longer have to heave my leg over a bar. Peter Santos brings these bikes in from Sweden - it called a Pilen (that's Swedish for 'arrow').

The next step was to design and build a box for the Kamishibai and a stand for the bike. Peter has come up with a design in steel and Ted Smith (the K maker) has inserted some earth magnets in to the base of the K to fix it to the top the box. Clear as mud?

All this will make perfect sense soon. Peter and I are just waiting for the box to be powder coated black to match the bike. I will then be able to show you a pic.

So what's all this got to do with 'Frocks on Bikes'?

Nothing really ... well ... sort of connected. While I'm waiting for the rig, I am enjoying my Pilen. Last weekend I welcomed the Frocks on Bikes as they rode the bike punt across the Yarra River to western side. Then with skirts flying and ladylike banter, we pedalled in single file to a pleasant cafe for lunch.

I love my new bike!

Learn more:

psbikes

Frocks on Bikes

Mentone Public Subscription Library: An Author for All Seasons

2011-11-29T09:01:00.008+11:00

Friend and fellow storyteller, Julia Reichstein is a great supporter of oral storytelling and the Storytelling Guild (Vic).

Julia has been the organiser behind the series of talks based at the Mentone Library: An Author for All Seasons. In a fine bit of planning, I was booked months ago, for November to coincide with the racing season.

Mentone has a strong history of racing and gambling; there was time when many properties housed thoroughbreds and horses could be seen working out on the the sandy tracks and swimming in the Bay not to mention the sly two-up games hidden in the tea-tree scrub. In 1947 Tom Woodcock moved into the area and kept a stable.

So ... thanks to Julia I had a chance to spruik my book Phar Lap the wonderhorse (available in all good bookshops, Museum Victoria and on line).

Pictured is Julia hosting An author for All Seasons. A more relaxed and welcoming mc you will not find anywhere.

Story mates, Beth Cregan and Matteo rocked up and as we are normally separated by water (Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River) and freeways, it was wonderful to catch up face to face.

Buy a copy of Phar Lap the wonderhorse here

The Oral the Written and other Verbal Media. 12 to 14 December 2011

2011-11-25T11:54:00.002+11:00

Hosted by Victoria University, the Oral, the Written and Other Verbal Media (OWOVM) Conference on Poetics and Discourse will be held in Melbourne, Australia from 12 to 14 December 2011.

With the theme of ‘Testimony, Witness, Authority: the politics and poetics of experience’, the conference brings together practitioners and researchers in a forum to explore the variety of ways experience is reproduced and cultures built through oral, written and other verbal media.

To be held at Victoria University’s city campus in Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne, the 2011 conference will feature language, voice and text from scholars, composers and performers.

I'll be presenting at the conference alongside Michael Hyde and Christine-Martin McDonald in a sessional called Tellable Stories.

See the program here.

The Big West Festival Big Sing

2011-11-16T15:01:00.004+11:00

Last night I was flying! It was the opening of the big West Festival.

With 200 other voices, I stomped and clapped my way through four hip hop numbers. We were the backing vocals for MASSIVE the only hip hop choir in Australia.

Behind us was the Maribyrnong River and on the other side, the grand stand at Flemington Racecourse rose up to the sky.

A storyteller is always on the scout for a good tale to tell. This is a story of folk coming together and celebrating life - full throated, full bodied, and full spirited. Looking at at the crowd it occurred to me that the word 'multiculture' may now be old hat. Somehow this word suggests a mosaic made up of difference. Last night was certainly multilingual and multicoloured but the overwhelming feel was simply of one community celebrating together. Time for a new word perhaps? Or maybe this is what the word the means ... hmm.. beautiful ...

This pic was taken from the stage. Standing squeezed up against my fellow sopranos, I held my camera up high and clicked.

Getting ready for the BIg West Festival 2011

2011-11-14T18:05:00.002+11:00

How much fun have we had re - rehearsing Tango Tangents for the Big West!! We've been hard at it all day and this what it looked like in my sun room.

That's Faye Bendrups (keyboard), Alison Richards (vocals), Dave Evans (accordion) and Guillermo Anad (viola).

How lucky am I to have these wonderful people making music in my home!

Bookings: Tango Tangents: November 16 The Big West

The Village Festival Saturday 5. Edinburgh Gardens. Kamishibai

2011-11-05T18:39:00.004+11:00

Under the elm trees in the Edinburgh Gardens, 30 degrees and blowing a light northerly.

I have told stories for several years now at this festival and this is the busiest I have ever been.

At midday, on the knocker, I had a full mat of children ready for stories. Apart from quick survival breaks I was talking and singing for over 4 hours. Lucky for the vocal chords of steel.

The Kamishibai was very popular - I over heard one adult fellow talking about the 'amazing wooden box'. The simplicity of the kamishibai seems to be invisible when the story casts its spell.

And here's a pic of the Famous Village Dog Show.

Only in inner suburban Melbourne could such a bizarre event have gained such popularity. It's hysterical and what's more the dogs seem to have a ball!

Keeping Books Alive. Conference. 26 November 2011

2011-11-02T10:06:00.002+11:00

click to enlarge poster

Children's Charity Network and the Australian Children's Literary Board Seminar.

A professional development seminar designed to inform and inspire secondary and primary teachers, librarians and those interested in promoting literacy.

Speakers include Michael Salmon, Meredith Costain, Phil Kettle and Gabrielle Wang and many others.

I will be there telling stories. My mantra for those who don't already know: Before there were books, there were stories. Oral storytelling is connected to the book like blossom to fruit.

Features of the day include many prizes, gourmet catering, great ideas to implement at the work-place, latest news and availability of presenters, handouts, signings and lively discussion.

Registration fee: $110

Please direct all enquiries to:

Rob Leonard

Ph (03) 5282 8950

Fax: (03) 4206 7811

Email: rob@ozkids.com.au

Big West Festival. Tango Tangents. November 16 2011

2011-10-31T09:22:00.005+11:00

I'll be having fun in the Big West Festival. Alison Richards and I met at NIDA in 1974 and we are still creative buddies.

TANGO TANGENTS

Presented by the Sunset Sisters.

photo: Ponch Hawkes

Alison Richards, Faye Bendrups and Jackie Kerin are divas of the Melbourne stage and together they light up the night. Their supreme command of song and story will bring a fresh set of tastes to your jaded palates. Tango Tangents explores Tango culture from a woman’s point of view with a cocktail of original songs by Faye Bendrups, Alison Richards and Melbourne’s ‘Queen of Cabaret’ Ella Filar, together with classic ‘Euro Tango’ songs like Jealousy, the work of Argentinian writer Luisa Valenzuela and the voiceplay Last Tango in Braybrook. This is something special, darlings – drink deep.

CREATIVE TEAM: Alison Richards, Faye Bendrups, Jackie Kerin with special guests Guillermo Anad and Dave Evans

VENUE: Bluestone Performance Hub 10a Hyde St Footscray

DATES: Wed 16 Nov, 7pm

TICKETS: $20 / $15

BOOKINGS: here

FURTHER INFORMATION: Big West

The Village Festival 3 - 6th November. Edinburgh Gardens Nth Fitzroy

2011-10-21T18:49:00.006+11:00

Music, dance, magic, storytelling and more ...

click on poster to enlarge

Creative collisions all around.

I've been taking stories to The Village since 2008. Always a joy. There are people I only ever meet at The Village - the children are growing taller.

Last year my friend Matteo and I told stories in a beautiful Mongolian yurt, this year I will be back in the little circus tent. I love this little tent. Ten people and I have a full house and we can enjoy stories on an intimate level.

The Village is a place of hope and optimism, joy and beauty.

Call in and say 'gidday'.

Storytelling: Saturday Nov 5 midday- 5.00

Learn more about The Village and its creators here

Kamishibai swap library with UK collaborator - Derek Carpenter

2011-10-18T18:16:00.003+11:00

The internet is a wonderful thang!

Here I am in my study in Melbourne Australia chatting via skype with Derek Carpenter (aka Bo the Clown and a dozen other characters). Derek is in his office in the UK in Newcastle.

Derek and I share a love of kamishibai and a passion for sharing stories and building repertoire.

This has led to the Kamishibai Library of Swaps. Kamishibai is a hungry beast and requires a good collection of stories. By swapping you can build your collection and help someone else build theirs. Put a story in - get one out! The world is a big place. Living in our separate hemispheres we're not concerned that our material will overlap. The stories listed have been created by us or inspired by stories out of copyright.

Learn more about Derek Carpenter here

Library of Swaps here

and here

Making original artwork for Kamishibai storytelling

2011-10-12T17:01:00.006+11:00

The house is looking like a confetti bomb exploded and there is no room to eat at the table. But it's all in a great creative cause.

Inspired by the beautiful animations of Lotte Reiniger, I thought I would try my hand at making pictures by cutting up paper. This series illustrates the old folk tale about the cracked pot whose flaw meant the earth was watered and flowers could bloom amongst the stones.

The pictures are A3 size and I will have them printed for my kamishibai and keep the originals safe.

Experimenting with this kind of storytelling has been the highlight of my year. I have made new friends across the globe and am relishing using whatever visual art skills I have lurking in the back brain.

Kamishibai friend in the UK, Derek Carpenter and I, have set up a swap library on his website. It's a work in progress - the idea is ... you put a story in, you get a story out. Of course you must have copyright or permission from the author/artist to be a contributor.

Kamishibai Library of Swaps

It was Derek who introduced me to Lotte Reiniger. Please enjoy an example of Lotte's work and be inspired also.

The Carrum Sailing Club. Claire Saxby and Christina Booth

2011-10-09T09:42:00.006+11:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of pedalling my bike to Yarraville - a pretty little precinct in the inner west of Melbourne. With narrow streets, petite wooden Victorian cottages built close to the footpaths and tangled gardens reaching through picket fences - yes ... riding is the best way to enjoy.

Friend and writing buddy, Claire Saxby, was launching her latest picture book for young children. Yarraville's social life centres around the the art deco Sun Cinema, the Sun bookshops and the coffee shops. A fabulous place for a book launch.

While my preoccupation is telling stories to children rather than reading, I still need texts to work with. Claire's previous book, There was and Old Sailor (illustrator: Cassandra Allen) with its rhythmical language and rhyme is a staple in my repertoire. The Carrum Sailing Club is a story with strong sensual appeal. We are invited to feel the sand, get wet and eat. We're invited to dance, fly, hide and explore.

Its a skill and a half to pack so much into 32 pages and with minimal text. There's no doubt, Claire's knowledge and experience of poetry gives her an edge when it comes to writing for the very young.

With beautiful Illustrations by Christina Booth, I reckon this book is a winner.

The Carrum Sailing Club by Claire Saxby and Christina Booth.

publisher: Windy Hollow

Stories in Bunnings

2011-09-26T18:20:00.005+10:00

I had been looking forward to this gig for a while.

Might not be for everyone but I am wedded to the idea of taking stories out of libraries, schools and dedicated performance spaces and delivering them in the streets, markets and other places where folk gather.

Eastern Regional Libraries invited me to take my tale telling skills to the Bunning store in Scorsby. Yes!!

Maria, who was working on family activities, had arranged a space for me in the outdoor furniture department. It was perfect - right next to the nursery.

For almost 3 hours I had the pleasure of sharing the best of my stories with people who might not hear them otherwise. A tale well told will weave its spell wherever it is unleashed.

I also learned something. The Bunnings' staff are just like in the ads! They are the friendliest, sincerest folk you will find. And that's a true story.

Cut flower farms in the Dandenongs c1920 -30

2011-09-26T17:53:00.002+10:00

Still researching for my book Lyrebird! It's never ending ...

In trying to grapple with what a cut flower farm might have looked like back in the the 20s - 30s I have been emailing and driving and googling!

Friends suggested I visit Cloudehill - nursery and gardens in the Dandenongs.

Jeremy Francis responded to my emails with warmth so I made the journey to speak to him face to face. Cloudehill is breathtakingly beautiful but I was there on a mission. I will return and devote a day to exploring these gardens and I will return again and again.

Jeremy has built Cloudehill out of an historic working garden originally created by the Woolrich family in the 1890s. The top half of the property was a cut flower farm for many years.

In my true story, Edith Wilkinson's cut flower farm was on the west side of the mountain facing towards Port Phillip Bay. Her property was probably burned in the 1962 fires and is now part of Parks Victoria. She'd cleared a small swathe in the forest for her business. This photo, taken at Cloudehill shows a bulb meadow behind which you can see the blackwoods and the mountain ash. Did Edith's property have a similar margin? I suspect so.

Cloudehill

The book: Cloudehill: A Year in the Garden by Jeremy Francis

Lyrebird! Behind the scenes, behind the book

2011-09-08T20:09:00.006+10:00

It takes a team to make something really special. And yes ... in case you had forgotten ... it's all about birds!

After working for several years on the text of my next book, we are finally moving onto the next stage. With the support of Melanie Raymond (publishing Museum Victoria) and independent editor and author Nan McNab, the words are done! But the next phase is inviting an illustrator on board.

We are delighted to have Tasmanian, Peter Gouldthorpe on the project. Peter is a well loved and highly decorated artist. Peter's work reflects a deep respect and wonder for landscape and the animals and people within it. His talent for capturing Australian subjects with warmth and accuracy is wondrous.

In a flying visit to Melbourne to visit family, Peter and partner Jennie, managed time to visit Museum Vic and explore the bird collection under the watchful eye of Wayne Longmore, senior collection manager, vertebrates.

While Wayne wheeled out the specimens, Peter took pictures and I finally got to the bottom of my confusion - 'bell miners' and 'noisy miners'!! Don't even think about it. Scientific names are long, hard to say and remember but common names do your head in with common misunderstanding!

There is melancholy behind those doors in the Museum, where all the dead and stuffed reside but there is also great beauty.

Learn more about Peter Gouldthorpe here.

Museum Victoria Books here

Kamishibai spotting

2011-09-02T17:51:00.010+10:00

I'm told that some folk like to spot trains - spotting the Kamishibai is a much more interesting pastime in my view.

Here it is in Ballan. This little town turns into a story town once a year for National Literacy and Numeracy Week. The first pic is Hagrid having a go at telling a story. Not sure if using his wand as a pointer is wise!

Fairy Amanda looked a picture next the K and bike. A little unstable on the sloping path, I couldn't have told my stories without the help of a kind fairy

I'd like to say that I rode my bike and the K to Ballan but it is 80 ks and I was due to start at 10.00am so I confess - I cheated.

It is my joy to take stories out onto the street and test my metal as a storyteller. The street was good enough for Shakespeare!

At a more serious event at the Melbourne Writers Festival. Bernard Caleo presented a brilliant session for secondary students. A tough audience they say - Bernard had these young people spell bound. And how beautiful does the Ted Smith Kamishibai look floating in classic black?

Tango Tangents. La Mama Sunday August 28 2011

2011-08-29T13:57:00.005+10:00

Well ... it would have been nice to get a photo of the full theatre on Sunday afternoon but I was on stage with my colleagues strutting me stuff. This pic was taken just before the doors opened.

A glorious Melbourne day, the folk could have been forgiven for choosing a walk in the park but they didn't - they came to Tango Tangents.

Our entertainment, Tango Tangents is a glimpse into the rich world of Tango culture which includes music, poetry and stories - sometimes sentimental, sometimes satirical and sometimes with a political edge.

Sunday's performance was a tryout of the material and judging by the response, we are on the right track.

If you missed out we will be back at La Mama on December 4 and 18.

Written by Ellar Filar, Jackie Kerin, Faye Bendrups, Alison Richards and Guillermo Anad with short story by Luisa Valenzuela.

Technical support: Alan Davies.

Kamishibai around the fire. Daylesford 2011

2011-08-25T16:54:00.003+10:00

Story mates, myself, Matteo and Bettina Nissen responded to Anne E Stewart's invitation to visit Daylesford for Words in Winter. On the Saturday night and around the fire, Annie decided to film us telling stories in her lounge room. Perched on the coffee table and comfortable in thick socks and ugg boots, I began proceedings with the story of Split Dog. So at last you can see my beautiful Kamishibai in action. The yearly trip to Daylesford has become locked into the storytelling calendar and providing we are in the State, some of us always manage the trip to this beautiful town.

Enjoy.

Aireys Inlet Festival of Words 2011

2011-08-21T17:40:00.005+10:00

I've just returned from the Aireys Festival of Words. Magic happened!

For years my friend, storyteller Bettina Nissen has banged on about how people give you things, special things, 'magic objects' she calls them. 'They are things that only storytellers are given because we recognise their value', she says. Bah! and Tosh! I have never been given such a thing. And then on Friday at Aireys Inlet Primary School, after telling the students the story of Phar Lap, a teacher presented me with this little wooden horse. It had been left behind by a past pupil who had been involved in a class project that centred around the story of Phar Lap and my book. I recognised it in an instant. A magic object! A palpable sign that my book matters. It will live on the shelf in the family room where I will see it every day and be reminded, in moments of doubt, that stories are important.

Following my wonderful Friday in the primary school with some of the most courteous and welcoming people I have met all year, I was programmed on Saturday to present alongside Elizabeth Honey and Roland Harvey.

Elizabeth Honey revealed her writing and illustrating process with us and read her story That's Not a Daffodil. As a gardener, I have to say - this book is a must. I weep to think that children are growing up without experiencing even the joy of growing a carrot top. But a daffodil! Now that's another kind of magic to share.

Roland's comedic eye and spectacular bending of space and perspective had the audience enthralled. With so much to share, he made good use of the lap top and digital projector.

There were so many wonderful things about this festival. As always a great opportunity to meet people working in the same field, the Saturday night dinner and the wonderful workshops and discussion panels, but there was also the walks along the cliff and the beach, the birds, the wattle and the cafes and the bookshop ...

Saturday was International Lighthouse Day and the flags were flying. How beautiful is this picture? It was also National Bookshop Day and the Aireys' bookshop was celebrating. Judging by the the bustle of people in the shop there is still great support for independent bookshops.

And now its time to unpack and repack the story box for a big week of storytelling in schools and kindergartens around Melbourne.

Think of me in the the traffic!

Listen to Phar Lap the wonderhorse recorded by Museum Victoria.

Phar Lap: audio

Tango Tangents rehearsal: La Mama 28 August 2011

2011-08-18T11:06:00.003+10:00

Do we grow funnier as we ripen?

My friend Christine took this photo of myself, Alison Richards and Faye Bendrups rehearsing our show in the sun room at the back of our house.

I'm squeezed into black and trying to learn to walk in an extremely high pair of shoes borrowed from my daughter who bought them for her school formal. Faye is wearing a high viz jacket and sensible shoes - well why not? Alison, as usual, is very focused and drawing our attention to the fact the time is ticking and we need to stay on task!

The songs are sounding fantastic. Alison and Faye's harmonies are a knock out. Hope some of you can make on the 28th August.

Bookings: La Mama

Aireys Festival of Words 2011

2011-08-15T10:09:00.003+10:00

Well ... I have just returned from Daylesford's Words in Winter where I have been eating, drinking wine and sharing stories with friends. When I have their permission I will show you some lovely pictures of the weekend and maybe even a short film!

Now I shall re pack my bags and pack the story box, fill the car with petrol, check the map and head down to the coast to Airy's Inlet for their Festival of Words.

The program looks very exciting, most events are free, thanks to generous sponsorship and I can't wait to walk along the beautiful beaches and breathe the ozone.

I will be spending Friday with the local primary school children and on Saturday I will be sharing stories alongside Elizabeth Honey and Roland Harvey.

Learn more : Aireys Festival of Words

Kamishibai goes to the ABC Melbourne Studios.

2011-08-08T18:12:00.010+10:00

This Kamishibai needs its own blog!

Still sharing with Bernard Caleo who started the whole fascination with one word, "Kamishibai", I was up at sunrise and on the train with the K to meet Bernard in the foyer of the ABC studios at Southbank.

I love microphones and soundproof studios and all that tech stuff. Here is ABC arts journalist Michael Shirrefs twiddling dials in preparation for a Kamishibai performance. I will say no more because very soon the performance will be available for all to see on you tube. I'll say this ... there is a snail, a narrow escape and ... well you'll just have to wait.

The Kamishibai is now off to Daylesford for Words in Winter. One of my favourite regional arts festivals. Myself with some kamishibai tales, a digital tale and possibly a ballad about race horse will be on a panel with Jan (Yarn) Wositzky, Matteo and Anne E Stewart.

More info : Words In Winter August 2011

original Kamishibai artwork by Bernard Caleo

Tango Tangents: La Mama 28 August 2011

2011-08-07T18:17:00.007+10:00

Today I have been rehearsing Tango Tangents with Alison Richards and Faye Bendrups. (pic Faye at the piano and Alison singing.)

Faye and Alison have been busy composing a lively mix of original, tongue twisting, acerbic and moving songs. The songs are woven into a short story by Argentinian writer Luisa Valenzuela which Faye has translated.

Myself and Alison have collaborated on a spoken piece for three voices, Last Tango in Brunswick, echoing the tango sensibility.

Much hilarity along with some serious rehearsal and a fashion crisis. We would love to see you at Tango Tangents.

Artists: Alison Richards, Faye Bendrups, Jackie Kerin, Guillermo Anad with special guests Tango Mundo.

Tickets and Bookings and info: La Mama

Storytelling Australia. South Australia 2011

2011-08-01T19:45:00.004+10:00

Storytelling Australia (the national body of storytellers) celebrated the 2011 Gathering in South Australia. It was extraordinary!

I arrived on Thursday in order to have time to catch up with SA friends - I lived there for 10 years and have some very special people I love to see when I visit.

On Friday night the Gathering 2011 launched into full swing with a concert of stories.

Tellers from around the country held the audience spellbound with diverse and dynamic performances. Encouraged by Graham Ross from SA, I told the story of the the foundation of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills. You can read this story here - its called No horse, no cart, no shoes.

The following day we were locked in discussion with storytellers from around the country, linked into the dialogue via skype. How cute is that map with the microphone in the middle - it says it all. Opinion was beaming in from WA, Q'ld and NSW. Present were reps from the ACT, Vic and WA. The outcome is that the National body of storytellers will soon have a new logo, and a user friendly welcome page to all the member story groups around the country. Hopefully this will make it easier for those of you overseas to contact us and share stories. Watch this space for developments! Gael Cresp, Anne E Stewart (pictured) and myself represented Victoria.

The final day was a day of workshops - a vigorous and exhausting exchange of ideas and resources.

It would be remiss of me if I did not share this new resource, revealed to me over the weekend.

Montgomery Kelly's book Out of the Storyteller's Hat is the book all of us working in the 3 - 7 zone have been waiting for. Generously illustrated by Siovan Kelly, spiral bound for easy photocopying and tracing, this is a resource for both the experienced and the beginning storyteller.

I will be promoting this book wherever I go!

A website for this book is still a work in progress but you can learn more here

order:

Out of the Storyteller's Hat
$49.95 plus postage.
Email: Monty: monty@montgomerykelly.com

Lyrebird! A book from the heart.

2011-07-25T14:47:00.009+10:00

Twelve years ago I visited the Healesville Sanctuary with my family and we were held captive by 'Nova' the resident male lyrebird. He danced and sang at our feet as if his life depended on it. And I suppose it does. Well ... the survival of his genes depends on his performance skills as it is through his singing and dancing he persuades a female to mate with him.

Since that time, and like a new convert, I have wanted to tell the world about this magical bird. And so now ... years later, I am doing just that.

I work very slowly - each word is polished, each sentence sounded. You can't write about a musician without attending to the musicality of your own language. The text for a picture book is almost done but I needed to visit Nova one more time and revisit the mountain home of the bird I'm writing about.

We drove up the Black Spur Road and turned down Archeron Way. Lyrebirds scuttled in front of the car. Every time we stopped and switched off the engine we could hear their full-throated singing. The Mountain Ash, the tallest flowering trees in the world, disappeared into the cloud and at times we found ourselves in a monochrome scene.

We called into Healesville and visited Nova. He was dancing when we arrived. When his keeper entered the enclosure with a bucket of wriggling food, he strode impressively passed us before taking to a branch and resuming his singing.

I'm counting the days until I can share with you my new book but in the meatime if you would like to hear a Lyrebird story and enjoy some archival footage of the first Lyrebird recorded and broadcast on the wirless click here.

Bernard Caleo: Melbourne Writer's Festival. 1 September 2011

2011-07-22T16:51:00.003+10:00

Ted Smith's Kamishibai is off to the Melbourne Writer's Festival.

Ted, if you have been following the story, is my mate from the Newport Folk Club. Ted made this beautiful Kamishibai theatre to further my practice and to grow the storytelling scene in Melbourne.

Kamishibai, or 'paper theatre', is an old Japanese form of visual storytelling using beautiful illustrations and skilful narrative techniques.

Here's Bernard Caleo respectfully borrowing the Kamishibai for his presentation at Readings, No 4 in a series of talks and stories : What it is?

Details: Readings July 25

And then in September you can see him at the Melbourne Writer's Festival. In this session, Bernard Caleo will present kamishibai tales and share with the audience how to make and perform kamishibai back at school.

Details: Melbourne Writers Festival September 1

Workshops for Child Care workers

2011-07-05T15:00:00.002+10:00

How does one teach confidence and repertoire?

Well after a bit of a chat about storytelling we brainstormed as many rhymes and chants as we could remember and one at a time participants took to the chair and shared their knowledge.

Sitting on cushions and with the perspective of a small child we clapped, nodded and stomped away 2 hours.

As facilitator I was challenged keeping up with the pace and taking notes.

Several of the participants were new to this centre and fearless in their willingness to have a go.

To an outsider we must have looked quite nutty but there is no doubt in my mind that PD days like this are a fabulous time to refresh and expand.

These workers are passing on some of the oldest pieces of our oral culture and adding new bits on the way.

My head felt like it had been in the washing machine when it was all over!!!

WORDS WORDS WORDS. Newport Folk Festival 2011

2011-07-05T14:16:00.011+10:00

It was my happy task to organise and co host with Greg Jenkins, WORDS WORDS WORDS 2011 for the Newport Folk Festival.

This was the fourth festival - a celebration of music, dance, spoken word and visual art - a truly embracing event.

Three writers groups were represented in the throng - Western Union, Newport and TISSG (The Incredibly Supportive Songwriters Group) as well as individuals with no group associations.

Gerry Nelson attended to the music - warming the room and making our guests welcome. This year Gerry invited Tiffany Ball to join him and together they are known as the G and T.

We enjoyed presentations fromm children's

authors - Claire Saxby and Lee Fox. Pictured here is Lee

reading from her latest Ella Kazoo Will Not Go To Sleep illustrated by Cathy Wilcox.

We had Michael Reynolds step up to the mic. Michael has hosted Passionate Tongues Poetry every fortnight in Brunswick for nearly 12 years. He also is a photographer for poetry and music events, has published a book of poetry in 2008 and received the Sandy McLeod Award in 2009 for services to Melbourne poetry.

Michael has been a supporter of WORDS since the beginning advising and guiding us.

There were so many who contributed to make

this event a happening thang - too many to mention. But I have to share these beautiful pics of James Howard

(Henry Lawson). James brought a tear to our eyes with a piece about drinking - being drunk in fact.

And finally my mate Dave Davies. Dave is a regular reciter of verse and prose at Folk Club events and no Festival would be complete without him.

Michael Reynolds kindly took these photos with my pocket digital - his beautiful camera was out of action. Thankyou Michael. The Pic of Mike was supplied by Claire Saxby

What it is? Bernard Caleo and Alex McDermott. Readings June

2011-06-28T19:28:00.011+10:00

"Comics can do more with history and history can do more with comics." Bernard Caleo

This was the thrust of What it is? No 3 at Readings Bookshop in Carlton where the artform of comics is provoked and smashed up against other artforms.

In this episode Alex McDermott's Australian History for Dummies was launched and then smashed (in a creative collision-y way) into ... well ... comics.

Alex made the point that he believes history is doing a bad job of selling itself on the open market of ideas. A shame really as an understanding of history gives our national community a sense of who we are - its real and tells us how we came to be who we are today.

Bernard spoke about how a comic is read with the whole body, a kind of immersion takes place, the reader has to actively fill in the gaps.

Having set out the idea, Alex and Bernard then proceeded to teach us a little history using pictures and dialogue. The stories of William Blandowski and Redmond Barry were woven together in a way far to complicated to describe her but suffice to say, the tale was moving, funny, informative, provocative, engaging. Melbourne circa 1850 was brought to life before our eyes.

"I'm giving it 5 stars David. What about you?"

"Well Margaret, I loved it too but you know how I feel about hand held work - so I'm giving it 4 and a half."

"Oh David (snort) ...."

The next What it is?:

Musician Martin Martini and comic book artist

Bernard Caleo collaborate on a performance in which comics become music and music becomes comic books.

Details: Readings Monday July 25 8.00pm

Australian History for Dummies

Bernard Caleo

Barwon Heads: Storytelling for little people

2011-06-24T14:58:00.003+10:00

Well ... I always say, its not a bad job and someone has to do it!

And not a bad way to end the week either. With a story box full to bursting, I was up at dawn for breakfast, in the car and on the freeway heading west before the commuters (or so I thought). The traffic was moving steadily and I was in Barwon Heads within an hour and a half. The Barwon Bridge is still being renovated. The road freshly tarred, there were no signs of the dead puffer fish that bridge fisherman casually toss for the cars to squash.

I vist this seaside village every year and tell stories at the local kinder. Every year the sun is shining, the breeze is light and the children greet me with the healthiest energy of anywhere. Every year I think , I can't do this, its too far. But its just too beautiful not to be part of Barwon, even if it is for only a day

Newport Folk Festival: WORDS WORDS WORDS July 1-3 2011

2011-06-19T14:05:00.005+10:00

This is an invitation to the Newport Folk Festival but specifically to WORDS WORDS WORDS.

In a Festival that is primarily about music WORDS is a dedicated event for the wordsmiths in the community.

Writers groups, the Storytelling Guild (Vic), poets and singer songwriters will all be stepping up to the mic and sharing words.

The lunch is catered for by BREIZOZ, drinks at the bar.

This is an informal event, no prizes, no stars - its designed so folk with similar interests can meet, share their doings and quaff a few ales!

Please say 'Hi' and tap me on the shoulder if you would like a spot at the mic in 2012.

See full program: Newport Festival

click on poster to enlarge

Torquay Froth and Bubble Literary Festival 2011

2011-06-19T09:31:00.010+10:00

Life is mostly froth and bubble,

Two things stand like stone,

KINDNESS in another's trouble,

COURAGE in your own. Adam Lindsay Gordon (1833 - 1870)

The title for this Literary Festival is taken from Adam Lindsay Gordon's poem Ye Wearie Wayfarer.
The kindness and hospitality that greeted Claire and me when we walked into the Festival was palpable. The venue was full to bursting with people of all ages bustling to talks and workshops.

Andy Griffiths packed them in as always.
Peter Caddy,
author of a series of picture books about the Couta boats, rocked the building with a performance poetry piece with the students of St Therese Primary School. I was blown away by this well rehearsed and joyous choral speaking!

Claire's Saxby's workshop : making your own story, was a hoot as always. What can be more fun than playing with rhyme? You can read the results on Claire's blog
After lunch, I delivered my passionate and serious lecture on oral traditions. I can of course bang on for hours about stories and storytelling but I'm alway aware of what I don't know and how much there is to learn. One lifetime is simply not adequate!
The truly exciting thing about a Festival is the people you meet.

Ceridwyn Gordon, comes from a storytelling family and is keeping the tradition alive and I finally met Lee Foyster aka Leedy the Storyteller. There is certainly talent and enthusiasm for storytelling on the Surf Coast.
Many thanks to the Froth and Bubble Festival and to John Adams in particular.
Froth and Bubble Literary Festival

Newport Artists Market : Kamishibai Australian way

2011-06-05T17:50:00.009+10:00

Stories, stories stories.

It's been a while since I set up a story space at the Newport Substation Artists Market. It's my stubborn belief that stories have a place in a market alongside the handmade soaps, jewellery, knitwear, pickles and boutique ales. Having told stories in a small room away from the hubbub, I decided it was time to set up my bike, with kamishibai mounted on the back, and stop the

passing traffic.

The result brought many surprises. Here is Justin next to the set up after having listened to the tale of Split Dog. Justin said he was delighted to find a kamishibai in the market and it reminded him of his childhood - listening the the travelling kamishishai tellers in Japan.

My Kamishai was loaded with five tales. The Two Brothers, I acquired as a result of the Kamishibai Swap Library set up by Derek in the UK. This

beautiful story tells of the imagined beginnings of the first men to tell stories this way. You can see Ted Smith standing there with the children totally engrossed. The beautiful wooden box is of course all Ted's handiwork.

The day wasn't about money , although I did make $2.00! It was really about promoting the Newport Folk Festival July 1 - 3. This is a fantastic event created and managed by my local

folk club. Its like a big party with something for everyone. This year there will be workshops, talks, activities for the kids - it grows and grows and it is a privilege and pleasure to part of the team.

Newport Festival

Christine, me, Alan and Ted (Newport Fiddle and Folk Club)

Workshop: Melbourne Library Service

2011-06-04T18:32:00.002+10:00

Struggling through morning peak hour traffic, inching through one intersection at a time and sadly observing how we all choke up the roads with our single driver cars, you can imagine how delighted I was when I saw the car parking space reserved for me at East Melbourne Library.

Booked to run a PD workshop for children's librarians at East Melbourne, this is not a task for the faint hearted. Already these people are highly skilled and well informed. Where I zoom in and zoom out, these professionals run a story time every week. With the luxury of time to develop relationships with the children and families that visit their libraries, thematic programs are evolved, costumes donned and colourful characters developed.

In such an environment it's difficult to know what to offer and how get the most out of the day. I took a full story box and more - anything I could share to help these magicians continue with the magic.

I was left wondering at the end of the day- how do we mentor the young ones coming through? How do we build the confidence of people to stand in front of 70+ adults and children and deliver storytime? We need to work on this one. The work is too important not to nurture and grow.

Thinking cap is on!

Bernard Caleo, Mike Shuttleworth Brenton McKenna: What It Is?

2011-05-30T23:00:00.012+10:00

Another night of intellectual, hilarious and informative talks on the art of comics. Bernard is the generous host who relaxes and charms his guests into pouring forth their knowledge and experience of this art form.

This time he began with a kamishibai story - Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir arguing the value of the comic. Of course I raced into Carlton with Ted Smith's beautifully crafted paper theatre

and you can see for yourself how fabulous it looked surrounded by book shelves. The K is a bit like 'Wally'. Where is it? and where will it next appear?

Following on, Bernard flew Mike Shuttleworth into the room.

In January, Mike travelled to the town of Angouleme which hosts the largest comics festival in the world, to investigate the French scene. His report was a revelation. Mike described a town south of Paris full to bursting with folk from all over the world celebrating the art of comic making. What do we have to do to get our comic book people to Angouleme - a cake stall?

A highlight of the discussion was the surprise appearance of Baru, the 2011 festival president. I managed to get this lovely shot of Mike and Buru deep in conversation. Next year, the president will be Art Spieigelman.

Finally Brenton E McKenna stepped up to the easel. As Brenton drew he told us the story behind his book Ubby's Underdogs. Brenton grew up in Broome but a very different Broome to the one we might visit as tourists. He described the years of work behind his first comic book and the journey he and his publisher Magabala Books embarked upon when neither had ever attempted this type of publication previously.

Learn more about Brenton McKenna

What it is : Readings Carlton June 27: a comic book history of Australia

Bayside Arts and Cultural Centre: community open day

2011-05-29T16:35:00.012+10:00

To celebrate the opening of the new gallery in Brighton, there was a community open day. The jewel box of a Town Hall, built sometime in the late 1800s on the corner of Wilson and Carpenter Streets has had several lives. I remember when I was very young, it housed the Brighton Library. I can still recall the sound of the linoleum under my school shoes and the smell of polish. In the 70s, the cool guys went to the the Town Hall to see surfing movies.

Today it was full of folk visiting the exhibitions in the two new galleries. In the body of the hall, tables were laid out with paper and paints and children were busy creating their own masterpieces and artists and easels were dotted in the surrounding gardens. There were devonshire teas, musicians and stilt walkers, curator's talks, animation workshops ...

My story space was a perfect corner in the

exhibition: Day Trippers and Holiday Makers: by the Bay 1980 -1920. A fabulous evocative and informative show, the local punters were loving it. Sitting in my story chair is curator Elle Credin looking justifiably proud of a terrific show.

The next person to take to my chair was Dave Evans. Playing the role of wandering minstrel to

perfection, Dave gave the impression of being

here there and everywhere! A quick google of Dave when I came home and I learned he has much to share with us and is a staple in several bands. If you want to savour Dave's talents click here to get started.

Learn more about Bayside Arts and Culture Centre

Contact Musician Dave Evans: slaveevenas@hotmail.com

The Torquay Froth and Bubble Literary Festival 18 - 19 June

2011-05-24T11:50:00.003+10:00

Counting the sleeps till the Torquay Froth and Bubble Literary Festival.

Winter used to be time for hibernating and dreaming of spring but now, with festivals springing up in Melbourne and surrounds its a time of creativity, fun, intellectual challenges and pursuits.

Claire Saxby and I will be running a workshop for children. Using her beautiful book, There was an Old Sailor as a frame, together we will all create and perform a new literary and tellable masterpiece.

Following on from that, I will give a most informative and entertaining lecture (is there any other way?) Working in the Oral Tradition - Professor Kerin!

Learn more about The Froth and Bubble

click on poster to enlarge

Eastern Regional Libraries cup cake tour

2011-05-20T12:20:00.012+10:00

Eastern Regional Libraries is a cluster of 13 libraries and 2 mobiles (libraries that is).

I have just returned from a Cup Cake tour of four of the branches: Ferntree Gully, Ringwood, Yarra Junction and Healesville.

As part of Education Week these libraries hosted special story times for preschool - grade 2. It was my pleasure to be the invited special guest storyteller.

For me, the eastern region is a long road trip across acres of suburbia and kilometres of dual carriageways. Not far as the crow flies but with Melbourne traffic, its a slog up to the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges. Too far to travel back and forth, I stayed in Warburton overnight and treated myself to a counter meal at the Alpine Retreat Hotel ... But I digress ...

Rising at 5.30, I watched the sun rise. It was a relief to pull into the Ferntree Gully carpark and breath the cold air coming off the mountain.

The enthusiasm of the librarians for storytelling, their warmth and expertise is inspiring. At every branch the children were greeted with big smiles and treated with cup cakes.

The relationship between the libraries, the schools and families is exemplary. The librarians are without exception, well-informed, thoughtful and professional teams.

Now .. I know four photos of kids and cup cakes does not make for great viewing ... I guess you

really had to be there. But I had a fabulous time and I just want to convey the respect I feel these wonderful people.

We have hearts of gold in our communities.

Kamishibai Swap Library is open for trade: put a story in and get a story out!

2011-05-16T16:01:00.005+10:00

Those storytellers who practice Kamishibai storytelling will understand the hunger for stories. Picture cards can be purchased off the internet but there are also storytellers creating cards for their own stories just like the Kamishibai artists of old.

I've been working with Derek Carpenter (aka Bo the Clown) from Newcastle in the UK pondering this problem and we have set up Kamishibai Swap Shop on Derek's website.

Here's how it works:

To get a story out you put a story in!
Contact the authors direct. Pics are in Jpeg and Dialogue in Word 2003.
If you don't have a swap you can buy direct from the author.
You can also advertise your swaps on the website for free so long as you have the "rights" to swap.
Swap Shop

Here are some examples of what you will find:

Two Brothers Derek's very first Kamishibai story and very first swap written two days after 9/11. It concerns war and its effects also possibly how Kamishibai started: 10 pics, one used twice. How to swap:wordmonger@blueyonder.co.uk

The King with Dusty Feet. Traditional Indian story, how shoes came to be invented. Original pictures. Contact:wordmonger@blueyonder.co.uk

The Princess and the Pea Hans Christian Anderson original artworkLeonie Kervin . For swap contact: Jackie

The Adventures of Split-Dog.

Split-Dog appears in Australian and Nth American tall stories. There are many tales told about how he split. These adventures cover 4 episodes including the introductory tale.

Contact: Jackie

To participate in this grandly global initiative visit : Library of Swaps

Its a small beginning but the more who participate, the more it will grow.

On this website you can also read more about the history of Kamishibai - information provided by historian Helen Mc Carthy.

Yarra Ranges Regional Museum opens its doors to the public 14 May 2011

2011-05-14T18:22:00.018+10:00

After years of planning (the first serious discussions began in 1992) the newest museum in the country is finally open. Director Maggie Solly and her team have worked tirelessly towards this day. After the welcome to country by Aunty Joy Murphy, the speeches and finally the ribbon cutting, the enthusiastic guests were allowed into the body of the building.

A celebration of local stories, there are over 273

exhibits. The indigenous history is beautifully explored through the stories of Simon Wonga and William Barak and there is an exquisite possum skin cloak made by Vicki Couzens.

The Dame Nellie Melba collection is one of the draw cards to this museum and visitors will not

be disappointed when they see the Melba case -

the woman travelled and dressed in style!

But of course I would be lying if I didn't say that I was there to enjoy the release of my little digital story, Edith's Lyrebird. Commissioned by the museum and made in collaboration with Malcolm McKinnon we have been waiting for months for the film to be available for general viewing. It was a treat to finally see a small audience chuckling away at the antics of 'James'. And I am so proud of the music arranged and performed by my buddies, Greg O'Leary and Michael Stewart from the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club. Now we have had a taste of movie making we would love to make more.

I was struck by one of the labels in the Melba section '... she was the first singer in international standing to broadcast on radio.' Lyrebird James, the star of our little film was the first lyrebird to be broadcast on the radio - a beautiful coincidence.

Learn more: Yarra Ranges Regional Museum

Williamstown Literary Festival 2011: my highlights

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How much fun can one have in 4 days?

This was the 8th Williamstown Literary Festival and I think I have only missed one and for two of them I was on the committee working for the youth program.

The festivities kicked off on the Wednesday and went through till Sunday and with such a stretch, participation had to be woven around work

commitments

My involvement began with the Peoples Choice Awards at the Pirates Tavern - an open mic event of poetry and prose. The folk who turned up to read were practised, and skilled wordsmiths, making for a night of excellence. Michael Reynolds hosted the poetry and with his casual and warm personality established a wonderful tone for the evening. The winner for this section was was Lily Chan.

My job was to introduce the prose readers who had to get their stories across in only 3 mins. With careful selection and well rehearsed

readings, the participants held the room.

Matthew Lang with his story about cheese and raisins was the runaway winner of this section.

While the votes were counted I took the opportunity to share the story of the making of the kamishibai by Ted Smith for the oral storytellers in Melbourne. Although an adult night, I demonstrated this storytelling form using The Princess and the Pea as the art work was

created by local artist Leonie Kervin who has recently taken residence in the new Riverside Studios in West Melbourne. So much talent and generosity in our community.

Saturday the Festival began with a smoking ceremony and the relaunching of Yalukit Willam: the first people of Hobsons Bay. Aunty Caroline Briggs and Brendon conducted the cermemony on the lawn in front of the

Williamstown Town Hall. This small publication will soon be available on the council website so at last people can read about the indigenous people who once lived in our area. I can't tell you how thrilled we are that this step has been taken by council. My community grows richer every year.

Friend Claire Saxby hosted a brilliant session with author and illustrator Alison Lester. Claire had researched Alison's work thoroughly and her engaging style had thoughtful questions drew the very best out of this wonderful festival guest.

Another of my favourite sessions included Tanya Ha and Anna Krien. Tanya is a great favourite in our house - wonderful practical advice on living cleaner, greener lives. Anna Spoke about her book Into the Woods, a journalist's account of the environmental issues in Tasmania. I bought a copy and am already half way through reading - informative, poetic, intelligent.

I'm a fan of the Festival and I thank all the volunteers who spent so many hours planning and hosting this enriching program.

This year the Festival website has a fabulous blog. Megan Bourke could be spotted with tapping away on her laptop here there and everywhere. Check out Megan's work, she's terrific: Williamstown Literary Festival Blog

Williamstown Literary Festival. People's Choice Awards 2011: Friday 29 April - Sunday 1 May

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Willimstown Literary Festival kicks off this Thursday with the People's Choice Poetry and Prose Awards. This year it will be in the Pirates Tavern.

This is the one event where the folk can step up to the mic and strut their stuff. I'll be mcing along with Michael Reynolds - host of Passionate Tongues, Melbourne longest running poetry open mic at the Brunswick Hotel.

The w/end is packed with over 60 writers in forums, workshops and readings.

Quoting from the last Festival update:

' ...It is only one week to go ...

First, we'd like to give a quick special mention to Ford Street Publishing whose wonderful anthology book Trust Me! includes contributions from 50 of Australia’s best known children’s authors, poets and illustrators. Two of the contributors are Willy Lit Fest guests Andy Griffiths andLeigh Hobbs.

Andy's and Leigh's Willy Lit Fest events plus other sessions aimed at younger readers are listed online on our Kids Events and Youth Events pages...'

The website now has a marvellous blog hosted by Megan Bourke. For updates and suggestions on how to make the most of the weekend: Williamstown Literary Festival Blog. See you there.

Poems Songs Story Times (PSST)

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This cd is has been created for the Victorian Government's Young Readers Program produced by Vision Australia in partnership with State Library Victoria.

It is targeted towards the parents and caregivers of the very young but is of course a wonderful resource for those of us storytellers who spend a large portion of our time working in kindergartens, library storytimes, childcare and the early childhood council led programs like Imagination Magic.

Language enrichment in the early years through reading, storytelling, rhymes and songs is without doubt the best way to to prepare children to become strong readers regardless of social or economic circumstances.

There are many storytellers working around Australia who take pride in being able to connect and tell stories to people of all ages. Working with these old rhymes and songs, we are keeping alive oral traditions that date back for centuries. PSST includes the traditional and the contemporary, it is also multi lingual and has some wonderful pieces from little Fellas Big Voices (a Darebin Best Start and Indigenous Reference Group).

PSST can be borrowed from your local library.

Learn more: PSST

Kamishibai in kindergartens

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After much practice and reading as much as I could about this storytelling art form, I've been having a ball with older children and family audiences.

Today at last, I finally had the opportunity to try out the kamishibai at a kindergarten.

When I opened the box, you could have heard a pin drop. These 3 - 4 year olds sat through 45 minutes of stories and half of that was kamishibai. They loved the slow reveal of the pictures and the use of character voices. In this story, Ol'Joe's false teeth runaway and steal other people's food. A Jackie Kerin original, I was delighted when it was declared an almost unanimous favourite. The children's visual literacy surprised me. They loved the comic drawings with think bubbles and energy lines and as I began the story with a map of the world, there was a gasp of recognition. As a lover of comics, I found their reaction exciting and will build on this as I work on episode 2: Ol' Joe, Split Dog and the Sock o' Gold.

As I closed the box and put it away, one child was heard to comment, 'she has to do that so the stories don't escape.'

When I studied acting, I didn't imagine I would end up telling stories to such young people but it's a privilege and joy to work with young children - still in the early childhood zone. So curious, so interested in the world and so honest in their relationship to stories.

And finally, as always ... thankyou Ted Smith for making me the kamishibai

Bernard Caleo and Michael Camilleri: What It Is?

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Readings Bookshop in Carlton has a fabulous events calendar. Like a box of chocolates it's hard to know what to choose.

I chose to go and see Bernard Caleo and Michael Camilleri. Bernard is passionate about Kamishbai storytelling so with lights flashing and sirens sounding, I raced to Carlton with the kamishibai in time for What it is?

I can do no better that quote the website:

The ‘What It Is?’ shows feature comic book makers and

raconteurs live on stage, performances of kamishibai (the
Japanese art of paper theatre), and drawings drawn before your very eyes - to titillate and amaze. A vaudeville of ink on paper, talking heads, outrageous action. Your host: the Svengali of Melbourne comics, Bernard Caleo.

Michael Camilleri (author/artist of 'Itinerant Fighting Monk', the
graphic novella in Going Down Swinging #30, 2010) and Bernard Caleo (editor of The Tango Collection, 2009) wrestle
with Eisenstein's 'montage' theory and argue about it being more

useful for comics than film. Also, the classic kamishibai tale 'Sergei's pram' (2011). Also, a 'collective comic', drawn live.

The next What It Is? : Readings May 30
Lean more about Michael Camilleri
Learn more about Bernard Calleo and Cardigan Comics

Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand Williamstown

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pic: right to left: President Andrew Oakley and Sergeant Jim Grouios

It was my pleasure to take on the role of 'after dinner speaker' at the meeting of the Point Gellibrand Rotary Club this week.

This was a new experience for me. Although aware of Rotary from the outside, I had never been on the inside before. A more lively and hospitable crowd would be hard to find.

To bring you up to speed ... and quoting from the website ...

'Members of a Rotary Club are part of a diverse group of professional leaders working to address community and international service needs and to promote peace and understanding throughout the world.'

It's evident within minutes of meeting this group that they hold close the values of peace, understanding, compassion and wine. I like them a lot!

There being some enthusiastic punters in the group, I was asked specifically to talk about writing Phar Lap the wonder horse. Not usually asked this early in the season to talk about Big Red, it was a joy to share my story with such an attentive audience.

Thankyou for including me in a night of food, wine and excellent company.

Learn more about: Point Gellibrand Rotary Williamtown and become involved.

click to listen to a reading of Phar Lap on the the Museum Victoria and website.