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     Monday, February 3, 2014
Issue # 93

Got some news or information you would like to get out to the storytelling community?
Contact Mark Goldman -x602-390-3858x - Mark@Storytellermark.com

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This Week

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Odyssey Storytelling in Tucson

Thursday, February 6th
This curated Storytelling event in Tucson is in it's 12th 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.

Odd Couples: Stories of individuals in partnership, Felix and Oscar.  Shrek and Fiona.  Woody and Soon-Yi.  Do opposites really attract?  Absolutely!  It just makes it more interesting.  And as any gay Republican can attest, politics can make for some strange bedfellows.
 
Storytellers:
Higher Education Administration & UA grad student Spenser Darden; Pima County Appeals Team public defender Abby Louise Jensen; Pima Community College instructor Rebecca Cohen; Attorney Wendy Ascher; and comedian Bryan Lee!
For storyteller bios, visit our website. 

This show is curated by
Carolyn Fort and Michael C. Woodward.

Doors Open at 6:30pm.
 
Event Details


East Valley Tellers of Tales

Saturday, Feb 8th ~ 10am - Noon
Join us to celebrate storytelling successes. 
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!
 
Click here for details & info


West Side Story Tellers

Saturday, February 8th ~ 10am - Noon
West Side Story Tellers will be from 10 am to Noon - at St. John's Lutheran Church, at 7205 N. 51st Ave. in Glendale. For more information, contact their president, Mark Compton at
WestSideStoryTellers@Yahoo.com.
 

A Full Week with Bobby Norfolk - Starts SATURDAY!

The great Bobby Norfolk, master teller and master of facial expressions and sound effects is coming to Phoenix for a week, starting February 8th. Here's the schedule:

Saturday - Feb. 8th ~ 1pm-4pm
Compelling Characters! A Storytelling Workshop
Fee: $35
To register, contact Liz Warren - Liz.Warren@SouthMountaincc.edu
602-243-8026

Monday & Tuesday - Feb. 10th/11th ~ 9:30am-10:45am & 11:00am-12:15pm
Dissecting Story
Free - Open to public

Wednesday - Feb. 12th ~ 7:00pm-9:00pm
Through the Eyes of York: The Lewis & Clark Expedition
Free - Open to public

Thursday - Feb. 13th ~ 7:00pm-9:00pm
The Harlem Renaissance
Free - Open to public

Friday - Feb. 14th ~ 1:00pm-3:00pm
Educator's Story Workshop 
To register, contact Liz Warren - Liz.Warren@SouthMountaincc.edu
602-243-8026
 
CLICK FOR MORE INFO



Games and Storytelling Workshop

Three-week course starts Saturday, Feb 8th ~ 1pm-3:30pm
Caleb Winebrenner is teaching a three-week course at the Phoenix Center for the Arts called, Playing with Local Stories: Games and Storytelling for Community Engagement. Here's how he describes it

"We're starting with two basic ideas. One, everyone loves to play. Two, everyone can tell stories. Using these ideas to guide out experiences, we'll explore how the stories we tell and the games we play with our neighbors can shape how we engage with our community. We'll draw from storytelling, improv theatre, dance, and a grab-bag of games to express who we are, our roles in the community, and what we can do to shape our futures.

The fee is $39. For more info and to register, go to this link:
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=21770
NOTE: When you get to the page, if is shows a LOGIN screen, ignore that and look for the left/right arrows in the upper right hand corner. Click the RIGHT arrow to scroll the menu to the right until it stops, then click on YOUTH THEATRE
 

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Coming Up

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AZ Rep - Stories From the Kitchen, the Bar and the Heart

Sunday February 16th
Join three notable bartenders and three renown chefs as they partner to present a three-course food and cocktail dinner defined by the stories of the men and women telling them. Each course is accompanied by two stories about what makes that drink and dish one from the heart.
 
Expect to hear from Chef Aaron May of LBT Concepts’, Chef Beau MacMillan of Elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, Valley cocktail consultant Jason Asher, Los Angeles cocktail consultant Marcos Tello and two more to be announced.
 
Admission and three cocktail-paired courses are included in ticket price. Only 100 available. Must be 21 or older.

Details: 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. The Sands Room (formerly Trader Vic’s) at the Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale. $65. 602-444-8770, arizonacocktailweek.com.
 
For more details

Return to the African Village & Oya's Market
Friday - February 21
This year marks the fourth annual production of Return to the African Village. Join SMCC's Marilyn Torres and a huge cast of storytellers in a joyful extravaganza of dance, drumming, and story in celebration of African Culture. Perfomance starts at 7:00 pm.

And for the second year in a row, Oya's Market wil feature jewelry and clothing by many innnovative vendors starting at 6:00 p.m. 


 
Check the calendar section for details


Marketing for Storytellers - Workshop with Sean Buvala
March 1st
Here's what I (Mark Goldman) said about this workshop:

This workshop is invaluable! It gives you the most clear perspective on the storytelling industry and what you need to do on the business side of storytelling!

Sean says:
We’re going to dig deep into the business side of being an artist. Put on your thick skin and come dive deep into Sean Buvala’s “Outside-In” way of thinking about your work and your marketing of your performing-artist work.

We’ll talk basics, bookings, communication, press-releases, social media, postal media and even a solid-session on self-publishing your non-fiction book (yep, you can’t put that off anymore). Cost is $99 per person and includes lunch. Minimum number of students is 10 people in order for the workshop to “go.” Spread the word and watch for information. Be warned- this is a reality-based training event.

NEW for 2014: A new session introducing the whys and hows of publishing a biz-building nonfiction book. Your new book can open new doors! This session alone is worth $99!
Click here for details & info

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Rubric, Rubric, I've Been Thinking

Just over a year ago, I wrote a TIP about "Measuring Success". With the new semester at the Community College, and my visits to the Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center classes, the topic has reared its ugly head again. I say "ugly" because there are so many levels that have to be weighed. Consider this excerpt from that earlier blog:

. . I am a cyclist, and my friend and storyteller Layne Gneiting is a cyclist. Last summer, success for him was riding 2000 miles of steep altitude climbs and rough terrain through four European countries in two months. This would not be success for me, this would be death! Success for me, on a bicycle tour, is riding fifteen miles to the next town without falling off the bike, and finding a cheap campsite near a bakery that has great croissants!
Success is different for each person, and different for each situation they are in. 
 
Yet, along with Common Core Standards, and the need for students to evaluate themselves, it is clear that some concrete guidelines would be helpful.
 
To that end, my colleague, Nan Wilkinson at the Elementary school and I have come up with a prliminary "rubric" for students to begin to assess some of the specific elements of their telling.
 
It's a WORK IN PROGRESS, and there are perhaps many more criteria. We tried to break it down to the "most important basics", but we would love feedback. (sorry about the strange formatting)
 
Storytelling Rubric - © Mark Goldman 2014

STORY/CRAFTING

Exceeds = 2

Meets = 1

Needs Improvement = 0

PTS

The Elements

Story contains some structure of elements based on Donald Davis’ 5 Ps method, Campbell's Hero’s Journey elements, or some similar construct

Story has the distinct elements but seems disjointed.

Story lacks clearly defined elements

 

POINT
(What is the story about?)

Story has a very clear idea of what it is about. All elements relate to the POINT of the story

Story has a plot, but it is unknown what the Teller was really trying to convey.

Story does not have a point or is merely a “report” or list of events

 

Details

Story uses detail to flesh out characters, images or ideas

There are details, but more could be given.

Story lacks in details.

 

Imagery

Language uses vivid imagery to paint very clear pictures

Uses some imagery – could be expanded

Story lacks clear imagery

 

Emotion

Teller uses emotions to convey the story. 

Emotions are talked about but could be expanded.

Teller shows no emotions.  No mention of feelings.

 

Story Flow

Story has a strong beginning, middle and end.  Beginning brings the audience in, ending wraps up the story.

Story flows but does not have a strong beginning or end.

Story does not flow and seems disjointed.

 

VOICE

Exceeds = 2

Meets = 1

Needs Improvement = 0

PTS

As Narrator

Teller voice is strong and rises and falls with the action. Voice conveys emotion and varies pace and tone.

Teller’s voice rises and falls with the action but does not vary voice or tone.

Teller’ voice is monotone.

 

Character Voices

Teller changed voice with character, action and dialogue.

Teller uses some character voice. Could improve distinction.

Teller uses no character voices.

 

Superfluous language

Teller uses conjunctions appropriately.

Teller does not over use conjunctions

Teller repeatedly uses um, so, you know, whatever, and, etc.

 

Pacing

Pacing is appropriate to the story. Teller pauses when necessary.

Pacing is not consistent or appropriate to the story

Telling lacks varied pacing.

 

BODY/PRESENCE

Exceeds = 2

Meets = 1

Needs Improvement = 0

PTS

Stance

Teller has strong stance. Moves as appropriate and needed with action.

Teller stands still and shows a few gestures.

Teller does random movements that do not add to the story (playing with necklace) or doesn’t move at all (puts hand in pocket).

 

Gestures

Teller uses gestures appropriately that add to the story.

Could have more gestures. Some gestures appear forced.

Teller uses no gestures.

 

Facial Expression

Teller has good/varied facial expressions, appropriate to the story

Teller has some facial expression but could improve

Teller has little facial expression

 

Eye Contact

Teller makes good eye contact with audience

Teller makes some eye contact, but could improve

Teller has little eye contact with audience

 

Show Don’t Tell

Teller uses all physical elements to show emotions or images BEFORE verbal elements.

Teller uses some physical elements but could use more. Needs to use BEFORE verbal elements.

Teller uses only verbal elements

 

 

 

 

Total Score
(out of a possible 30):

 

 

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Storytelling, Empathy and Neurochemistry

Interesting video traveling around the internet on the neurochemistry of empathy in storytelling. It was posted in February of 2013 by Paul Zak of the Future of Storytelling Conference. It makes an interesting correlation to Freytag's "dramatic arc"  Some people like it, some don't think it lives up to the hype.

What do you think?

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Ongoing
Events

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------------------------------------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


Homebase Poetry
First Sunday of each month - Phoenix
https://www.facebook.com/Homebasepoetryopenmic


Infuse Open Mic
Second Sunday of each month - Phoenix
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Infuse-Open-Mic/137811162925031


Yarnball Storytellers Mic
Every Wednesday at  8 pm - PHOENIX
https://www.facebook.com/lawngnomepublishing/events


FStorytellers - Female Story Tellers
Every Second Wednesday (usually but check calendar) at  7 pm - TUCSON
http://www.fstorytellers.com/index.html


Odyssey Storytelling
First Thursday of each month (usually but check calendar) - TUCSON
http://www.storyartsgroup.org/odyssey/Odyssey/Welcome.html


Storyline: Origins
Third Friday (usually) of each month - PHOENIX
https://www.facebook.com/events/203427456504343/


Lit Lounge - Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMOCA)
Fourth Friday of each month - SCOTTSDALE
http://www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org/smoca-events.php


Tucson Tellers of Tales - Storytellers Guild
First Saturday of each month (except July and August) - Tucson
https://www.facebook.com/TucsonTellersofTales


East Valley Tellers of Tales -Storytellers Guild
Second Saturday of each month - SCOTTSDALE
http://www.evtot.com


West Side Story Tellers -Storytellers Guild
Second Saturday of each month - GLENDALE
Westsidestorytellers@yahoo.com


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All Newsletter content ©Mark Goldman
Got some news or information you would like to get out to the storytelling community?

Contact Mark Goldman -x602-390-3858x - Mark@Storytellermark.com

 
     

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