WTF! What the Folk! Superstitions

Well gang... it's June and we now have only two more WTF! nights left before we disappear to wherever we all go during the lazy hazy crazy days of summer. And speaking of crazy... let's GO crazy brave and thumb all our noses at... triskaidekaphobia!!!!

Since this WTF! night happens to fall on Friday the 13th, under a full moon no less, the theme absolutely has to reflect this rare convergence of influences. And since Cindy will be away at the Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival... I, as solo host, can do whatever I want... Oh! the power!... and so the theme shall be...

SUPERSTITIONS

At considerable personal risk...

For one night only Chebucto Coffee has been officially declared a triskaidekaphobia-free zone

Now I realize that the storytellers amongst us likely won't have a problem with the theme but for most of you singers, it may pose a dilemma. So rather than have you stay home out of fear of theme failure... I am throwing out a challenge and a chance for you to...

 STUMP THE HOST.

Wait! Wait! Wait! Curb your enthusiasm! Puhleease!

I didn't say 'stomp' the host although I can understand the temptation.

HERE'S THE CHALLENGE:

Bring anything you want. If your song or story does not contain an actual superstition... I, armed with nothing more than my wits... Stop that! It's rude to laugh at other people's misfortunes... and Helen Creighton's Bluenose Magic... must find an element within your song or story that has a superstition attached and share it with you. If I fail to do so... then you have stumped the host and may be eligible for an allegedly fabulous prize... should you be brave enough to accept it :)

So... with Cindy transported off ... into the mystic ...... while the brat's away... the louse will play.

The timing of Friday the 13th a coincidence? I think not :)

Margo

Warning from Cindy:

I am sorry ( or maybe relieved) I won't be there, but seeing that it is Friday the Thirteenth, remember...in the words of George Elliot: " ...superstitions carry consequences which often verfiy their hope or their foreboding".

WTF! is an artistic outreach program of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society. We meet every second and fourth Friday of the month at CHEBUCTO COFFEE, 6430 Chebucto Road, corner of Chebucto & Kline in Halifax where Mike's extraordinary culinary fare is approaching legendary status. Come early for a bite and stay for the entertainment which starts around 6:30 and goes until 9:00ish. As always... admission is by free-will donation towards the Society's work.

It Never Trains But It Pours at WTF!

Hi all,

 

Well... there's good news and there's bad news. The good news is that our next WTF! night on June 28th will feature the delightfully charming Pixie Currie and Kate Dunlay guest hosting their chosen theme of TRAIN songs and stories. Yayayay!!!! The bad news is that this will be the last WTF! night until September.  Awwwwwww!

 

So... for those of you who have been so generous with your praise for my weird little stories and have been begging for more... here is another... my gift to tide you over until we meet again. Names have not been changed to protect the innocent :)

 

                           IT NEVER TRAINS BUT IT POORS

 

Kate wiped her fevered brow and breathed a sigh of relief. Classes were finally over, marks had been handed out and she was free, free, free of all that academic bullspit for the summer. "I think I'll SHUFFLE OFF TO BUFFALO or maybe THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. The CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO sounds like a plan too. I LIKE TRAINS. It really doesn't matter where I go. All I know is that I'M MOVIN' ON. CHOO CHOO CH' BOOGIE!!!"

 

As Kate was pondering her vacation, Pixie was reporting for work. She'd been on mandatory hiatus for a while after the WRECK OF THE OLD 97. "I don't know why I had to take the heat for that one", she grumbled. "I'VE BEEN WORKIN' ON THE RAILROAD since JOHN HENRY was a tadpole. I'd like to have seen him keep the beast on the track while tryin' to avoid BILL GROGAN'S GOAT. And I was only ONE TOKE OVER THE LINE too!!"

 

Kate, totally oblivious to the potential hazards of riding the rails, headed for the station. Unfortunately... in her haste to escape SMU, she forgot her purse. "Yikes! How will I get aTICKET TO RIDE now? "

 

So there she stood... forlornly... WAITING FOR A TRAIN as the conductor yelled GET ON BOARD, LITTLE CHILDREN. THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY. It's THE LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE today. Next one by will be THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL."

 

Kate wasn't planning to wait around all day for the MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA or worse... all night for a MORNINGTOWN RIDE. Yet... without her purse, she was penniless. "Ah ha!" she exclaimed in a lightbulb moment, " I'll hop that FREIGHT TRAIN belching over there."

 

And so she did.

 

Little did she know though that the ever reliable CASEY JONES had been replaced for this run by the newly re-instated Pixie who was none too pleased with the demotion. "Geez! I know I said I would TAKE THE "A" TRAIN but I didn't mean the A-hole train! What are ME AND BOBBY MCGEE gonna do now? There's gonna be one mean MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW in PETTICOAT JUNCTION tonight."

 

Yes... Pixie was pissed! She'd planned to be ROLLIN' IN her SWEET BABY'S ARMS in a few hours and now it looked like it could be days. Just then she got the ALL ABOARD sign from the stationmaster. "PEOPLE GET READY!" she snarled as the train pulled out onto THE ATCHESON, TOPEKA AND THE SANTA FE line. "This ain't no PEACE TRAIN!"

 

Kate, blissfully unaware of the potential for impending disaster, opened up her fiddle case and smiled. "Well at least I didn't forget the most important thing. If worse comes to worst, I can always play a tune or sing for my supper. Just HEAR THAT LONESOME WHISTLE BLOW. Music to my ears. Reminds me of that melancholy set of slow airs I heard in Mabou last summer. I think I'll play them here and now to pass the time away."

 

And so she did.

 

But... the walls were thin so the fiddle sound carried and in the car ahead... Pixie was not amused. "Don't tell me we've got STRANGERS ON THE TRAIN again. Probably ONLY A HOBO but that ain't no HOBO'S LULLABYE. I'm not goin' one more mile listenin' to that infernal racket let alone 500 MILES!"

 

Kate was so well ensconced into her SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY that she didn't hear Pixie furiously shrieking GO TO SLEEP YOU WEARY HOBO. But she was soon roused out of her reverie by the sudden screeching of metal on metal as Pixie slammed on the brakes. In a matter of seconds, the boxcar door flew open and Pixie stormed in.

 

With eyes flashing and tongue lashing, Pixie, the TULSA QUEEN, exploded. "That were no ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL, my dear. Where I comes from, they hang folks for less crimes than that! I haven't heard the likes since THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN to the scrapyard. Even a cat being run over by a WAGON WHEEL would be more musical! And with that... Pixie tossed Kate unceremoniously off the train.

 

"But... but... we're in the middle of nowhere. And it's dark. You can't just leave me here."

 

"I can and I will," sneered Pixie. " But just so's you know... I'm not completely heartless. See them lights over  there? That there's the Big Apple. They got lots of folks like you livin' in the underground and makin' what they call (Pixie makes a most unbecoming face) music. I suggest you skeedaddle over there with your own kind."

 

And with that... Pixie stomped off, mounted the engine and in a belching cloud of soot chugged away laughing uproariously while singing TOOT TOOT TOOTSIE GOO' BYE in (almost) perfect time to the horn blasts. "DON'T SLEEP IN THE SUBWAY darlin'. You never know what might come a-creepycrawlin' late at night." Pixie's mood had brightened considerably.

 

The last thing Kate heard as the old train thundered into the distance was Pixie in full throttle... belting out KING OF THE ROAD at the top of her lungs. Kate, in a moment of absolutely unbiased academic reflection declared "Sheesh! And she said my music was nasty :)"

 

                                                 THE END

                                 (in more ways than one I fear :)

 

 

Happy summer guys & dolls and remember... if you choose to stay away from trains you'll never get the BOXCAR BLUES. Too late for Pixie and Kate I'm afraid. By now ... they're likely wishing they'd chosen a theme with a little less... ammunition :)

 

Xo Margo

 

 

WTF! is an artistic outreach program of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society. We meet every second and fourth Friday of the month at CHEBUCTO COFFEE, 6430 Chebucto Road, corner of Chebucto & Kline in Halifax where Mike's extraordinary culinary fare is approaching legendary status. Come early for a bite and stay for the entertainment
which starts around 6:30 and goes until 9:00ish. As always... admission is by free-will donation towards the Society's work.

 

Usual (or unusual) WTF Hosts: Cindy Campbell Stone and Margo Carruthers

  

WTF: It's War!

The War of 1812 was a difficult test for the United States, still wobbly on the world stage nearly two decades after formal independence. That Americans received a passing grade was due in no small part to the exceptional performance of the U.S. Navy which humiliated the legendary British Navy time and time again.

 

That is... until June 1813, off Cape Ann, north of Massachusetts Bay, when a brief but bloody encounter occured between His Britannic Majesty's frigate SHANNON, commanded by Captain Philip Broke, the best captain in the British North American Squadron, and handsome Captain James Lawrence in command of the United States frigate CHESAPEAKE.

 

2012 marked the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 yet the war's legacy for Nova Scotia began in 1813 with the capture of the USS Chesapeake by the HMS Shannon and culminating in the jaw dropping triumphant arrival of the Shannon in Halifax Harbour with the prized Chesapeake in tow.

 

Next Friday, June 14th... throughout the evening... guest hosts Jon Stone and Jay Perry will share stories and songs, both poignant and humourous, from their research into this pivitol event.

 

The overall theme for the evening will be WAR so bring your own relevant songs and stories to share. I have it on good authority that the Americans within our midst... GASP!... yes... some indeed have managed to evade the clutches of the Canada Border Services Agency... your tax dollars not at work yet again... and they plan to remount the War of 1812 next Friday and rewrite history with their own versions of the  the battle between the Shannon and the Chesapeake. We'll see about that! Yankee Doodle Dandy indeed :)

 

Xo Margo

 

WTF! is an artistic outreach program of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society. We meet every second and fourth Friday of the month at CHEBUCTO COFFEE, 6430 Chebucto Road, corner of Chebucto & Kline in Halifax where Mike's extraordinary culinary fare is approaching legendary status. Come early for a bite and stay for the entertainment which starts around 6:30 and goes until 9:00ish. As always... admission is by free-will donation towards the Society's work.

 

Storytellers Circle of Halifax

Two great chances to gather for stories this month!

Thursday, April 12, the Storytellers Circle meets at Just Us! Cafe on Spring Garden, 7:00-8:30 pm. We're moving back upstairs to a smaller, quieter room, where all feel free to participate. We're thinking on the idea of "Did It! Stories of Success". Do come back if you haven't been able to make it for a while, to tell or to listen.

Friday, April 20 - Performance night at Chebucto Coffee, 6430 Chebucto Rd. (at Kline, and North). Come to hear our featured tellers, with some open mike time after break. 7:00-9:00; good food too!
Wère excited about this new friendly venue, and hope to continue this event monthly on the 3rd Friday, so come and help us get started!

Stories Galore!

STORIES GALORE! a new initiative of the Storytellers Circle of Halifax at Chebucto Coffee on the third Friday of every month, starting on April 20, 2012. This will be a performance night, with local or visiting tellers, starting at 7:00 pm until 9:00. Come early, there's limited space and good food, in a quiet, friendly atmosphere.


Chebucto Coffee at 6430 Chebucto Rd., corner of Kline, at the junction with North Street. Easy parking on side streets.

Tea and Tales.

The Storytellers Circle of Halifax presents
A Celebration for World Storytelling Day:

Tea and Tales

Let your imagination take flight as you listen to stories from here, there and everywhere told in the oral tradition and rooted in the world of Trees, this year's international theme.

Saturday, March 31st
2-4pm
Scott Manor House
15 Fort Sackville Drive
Bedford, NS
Admission: $5.00

For more info: Linda Winham at 835-3180 or lwinham88@hotmail.com

World Storytelling Day continues!

Roots and Branches, our special-event, spring equinox storytelling, featuring the International theme of TREES, will take place from 7:00-8:30 pm this Tuesday, March 20, at Just Us! Coffee on Spring Garden Road. Open to the public, we love listeners! Featured tellers are Elinor Benjamin, Cindy Campbell, Nancy Muzzatti, Liz Newkirk, and Linda Winham. Possible open mike if time allows.

Members of the Storytellers Circle of Halifax will offer one more Tales and Tea event at Scott Manor House in Bedford, a lovely historic site, on Saturday March 31, from 2:00-4:00 pm. More details to follow soon.

Please join folks all over the world, telling and hearing stories of trees this week!

Tales and Tea, at Evergreen House in Dartmouth, this past Sunday, was sold out!

Roots and Branches: Stories of Trees

Celebrate World Storytelling Day!
Roots and Branches: Stories of Trees
Presented by the Storytellers Circle of Halifax
Just Us! Café, 5896 Spring Garden Road
Tuesday March 20, 7:00 - 8:30 pm.

Join members of the Storytellers Circle of Halifax
for a relaxing evening of storytelling. Let your imagination
take flight as you listen to tales from here, there,
and everywhere, told in the oral tradition and
rooted in the world of TREES, the 2012 theme for
World Storytelling Day, celebrated world-wide at the Spring Equinox.

Featured tellers are Elinor Benjamin, Cindy Campbell, Nancy Muzzatti,
Liz Newkirk, and Linda Winham. Followed by open mike if time allows.

Good-will donation will go to the StorySave program of
Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada.

Contact: Linda Winham lwinham88@hotmail.com

South Shore Storytellers Celebrate World Storytelling Day

Celebrating 2012 World Storytelling Days
with
The South shore Tellers

March 17th at 2pm
Aspotagan heritage Centre - free admission
(with light snack & refreshments)

March 18th at 2pm
South Shore Waldorf School in Blockhouse
Benefit concert - $15 each or &25 for two
( Stories followed by tea with scones & cream)

March 20th at 7pm
Chester Playhouse - free admission
( with cash bar & light snack)

For further information call 902-640-2113 or 902-527-2241

South Shore Tellers in Mahone Bay!

The Southshore Tellers will be telling winter stories at the Biscuit Eater
in Mahone Bay on January 19th at 6:30 p.m.

Come join us for a cup of coffee,a sweet and good stories on a winter's
night.
An even sweeter deal: tonight the stories are free for listening!

For more information, contact, Clara Dugas at 1-902-527-2241.

Tales For A Winter Night!

TALES FOR A WINTER NIGHT:
Our all-time favourites !

by the

Storytellers Circle of Halifax

Thursday, January 12, 2012 7-8:30 pm

Just Us! Cafe
5896 Spring Garden Road, corner of Carleton
www.justuscoffee.com

Over the years, our winter storytellings have
brought forth stirring tales from many traditions:
stories of the dark and cold, the return of the light;
stories of fortitude and survival in harsh conditions;
stories to warm cold hearts.

Perhaps you have a story to share,
or come just to listen and wonder.

Always open to the public. Resolve to
exercise your imagination in 2012!

Anytime after 6:30; stories start at 7:00.

Contact: Linda Winham
lwinham88@hotmail.com
storytellingnovascotia.blogspot.com

Gifts Mundane and Momentous

The Storytellers Circle of Halifax presents

GIFTS MUNDANE AND MOMENTOUS

Stories of things given and received,
tangible and intangible

Thursday, December 8, 7-8:30 pm

Upstairs at Just Us! Cafe
5896 Spring Garden Road, corner of Carleton
www.justuscoffee.com

What is the greatest, or least, gift you have received?
Have you, with the best of intentions, given something that turned out ALL WRONG?
What stories do you know of gifts, real or magical,that come with unexpected obligations or consequences?
Come and hear our stories of giving and receiving, of memorable holiday gifts, or unsolicited gifts of kindness.

Feel free to offer your own story, personal or traditional,or come just to listen and remember.

Always open to the public, to tell or to listen.

Anytime after 6:30; stories start at 7:00.

Contact: Linda Winham
lwinham88@hotmail.com
storytellingnovascotia.blogspot.com

The Storytellers Circle:
Where listeners relax while the tellers are bold
When tales are not read, just wondrously told.

WTF: What The Folk! celebrates WOMEN & GIRLS!!

The Helen Creighton Folklore Society Presents:
 
WTF: What The Folk! celebrates WOMEN & GIRLS!!
folksongs . folktales . folkcraft . folklore

Friday, November 25th
6:30pm Gathering and grabba cuppa
7:00 - 8:30pm – Performances
Just Us Cafe, 5896 Spring Garden Road
 
Our theme this week is
GIRLS & WOMEN!!


“ WHERE HAVE ALLTHE COWBOYS GONE?” It was Race Day and Paula was puzzled. Tracy revved the engine of her FAST CAR and waited BEHIND THE WALL for the others to show up. “Those boys are just playin’ FOOLISH GAMES tryin’ to make us lose our edge,” moaned Jewel.

“YOU OUGHTA KNOW,” smirked Alanis who secretly believed every one of them but her was a BARBIE GIRL. “What we need is a little R.E.S.P.E.C.T starting right here, right now,” roared Aretha. “She’s such a GOOD MOTHER,” stated Jann ardently.

As if on cue, the boys arrived pushing their car. “Sorry. Engine trouble.”
“I’M GONNA BE AN ENGINEER,” announced Peggy proudly. “I’ll take a look inside.” She made a few quick adjustments and the car was ready.

The boys peeled off. The girls erupted in a fit of giggles as Peggy described her mechanical prowess. ”CRAZY ON YOU!“ squealed Ann.

Way down the road THE CAR WITH NO BRAKES was nearing the creek as the now hysterical girls launched into a robust rendition of I’M GONNA WASH THAT MAN because as everyone knows… GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN J
 

Format: Open mike unplugged. Cost: free will donation 
If you are free on Friday, please join us. Tell your friends and family. 
The space is cozy, the coffee is great and the fun is contagious!
 
Yours in folk,
Host/co-ordinators: Margo Carruthers 425-3828, Cindy Campbell 466-0157
 
WTF: What the Folk! meets, same time and place , every second and fourth Friday of the month.

Telling Tales Once Again!

The Storytellers Circle of Halifax and Friends will be telling tales again at Just Us Cafe on Spring Garden Road in Halifax.
6:30 grabba cuppa, 7pm stories start.
Thursday, November 10th!

All welcome!

The Storytellers Circle of Halifax meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month.
Continuing the Oral Tradition of Storytelling and celebrating this ancient art form in the 21st century.

Ghostly Gala Reviewed

Fires popped and distant screams cut through the darkness as storytellers bowed over their gas-lit lanterns on Wednesday night. The annual Ghostly Gala at the Cole Harbor Heritage Farm Museum beckons one and all to hear the Storytellers Circle of Halifax tell ghoulish tales. The event, which has taken place on the farm for more than five years, was followed by hot chocolate and cookies in the museum’s Rose and Kettle Tea Room.

Stories took place in three different 20-minute stations, leaving spectators to venture through the old empty farm grounds to arrive at their destinations. The farm consists of a blacksmith’s hut, a barn, and an old farmhouse from Cole Harbor, which was transferred to the site in the 1970’s. According to the museum’s director, the farm still operates vegetable gardens and livestock from May until October.

An old barn door crashes open with the breeze as Cindy Campbell draws her cape tighter around her neck and continues her frightening tale. Campbell, who is the president of Storytellers of Canada, has been a professional storyteller for more than ten years.

“They make me happy, it’s a shared experience,” Campbell said over hot chocolate.“The nicest thing about hearing and telling stories is it’s never the same thing twice.”

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Campbell’s love of stories began at a very young age with her interest in stories of her family history and community.

“I would sit in the corner of the kitchen and listen to the grown-ups talk; I just absorbed the stories,” Campbell said.

Lately, Campbell has been noticing the tradition of oral storytelling is losing the recognition it once had as an art form, and the industry is becoming less acknowledged in the public eye.

“I wonder if we’re missing out on the power of the storytelling,” she says.

Nancy Muzzatti, who loves to tell any type of story, says that her spooky repertoire is a combination of collected and real-life stories. As a member of the Storytellers Circle of Halifax, she says that the group holds monthly meetings at the Just Us Café on Spring Garden Road.

“They’re usually very good about it, they let us take over the whole space,” Muzzatti said.

Cindy Campbell’s blog is titled Story Telling Nova Scotia and informs readers all about the storytelling events going on in the area.

Hannah Witherbee
King's Journalism
Dalhousie University

MYSTERIOUS AND GHOSTLY TALES

MYSTERIOUS AND GHOSTLY TALES

Come join Storyteller Joanna Jarvis for an evening of stories at the Weymouth Waterfront Library on OCTOBER 30 at 7:00 p.m.
Drum maker/Drummer Pat Jarvis will also join Joanna on his drums for some of the stories.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US!
(There will be a free-will offering)

Storytellers Circle of Halifax presents:

PERCEPTIONS

Stories of things seen and sensed

Thursday, October 13, 7- 8:30 pm

Just Us! Café
5896 Spring Garden Road, corner of Carleton
www.justuscoffee.com

Perceive, v.t. & i, to experience through the senses,
to understand with the mind

Sometimes we perceive things clearly, although
our perceptions may be different than others’.

And what about those things which are at the
borderline of the senses, barely perceptible,
leading us to question what we experience….
like… visions… ghosts… ?

If you haven’t yet discovered the pure
enjoyment and relaxation of an evening
of storytelling, come give it a tryl

We welcome new tellers and delight in
new listeners, for there must be ears to hear.

Anytime after 6:30; stories start at 7:00.

Contact:
Linda Winham lwinham88@hotmail.com
Cindy Campbell storysong@ns.sympatico.ca

Storytellers Circle of Halifax

Celebrating the art of oral storytelling, the Storytellers Circle of Halifax meets the second Thursday of the Month at Just Us Cafe on Spring Garden Road, Halifax.

Thursday, June 9, 2011
6:30 grabba cuppa
7pm stories start!

Bring friends, family, spouses, partners, neighbours.
Come tell a tale or listen along....much better than sittin' in front of a T.V. or pullin' weeds!

The Storytellers Circle of Halifax is a proud member of Storytellers of Canada - Conteurs du Canada.
Listen Up and be Amazed: That's the Art of Storytelling!

Storytellers Circle of Halifax

Celebrating the art of oral storytelling, the Storytellers Circle of Halifax meets the second Thursday of the Month at Just Us Cafe on Spring Garden Road, Halifax.

Thursday, June 9, 2011
6:30 grabba cuppa
7pm stories start!

Bring friends, family, spouses, partners, neighbours.
Come tell a tale or listen along....much better than sittin' in front of a T.V. or pullin' weeds!

The Storytellers Circle of Halifax is a proud member of Storytellers of Canada - Conteurs du Canada.
Listen Up and be Amazed: That's the Art of Storytelling!

Wanted! Storyteller In Residence

At the Cape Breton Regional Library, we understand and appreciate the importance of stories to the Island community and to residents of all generations. In recognition of this rich oral tradition, the Cape Breton Regional Library Board has established a Storyteller-in-Residence program.

The term for the Storyteller-in-Residence shall be two years. The Storyteller-in-Residence will receive an honorarium for events plus approved mileage. A Storyteller-in-Residence Committee will be responsible for reviewing the applications, interviewing and recommending the candidate. Apply now to share your stories and craft and be the first ever Cape Breton Regional Library Storyteller-in-Residence.