Storytellers of Circle - January Gathering - NEW VENUE!!!

Ómós - An evening of traditional Irish song, music and storytelling

Ómós - An evening of traditional Irish song, music and storytelling
Dec 1, 7:30 pm Kings College Chapel, doors open at 7:00
Kings Chapel is a wonderful acoustic venue. The concert is sponsored by An Cumann.
Freewill Donation at the door

Many Halifax storytellers already familiar with musicians Mossie Scanlon and Cian O Morain from County Kerry. Cian is also a great storyteller, and gave a wonderful workshop on Irish epic stories for us several years ago. Mossie is a sean-nós singer. Sean-nós is a highly ornamented traditional style of solo, unaccompanied singing in Gaelic.

They are joined for this concert by Finbarr Condon-English from Co.Tipperary. During his formative years, he spent some time learning Classical and Jazz music in London. Finbarr's first love however, is Traditional Irish music, being resident violinist at Brú Ború, Cashel, Co. Tipperary for many years. This position has presented multiple musical missions to foreign shores, acting as a cultural ambassador. Such audiences have included The World Expo Shanghai 2010 and Millan 2015 (accompanying the President of Ireland on both occasions), EU summits in Brussels and Dublin castle as well as tours to Lesthoto, Swaziland and Mozambique. Finbarr plays for Irish Set Dancers, and we may see a couple of sets during the evening.

Jody Myers and Clara Dugas - Of Mice and Flies: Stories of Creatures Large and Small

She Sings As She Flies - Revisiting the Helen Creighton Song Collection

She Sings as She Flies •




Revisiting the Helen Creighton Song Collection was conceived by first cousins and longtime creative collaborators Mary Jane Lamond and Laurel MacDonald as a special production of their Patchwork vocal performance project.

She Sings as She Flies features Mary Jane and Laurel performing songs from the Gaelic and English language traditions. Joining them are Nicole LeBlanc, Kirsten Olivia and Naomi Dawn Poulette, singing selections from the Acadian, African Nova Scotian, and Mi’kmaq communities respectively. The songs are integrated with archival recordings and images, live vocal looping, sound design and video stage projections.

The production looks not only at the rich legacy of the music itself, but also poses questions regarding the circumstances of Helen Creighton’s work, and the social and cultural environment then, and now. She Sings as She Flies is a groundbreaking new production by five uniquely talented Nova Scotian singers, illustrating the richness, diversity and complex history behind this unique folksong collection.

She Sings as She Flies has been made possible through the generous support of the Nova Scotia 150 Forward Fund and the Helen Creighton Folklore Society.

Tickets at: http://www.tickethalifax.com/events/48365267/she-sings-as-she-flies

Storytellers' Circle of Halifax - Oct 12 event

Storytellers Circle of Halifax - Fall Gathering

WTF:What the Folk! Takes no Prisoners...

Happily... summer has arrived but sadly... you all know what that means. 

After June 23rd... WTF! will be on hiatus for two months but...

 ... to fill your hearts with an equal & lasting measure of musical joy...  

... we have invited Guest Hosts... 

The Haltown Stompers 

... who for some strange & twisted reason known only to them and their medical professionals have chosen to send us off on our summer adventures with the delightful theme of...

PRISON 

Even before Society's massive uptick of incarceration in the 80s - even before the phrase "War on Drugs" was coined in 1971 - the matter-of-fact portrayal of incarceration has been reflected in pop culture, namely music. You can find it as far back as Lead Belly's prison and work songs - ones that lament his own incarceration, Jim Crow-era treatment, poverty and existential malaise - in the 30s and 40s. 

There is an excellent BBC interview which reveals how Nelson Mandela used music to raise spirits among himself and his fellow inmates: touching grin-inducing anecdotes of how he and his fellow prisoners would sing the subversive workers' folk song 'Shosholoza' as they endured back-breaking shifts at the lime quarry, or how they would put on concerts every Christmas to boost morale. And an interview with Mandela's best friend Eddie Daniels reveals how he'd frequently treat everyone to renditions of the old Scottish song 'Bonny Mary of Argyle'. In prison there were subversive folk songs that they could sing and get away with and the music would resonate through the prison walls. *Abridged from various sources

Whether emanating from a prisoner of circumstance like Lead Belly... or a prisoner of conscience like Nelson Mandela... these simple prison songs are not just historically vital, but are among some of the most moving and beautiful songs you'll ever hear.

I Know Why The CagedBird Sings *  Maya Angelou 

https://allpoetry.com/I-Know-Why-The-Caged-Bird-Sings

I know that's all very esoteric and possibly confusing but I wanted you to consider that not all prisons are actual brick and mortar. You can be a prisoner of your own literal mind. Of course you can bring songs like Folsom Prison Blues, Midnight Special, Jailhouse Rock, etc. but I also wanted to encourage you to think outside the box (or in this case... cell :)

Xo Margo

Like us on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Helen-Creighton-Folklore-Society/112710842101216?ref=ts&fref=ts

WTF! is an artistic outreach program of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society. 

Now in its 8th year, WTF!

 is primarily an acoustic unplugged open-mike session for performers of all ages in the traditional & folk music vein... singers, instrumentalists and storytellers in particular.

Co-hosted by the ever-jovial Cindy Campbell-Stone & Margo Carruthers with occasional guest hosts, WTF!

 

meets every second and fourth Friday of the month at Spencer House Community Centre, 5596 Morris Street in Halifax where sing-a-longs are known to spontaneously erupt and laughter is always a given. 

Come anytime after 6:30pm. Entertainment starts around 7:00

 and goes until 9:00ish. As always... admission is by free-will donation 

towards the Society's work. All proceeds from the sale of baked goods and beverages from the Spencer House kitchen will go to help support the operation of Spencer House.

Virus-free. www.avg.com

WTF Karma

WTF: What the Folk 

Unplugged open mic

Friday, May 26, 2017 

7-9 pm (6:30 seating)

Spencer House

5596 Morris Strett, Halifax

"What goes around... comes around"

One of the most interesting concepts that we all stumble across in our lives sooner or later is that of KARMA. In fact, Karma is such an important teaching tool that it features in many of the world's major religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism. 

*Karma essentially means that this happened because that happened. 

In other words... karma is the law of cause and effect. 

Karma can also be neatly defined through Newton's third law: 

every action has an equal or opposite reaction.

Join Guest Host JIM SMITH as we sing songs and tell stories wherein the protagonists get what they give. If they're mean... they get bad karma ~ bad things willhappen. If they're kindly and nice... they get good karma ~ good things willhappen. You might also want to consider songs or stories wherein karma is deserved but has not yet been doled out. And if you are completely stumped... you can always go with songs and stories featuring cars and/or dear old ma.

. 

According to the great philosopher Mick Jagger...

 "You can't always get what you want but... if you try sometimes... you might find you get what you need." 

KARMA

No need for revenge.

Just sit back & wait. 

Those who hurt you 

will eventually screw up 

themselves 

& if you are lucky... 

God will let you watch.

courtesy of  www.lonerwolf.com

Xo Margo

Like us on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Helen-Creighton-Folklore-Society/112710842101216?ref=ts&fref=ts

WTF! is an artistic outreach program of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society. 

Now in its 8th year, WTF!

 is primarily an acoustic unplugged open-mike session for performers of all ages in the traditional & folk music vein... singers, instrumentalists and storytellers in particular.

Co-hosted by the ever-jovial Cindy Campbell-Stone & Margo Carruthers with occasional guest hosts, WTF!

 

meets every second and fourth Friday of the month at Spencer House Community Centre, 5596 Morris Street in Halifax where sing-a-longs are known to spontaneously erupt and laughter is always a given. 

Come anytime after 6:30pm. Entertainment starts around 7:00

 and goes until 9:00ish. As always... admission is by free-will donation 

towards the Society's work. All proceeds from the sale of baked goods and beverages from the Spencer House kitchen will go to help support the operation of Spencer House.

Parking is available on site behind the building after 6:00pm, and on some of the neighbouring streets. Avoid areas displaying Permit Parking signs.

Helen Creighton, Folklorist

www.helencreighton.org

Virus-free. www.avg.com

Storytellers Circle of Halifax - Tales of the Night Manager with Pat Dickson

As night manager of a downtown Halifax hotel, Pat Dickson met them all: 
...the good, the bad and the ugly, the brides and bridezillas, the barber shoppers, the naked men, the drunks, the gamblers, the hookers and the boas.  And the strange questions!  Pat survived them all and will tell you all about them. Her lips are not sealed. 

An Evening with Clary Croft on Eventbrite

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/an-evening-with-clary-croft-tickets-33830438753

Tales of Heart, Hope, and Humour - Jun 3

Best open mic in town!

WTF:What the Folk-unplugged open mic.

The second and fourth Friday of every month.

At 7pm (6:30 seating)

Spencer House

5596 Morris Street

Halifax,NS

Cost: Free Will Donation toward the Helen Creighton Folklore Society's work.

Folksongs, Folktales, Folklore

The Storytellers Circle of Halifax presents "Drumsong Stories"

The Storytellers Circle of Halifax presents "Drumsong Stories"
Featured teller: Joanna Jarvis, accompanied by her husband Pat, African Drum Carver/Drummer
Followed by Open Mic (10 min stories)
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Spencer House, 5596 Morris Street, Halifax
Free admittance - donations will be gathered.
Stories begin at 7PM but come early and enjoy homemade treats and coffee/tea.
For further information phone Pat Dickson, 902-434-6055

Joanna Jarvis is originally from Ottawa and moved to Nova Scotia in 2007. 
She is a Professional Storyteller, part-time Library Clerk at the Digby Library, a member of the Storytellers Circle of Halifax,  Storytellers of Canada,  and founder of the Weymouth Storytellers Circle (Unfortunately on hiatus due to time constraints).  Combining music, singing and puppetry Joanna delights in spinning original stories, folk tales, historical, humorous,  mysterious and chilling tales for schools, seniors, fund raisers, churches and other venues. She also provides storytelling workshops.  Together with her husband Pat Jarvis( African Drum Carver/Drummer) she tells Drumsong Stories as well as performing drumming or assisting him with Drum Workshops.

Storytellers Circle presents Liz Newkirk April 20, 2016

Please note  this is a departure from our our regular 2nd Thursday of the month

because of the way Easter falls this year. 

Storytelling Workshop - Book Your Spot!

Storytelling Workshop

Professional Storytellers in partnership with the Storytellers Circle of Halifax

The Storytellers Circle of Halifax strives to preserve the long established tradition of storytelling in Nova Scotia. It promotes the art of oral storytelling by nurturing and inspiring both seasoned and novice tellers, and by providing opportunities for tellers and listeners of all ages, cultures, and communities to come together to share and experience the power of stories.

Workshop:  A Touch of Magic:  The Art of Telling Folktales

This 4-hour workshop is designed for those who have had some experience telling tales in the oral tradition and would like to discover more about telling folktales, wonder tales, legends, myths, etc. 

As a participant, you will have the opportunity to 

explore the rationale for including folktales and world tales in your storytelling repertoire

learn how to select the “perfect” tale for teller, audience, and occasion

become aware of cultural sensitivity in telling world tales

develop skills to enrich and enhance your storytelling through full use of the imagination and the senses in both mastering and presenting your tale

refine and polish your presentation through awareness of such elements as gesture, intonation, facial expression, and movement

Please note:  The last two topics will develop skills of use in telling any type of tale (personal, family, historical, etc.)

Participants should bring a prepared five-minute tale to share.

Sunday, March 12         1:00-5:00p.m.     Spencer House, 5596 Morris St., Halifax  

$65 for non-members

$60 for Storytellers Circle of Halifax members

Presenter:  Liz Newkirk  

************************************************************************************

To reserve your place, or for more information, contact Liz Newkirk 

902 477-1474    or   lnewkirk@ns.sympatico.ca

Please register on or before: Wednesday, March 8

Liz is an experienced , professional storyteller and workshop presenter. She is a member of the Storytellers Circle of Halifax and Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada. She firmly believes everyone has a story to tell, and everyone can tell a story!

The Dartmouth Heritage Museum Society is pleased to host Cindy Campbell-Stone and Liz Newkirk at Evergreen House for a fun afternoon of Celtic Tales on Friday, March 17.

Both Campbell-Stone and Newkirk are experienced storytellers and eager to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the ‘wearing of the green’ with patrons of the Dartmouth Heritage Museum. All proceeds from the event will be for the interpretation of the Helen Creighton Room at Evergreen House.

Helen Creighton collected many Celtic stories and songs around the Maritimes, as well as from many other cultures. Celtic tales and songs are an exciting mix of adventure, heroism, romance, and magic often including Kings, Queens, knights, warriors, rebels, Gods, Goddesses, Druids and the wee folk.

The event runs from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is by donation (minimum of $10).

Tea, coffee, and scones will be served.

Tickets are available by calling 902-464-2300 or on-line at

http://www.dartmouthheritagemuseum.ns.ca/celebrate-st-patricks-day-at-evergreen-with-celtic-tales-tea/

Discover more about Storytelling with these two workshops!

Storytelling Workshops

Professional Storytellers in partnership with

the Storytellers Circle of Halifax

The Storytellers Circle of Halifax strives to preserve the long established tradition of storytelling in Nova Scotia. It promotes the art of oral storytelling by nurturing and inspiring both seasoned and novice tellers, and by providing opportunities for tellers and listeners of all ages, cultures, and communities to come together to share and experience the power of stories.

Workshop 1:  Getting Started

This 3-hour workshop will introduce participants to the age-old art of oral storytelling.   Using examples, active participation, and helpful tips, we will explore

• selecting a tale that “fits” the teller, audience, and occasion,
• mastering the chosen tale through visualization and imagination
• performing the tale so that it comes alive for listeners
• pre-performance warm-ups and relaxation techniques

Sunday, Feb. 26         1:00-4:00 p.m.       Spencer House, 5596 Morris St., Halifax      

$55 for non-members

$50 for Storytellers Circle of Halifax members

Presenter:  Liz Newkirk  

Workshop 2:  A Touch of Magic:  The Art of Telling Folktales

This 4-hour workshop is designed for those who have had some experience telling tales in the oral tradition and would like to discover more about telling folktales, wonder tales, legends, myths, etc.

As a participant, you will have the opportunity to

• explore the rationale for including folktales and world tales in your storytelling repertoire
• learn how to select the “perfect” tale for teller, audience, and occasion
• become aware of cultural sensitivity in telling world tales
• develop skills to enrich and enhance your storytelling through full use of the imagination and the senses in both mastering and presenting your tale
• refine and polish your presentation through awareness of such elements as gesture, intonation, facial expression, and movement

Please note:  The last two topics will develop skills of use in telling any type of tale (personal, family, historical, etc.)

Participants should bring a prepared five-minute tale to share.

Sunday, March 12         1:00-5:00p.m.     Spencer House, 5596 Morris St., Halifax  

$65 for non-members

$60 for Storytellers Circle of Halifax members

Presenter:  Liz Newkirk  

************************************************************************************

To reserve your place, or for more information, contact Liz Newkirk

902 477-1474    or   lnewkirk@ns.sympatico.ca

Please register on or before the following:

Workshop 1:  Wednesday, February 22        

Workshop 2:  Wednesday, March 8

Liz is an experienced , professional storyteller and workshop presenter. She is a member of the Storytellers Circle of Halifax and Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada. She firmly believes everyone has a story to tell, and everyone can tell a story!

Storytellers Circle cancelled for Thu Feb 9, 2017

I'm sorry to advise that due to an unpleasant sounding weather forecast for tomorrow night and a stamina issue from this not quite post-operative enough "Desperate Storyteller," the "Desperate Housewives of the Middle Ages" event scheduled for Thursday night Feb 9 has been cancelled and will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Apologies. 

IMPORTANT DATE CHANGES For WTF:What the Folk!

Hi folks,

There are a few upcoming calendar changes to our WTF! schedule due to Spencer House commitments conflicting with the second Tuesdays in both February and March therefore...

... please be advised that...

... Instead of February 10and 24th...

the February WTF! dates are February 17th and 24th

... Instead of March 10and 24th...

the March WTF! dates are March 24th and 31st

I will still be sending out the regular blurb one week prior to each WTF! night but I thought that if you knew in advance... you could mark these changes on your calendar right now so you don't end up at Spencer House in error. After all... there's nothing sadder than a drooling What the Folkie deprived of pie :)

Xo Margo

Like us on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Helen-Creighton-Folklore-Society/112710842101216?ref=ts&fref=ts

WTF! is an artistic outreach program of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society. 

Now in its 8th year, WTF!

 is primarily an acoustic unplugged open-mike session for performers of all ages in the traditional & folk music vein... singers, instrumentalists and storytellers in particular.

Co-hosted by the ever-jovial Cindy Campbell-Stone & Margo Carruthers with occasional guest hosts, WTF!

 

meets every second and fourth Friday of the month at Spencer House Community Centre, 5596 Morris Street in Halifax where sing-a-longs are known to spontaneously erupt and laughter is always a given. 

Come anytime after 6:30pm. Entertainment starts around 7:00

 and goes until 9:00ish. As always... admission is by free-will donation 

towards the Society's work. All proceeds from the sale of baked goods and beverages from the Spencer House kitchen will go to help support the operation of Spencer House.

Parking is available on site behind the building after 6:00pm, and on some of the neighbouring streets. Avoid areas displaying Permit Parking signs.

Helen Creighton Folklore Society: Get in Shape for WTF:What the Folk!

Helen Creighton Folklore Society: Get in Shape for WTF:What the Folk!: WTF: What the Folk! Unplugged open mic Friday, January 27, 2017 / 7pm (do open at 6:30 for seating, treats and performance sign up) Spencer ...

Storytellers Circle of Halifax - up next Feb 9 featured teller Elinor Benjamin

Telling Folktales Workshop - Baddeck Feb 11, 2017

Telling Folktales Workshop
When
Sat, February 11, 1:00pm – 4:30pm
Where
Baddeck Library (map)
Description
Saturday, February 11th    
Telling Folktales 
Baddeck Library
1-4:30 PM

Join Storyteller-in-Residence and Folklorist, Ronald Labelle for a workshop on folktales and how to tell them. 
This workshop could appeal to teachers, daycare staff, parents or grandparents, aunts or uncles … anyone who feels they are a storyteller at heart or wants to give it a try!  

Discussion will include, 
· Folktales and Fairy Tales: what are they and why do they matter?
· Finding tales and choosing the right ones for you. 
· Bringing it all together: putting the tales into your own words.  

Space is limited. Admission: Free

Call the Baddeck Library to book your spot 902-295-2055
(Snowdate: Sat. Mar. 4th 1-4:30 pm)

(Snowdate: Sat. Mar. 4th 1-4:30 pm)

WTF:What the Folk. Gifts and Giving on Friday the 13th.

Hello all you folkies! Bet you are ready for a folk fix after nearly two months of being WTF: What the Folk deprived! 

Well get ready for this Friday, the 13th as we ring in the new year with the theme Gifts and Giving. Maybe you have a song or story about gifts or giving or a mention of the word gifts, giving or presents, or perhaps you can give the gift of a new song or story just learned or created. Maybe you have a story or song about this past Holiday season? Or you can just do a Don Burke and play a song that doesn't fit the theme! 

Whether you are a performer or listener, we'd sure like to see you on:

Friday, January 13

7pm ( doors open at 6:30 for seating and treats, and for performer sign up)

WTF: What the Folk: unplugged open mic

Spencer House Community Centre

5596 Morris St, Halifax, NS

Cost: free will donation towards the programs of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society, https://www.helencreighton.org

Parking is behind the Centre after 6pm or on the sides trees.

Refreshments and Homemade treats available for purchase, made by the fabulous cook, Stephanie, at Spencer House. Her pies are delish!