New blood

Storytelling has been around for a long time, but so have many storytellers .... as we veterans lose our teeth, our hair and our marbles, new young fresh blood is needed to keep the vampires of our audiences happy ..... 

Don't be backward in coming forward!  5 MORE young storytellers (aged over 18 and under 26) are needed for the Young Storyteller of the Year Award on 8th March.  It won't hurt a bit ....

Application forms can be downloaded from www.tradartsteam.co.uk.  Click on Young Storyteller of the Year 2008

Hope to see you there

Fiona

Young Tongues Project Co-ordinator

The SfS Gathering

Hello folks.
Looking forward to meeting you in a couple of weeks.
In the meantime, I thought I'd let you know a couple of links.

Firstly, the Society for Storytelling's Gathering, which is from the 4-6th April in Exeter.
It's a weekend of workshops and tale telling, facilitated by professionals and aimed at people who use storytelling professionally, and also those who are enthusiastic and want to learn more.

Here's the programme:
http://www.peopletellstories.co.uk/GatheringSat.htm

And, did you know that I made an SfS Facebook group? I do not work for them or represent them, but thought it would be a nice portal. Feel free to add posts.
Just search for 'Society for Storytelling' and look for the flying orange symbol!

Graham's Star

The works of Rabbit & Fishcer are a collaborative collection of modern tales. For Valentine's Day, a story about romance, sheds and the stars that wheel overhead.

Listen here.

Moonraking Mumblings

I hope that everyone is having fun finding stories for March, or is looking forward to listening.
I am gathering my things and wandering off up to Slaithwaite to tell tales at the Moonraking Festival.

Wandering.
Must say that's the best tip I know for anyone who's having trouble shaping or recalling their tales.
Get out and walk and tell it to yourself.
People will think you're crazy but at least you'll have a good story to tell them by the end of it.

RRR

Young Storytellers of Wales (and Wolverhampton)

Peter Chand the storyteller tells me he was performing and acting as one of the judges for Young Storytellers of Wales the other day. Here's his take on it:
"what an amazing and talented bunch of kids! Had us 'old uns fearing for our careers. The youngest age group was 8-11, and a 6 year old got up and told, cos she fancied telling!! Really interesting and varied stories-and a whole heap of confidence- a great day."

Any Wolverhampton readers might like to pop along to
THE SW@N CLUB (Spoken Word At Newhampton)
Storytelling, poetry, a tune, or a song!
Take part, or just sit back and enjoy the many different voices that make Wolverhampton such a vibrant city.
First Monday of the month 8pm.
The Newhampton Inn, Riches Street (off Newhampton Road West) Wolverhampton WV6 0DW
Suggested donation £2.00 per person

Storytelling at The Old Queen's Head

It was to my delight that I discovered a regular monthly storytelling meet, taking place in my own city. On the last monday of the month there is a small gathering in the upstairs room of the Old Queen's Head, by Sheffield bus station from 8 onwards.

From a personal point of view the Old Queen's Head meeting is a great place to try new things out in a friendly enviroment, and a rich field from which to gather new material. The highlight for me, so far, has been a rather sinister tale about a doll's house, a story that I hope to add to my repetoire.

If you're interested then pop along, or e-mail me and I'll furnish you with further details. The group is diverse and meets for the shared love of craft, everyone who wants to tell can, and those who are simply there to listen are very welcome as well. I look forward to seeing you there.

Could you be Young Storyteller of the Year?

The Young Storyteller of the Year Event takes place from 10.30 to 5 on Saturday 8th March at the Library Theatre Birmingham.

There are two age categories, but the 15-18 age range is now FULL (though a waiting list exists). Space remains for 18-25 year olds, but please, if you are wondering about entering, take the bull by the horns and contact us SOON!

Here's the advice of last year's winner, Rachel Rose Reid: "If you are thinking of entering, I would like to encourage you to dive in. Sometimes life is too short to be shy!"

Contact us through Young Storyteller of the Year 2008, or phone Fiona on 01490 430 551