Storytellers sought for 2019 Holidazzle

The organizers of Holidazzle seek storytellers to perform in Loring Park in Minneapolis on two dates:

Sunday, December 8 from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Sunday, December 22 from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

More details appear below. The website, https://www.holidazzle.com/, conveys the full flavor of this multifaceted family-oriented annual event.

To donate your time and talent to this fun event, please contact :
Erin Heidenrich
mdcintern@mplsdowntown.com
612-388-5972
Erin will also be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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MORE INFORMATION:

Holidazzle creates a community gathering place and holiday destination for people of all ages to come together and celebrate winter in Downtown Minneapolis. This year’s Holidazzle features stories highlighting local people, products and places that showcase the food scene, art district, park system, active lifestyle, local entertainers and community groups that make our city and our region unique and special.

Minneapolis-centric vendors provide options for prepared and packaged food, beverages and unique gift and craft items. This year’s programming lineup will include visits from Santa Claus, musical performances from bands and choirs, weekly movies featuring holiday classics, themed days, giveaways, surprise and delight moments and more.

Heat up and grab a beverage in our warming house, then continue your trek testing out some of Minnesota’s finest products. Vikings, moose, and abominable snow men alike are all welcome. Stroll through the festive lights and follow the savory smells as you enjoy your holiday experience in the heart of the city.

Story Telling:
Story Time will take place on Sundays starting at 11:30 am and last an hour, with a 15 minute break in-between. If you have multiple stories to tell, we would love to have one story told during the first part of the presentation and then a different story after the break. We will provide the story tellers a wireless headset mic to read. All presentations will be done outside on our performance deck, which will offer a more personal feel with the audience being much closer than our stage. All are welcome at Holidazzle so we encourage you to tell stories that appeal to all audiences.

Events Dates:

Thursdays through Sundays, November 29-December 22

Thursdays from 5 pm – 9 pm | Fridays from 5 pm – 10 pm

Saturdays from 11 am – 10 pm | Sundays from 11 am – 7 pm

Open Story Time Dates:

Sunday, December 8 from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Sunday, December 22 from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Contact:
Erin Heidenrich
mdcintern@mplsdowntown.com
612-388-5972

SAM members invited to tell stories at Tellabration!

Story Arts of Minnesota is hosting three hours of performance in the Open Book auditorium as part of Tellabration! on Saturday, November 30th :

             Traditional Stories (10 – 11 AM) hosted by Pam Schweitzer
            Personal Stories (11- noon) hosted by Chelley McLear
            Humorous Stories (noon – 1 PM) hosted by Leif Wallin

There will be four slots for SAM members to tell an up-to-7-minute story in each performance. Slots will be filled on a first come first served basis.  Stories should be appropriate for all ages.

Members who want to tell should contact Loren Niemi (niemistory@gmail.com) with your name and which performance you want to tell at by Saturday, October 26th.

Oct. 4: Free livestream from Jonesborough

The National Storytelling Festival is taking place this weekend in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Can’t go? You can still enjoy performances by some of the top-tier tellers at the festival. Friday’s performances in the Family Showcase will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCFK4G8QqY8, starting at 9am Central time.

9:00-10:00 - Tim Tingle & Barbara McBride-Smith
10:30-11:30 - Carolina Quiroga-Stultz & Bil Lepp
12:00-1:00 - Isabella Callery & Donald Davis
1:30-2:30 - Mara Menzies & Eth-Noh-Tec
3:00-4:00 - Donna Washington & Andy Offutt Irwin

This livestream is made possible through the generosity of the Niswonger Foundation and Family Tent Sponsor, Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa.

SATURDAY: Pop Up SAM Meet & Greet at Signifyin' & Testifyin'

Join us for a pop up SAM Meet and Greet, at the Grand Finale Concert for Signifyin' & Testifyin', the 28th Annual Black Master Storytelling Festival, on Saturday, September 28th, 7pm, at the Minneapolis Central Public Library, 300 Nicollet Mall. This concert is ASL interpreted. The concert is free and open to the public.

Look for the SAM sign, sit with other SAM members, get to know each other and enjoy a remarkable storytelling concert. Hope to see you there.

The full schedule for Signifyn' and Testifyn' events is listed below.

Opening Ceremony and Concert
Thursday, September 26, 7:00pm
Perpich Center for Arts Education
6125 Olson Highway, Golden Valley MN
ASL interpreted
Opening by Brother Ghana M’Baye Drum Troupe

Tall Tales Liar’s Contest
Friday, September 27, 7:00pm
Ames Elks Lodge
1614 Plymouth Avenue North  Minneapolis  MN 55411

Grand Finale Concert
Saturday, September 28, 7:00pm
Minneapolis Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis MN
ASL interpreted
Opening by Voice of Culture Drum and Dance

Signifyin' & Testifyin' - Sept. 26-28

The Black Storytellers Alliance presents its 28th annual festival, “Signifyin’ & Testifyin’,” September 26-28. The exciting line-up includes Janice Curtis Greene (Baltimore, Maryland), Dylan Pritchett (Richmond, Virginia), Mama Koku (Atlanta, Georgia), Atiba Kwabena Wilson (Harlem, New York), Oceana James (Harlem, New York), Toni Simmons (Fort Worth, Texas), Oba William King (Dallas, Texas), and Auntie Beverly (Minneapolis, Minnesota).

Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for three nights of the best storytelling in the country.

These events are FREE, family friendly, and appropriate for all ages.

Opening Ceremony and Concert
Thursday, September 26, 7:00pm
Perpich Center for Arts Education
6125 Olson Highway, Golden Valley MN
ASL interpreted
Opening by Brother Ghana M’Baye Drum Troupe

Tall Tales Liar’s Contest
Friday, September 27, 7:00pm
Ames Elks Lodge
1614 Plymouth Avenue North Minneapolis MN 55411

Grand Finale Concert
Saturday, September 28, 7:00pm
Minneapolis Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis MN
ASL interpreted
Opening by Voice of Culture Drum and Dance

Find more details about this annual FREE community event at the Black Storytellers Alliance website, http://blackstorytellers.com/2019-festival/.

Finalists announced for the The Great American Story Contest

The four finalists have been announced for The Great American Story contest in Park Rapids, MN, on September 28. This is the fourth year of the contest, which awards a grand prize of $1000 based on audience voting. For details, see http://www.thegreatamericanstory.org/

Maeve Bolton is a sophomore at Park Rapids Area High School. She participates in speech, competing in creative Expression, a category where students write their own original pieces to perform. This will be her fifth year of speech. Some of her awards include being named the Heartland Conference Champion in 2017 and 2018. She loves performing with the Park Rapids Drama Department, Prairie Fire Children's Theatre and Long Lake Theater, and has been involved in many productions. Her other pastimes include playing tennis, oboe and piano, and she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

With a rich variety of experiences and storytelling skills, Noel LaBine tells stories which are touching, engaging, inspiring and up lifting. He has entertained audiences in communities throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin since 2002. Using adventures created because of his personal foibles, Noel expresses his personal development through “Lessons Learned” that are often humorous and heart-warming. He hopes his stories invite people to realize their own personal development learned through personal failures. Noel has self-published three books including his latest: Lessons Learned Through Chaos and Mayhem from Northwest Minnesota, a collection of over 40 short stories he has created and remembered, which involve characters from his hometown of Argyle.

Nicolle LaFleur is a native Minnesotan who has recently returned to live on her family’s homestead in the Smoky Hills State Forest. She is the new director of the Nemeth Art Center where she is focused on community and youth engagement. She has lived and worked in China over the past 30 years and has raised her two daughters with her husband in Beijing and Washington State before moving back to northern Minnesota. She is currently writing a memoir of her experiences in China with her bi-cultural extended family.

Donna Marie Todd is a professional storyteller, TEDx speaker, recording artist, singer, writer, teaching artist and retreat leader. The combination of storytelling and singing has earned her the description of “The Singer of Stories.” Currently she performs at leading storytelling festivals, corporate events, spiritual retreats, churches, schools and conferences. A native of West Virginia, she trained in classical vocal performance at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and now writes and performs a combination of original story woven with artful song. She is also well-known in the spiritual community as a biblical storyteller, and has served as editor of The Biblical Storyteller magazine for almost 10 years. Visit her website to learn more: www.donnamarietodd.com.

SEPT. 10: Deadline for proposals for MN Tellabration

One-hour-long workshop and panel discussion proposals are now being accepted by the Minnesota Tellabration 2019 Committee. Please keep submissions to 100 words. The organizers are especially interested in topics not ordinarily addressed at storytelling conferences, though all proposals are indeed welcome. If selected, getting/renting special equipment is the responsibility of the instructor.

Some examples of past topics include: the artist's search for their style, self-publishing, storytelling full-time, film storyboarding, and using storytelling to build community.

Please note that Tellabration Minnesota is entirely funded by donations. Last year no workshop instructor was offered more than $40 for their time, and many preferred to volunteer their talents.

If you are interested please submit to: www.tellabrationmn.org/contact-us

Deadline for submission is Sept. 10

"Show & Tell," Sept. 14, will benefit Tellabration

Please join us on Saturday, September 14 at a benefit for Tellabration 2019!

"Show & Tell" - an evening of traditional narratives, cautionary tales, unexpected subplots, word juggling, and the sheer joy power of storytelling. Also, a silent auction and raffle! Doors will open at 6:30pm, and the show will begin at 7:30pm with performances by Barbara Schutzgruber, Rose McGee, Richard Rousseau, Pam Schweitzer and Ted King.

Show & Tell will take place at the Festsaal banquet space of The Black Forest Inn. Tickets cost $10, and include a beverage. All proceeds raised at Show & Tell will be used for Tellabration costs, so Tellabration (November 30th at Open Book in Minneapolis) can be offered for free!

Sponsored by: Cheap Theatre, National Storytelling Network, Northlands Storytelling Network and Story Arts of Minnesota.

SEPT. 3 DEADLINE: J.J. Reneaux Emerging Artist Award

J.J. Reneaux Emerging Artist Award

NSN is accepting applications for the J.J. Reneaux Emerging Artist Award – a grant that provides $1,500 to a storyteller of major and unique performing talent who has not yet received wide public recognition. Please note that this is not primarily an achievement award: candidates must have a well-considered need and desire to improve their storytelling skills and must present a convincing plan for how they will use the grant funds for artistic development..

Check out the award description and application instructions at https://storynet.org/about-nsn/awards/j-j-reneaux-award/j-j-reneaux-emerging-artist-award/.

DEADLINE for applications: MIDNIGHT (CDT), SEPTEMBER 3, 2019.

Applicants need not be current members of NSN.

For more information, email Jo Radner at jradner@american.edu.

28th Annual Black Master Storytelling Festival

The Black Storytellers Alliance has announced the schedule and featured storytellers for its 28th annual festival, “Signifyin’ & Testifyin’,” September 26-28. The exciting line-up includes Janice Curtis Greene (Baltimore, Maryland), Dylan Pritchett (Richmond, Virginia), Mama Koku (Atlanta, Georgia), Atiba Kwabena Wilson (Harlem, New York), Oceana James (Harlem, New York), Toni Simmons (Fort Worth, Texas), Oba William King (Dallas, Texas), and Auntie Beverly (Minneapolis, Minnesota). At the popular Liars’ Contest, youth and adults vie to tell the best tall tale and win a trophy. Find more details about this annual FREE community event at the Black Storytellers Alliance website, http://blackstorytellers.com/2019-festival/.

Northlands Issues Call for Workshop Presenters, Showcase Stories and Fringe Submissions

The Northlands Storytelling Network ‘s website has been updated with the requirements for Workshop presenters, Showcase stories and Fringe submissions for Confabulation! 2020 .

The deadline for submissions is midnight, October 15, 2019.

Workshop presenters and Showcase stories are juried by a committee of your peers. Fringe/Ruffles stories are done by lottery. See all the requirements and submission procedures at the following:
Call for Workshop Presenters
Call for Showcase Stories
Call for Fringe Stories

Confabulation! 2020 will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, April 24-26, 2020. Any questions, contact the office at 612-730-5798 or by email to Dot Cleveland at northlands.storytelling@gmail.com

September 14: Seeking auction items, cash donations, and story lovers to support Tellabration 2019!

Don’t miss this fun evening of storytelling! Proceeds from tickets (just $10 at the door), the silent auction, and a raffle will support the all-day 2019 Tellabration! on November 30 at Open Book in Minneapolis.

The organizers are currently soliciting monetary donations as well as items to be auctioned. “Items for the silent auction include books, handmade items, professional services, and other artful objects that folks would consider purchasing. Suggested prices start at $10. We need to raise significant funds so please donate items of value. We appreciate your help in making this year’s Tellabration a success.” Please contact Richard Rousseau if you have items to donate or any questions: richard@tales-from-another-stage.com.

August 26: "Folklore of the State Fair" tour for SAM members

Master storyteller and SAM board member Loren Niemi is offering a 2019 Minnesota State Fair "folklore of the fair" tour for SAM members on Monday, August 26th.

Regular adult admission to the Fair is $15 at the gate; advance purchase discounts are available (https://www.mnstatefair.org/tickets/admission-tickets/). August 26th is "Seniors & Kids Day" with a discounted admission of $10 for folks over 65 or under 12.

The tour begins at 5:00 PM at Ye Old Mill, the oldest ride at the fairgrounds. The walking route will include the butterhead sculptures in the Dairy building, seed crop art, a hidden grocery store, and much more. Grab a Pronto Pup or some Sweet Martha’s chocolate chip cookies and join us!

This event is a benefit for SAM members. Not a SAM member?  Just click Join/Donate, above, and become one for a mere $20 to take advantage of this and future member benefits. All who love storytelling are welcome! Your donation will directly support the storytelling arts in Minnesota.

June 13 & 14: SAM outings to storytelling shows

Explore storytelling shows in the Twin Cities along with Story Arts of Minnesota members!  We’re launching our summer series of outings with gatherings at Story Club Minneapolis on June 13 and The Liar’s Game on June 14.  Look for the SAM sign and join the fun!

Thursday, June 13 – Story Club Minneapolis
Produced and Hosted by Amy Salloway
Featured Storytellers: Laura Packer and Phil Gonzalez

Story Club Minneapolis is a live monthly storytelling show featuring both a curated set of performers and an open mic segment (3-4 tellers, randomly drawn, who tell up-to-7-minute stories). Story Club showcases true, autobiographical stories--especially stories that are bold, vulnerable, unexpected, and connected to the complexity of our cultural environment.  A full menu of food and drinks is available for purchase.

Bryant-Lake Bowl, 810 West Lake St., Minneapolis
7:00pm – Doors open at 6:00pm
$8-$15 sliding scale at the door, or purchase tickets online
More info on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/StoryClubMinneapolis/ 

Friday, June 14 – The Liar’s Game – Road Trip Edition
Featured Storytellers:  Allison Broeren, Howard Lieberman, and Rebecca Ramsden

Three featured storytellers tell tales on the evening’s theme.  Two are true; one is a lie.  Before voting on who they believe is lying, audience members may ask questions of the tellers.  Drinks and snacks are available for purchase.  A few lucky listeners will get door prizes!

Music Forest Café, 151 Seventh St. East, St. Paul
7:00pm
$10 at the door

More info on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/events/2384375985125186/

SAM members honored by the National Storytelling Network

            The National Storytelling Network has announced the 2019 recipients of its Oracle Awards.  Three members of Story Arts of Minnesota are among the storytellers being recognized for their exceptional talents and contributions. 

Nancy Donoval will be honored with the Circle of Excellence Award.  This prestigious award is presented to artists who are recognized nationally by their peers as master storytellers who set the standards for excellence and who have demonstrated, over a significant period of time, a commitment and dedication to the art of storytelling.  Richard Rousseau will be given the Regional Excellence Award in recognition of his creativity, professional integrity, and artistic contributions in NSN’s North Central region, which includes Minnesota.  Dorothy Cleveland will receive the Regional Service and Leadership Award, in gratitude for her contributions to the North Central region’s storytelling community over the years, culminating in her current position as administrator of the Northlands Storytelling Network.  Nancy, Richard, and Dorothy are pillars of the Minnesota storytelling community who have made a significant impact on the regional and national scene.  SAM congratulates them on their achievements!

                 The Oracle Awards will be presented at the NSN’s annual conference in Fremont, California, on July 26.  Background on the awards and the complete list of 2019 recipients can be found on the NSN website: https://storynet.org/about-nsn/awards/nsn-oracle-awards/

SAM Hosts Storytelling Stage at the Festival of Nations, May 2-5

Story Arts of Minnesota returns to the Festival of Nations to host the popular Storytelling Stage at the heart of the Festival’s Marketplace Bazaar. Over the four-day event, at the RiverCentre in St. Paul, a diverse group of tellers will share tales from their own or their ancestors’ homelands.

On Thursday May 2 and Friday May 3, the Festival is open to students and teachers. Storytellers Margaret Meyers, Kathleen Johnson, Carol McCormick, Danielle Daniel, Larry Johnson, and Rodger Roan Eagle will provide half-hour shows featuring tales from many cultures. The Festival opens to the public on Friday evening; the storytelling resumes on the weekend.

On Saturday May 4, the daytime tellers include Mary Dubbs, Phuoc Thi Minh Tran, Sarah Nameera, Kayanja Jaffer Ssalabwa, Richard Rousseau, Sachi Venkatakrishman, Noel LaBine, and Katie Knutson. A special evening concert, 7:00-8:30, features a live performance by the rising Bokator star Sam Tharoth of Cambodia, along with storytellers Carol McCormick and Katie Knutson.

On Sunday May 5, Peuo Tuy, Tanya Brody, Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, Pam Schweitzer, and Carol McCormick take turns on the Storytelling Stage.

Find information about the storytellers on SAM’s daily calendar of storytelling events, https://www.storyartsmn.org/events

Festival tickets: Adults $11-$18, Youth $8-$12.
Full info and link to purchase tickets online: https://www.festivalofnations.com/ticket/

Minnesota Storytellers Head to the Northlands Confabulation

The talents of Minnesotan storytellers will be on display at the Northlands Confabulation! in Madison, Wisconsin later this month.  The annual Confabulation! brings together storytellers from the upper Midwest and beyond for three days of workshops, classes, story concerts, and fringe performances.  New this year are “ruffles”—half-hour fringe shows. 

On Friday, April 26, Katie Knutson will present a ruffle, “The View from the South: Stories and Reflections from South America,” and Dorothy Cleveland will join Michigan storyteller Barb Schutzgruber in a fringe show titled “Bedtime Stories: Sex, Death & Violence.”  The evening story concert will include Dorothy Cleveland and Sue Searing.

On Saturday, April 27, Minnesotan tellers will lead several workshops:  Chad Filley, “How to Use Stand-up Comedy Techniques to Make You a More Effective Storyteller”; Loren Niemi, “The Stories of the Other”;  Carol McCormick, “Creating a Steady Storytelling Income Stream”; Bethany Ricks, “Finding Stories in Nature”; Dorothy Cleveland (with Barb Schutzgruber), “Enrich the Image”; and Katie Knutson, “Stunning Stage Pictures: Adding Physicality to Your Stories.”  In addition, Laura Packer will offer a fringe, “Haunted: Stories for the Brave of Heart; Loren Niemi will appear in the evening story concert; and Ward Rubrecht will emcee the story slam.

On Sunday, April 28, Laura Packer will lead a workshop on “Coaching for Meaning, Connection and Growth”; and Katie Knutson will perform in the closing story showcase.

And that’s just the Minnesotans!  There are many more workshops, opportunities to listen to expert tellers, open story swaps, and even a master class with renowned South Carolina teller Tim Lowry.  You can still register for the Confabulation.  Visit www.northlands.net for more information.

Another successful World Storytelling Day!

L to R: Elaine Wynne, Trista Matascastillo, Hector Matascastillo, Carol McCormick, Derek Anders-Turner and Mark Wagler.

On March 20, 2019, SAM member Larry Johnson organized and hosted a World Storytelling Day event “Myths, Legends & Epics of Coming Home from War” at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. It raised funds for the Veteran Resilience Project at www.resiliencemn.org. Larry believes “If I hear your story, it’s harder for me to hate you.” Audience members were profuse in their thanks and said they were impressed by the depth and power of the stories.

Elaine founded the Veteran Resilience Project to provide EMDR to veterans with PTSD. Derek served in Iraq as a Combat Engineer. Carol was the spouse of a veteran with PTSD. Hector served as an Army Ranger in Iraq. Trista is a veteran and early leader of the Veterans Voices Program and the Women Veterans Initiative. The story “Home” that she shared was first told at a Kennedy Center event in  Washington, D.C. in 2016. Mark, who lives in Madison, WI, was a co-founder of Northlands Storytelling Network. He was raised Amish-Mennonite and became a conscientious objector. Part of the story he told was about marching in Chicago with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Apply by April 6: Storytelling workshop leaders (2 needed)

Central Lakes College, which serves the communities in and around Brainerd, is seeking two individuals to lead storytelling workshops at a half-day storytelling event which is anticipated to be held on the Brainerd Campus sometime in April- May. The Brainerd campus features state-of-the-art audio recording equipment that will be put to use as part of Central Lakes College ongoing mission to deliver outstanding public offerings. To give the best possible experience to the general public, CLC would like to offer workshops on storytelling. Individuals experienced at leading workshops for community members with very little or no storytelling experience are being sought. There are four tracks of interest: 1) Storytelling for Your Business, 2) Storytelling for Your Family, 3) Storytelling in Patient Care and 4) Storytelling Basics. Workshop facilitators will be asked to offer follow-up coaching to participants at a mutually agreed upon time (for example: four emails/phone calls). Payment rate is to be determined. For more information about Central Lakes College, see www.clcmn.edu.

Central Lakes College will review all applications and make all final decisions. StoryArtsMN is not involved in any hiring decisions. All applicants are encouraged to be members of StoryArtsMN, though this will not effect application status. If you are not a member of SAM please go to https://www.storyartsmn.org/support-sam to join.

In addition to the information in this application, we will need a copy of your current resume. Please email it to storyartsmn@gmail.com within three days of applying.

Enter the Great American Story contest

The Park Rapids Lakes Area Arts Council is sponsoring the fourth annual Great American Story contest for oral storytellers.

Stories are now being invited from Minnesota storytellers. Judges will narrow the selections to four finalists who will perform the best-told stories at an event Saturday, September 28, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. The audience will vote to select the top two storytellers among the four finalists. The two semi-finalists will be given a prompt and tell a 10-minute extemporaneous story. The audience will then select the winner.

First place storyteller will receive an award of $1,000. Second place will receive $500, and each of the other two finalists will receive $250. Lodging arrangements will be made if needed.

For entry information and rules for The Great American Story, please go to www.theagreatamericanstory.org. Finalists will be notified by August 19.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council , thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.