Who's Next in Line? What do the following have in common?
Liz Warren, LynnAnn Wojciechowicz, Sean Buvala, Lorraine Calbow, Don Doyle, The SMCC Storytelling Institute
They are all Valley recipients of the NSN Oracle Award for Regional Service and Leadership.
Nominations for all Oracle Awards are due March 1, 2016. That's only ELEVEN WEEKS AWAY! Now is the time to get going! Nominations can be done WITH or WITHOUT the nominee's knowledge.
There are other NSN ORACLE Award Categories: Lifetime Achievement, Circle of Excellence, Regional Excellence, Distinguished National Service, Talking Leaves, International StoryBridge, and Regional Service & Leadership.
Do you know an individual in our community who might be deserving of one of the Oracle Awards? If you are an NSN member, you can nominate them. (If you are not a member, click here to join) Keep in mind that there is a difference between Regional Excellence (evaluating a candidate’s performance skills) and Regional Service & Leadership (evaluating a candidate’s service & leadership actions).
All nominations require a nomination form, narrative addressing qualifications, and three letters of support.
This is the second year requiring a video sample for the Regional Excellence Award nominations only. This category was newly established in 2011 to honor storytellers of exceptional artistic merit who work primarily in one region. A video sample will help the committee review those candidates’ storytelling talents.
If you have any questions, call Karin Hensley: 800-525-4514 x 303
And Speaking of NSN... The 2016 NSN Storytelling Conference will once again be held in Kansas City, July 21-24, 2016. The theme for the conference is "Spotlight on Storytelling". The Conference Committee is reviewing all proposals, and presenters and workshops will be announced soon.
NOW is the time to start making arrangements! Register for the 2016 National Storytelling Conference by January 12, 2016, and save $10 off the early-bird price. By registering early, you may elect to pay in 6 monthly installments January through June 2016. The best deal you will get!
Buena Suerte Yes, it means "Good Luck"! The valley bids a fond farewell to our own Joyce Story. Joyce will be moving to Florida to spend more time with her family. She has already made connections to many storytelling guilds and associations. We have no doubt that she will flourish there, just as she has here in the Sonoran Desert! Look for some new stories about the Everglades and their environs!
Joyce will be driving to Florida with friend and colleague Mark Compton. They leave this Friday, so if you want to say your goodbyes, now is the time!
Perhaps they will send us posts and updates about their adventure on the road to the "other" sunshine state. We can only hope!
One last note: Although Joyce is leaving the state, her coveted license plate "STORY" has already been promised away (I checked).
In any event, Joyce will be missed. She is a great teller, story crafter, dancer, and kind and gentle being!
Out Of The Box Storytelling Women Storytellers
Saturday, December 19th - 10am - Noon (doors open at 9:30 am)
Anne McDowell has organized another event: Out of the Box Storytelling - Women Storytellers.
A place for Christian women to get together to hear and tell of the wonders that God has done in their lives or (with permission) in the lives of others. This is a fun, exciting new way to hear six 8-10 minute personal, uplifting, faith-promoting stories about the wonders of God, and enjoy a delicious brunch! They offer fun, laughter, and a chance to win door prizes!
It's at Dobson’s Restaurant at Dobson Ranch Golf Course in Mesa from 10am - 12 Noon.
Winter's Light - In Its 18th Year! Winter's Light at Community Christian Church
Sunday - December 20th - 7:00 pm
Stories of Light Entering Into the Darkness of our Lives
For the last eighteen years, storytellers from diverse faith traditions gather together each December to tell stories and light candles in a show of unity and hope. "Winter's Light" is a joyous, multi-cultural, inter-faith storytelling event for the holidays.
Arizona Storytellers: Holiday Spectacular! Monday - December 21st
Join azcentral.com, The Arizona Republic and Alliance Bank of Arizona in the McArthur Ballroom at the Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria resort, for a night of stories about Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's Eve, and all the wintertime adventures we carry in our hearts.
Co-host:
Liz Warren, director of the South Mountain Community College Storytelling Institute
Featured Storytellers:
Fox Restaurant Concepts Beverage Director Mat Snapp
Assistant Rabbi/Educator at Temple Emanuel of Tempe, Rabbi Jason Bonder
Tempe Christian Community Church pastor Doug Bland
Writer and Moth Storyslam winner Molly McCloy
Professional storyteller and Army Ranger Kyle Mitchell
Writer Joe Finnerty (No relation to Megan!)
Important notes about this event:
This venue is to the far West of the property, in the convention area, not in the main resort building.
Self-park is adjacent to the Ballroom.
This night is best for children who understand the complexities of the holidays.
Hot chocolate and fabulous holiday cookies will be served as our Christmas present to you. Full cash bar. (No dinner.)
Post-show cocktail party in the Mystery Room (a secret speakeasy) with an Arizona Biltmore Instagram photo challenge. The winner gets a free night's stay at the Arizona Biltmore!
Details:
Registration begins at 6 p.m., stories begin promptly at 7 p.m. Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. 2400 E Missouri Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85016. 602-444-8770. Ticket purchase mandatory at tickets.azcentral.com.
NO! I Don't Know and I Don't Like I will not apologize for this rant!
Consider the following paragraph:
So, like, I went to the store and, you know, like there were all these weird things on the shelves, you know. And so I was looking at them, you know and I was like, freaked out, you know. So I picked up this one thing and like, it was so strange, you know. I had no idea what it was, you know.
Would you accept this as a well written piece? I think not.
And yet, we accept it when it is a spoken piece. Why?
Perhaps you read that paragraph and imagined a 16 year-old Valley Girl (California not Arizona) telling it as she was chewing a big wad of gum and twirling the strands of her multi-colored hair. Forget that. Now imagine it is an adult (or at least over 21) who is telling a story. It could be a female OR a male. You've heard them tell their stories with the same vernacular, constantly adding "like" and "you know" into every other phrase.
Perhaps this continual "you know" phrase was originally a way of a speaker "checking in" with the listener. Perhaps it really meant, "Do you know what I mean? Do you understand what I am saying?" I am not sure how it originated, but when I hear it, I want to shout back, "No, I don't know!"
IT DRIVES ME CRAZY! (Did you get that yet?)
Good storytellers don't do that (unless you are creating a character and/or affect). Good storytellers use clear, uncluttered language.
So, I went to the store and there were all these weird things on the shelves. I was looking at them, and I was freaked out. I picked up this one thing and it was so strange. I had no idea what it was.
I do understand that this is a speech pattern that has been learned over time. As a storyteller, it can destroy your credibility.
If it is something you do, find a way to change it. If you are not sure if you do it, record yourself and listen back. Or better yet, ask a trusted friend to listen to you and be honest about what they hear. If you do it, you CAN change it. It may take some conscious effort.
Thanks for reading this "rant" tip. I was like, I just had to write it, like, you know?
Tidbits Friend, colleague and long-time Storyteller Cindy Rivka Marshal has started a blog!
Cindy facilitates groups to share stories, and coaches individuals to craft stories, with the goal of enhancing learning experiences while building community. She is a multicultural and Jewish storyteller, Story Coach, workshop facilitator, professional development trainer and Jewish education consultant based in Boston.
Cindy has performed stories and presented workshops since 1989 throughout New England, nationally and in England, at festivals, conferences, schools, libraries, synagogues, churches and community groups. She also does a great deal of work using stories do deal with issues of diversity.
Her first blog is about how she works with fourth graders and uses story to introduce a specific educational theme. It's a good and important read!
------------------------------------THERE'S A LOT GOING ON EACH MONTH -------------------CHECK EACH WEBSITE OR CALENDAR TO CONFIRM DATES AND TIMES ---------------------------------CALL TO MAKE SURE THE EVENT IS STILL ON
FStorytellers - Female Story Tellers - Tucson
Usually sometime during the first week of the month - but check their website) at 7 pm - TUCSON http://www.fstorytellers.com/index.html
West Side Story Tellers - Storytellers Guild First Saturday of each month - GLENDALE *NO meetings in July & August http://westsidestorytellers.weebly.com
East Valley Tellers of Tales -Storytellers Guild Second Saturday of each month - SCOTTSDALE http://www.evtot.com
Storyfind Fourth Saturday of each month (usually - check calendar) - SMCC Storytelling Institute
A monthly workshop designed to help storytellers build community and deepen repertoire. See the Calendar
- National Storytelling Network? You should be.
What do the following have in common?
The 2016 NSN Storytelling Conference will once again be held in Kansas City, July 21-24, 2016. The theme for the conference is "Spotlight on Storytelling". The Conference Committee is reviewing all proposals, and presenters and workshops will be announced soon.
Yes, it means "Good Luck"! The valley bids a fond farewell to our own Joyce Story. Joyce will be moving to Florida to spend more time with her family. She has already made connections to many storytelling guilds and associations. We have no doubt that she will flourish there, just as she has here in the Sonoran Desert! Look for some new stories about the Everglades and their environs!
Women Storytellers
Winter's Light at Community Christian Church
Monday - December 21st
I will not apologize for this rant!
Friend, colleague and long-time Storyteller Cindy Rivka Marshal has started a blog!
