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     Monday, April 4, 2016
Issue # 206

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

NSN Conference 2016 - Earlybird Special Pricing!

Only ONE MONTH LEFT to get Earlybird pricing for the 2016 National Storytelling Conference  - deadline: May 12, 2016. 

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. 

Plus these Arizona Tellers! - Fringe performances by Sean Buvala and Loren Russell - Workshop with Glenda Bonin!
 
Click here for the registration

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This Week

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From Storytelling to Stars: An Exploration of the Elder's Journey

TONIGHT! - Monday - April 4th - 6:30 pm
SMCC Library Community Room


Sharon

Maya

Don't miss this concert!

Sharon Gilbert and Maya Jones will be sharing stories in a program about The Elders' Journey. We all know about the Hero's Journey. Sharon and Maya have extended this motif into an exploration of how we age, mature and transform into Elders. 

As we explore the promise and challenge of the second half of life, we discover that one of the primary focuses of an elder's journey is to restore awe and wonder to a world that has forgotten them. Journeying from storytelling through the stars we realize the end becomes the beginning. Please join us for an evening of storytelling, tea and cookies and help us deepen this conversation of what it means to enter into an elder's journey.

Join them for this most interesting FREE story concert!


Odyssey Storytelling in Tucson

Thursday, April 7th
The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress Street , Tucson

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: Contradictions
Conflicts and clashes. Polar opposites. Paradoxes.  Eloquent performers that stutter in social situations. Atheists that pray. Family values crusaders that cheat on their wives.  A Democrat who loves a Republican. Are you a contradiction in terms? Do your inconsistencies define you?   Come enjoy all things illogical and contrarian. 
 
Storytellers include
Evan Long
John Casler
Alex Ruiz
Sean Coleman
Kadon Izaac Sellers
Jovahn Walid Thomas
 
Have you visited The Screening Room's fabulous concession stand? There's beer, wine, and excellent snacks. They'll even place an order for you with Empire Pizza and have it delivered to your seat. Who knew?!
 
If you have a story to tell, contact Penelope@odysseystorytelling.com or Adam@odysseystorytelling.com


Journeys Storytelling Workshop

Saturday - April 9th
Whole Life Center

Beyond the Bones: Finding Creative Language for Your Story
With Mark Goldman

When we begin to craft stories, we start with the "bare bones" - the characters, plot, sequence of events. This workshop takes you beyond the bones to help you find creative imagery and language that will make your story more memorable and longer-lasting for your audiences. Discover how to unlock the creative language and images that exist inside of you; and learn how to turn simple phrases into compelling descriptions. 
She couldn't see through the fog
might become... The mist was a sea of haze that clouded not only her vision, but her mind.
 
He was afraid
might become... His fear was like a vise that held him so tight in its grip he couldn't move.
 
She smiled
might become... The edges of her lips arched upward and spread a brilliant glow across the room. 
This workshop is for both storytellers AND writers - anyone who wants to create more compelling images. 
 
More info and Registration


East Valley Tellers of Tales

Saturday, April 9th ~ 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!

East Valley Tellers of Tales is looking at ways to create outreach, new ideas for the group, plans for the future and more. Join us and lend your talent and energy to help us grow.
 
Click here for details & info


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Coming Up

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Storytelling Concert at Estrella Mountain
Monday - April 11th - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Estrella Mountain Performing Arts Center

Students in the Estrella Mountain CC Storytelling Program will tell stories.

Free and open to the public!
 
More info here

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Pourquoi? Because We Love to Tell Made-Up Stories!

Why does the frog croak? Why does the tiger have stripes? Why is the moon green? Perhaps because it is made of green cheese (see Tidbits below)!
 
Pourquoi stories - why or how something came to be. The initial facts are always true. The tiger does have stripes. The frog actually does croak. The moon really is...oops. Well, maybe that one isn't really true.
 
Last weekend, Liz Warren did a fun workshop on Pourquoi stories. They usually explain how some features of plants or animals (or other events in nature) came to be. Pourquoi stories are a great way to tap into your creativity and imagination. In the workshop, we were all given facts about certain plants or animals, and then asked to create a story as to how they got that way. All the participants came up with great stories!
 
Here are some common features of Pourquoi stories that Liz listed:
They are usually simple and straightforward, and are often humorous.
They are little creation myths, so the time is often "long ago" or "When the world was young."
They usually involve interactions with animals, plants, deities or the elements.
There is usually some sort of conflict or misunderstanding.
The stories are usually built on human foibles like greed, jealousy, etc.
Sometimes the Creator steps in to address a need.
They often end with, "From that day on..." or "That is why the ____ always ____.
Here are some tips for creation:
Start with your main character.
What are they like in the present, or what characteristic do you want them to "end up with?"
What might they have been like BEFORE that?
What are the human characteristics or emotions that you might want to highlight?
What other characters might be involved? (collaborators/antagonists/friends/helpers)
What is the interaction? What is the cause of the change?
Try it out. You might have some fun. And you might just find out that, from that day on, storytellers made up stories of how things came to be.
 
*Note: Be careful about appropriating Native American Pourquoi stories! If it's not your culture, don't.
 
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Once in a Blue Moon (or Pink or Green)
How many different color moons have YOU seen?

Most of us have heard the term, "Once in a blue moon." If you first heard this when you were little, perhaps you actually thought there was a moon that was blue. If you are currently an adult, and have Facebook or even "surf the net", perhaps you believe there is a green moon, or even a pink moon. Well...sorry to disappoint.

A "Blue moon" is the term given to a full moon that occurs twice in one calendar month. It is a rare occurrence, thus the term, "Once in a blue moon." But it really isn't colored blue.

But now, with the advent of the Internet, there seem to be all manner of different colored moons! These are usually announced with great flare as a "once in a lifetime" event - or certainly once in every gazillion years!

Caveat lector (reader beware)! And I don't just mean about colored moons. What? You mean everything on the internet is NOT true? Oh ye of little faith. Yes, sadly, for the innocent and gullible, there is a ton of #$%@ on the Internet.

We want to believe. We want to believe that Bill Gates is giving away a gazillion dollars if we just "like" or "repost". We want to believe that posting an elaborately worded treatise on our privacy rights will be protect us from misuse. We want to believe certain posts because one of our friends or even a relative posted (reposted) something. But beware!

A few years ago, my older sister reposted something about the dangers of reheating food covered in plastic wrap in the microwave. The post even cited a professor at some prestigious university. I trusted my sister.. I trusted that she wouldn't have said something that she didn't believe was true. I trusted that she had done her research....oops.

Yes, it is a sad state of affairs when one can't even trust their own sister! But when it comes to the Internet, we must be vigilant. I won't even delve into the plethora of political postings that are false, as there is not enough time or space in the universe to list them all!

Suffice it to say, once again, caveat lector. When you see something that seems just a little "too good to be true" - head for the hills, or at least www.snopes.com.

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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


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


Pink Slip Open Mic
Every Monday at  8 pm - PHOENIX
https://www.facebook.com/events/488551851312946/


Yarnball Storytellers Mic
Every Wednesday at  8 pm - PHOENIX
http://thestoryline.oorg/yarnball


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


Odyssey Storytelling
First Thursday of each month (usually but check calendar) - TUCSON
http://odysseystorytelling.com/


Storyline
Third Friday (usually) of each month - PHOENIX
http://thestoryline.org/


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


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


 
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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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