Say Goodbye to Summer in Style at the September Story Cafe!

Not in my time, and not in your time:

The folktales of Newfoundland

Featuring Storyteller and Author Dale Jarvis

 of Newfoundland

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Let storyteller and folklorist Dale Jarvis whisk you away to a fog-shrouded island of flying boats, giants, missing fingers, fairies, phantoms, and a well-travelled fellow by the name of Jack!

Dale Jarvis is a professional performer and folklorist living in Newfoundland, Canada. The proprietor of the St. John's Haunted Hike ghost tour, Dale tells ghost stories, faerie stories, legends and traditional tales from Newfoundland, Labrador, Ireland, United Kingdom and beyond. Columnist and author of several books, he is a tireless promoter of the oral tradition.

"Dale's telling style was masterful-- confident on stage, with a strong, clear voice, thoughtfully placed gestures, rhetorical flourishes that harkened back to an earlier era, a playful attitude toward the audience, and a deferential one toward the story." ~ Tim Ereneta, Storyteller, Performance Artist

"A teller of spine tingling tales that are so convincing that even if you don't believe in ghosts, you soon will!"  ~ Wayne Rostad, On the Road Again (Award Winning Canadian Broadcasting Television Program)

ADULT OPEN MIC: Sign up for your eight minute (maximum) turn at the mic beginning at 7:00 p.m. Share your own story, song, music, essay or poem.

TIME: 7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. (Feature begins at 8:00 P.M.)

LOCATION: Artworks, 384 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA

ADMISSION: FREE (pass the hat for the featured performers)

AUDIENCE: 14 and older For more information email Karen Chace at storybug@aol.com  or call Artworks at

(508) 984-1588

DIRECTIONS:  http://www.artworksforyou.org/hours.html

Sponsored by Artworks! Partners for the Arts & Community http://www.artworksforyou.org/

ArtWorks! is supported in part by the MCC as well as business and individual members

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN NEW BEDFORD

Come early and take a stroll along the fishing docks or bring your bike, enjoy the ocean breeze and ride around beautiful Fort Taber . Prefer something easier? There is the interesting and historical Whaling Museum.

Later you can enjoy a "flight of wine" and fresh hot or cold tapas at Corks or award-winning chowder (chowda) at Freestones before the show or a night cap afterwards.

New Bedford has National Park status and there are many things to enjoy. Say goodbye to summer and spend a day exploring and then relax in the beauty of ArtWorks listening to stories and song. I can't think of a better way to spend a summer Saturday!

Healing the World...One Story at a Time

New England Storytelling Conference
SHARING THE FIRE 2011
League for the Advancement
of New England Storytelling

Call For Workshop Proposals for the LANES’ annual Sharing the Fire: New England Storytelling Conference on March 18-20, 2011, in Warwick, Rhode Island. This year is the 30th anniversary of Sharing the Fire. The theme of this year’s conference, “Healing the World ...One Story at a Time” will focus on innovative and diverse ways that Storytelling can affect positive change in the 21st century. For example:

~Building our Communities
~Nurturing Our Spirits
~Bridging our Differences
~Connecting with Nature

We have a truly exceptional Keynote Speaker, Odds Bodkin, and now it’s time to procure, evaluate and select the workshops for the conference. The Evaluation Committee will focus on workshops that address our theme. The Call for Proposal instructions and form are posted on the LANES website. The deadline for submission is September 17, 2010.

Got Stories?

It's preview night! Get a front row seat and be the first to hear stories and celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Mohegan Storytelling and Music Festival! You won't to want to miss a word!

August is Red Hot at the Story Cafe!

If you were at the January 2009 Story Cafe you know the caliber of talent Bob Reiser brings to the stage. And now, for his second appearance he has teamed up with the equally amazing Clare Vadeboncoeur.

Please join us for what is sure to be a delightful evening. The August heat will be no match for this red hot duo!

Reaching for the Moon!
Featuring Bob Reiser and Clare Vadeboncoeur
Saturday, August 21, 2010

Spend a night with lovers and loons, leap for the impossible and touch the moon. Join Clare and Bob in an hour of stories in words and mime and celebrate your inner wild romantic. Once you feel the kiss of moon dust on your hands, you will never be the same!

Bob Reiser, teacher, author and storyteller, has tickled audiences from New York to Vancouver; his books include Carry it On and Everybody Says Freedom, both written with Pete Seeger, and David Gets his Drum, a children’s book written with jazz great, the late Panama Francis.

“Bob Reiser is a wonderful storyteller, with tales for every age and temperament. I hope he keeps on for another half century. ” ~ Pete Seeger

“Bob Reiser is magic. He plays with words, songs stories and life. His warmth alone makes an audience laugh. Bob Reiser smiles with his whole body. ” ~ Jay O'Callahan Master Storyteller

Clare Vadeboncoeur is a story performer and teaching artist. She is a Trinity Repertory Conservatory graduate with a Masters of Arts Degree in Theatre and Dance, a C.M.A (certified movement analyst) from the Laban Institute of Movement Studies in New York and is a RI certified teacher of theatre, dance and elementary education. She combines her talents as actor, dancer, mime & writer to create and perform unique, interactive storytelling programs.

“Clare, you are a fantastic actress, storyteller, movement genius who creates expressive theatre –much larger than your petite self.” ~ Ivy Brunelle, Scituate Librarian Scituate RI

"Clare your stories were so compelling, funny, meaningful, clever and full of heart."  ~ Annie Geissinger, Drummer/Artist

ADULT OPEN MIC: Sign up for your eight minute (maximum) turn at the mic beginning at 7:00 p.m. Share your own story, song, music, essay or poem.
TIME: 7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. (Feature begins at 8:00 P.M.)
LOCATION: Artworks, 384 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA
ADMISSION: FREE (pass the hat for the featured performers)

NEW INFORMATION: AGES 14 AND OLDERUsually, the Story Cafe audience is 18 and up. However, in the interest of bringing the art of Oral Tradition to a wider audience Bob and Clare (our featured artists) have shared that their show is suitable for teenagers as well. If you would like to bring along any young adults on August 21 please feel free to do so.
DIRECTIONS:  http://www.artworksforyou.org/hours.html
For more information email Karen Chace at storybug@aol.com  or call ArtWorks at (508) 984-1588 

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN NEW BEDFORD

Come early and take a stroll along the fishing docks or bring your bike, enjoy the ocean breeze and ride around beautiful Fort Taber . Prefer something easier? There is the interesting and historical Whaling Museum.

Later you can enjoy a "flight of wine" and fresh hot or cold tapas at Corks or award-winning chowder (chowda) at Freestones before the show or a night cap afterwards.

New Bedford has National Park status and there are many things to enjoy. Spend a gorgeous summer day exploring and then relax in the beauty of ArtWorks listening to stories and song. I can't think of a better way to spend a summer Saturday!

Sponsored by Artworks! Partners for the Arts & Community http://www.artworksforyou.org/
ArtWorks! is supported in part by the MCC as well as business and individual members

Storytelling, Music and Fun, Oh My!!

I am excited and honored I am honored to be one of the performers at the 10th Annual Mohegan Storytelling and Music Festival in Crompond, NY on August 14, 2010. How can you go wrong with storytellers like Michael Parent, Carol Birch, The Storycrafters, Johnathan Kruk and more?

Let's make this a fabulous 10th Anniversary for the festival and all of the dedicated workers who make it happen.


Date: Saturday, August 14, 2010
Workshop: 10:00 am - Noon
Performances 12:30 P.M. - 10:30 P.M.
Audience: Families and Adults







Location/Directions: 99 Baron de Hirsch Rd, Crompond, NY 10517 Off Lexington Avenue, between Routes 6 and 202

Additional Information: For Workshop Registration, Volunteer Opportunities and more call Ellen Monten
914-528-5830 or Judith Heineman 312-925-0439.

For more details go to http://www.storycircleatproctors.org/hv/mohegan/ or email Judith Heineman at juhestories@aol.com  Funded by the Westchester Arts Council

The festival will go on rain or shine but why don't you pack some of your own sunshine and stories and meet us there!

Celebrate National Watermelon Day!

 

Still Life with Watermelons and Apples in a Landscape, 1771

Luis Meléndez (Spanish, 1716-1780)

August 3 is National Watermelon Day so let’s get ready with some ripe and juicy watermelon tales!

 

Postscript: Since I wrote this blog post in 2010 I have been blessed with two grandsons. Mason, the oldest at 20  months, has discovered the delicious joy of watermelon. Every time I put a small plate of bite sized pieces in front of him his eyes light up, and with an excited smile he looks  at me and says, "Yummmmm."

 

 A few 'seeds' of information on this delicious fruit.

 

• Watermelons are thought to be native of the Kalahari desert in Africa, due to David Livingstone describing them as "abundant" in that region.
• Watermelons have been cultivated at least as early as 2000 B.C (there's evidence in the Nile Valley, as noted by Zohary and Hopf). Several watermelon seeds were found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen.
• The fruit was cultivated in Asia (China in particular) by the end of the 9th century A.D. and introduced to Europe by the Moor invasion in the 13th century.
• There are legends about watermelons in Vietnam. According to folklore, it was discovered by Prince Mai An Tiêm, a prince of the Hung. He was exiled on an island, with the condition that if he could survive for six months, he could go back to his castle: he prayed for help, and a bird flying by dropped a watermelon seed on the ground. When the prince cultivated the seed, he called the fruit dua tây (western melon), since the bird had come from the West. The prince eventually survived and went back home. (Read a version of the story below.)
• Watermelons were introduced to North America in 1500, and Native Americans were found cultivating them by French explorers in the Mississippi valley.
• Other sources believe the fruit was introduced in Massachusetts in 1629.
• Jerry Parsons, a Texas Agricultural Extension horticulturalist, states that the crop was grown by Native Americans in Florida (by 1664) and the Colorado River area (by 1799).  

The above information was found on the following websites:
http://www.watermelon.org/Kids/Kids-WatermelonFacts.aspx
http://www.burpee.com/fruit-plants/melon-seeds/watermelon/all-about-watermelons-article10022.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon

 

STORIES



The Golden Watermelon – Uzbekhttp://tinyurl.com/yc2ntkx

Never Mind Them Watermelons – Alabama, United States

http://tinyurl.com/y8wr3np

Tony Beaver and the Watermelon Party – West Virginia, USA
http://tinyurl.com/y9kyzjj

Story-Lovers.com - As always, Jackie serves up a plate full of tales perfect for the season. Dive in!
http://tinyurl.com/ya9topl

The Story of Watermelon Island - Vietnam
http://tinyurl.com/y9vaja7

Watermelon Magic - Vietnam
http://tinyurl.com/ybx2how

CRAFTS

Summertime Watermelon Crafts and Activities
http://voices.yahoo.com/summertime-watermelon-crafts-activities-6136010.html

Willy Watermelon Paper Craft
http://www.dltk-teach.com/alphabuddies/mwatermelon.htm

CURRICULUM

 

Teacher's Guide - More curriculum ideas than watermelons have seeds! http://www.theteachersguide.com/booklessons/watermelonday/watermelonday.htm

 

IN THE KITCHEN

 

Quench your summertime thirst with this delicious recipe.

Watermelon Smoothie
http://www.watermelon.org/Recipes/Watermelon-Recipes.aspx?SearchTerm=smoothie&SearchType=Recipes

Health Benefits of Watermelon
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/watermelon.html

SONGS AND FINGERPLAYS

Step by Step - This site not only offers songs and fingerplays but more crafts, recipes and ideas to create your own watermelon themed activities. http://stepbystepcc.com/foods/watermelon.html

 

Karen Chace  © 2010

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.



Fireworks, Folktales and Fun!

Fourth of July in Centre Square Philadelphia
by
John Lewis Krimmel, 1812 

The Fourth of July celebrates Independence Day in the United States and we will be celebrating with fireworks and cookouts galore. July 14 is is also Bastille Day in France so I offer some stories to celebrate the beautiful countries of France and the U.S.A.

STORIES

American Folklore - Celebrate America’s birthday and take an armchair journey with folktales, myths, legends, Tall Tales and ghost stories from the 50 United States. Tales are clearly indexed so you won’t even need to ask for directions.
http://www.americanfolklore.net/

The Legend of Johnny Appleseed - What could be more American than Johnny Appleseed? This site offers interesting background information on the real man, including his obituary from March 22, 1845.
http://farmersalmanac.com/blog/2015/03/11/legend-johnny-appleseed/

Nine Facts That Tell the True Story of Johnny Appleseed
http://mentalfloss.com/article/62113/9-facts-tell-true-story-johnny-appleseed


Perrault’s Fairy Tales - Eight of his best known fairy tales.
http://www.angelfire.com/nb/classillus/images/perrault/perra.html

The Fairy Tales of Marie - Catherine d´Aulony
Marie-Catherine lived in France during the time of Charles Perrault but her tales were shared in a more conversational style and usually featured a female protagonist. Many of her works were collected by Andrew Lang in his Fairy Books.
https://archive.org/details/fairytalesmadam00dgoog 

The Enormous Nose
http://tinyurl.com/y3mrnle

Quackling – French folktale adapted by Aaron Shepard
http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/042.html

Fairy Tales From All Nations –In my continuing search for French folktales I found this public domain book containing the French tale, Prince Chaffinch and so much more.
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34956 

CRAFTS

Some fun games and activities to add some spark to your patriotic festivities.

Apples4teacher.com
http://tinyurl.com/mmzcr9

Family Education.com
http://tinyurl.com/lsubws

And for some extra fun, a word search and maze to celebrate our countries anniversary.

Maze
http://tinyurl.com/n7curj

Word Search
http://tinyurl.com/lss2pe

MUSIC

Girl Scouts R Fun Song Page – What would the official opening of summer be without some music to share! Openings/closings, hiking/camping, traditional, echo songs and more; songs for all occasions. All you need to keep everyone in tune!
http://tinyurl.com/mlov75

Karen Chace 2015 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.