This Day - Frozen in Our Memories Those of us who are old enough to remember the events of this day sixteen years ago, probably have stories.
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I was up kind of early that day, just beginning to get dressed. I was getting ready to go to ASU to teach a class. The guys on the radio were reporting that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. I rushed into the living room and turned on the TV news.
Sure enough, there it was. Sticking half in and half out of the building. It was surreal. I kept vacillating back and forth, was it an accident? Could it have been intentional? How could it be? As I stood there, tying my tie and watching the TV, the second plane hit. Now it was clear that both crashes were intentional.
As I drove in the car, there were murmurs of terrorists from the middle east. I didn't quite know what I was going to do in class. I parked the car and began to cross the campus on foot. I saw small groups of students on benches, huddled around cell phones.
I got to the building and stopped. I took a very deep breath before entering the building. It was time for me to teach my class...on mediation and conflict resolution.
Storyscope Story Circle Facilitator Training Moday at 7 PM - 9 PM
The Empty Space - ASU 970 E University, NE Corner of University and Rural Tempe, Arizona
Storyscope produces story circle events on various themes ("What does 'Home' mean to you?") and the annual "People's State of the Union". Anyone is welcome to join our roster of volunteer story circle facilitators.
Free - Open to all!
Shining Stars Talent Show - Fundraiser Friday - October 6th SMCC Performing Arts Center
Save the date for the SMCC Shining Stars Talent Show and Fundraiser at the South Mountain Community College Performing arts Center.
A variety of performing artists from SMCC and the community will audition in September to earn a place in the program. Stay tuned!
The tickets are $25 and the audience will determine which acts take home the cash prizes. A panel of judges will be present for commentary. First place wins $1000, second place wins $300, and third place wins $200. Use the link provided to purchase tickets online!
Students Transformed to Achieve Radiant Success (STARS), a scholarship foundation, is coordinating auditions in September for a talent show in October at South Mountain Community College (SMCC), to raise money for student scholarships.
A non-refundable $50 Donation is required to audition.
Reserve your audition space today by calling 602-243-8382
Auditions will be held in the Performing Arts Center
AZ Storytellers Casting Call Storytelling Impresario Sean Buvala posted this message (GCC Storytelling Students - E-mail me the definition of "Impresario" by 2pm Tuesday for 5 extra-credit points.):
Hi folks. I am looking for other Arizona-local storytellers for a variety of events in the 2017/2018 season. Most events are not paid but include a small stipend for expenses at least. You get real-experience and advanced-level coaching. Events are primarily in the west-valley of the greater Phoenix area.
All skill levels are welcome to apply and folks new to me (or as I determine) will get free and mandatory coaching. Send an Email to me at seantells@gmail.com with the SUBJECT LINE of CASTING CALL 2017 and let me know your interest.
I need tellers that can tell traditional world tales (folk, fairy, myth, legend, etc.) at least and some personal tales will be okay. Casting for both older audiences and some kid/parent events. Follow the directions and contact me. You'll hear back in 24 hours.
Thanks for the Mammaries - Tucson Thanks for the Mammaries--An Evening of Storytelling in Support of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
September 22, 2017 at 7 pm (door at 6:30)
YWCA Southern Arizona
525 N Bonita Ave., Tucson
Penelope Starr and nationally syndicated political cartoonist David Fitzsimmons have gathered seven amazing storytellers for this fundraiser for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.
$15 at the door
The Storyline Slam Friday - September 22 - 7pm
Changing Hands Bookstore - Phoenix
300 W. Camelback
Dan Hull is calling all storytellers and fans of great storytelling.
"We’ve opened our format up to include everyone with a story who wants to take the stage."
Anyone can sign up and has 6 minutes to tell a story based on the theme FRESH.
Five members of the audience will be the judges and the story with the most points at the end of the show receives a cash prize.
Come join us for this monthly celebration of the Phoenix storyteller scene, and maybe win some cash.
Dan says he may do an "online process" to put your name in the hat. More info coming soon.
Storyfind at SMCC Storyfind - Storytelling and Leadership with Travis May
September 23, 2017 ~ 1PM - 3PM
Storyfind is a free monthly storytelling workshop series presented by the faculty of the SMCC Storytelling Institute. The workshops are on Saturday afternoons from 1:00 – 3:00 in PAC-739 at South Mountain Community College.
To be a leader is to be a storyteller. In whatever context you are a leader, you will be asked to tell stories – stories to inspire, to console, to build community, to highlight achievements, to set goals and to reframe setbacks.
Join Travis to learn the five essential stories all leaders must tell, and to craft one of your own.
Travis May has served in many roles throughout his 20-plus year tenure at South Mountain Community College. He has been a Helpdesk Manger, Project Manager, Audio Visual Coordinator and currently an adjunct storytelling instructor. Travis really enjoys being a storytelling instructor and feels storytelling is more than just telling stories, it is a way of life. Travis enjoys incorporating storytelling to engage learners in cultural and community awareness.
There's No Crying in Baseball... or Storytelling You may have seen a teller at an open mic or slam who told a personal story that was just too difficult to tell without breaking down in tears. Some folks like the "raw" outpouring of emotion. Not most coaches or storytelling teachers.
When the teller breaks down in this manner, the audience tops listening and starts to want to take care of the teller. - Not a good thing. The storyteller is not there for therapy. They need to have resolved the emotions, so they can "safely" take the audience on a storytelling trip and return them to the present.
The question becomes..."When and where do I practice a strong emotional piece to see if I am really ready to tell it?
First, practice it by yourself, in your room or house, many times. Remember though, that without an audience, it could turn out vastly different!
The next step is to tell it to a trusted friend/story buddy. A knowledgeable colleague can both support you and give you feedback.
Lastly, tell with friends and/or colleagues in a safe place... like a guild meeting or story circle.
Such was the case for me last Saturday in the East Valley Tellers of Tales (EVTOT) monthly Guild Meeting. Our gathering is a safe place to try out new material, or stories that may not even have been formed yet. The group is welcoming and supportive, and still gives appreciations (and feedback, if wanted).
I told a piece about my mother, who had passed away on July fourth of this year. I had thought it was more of a philosophical piece about end-of-life, choices, and end-of-life-quality...oops. I wasn't there yet. The tears came. I breathed and tried to control them, but no use. They began to take over. I was still to caught up in the feelings. But this was the BEST place for me to find out, in front of a caring, supportive group.
Now it's back to the storyboard, and perhaps a bit of journaling and introspection to get past the emotions before I try again.
Thanks, EVTOT for allowing me to test the waters. I guess they are still a little hot.
Maybe so... maybe not, we'll see. Do you know the old story of the Farmer and his son? Each time something bad happens, the neighbors say, "how tragic." The Farmer says, maybe so... maybe not, we'll see. Each time something good happens, the neighbors say, "wonderful!" The Farmer says, maybe so... maybe not, we'll see.
On Saturday, I heard a grinding noise in the right rear tire of my car. I knew it had to be the brakes. I figured it was really bad! Maybe so... maybe not, we'll see.
I took it to the mechanic and he said, "It's not the brakes, they're fine. It's the calipers. We'll take care of it, no charge." Whew! Maybe so... maybe not, we'll see.
He then added, "But your struts need to be replaced. It will be about $1000." Damn! Maybe so... maybe not, we'll see.
I remembered that I have an extended warranty from the dealer. Whew. Maybe so... maybe not, we'll see.
The mechanic said, "You better check, they don't always cover the struts." Oh no. Maybe so... maybe not, we'll see.
I went to the dealer. The warranty DOES cover struts. I made an appointment for Wednesday. Yea! -- I think. Maybe so... maybe not, we'll see.
The story's really about attitude and expectations. I hope my attitude hangs on till Wednesday! Maybe so... maybe not, we'll see.
------------------------------------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 - *NO meetings in July & August http://www.evtot.com
Storyfind Fourth Saturday of each month (usually - check calendar) - *NO meetings in June & July
SMCC Storytelling Institute
A monthly workshop designed to help storytellers build community and deepen repertoire. See the Calendar
- National Storytelling Network? You should be.
Those of us who are old enough to remember the events of this day sixteen years ago, probably have stories.
Moday
Friday - October 6th
Storytelling Impresario Sean Buvala posted this message (GCC Storytelling Students - E-mail me the definition of "Impresario" by 2pm Tuesday for 5 extra-credit points.):
Thanks for the Mammaries--An Evening of Storytelling in Support of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Friday - September 22 - 7pm
Storyfind - Storytelling and Leadership with Travis May
You may have seen a teller at an open mic or slam who told a personal story that was just too difficult to tell without breaking down in tears. Some folks like the "raw" outpouring of emotion. Not most coaches or storytelling teachers. 
Do you know the old story of the Farmer and his son? Each time something bad happens, the neighbors say, "how tragic." The Farmer says, maybe so... maybe not, we'll see. Each time something good happens, the neighbors say, "wonderful!" The Farmer says, maybe so... maybe not, we'll see.
