Going to the NSN Conference?
Don't miss this Fringe Performance on Saturday Night!
Tucson Tellers Celebration & Potluck Glenda Bonin of Tucson Tellers of Tales writes:
This is an exciting time for Tellers of Tales in Tucson! We are currently reorganizing and looking to the future to make an impact for storytelling in Southern Arizona.
As we review our goals, purpose and the benefits of membership, we are also planning a Backyard Storytelling Celebration and Potluck in a beautiful downtown garden venue from 6:00 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 18. We would like to include some storytellers from outside Tucson, and we hope a few readers of your newsletter will enjoy participating with us. I am happy to provide details for storytellers interested in joining us for this evening of fun and stories. Just contact me via phone (520.629.0270), or send me an email ( glenda_bonin@yahoo.com ) for more information.
Heat Respite Provides Opportunities to Tell Phoenix Area Tellers Take Note!
Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix is hosting their Tenth Annual Heat Respite, June 15-August 28, Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm.
Their mission during the summer months is to provide a space for heat relief for those who would otherwise be on the street, while building community through the sharing of meals, water, community resources, and ourselves. They have 150-200 people come through our doors every day of the program.
Coordinator Richard Ricketts writes, "This year we are trying to facilitate connections to the community and each other through performance and sharing. To this end we will be hosting civil dialogues, chaplains, musicians, comedians and storytellers."
They are reaching out to the storytelling community to perform or host a small workshop. At the moment the ideal time would be 10am-Noon, but if someone was really interested in other times, they can make accommodations.
If you are interested or would like more information please contact the church.
Odyssey Storytelling in Tucson Thursday, July 9th
This curated Storytelling event in Tucson is in its 13th year! Six people are invited to tell ten minute, personal stories on a theme in front of an audience. The stories are not read or memorized, they are told from the life experiences and creativity of the teller
Theme: Independence
It's your first sleepover, your new driver's license, and the food in your refrigerator in your apartment. It's running from a bad relationship, storming out of a toxic job, and leaving the hospital to sit on your front porch. It's getting an electric wheelchair, speeding down the trail on a new bike, and taking the train into the sunset.
Storytellers:
Single mother and grandmother, Catherine Rhianna Hess
Trailblazer/advocate, Stephanie Frederick
Psychologist and writer, Shannon Snapp
Texan-biker/bad-ass, Robert Neely
Comedian, Ryan Malco
Joseph Bradbury
Location: The Screening Room,
127 E. Congress Street, Tucson, $8
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., Show starts at 7:00 p.m.
Super Hero Squirrely Shirley: Ready to Save the Wetlands! "Super Hero Squirrely Shirley - Ready to Save the Wetlands" is an action-packed adventure with Squirrely Shirley taking on the role of SUPER HERO to help her friends who live in riparian zones around the world. Riparian zones are the places where the land meets water, and where hundreds of critters, like frogs, birds, bugs and fish have their homes. At the end of each show, Shirley provides each youngster in the audience with a Junior Riparian Super Hero Kit full of ideas about what they can do to help.
If you are in Douglas, AZ, be sure to come to the Public Library (560 10th Street) at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10th, for our next super hero show. KIDS: don't miss this opportunity to get your very own Junior Riparian Super Hero Kit!
East Valley Tellers of Tales is a Phoenix area guild of Storytellers and Storylisteners. A truly safe place to share your story! We are an affiliate of the National Storytelling Network. Come and find out what this means, and how it benefits you!
Arizona Storytellers: 4th Anniversary Show! Mark Your Calendars for Monday, July 13th
from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ
Fourth Anniversary Show Theme: “That Didn’t Go the Way I Thought It Would.”
Help us celebrate four years of telling true stories in the Valley! On this night, we’ll hear stories of misplaced expectations, awkward moments and unexpected triumphs.
Featured Tellers:
Comedian Ryan Malchow
Community teller Anel Arriola
Researcher Stefanie Francis
Entrepreneur Michael Heller
Playwright Ashley Naftule
The Crafty Chica Kathy Cano-Murillo
Writer Joey Robert Parks
Republic writer Wendy Killeen
Stray Cat Theatre founder Ron May
Sign Language Interpretation Services Available!
If you require ASL Interpretation services for this event or a future Storytellers event you plan to attend, please contact Melissa Farley at Melissa.Farley@ArizonaRepublic.com with your request.
More Weight, More Reps, Longer, Faster Physical therapy on Monday morning. Everyone rested and rarin' to go after the weekend...at least my therapist is! After a few assessments about "how far you've come", he started in on a regime that pushed my envelope way out of shape, and out of my comfort zone. I hated it...but I knew it was necessary.
Storytelling can be similar. In my beginning classes, I don't push the students too much. For many of them, just getting in front of the group without throwing up is a success! As they progress and know more about the process and their stories, I push a little harder. I ask them to do more.
With coaching clients, I do the same. I go deeper, and ask them to go deeper. Tell it again, one more time. Do it faster, do it slower. Add some gestures. Add some body movement and facial expressions. Add some pauses. Try it again. Add more weight. Try it again.
The mantra of the physical therapist is, "One more set, one more rep."
The mantra of the storyteller should be, "Let me practice it one more time, so I can tell it better the next time."
Safety & Support = Comfort & Community I am very proud of my community college students. They have excelled in their storytelling efforts, and by doing so have formed an incredible community!
I have tried to create a safe place to learn and share. One of the tools I use is the Story Circle Model at the right. It is based on Doug Lipman's coaching techniques and adapted for use (with his permission) in groups and the classroom.
The outer ring shows the principles: The Teller is in charge, we believe in success, what is said is confidential (unless the teller specifically agrees otherwise); all this helps to create a safe place for the teller.
The list of the steps is pretty straight forward, and we don't go beyond the place that the teller is willing to go (or I as a teacher believe is appropriate). After appreciations, I ask if the teller has any questions for the group. Then, is the teller willing to hear questions from the group? I move to "suggestions" only if I feel the teller is willing to receive positive suggestions? Finally, I ask if there is anything else the teller needs? Note: in addition, I start with the teller giving themselves an appreciation. Something I learned from Connie Regan-Blake.
One of the outcomes of this process is that the students, even though nervous, feel a higher level of safety and comfort. Many share deep stories about themselves, or their family members. In turn, when they do this, the group is entirely supportive and gives them many appreciations, not only for the way they told their story, but for their courage in sharing it.
This is my goal: to help students use story to communicate. In providing this space, I believe it has been easier for the students to form a safe and supportive community. The classroom is just one place to start.
------------------------------------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
- National Storytelling Network? You should be.
Glenda Bonin of Tucson Tellers of Tales writes:
Phoenix Area Tellers Take Note!
"Super Hero Squirrely Shirley - Ready to Save the Wetlands" is an action-packed adventure with Squirrely Shirley taking on the role of SUPER HERO to help her friends who live in riparian zones around the world. Riparian zones are the places where the land meets water, and where hundreds of critters, like frogs, birds, bugs and fish have their homes. At the end of each show, Shirley provides each youngster in the audience with a Junior Riparian Super Hero Kit full of ideas about what they can do to help.
Saturday - July 11th ~ 10am - Noon
Mark Your Calendars for Monday, July 13th
Physical therapy on Monday morning. Everyone rested and rarin' to go after the weekend...at least my therapist is! After a few assessments about "how far you've come", he started in on a regime that pushed my envelope way out of shape, and out of my comfort zone. I hated it...but I knew it was necessary.
I am very proud of my community college students. They have excelled in their storytelling efforts, and by doing so have formed an incredible community!
