Talespinner
February – March
2010
The Newsletter of the Story Circle of the Capital District
Editor and Publisher:
Claire Nolan 11 Norwood Street Albany, NY 12203
(518) 209-6477 E-mail: cbnolou@yahoo.com
Visit our web site at www.story-circle.org
Happy New Year of the Tiger!
“One kind word can warm three
winter months”
Japanese Proverb
Story Circle Business News
Meetings 7:00
to 9:00 p.m.
are at the William K. Sanford Public Library (Colonie) and 6:15
to 9:00 p.m.
at the Guilderland Library (GPL). At GPL, we will have a topic for
panel/roundtable discussion.
Upcoming
Meetings:
February 17 at GPL. Roundtable Discussion at 6:00
pm:
Marni Gillard: "Manifesting - Exploring the Power of Our
Imagining and our Belief as We Grow our Storytelling Work”
March 16 at Colonie. Facilitator: TBD
Meeting
Notes: December 16, 2009 Story Circle Meeting Facilitator: Louise
Koenig
Stories
Told:
Louise
Koenig –
An Original Rumplestiltskin in Rhyme - Original
Kate
Dudding -
Tabai and the Brahman
Micki
Groper –
My Rumplestiltskin Story
Adam
Hoffman – Tom Tit Tot
Joe
Doolittle
– Having Everything Right
Listeners:
Sandy Schuman and Bob and Elaine Suss
Meeting
Notes: January 20, 2010 Story Circle Meeting: Facilitator Carol
Connolly
Stories
Told:
Christie
Keegan -
To Tell or Not - personal
Joe Doolittle - The Real Story of Rudolph - original, historical
Kate Dudding - I am What I Am - original
Joe Doolittle – untitled – original
Listeners:
Sandy Schuman, Don Darmer, Eileen Egan
Mack, Eric Randall and Carol Connolly
Reminder
Dues are Due NOW
for 2010 – STILL a bargain at $10.00 per year.
Please use the form on
Page 8.
Winter
is here; keep in mind our Cancellation Policy: Use the following
guidelines to cancel a meeting or to check on a scheduled meeting: It is
up to the facilitator to decide to cancel a meeting. The facilitator may
consult with Carol Connolly or Kate Dudding. If the facilitator
decides to cancel a meeting: 1) Send out an e-mail message via the Story Circle listserv (or ask Carol
Connolly or Kate Dudding to do it) and 2) Notify
the library.
Story Circle members who are planning
to attend a meeting may call or e-mail either the facilitator or the library to
determine if a meeting is being held.
Update on the Community
Storytelling Program Fund
In
1997, Carol Connolly created the Fund (CSPF);
and she has led it since that time. Over 75 storytelling
programs have been granted by CSPF (funded by the profits from our Tellabrations.)
Carol has worked faithfully and diligently on this project all these
years. She is now stepping down. We all owe her a loud round of applause for
all her work on CSPF. She also continues to organize the monthly Story Circle meetings and she keeps
track of membership. Nancy Payne has graciously and kindly agreed
to assume the leadership of the Community Storytelling Program Fund.
Story Circle
Financial Report 1-19-2010
Submitted by Kate Dudding
Story Circle: Membership, Story Sunday and
Tellabration
|
Checking Acct
Balance
|
$1,772
|
Breakdown of
Checking Acct Balance
|
2008 Tell.
Profits (tickets: $12/person)
|
$455
|
2009 Tell.
Profits (tickets: $12/person)
|
$44
|
SALS storytelling
balance
|
$800
|
Balance of
$500 grant from Merrill Lynch (SS & WP postcards)
|
$210
|
Leftover
membership money
|
$263
|
Anticipated
Deposits
|
2010
membership (50 @ $10 each)
|
$500
|
Anticipated
Expenses
|
SS & WP postcards
Feb. - Apr.
|
$210
|
Newsletter
mailings ($37 every 2 months)
|
$222
|
Tell. Rent
Deposit (due in June)
|
$300
|
Conclusions
|
SS paying for
itself
|
Membership
money pays for mailings with $270 left over per year
|
How should we
use SALS storytelling balance?
|
Tell. didn't
raise money in 2009: 40 fewer paid tickets
|
Story Circle: Proctors, Schenectady public access TV show
|
Checking Acct
Balance
|
$1,159
|
Anticipated
Expenses
|
WP Rent
Deposit (6 shows, due in June)
|
$600
|
TV show
(taping in March & April, $70 per month)
|
$140
|
Major
Deposits
|
From Joe and
Kate
|
$1,300
|
2008 Wine
& Chocolate Benefit Profits (tickets: $30/person, $50/couple)
|
$703
|
2009 Wine
& Chocolate Benefit Profits (tickets: $30/person, $50/couple)
|
$689
|
Conclusions
|
Benefits pay
for TV shows
|
WP still
establishing a following -- running at an overall loss
|
KEY
|
SALS
|
Southern
Adirondack
Library System
|
SS
|
Story Sunday
|
Tell.
|
Tellabration
|
WP
|
Word Plays
|
Ongoing Events
Story by
Story
is our weekly TV show; tune in on Sunday nights at 8:30 and Tuesday afternoons at
1:00 on Schenectady Public Access TV, Channel 16.
Children
at the Well
(CATW): Interfaith Youth Storytelling Group. See Interfaith Story Circle (below). The March
Meeting of the Interfaith Story Circle will be a fundraiser to
enable some of the CATW tellers to attend two interfaith conferences in the
spring.
http://www.childrenatthewell.org/. Find them on Facebook!
OPEN MIC in Saratoga – Signups to tell stories
at 6:45 p.m. Stories begin at 7:00
pm.
February
8 Monday
at Caffé Lena.
47
Phila St. Saratoga Springs 12866 (518)
583-0022 Tom
Weakley will be the featured teller at the Open Mic
at Caffé Lena on Monday, February 8 at 7
pm.
This is just one of the many 50th Anniversary events at Lena’s scheduled throughout
2010. Let’s show Lena's and Tom our support and celebrate them
both. Tom comes out of retirement to benefit organizations at events
he feels will bring significant help to the organization. Be generous with your
contributions on this night, and bring others to hear Tom. Tom’s rare
storytelling appearances are mostly in his home state of Vermont. This evening
will be an open-mic format. There will be time for
two tellers before Tom and a few others after the short break following Tom's
telling. Sign-ups at the Caffé
at 6:45;
telling from 7 until 9 pm. Let's show
Valentine love, generosity and thanks to Lena's and to Tom!
March 19 Wednesday Sign-ups at 6:45; telling from 7 until 9 pm. Weekly Open Mic at Woodlawn Commons. Free.
Directions to Woodlawn Commons: From Broadway in Saratoga, turn West on Church St. Turn right on Seward St. (if you get as far as the hospital, you've gone one block too
far). Turn right again on Clement st. (at the 2nd stop sign) Look for Hospice
and turn in. Woodlawn is the big yellow building straight ahead. (156 Lawrence St.)
Adirondack Storytelling Guild – Contact Fran Yardley franstory@gmail.com.
Interfaith Story
Circle – of the Tri-City Area
February 10 Wednesday 7-9
p.m.
At Pine Grove Methodist Church 1580 Central Ave.
Colonie. Theme: “Stories from our journey”
Facilitator: Anne Snyder
Stories that have guided us on our path to spiritual and/or personal
growth. Some of them come for our personal experience, others are
stories that we have heard or read that have become very special to us.
Come to share a story, or come to listen and be inspired by those who
tell.
All are welcome! Free. Pine Grove Methodist Church is on Central Ave. (RT. 5) between Rt. 155
and Wolf Road. 1580 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205 (518) 869-6281.
March
7 Sunday
"Sowing Seeds of Hope and Peace"- time and place TBD. Afternoon event featuring adult tellers, and some Children at
the Well Tellers.
Caffé Lena Weekly Open Mic – 7:00
pm.
47
Phila St. Saratoga Springs 12866 (518) 583-0022.
Held every Thursday and open to all styles of music and spoken
word performance, including poetry, comedy, and storytelling. The
producers warmly welcome whatever you have to offer.
Performer registration from 7 to 7:25
PM.
Performances start at 7:30. No telephone
registration permitted. No special preference is given to kids, pros, or to
those traveling long distances.
Participants play two songs or speak for 10 minutes. There is no
featured performer at Weekly Open Mic.
Albany Open Mic - Dates and Location TBD
- We are looking for storytellers and listeners and a
location for an Open Mic in Albany – call
Claire at 209-6477 or e-mail cbnolou@yahoo.com if you
are interested.
Storytelling
on the Radio – You can listen to Jay O’Callahan tell the story “Forged in the Stars” on
Public Radio’s Living on Earth. First broadcast on December 27, 2009. http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=09-P13-00048&segmentID=6 and
http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=09-P13-00052&segmentID=1
Family Programs
February 15 – 19 1:30pm – 4:30pm at Proctors
Gallery For KIDS ages 9 – 13 StoryTelling/StoryActing
Camp. Instructors: Marni Gillard and Mary Murphy. We’ll
explore all the ways to tell a story! We’ll bring props and story ideas. You
can share a memory or a favorite folktale or fable. Lots of fun! Tuition: $130
for the week / with VIE pass $125. To request a VIE pass or get tuition
assistance, go to http://www.proctors.org/events/5499 <http://www.proctors.org/events/5499>
February
17
Wednesday from 1pm – 4:30pm: Snow Day!! at Thacher Nature Center. Attention
Families! Come out and play on our 5th annual day of winter fun! Go on a
snowshoe adventure to search for clues about wild animals. Then, make s’mores over a crackling campfire and hear winter tales
from storyteller Claire Nolan. Warm up indoors with winter-themed
activities and crafts. Materials fee of $10 per family includes use of
snowshoes. 87 Nature Center Way, Voorheesville, NY, 12186. Please call 872-0800 to
register.
Adult Programs
Story
Slams. What is a story slam? http://massmouth.ning.com/ “A Story Slam is a
contest of wit, words and story by known and undiscovered talent.” massmouth posts a theme on it's blogspot
and story slammers sign up on the night to tell a 5-minute short story on the
evening's theme . Ten lucky tellers will be picked at random. Participants can
opt to listen or join a judging team. There will be 3 teams of 3 judges and the
2 sets of 5 stories will begin with a short-short feature by one of the judges.
Listeners will be engaged in story improv games and
other entertainment between the 5 minute features. This SLAM's
theme is "Errors of Eros". Each of the ten 5 minute stories is judged
on how well it is told, how well it is constructed and how well it honors the
time limit and relates to the theme. The 3 highest-scoring tellers are awarded
prizes and an opportunity to perform at the "the big mouthoff";
venue and date TBA. Prizes will be awarded at each slam.
Monthly winners are entered in a grand prize contest - slam of all slammers on
April 20, 2010
to decide on a winner. The big mouthoff will be held
in the beautiful Rabb Auditorium, Boston Public
Library, Copley Square. The winner, with up to 5
friends or family members, will enjoy the fabulous grand prize of a week in a
town house in Tuscany. More info here:
http://massmouth.ning.com/forum/topics/grand-prize-for-the-big
February
14
Sunday
4pm to 7pm – Story Slam Ryles Ryles
Jazz Club: http://www.rylesjazz.com/ 212 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA (617)
876-9330 10 stories of love hosted by Laura Packer and co-host TBA.
LauraPacker.com Love in haste, recount at leisure… Organized by Norah
Dooley/Andrea Lovett/Doria
Hughes/Stu Mendleson.
$10 includes a $5.00 cover and one drink.
February
14 Sunday
1:15 pm “Awash in Tales: Noah’s flood and flood myths as viewed by a geologist and
storyteller”. Presented by Frank H. Wind, Ph.D. Frank will
discuss the flood myths worldwide, the beliefs and science proposed to validate
“Intelligent Design” and the countering arguments from the scientific
community. He will discuss possible natural phenomena which could have given
rise to flood myths and in particular, the events described in Genesis. Sage Colleges, New Scotland Avenue Albany NY 12208. Refreshments and discussion at 12:45.
February 15 Monday at 12:30 pm Jeannine Laverty at the Adirondack Community College
Writers’ Project Spring 2010. “Love: In Its Many Forms”. Jeannine has been telling
international folk tales since 1979 when her work teaching English as a second
language to immigrants in New York City showed her firsthand how the U.S. is
made up of cultures from all the countries of the world. Visual
Arts Gallery Dearlove Hall Adirondack Community
College 640 Bay Road Queensbury, NY 12804. Phone: 518-743-2210 Fax:
518-745-1433 Email: writersproject@sunyacc.edu. FREE.
February 21 Sunday at 2:00 pm. Word Plays
at Proctors. “Hunger” with Mary Murphy and Nancy Marie Payne.
Anyone who has ever wanted something, really wanted it, knows
that hunger doesn't only pertain to food. This afternoon, our tellers
will explore the humor, longings and driving desire behind hunger. In the Fenimore Gallery at Proctors
Theater 432 State St. Schenectady NY 12305. $16.00 see http://www.storycircleatproctors.org/wp%20third%20season%201%20coupon.pdf for Money Saving
Coupon! Tickets at the Proctor’s Box Office: http://www.proctors.org/
March 4 Thursday at 7 pm Jay
O’Callahan
at the
Adirondack Community College Writers’ Project Spring 2010. Storyteller and performer,
Jay has performed at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Lincoln Center in New
York City, the National Theatre Complex in London, at the Olympics, and with
the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He has led workshops, taught, and performed at
universities across the country, and his stories have been widely published and
recorded. In addition to his March 4 performance, Jay will offer a day-long
workshop on Friday, March 5 (see Workshops and Classes – below) ACC
Theater; Adirondack Community College 640 Bay Road Queensbury, NY 12804. Phone:
518-743-2210 Fax: 518-745-1433 Email: writersproject@sunyacc.edu. FREE.
March
7 Sunday
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Story Sunday at the Glen Sanders Mansion “Celtic
Stories” with the Storycrafters. Barry Marshall, and Jeri
Burns will share Celtic tales and songs.
Menu:
Corned Beef and Cabbage with Potatoes and Carrots (Natch!);
Chicken Dijon with fingerling potatoes and seasonal vegetables; Butternut
Squash Ravioli with seasonal vegetables. 1 Glen Avenue, Scotia, NY $30 per
person (includes entertainment, dinner, tax and tip) Bring someone new and
you each save $3 (only one discount/person).
Reservations:
(518) 384-1700 or e-mail sc@katedudding.com
March 14 Sunday at 2:00 pm. Word Plays
at Proctors. "Shenanigans"
with Marni Gillard and Janet Carter. Anyone who has ever wanted something, really wanted it, knows that
hunger doesn't only pertain to food. This afternoon, our tellers will
explore the humor, longings and driving desire behind hunger. In the Fenimore Gallery at Proctors
Theater 432 State St. Schenectady NY 12305. $16.00 see http://www.storycircleatproctors.org/wp%20third%20season%201%20coupon.pdf for Money Saving
Coupon! Tickets at the Proctor’s Box Office: http://www.proctors.org/
Phone: (518) 346-6204
Ongoing The Moth StorySlams various locations, NY, NY http://www.themoth.org/storyslams
Check
out http://www.storytelling-nyc.org/calendar.html for more New York City
Storytelling events!
Workshops and Classes for
Storytellers
Tuesdays Feb. 9+23, Mar.9+23, Apr. 6+20 from 7:00 -9:00 pm. ”Finding
Ourselves in Stories” a 6-session Adult
Storytelling Class with Marni Gillard Cost $120 for series
- $5 discount if you bring a friend. We will
find and share tales with each other. We’ll refer to life tales in our
conversational work, but this course is about finding stories in
scripture, folktales, myths, and poems. I’ll provide story sources but feel
free to bring your own. Plenty of parking on safe,
well-lit street. Call 381-9474 or email marnigillard@earthlink.net to
register at Marni’s Story Studio, 833 Parkside Ave. Schenectady 12309.
February 22 2010 – March 7 2010 A Storytelling Tourism experience in India.
Limited to 18 Participants. Orientation in Chennai,
India then by Bus: Visiting the East Coast Sea-Fishing Village of Poompuhar; visiting the Central City of Madurai;
visiting Locations in the Western Ghats Mountains.
Trip includes the Valparai area, home of the Muthuvan tribal people (who claim that their ancestors
accompanied Kannagi to this area).
Along
the way --
1)
Tamil Language Teaching and Learning (for visitors to Tamil Nadu).
2)
Storytelling (with translation when needed), as listeners and tellers,
Especially
relating to the Silappathikaram (the Epic of the
Anklet, Kannagi’s story);
and to Folktales -- Grandmother stories, Raja-Rani
stories, stories in which animals
speak, etc. -- of the five traditional Tamil eco-cultural zones
(seashore, agricultural lands,
pasture lands, barren lands, and mountain forests) in which the story
takes place.
3)
Storytelling Workshops. Participants will keep journals.
4)
Interactive Talks with Scholars and Members of Communities.
This
tour will be led by Eric Miller (based in Chennai), Director of the WSI;
and Laura Simms
(based in New York City), a longtime leader of the
International Storytelling Movement. For more information: http://storytellinginstitute.org/
March
5
9:00 –
3:00 Friday Jay O’Callahan will offer a day-long
workshop: “The Art and Uses of Storytelling.” The workshop is limited to 20
participants. For a registration form, please call the ACC Center at 743-2238
or go to http://www.sunyacc.edu/ocallahan_reg_form.pdf Adirondack Community
College 640 Bay Road Queensbury, NY 12804. $100.00.
March
19-21 Friday – Sunday SHARING THE FIRE: The Northeast Storytelling
Conference 2010. Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, Rhode Island. Presented by LANES (League for the Advancement of New England
Storytelling). http://www.lanes.org/. For more information
contact Lauretta Phillips, STF/NESC 2010 Coordinator,
at lphillipstale@comcast.net or (603) 735-5965.
March 24, 31, April 7 and April 14 Wednesdays
at Albany’s Pastoral Center “Telling
Tales, Making Peace” - A story-sharing
workshop. Description: Deep in the sacred tales we’ve read and in the
simple yet complex moments we’ve experienced, we encounter the
possibility for Peace. We’ll explore sacred stories, folk and mythic tales, and
our own life stories looking for moments when peace becomes possible. 40 N. Main Avenue, between Washington and Western Avenues, Well-lit parking lot on
left side of building. Reservation 489-4431 $40
if paid before 3/17, $45; after that. Mail checks
to Consultation Center, 790
Lancaster St. Albany, NY 12203.
Tellabration News
Submitted
by Kate Dudding and Joe Doolittle
Tellabration
2009 was “Buoyant”; the stories lifted both audience and tellers to a humorous,
poignant place where memories are kept and savored. We’ve heard many friends
and “long-term” listeners say this was the “best” Tellabration ever. And we
think they may be right! There were over 170 listeners. A
special thank you to each of the volunteers for making such a wonderful
Tellabration happen this year. To all the rest of you who attended,
brought friends and promoted ticket sales, many thanks also. Here are
some statistics, compared to last
year:
2009
2008
INCOME
Ads
$375.00
400.00
Freewill
Refreshment
Donations
$50.00
0.00
Tix
Sales
$1,287.50
1,725.70
TOTAL
INCOME
$1,712.50
$ 2,125.70
EXPENSES
Postcards
$406.17
$392.95
Flyers
$109.43
184.04
Programs
$123.26
101.65
Room
Rental
$525.00
525.00
Sound
$175.00
175.00
House
Manager
$140.00
140.00
Credit
Card
processing
$35.30
38.30
$2
rebates
$126.00
114.00
Misc.
postage
$3.80
0.00
Refreshments
apple juice and
water
$25.00
0.00
TOTAL
EXPENSES
$1,668.96
$1,670.94
PROFITS
$43.54
$454.76
Attendance
172
171
Tickets
sold at
door
about
2/3s
96
New
entries in mailing list
database
35
36
New
email
addresses
17
16
#
of $2
rebates
63
57
The
main difference is that there were 40 fewer paid tickets – not unexpected with
this economy. We still attracted new people (see $2 rebates and new entries in
mailing list database), which is very good.
For Next Year
Tellabration
has always had two goals: to bring storytelling to the people in the Capital
District; and to raise money for storytelling grants to fund programs in area
libraries and museums (as well as creating paid gigs for SC tellers). Kate and
Joe have come up with some new ideas to meet these goals.
1.
Bring Tellabration to listeners. Every library system receives outreach money
to serve populations who do not or cannot come to the libraries. Ask the
outreach managers in the Mohawk Valley and Southern Adirondack Library Systems
if they could fund some storytelling programs for seniors or preschoolers or
any other age group during the weeks before or after Tellabration. Two good
things: Lois Gordon of MVLS is a storytelling supporter. And SALS funded story
telling programs to celebrate their 50th anniversary several years ago. In
addition to giving SC tellers paid gigs, this would make Tellabration a larger
activity which might encourage newspapers to write articles about it. Kate will
contact the outreach managers by the end of January.
2.
Bring listeners to Tellabration. Ask CDPHP to underwrite bringing seniors to
Tellabration. Joe will contact CDPHP soon.
3.
Other Ideas: Pending input from Story Circle Members – thoughts and feedback
welcome.
Among Ourselves
Frank-Lee
Speaking
Storytelling Team – Frank and Dee Wind will be offering two
storytelling workshops for the residents at Beechwood
Retirement Community in Troy in February.
March
17 Wednesday
-- Mary Murphy and Carol Connolly -- “A Bit o’ Blarney” at
Hawthorne Ridge in East Greenbush
Looking Ahead
April 19 – 25 2010 Riverway
Storytelling Festival. Various venues and times.
Watch http://www.riverwaystorytellingfestival.org/ for more information! Join
the Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=228939478386&ref=ts
May 1 Saturday at 8p.m.
"Grace O’Malley – A Notorious Woman" Marni Gillard performs
six tales from the life of Grace O’Malley, Irish clan chieftain’s daughter,
political activist and pirate (1530-1603). The stories are backed by
traditional Irish musicians debuting Tom O’Hare’s suite of tunes, A
Notorious Woman. Save the date! Reservation
information to follow. Reformed Church, Schenectady
July 23-24 Friday- Sunday Save the date for PYRAMID STORYTELLING CAMP – Annual
Adirondack FUN! Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. $130 (a steal!) Free canoes and kayaks,
great hiking. Join me and two great story friends from Boston: Kevin Books
and Laura Packer. Workshops, casual story swaps, bonfire, singing,
loon-listening and more!
See You Next Time
All meetings are held from 7 to 9 p.m. on the 3rd
Tuesday or Wednesday of the month alternating between Tuesdays in odd numbered
months at the William K. Sanford Library and Wednesdays in even numbered months
at the Guilderland Public Library.
DIRECTIONS:
The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Avenue,
Guilderland, 1/2 mile west of Rte. 155 on the south
side of Western Avenue. (February 17)
The
William K. Sanford Library is located at 629 Albany Shaker Road, just off Northway Exit 4,
and 1/4 mile east of the intersection of Wolf Road and Albany Shaker Road on
the left side. (March 16)
*****************************************************************************
Name_____________________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________________
Phone__________________Email_______________________________________
(
) I want to be a member of Story Circle, enclosed is a check for $10.00 for the
newsletter and a roster of members. Renewal is in January of each year.
(
) List my name among performing storytellers for referral.
(
) Send my newsletters via US mail. ( ) Send my newsletters
via E-mail.
Membership
renewals are due each January and are good for one year. Please make checks
payable to “Story Circle” and send to Carol Connolly, 1100 Niskayuna Road,
Niskayuna, NY 12309