The Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Scotland's National International Festival
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival takes on a truly Scottish identity this year, with a new regional strand of events taking place at key arts venues across the country.
The ‘Festival on Tour' programme sees international guests from New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada and the Caribbean travelling far and wide from the Festival's Edinburgh-hub to deliver first-class performances and interactive workshops in Dundee, Stirling, Oban, Clashmore, Ullapool, Rothesay, Thurso, Glasgow, New Galloway and Insch. Events are coordinated by regional storytelling groups in partnership with support from the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
One of this year's regional partners, Glasgow Storytellers, led by Glasgow Storytelling Development Officer, Rachel Smillie, will be welcoming Cherokee storyteller Gayle Ross to a triple-bill of events at Universal Bar, St Mungo's Museum, and One Place Storytelling Workshop in Govan:
"Being part of the SISF is really important for Glasgow Storytellers. We feel part of what is truly a Scottish Festival. It's marvellous to have the wonderful Gayle Ross tell at three very different events - great for Glasgow and great for Glasgow Storytellers." Rachel Smillie
Other visiting guests include Joseph Naytowhow, a Cree First Nation storyteller from Canada, Anne E Stewart from Australia and Jerry Harmon from Appalachia - all heading north to take part in the Highland Homecoming festival. Maori actor Rangimoana Taylor goes south to the Dumfries and Galloway storytellers for a night of story, music and revelry at the CatStrand; Aboriginal Australian storyteller and comedian Sean Choolburra is hosted by the Blether Tay-Gither group in Dundee; Scots-Canadian storyteller Norma Cameron makes her way to Archaeolink in Insch for a special Grampian Association of Storytellers (GAS) Halloween event; and Jamaican teller, Amina Blackwood Meeks, and Gayle Ross from USA, go west to Oban and Rothesay in a special collaboration with Argyll and Bute Council's Arts Development team.
This ambitious new programme strand builds on 2008 events in Argyll and Bute and Glasgow and is a real chance for Scotland-wide participation. ‘Festival on Tour' not only allows regional storytelling groups to nurture their local networks and attract new audiences, but gives communities all over the country the chance to take part in the annual celebration of Scottish storytelling traditions and cultural exchange.
A key component of Festival on Tour, and an unmissable date in the community storytelling diary is Tell-a-Story Day on Friday 30th October. Now in its 6th year, the national campaign for DIY storytelling, led by the Scottish Storytelling Centre, provides opportunities for people of all ages and walks of life to roll up their sleeves and share stories - real or imagined - with their friends, family and colleagues.
Last year over 6,000 people across Scotland took part in Tell-a-Story event with the Centre, and stories - tall and short - were told from Aberdeenshire to Angus, Argyll to Ayrshire.
Participating groups and individuals are supported by high-quality downloadable storytelling and storymaking resources, including colourful posters and stickers specially commissioned for Tell-a-Story Day (not to mention limitless amounts of help and advice from the Storytelling Centre's Festival team).
Ends
For further information, images or to arrange interviews contact:
Lindsay Corr lindsay@scottishstorytellingcentre.com or 0131 652 3272
Caroline Budge caroline@scottishstorytellingcentre.com or 0131 652 3272
Listings for ‘Festival on Tour' events
Blether Tay-Gither (Dundee)
Debbie Maxwell, tel: 0788 401 8724, email: d.maxwell@dundee.ac.uk
24 October, 10am-1pm
Deadly Doublespeak
University of Dundee Botanic Garden
A fun, interactive workshop exploring language and meaning in the aboriginal Australian storytelling tradition. Join dynamic cultural ambassador Sean Choolburra to experience first-hand his use of language in story, then practice applying some of his techniques to your own stories, and share the fruits of your work with the group.
£8/£6
30 October, 7pm (2hrs 30mins)
Scotland-Australia Ceilidh
University of Dundee Chaplaincy Centre
A vibrant and energetic evening of story, song and dance with aboriginal Australian storyteller Sean Choolburra and members of local storytelling group, Blether Tay-Gither.
£5/£3
Highland Homecoming
Joan Michael, tel: 07754 835935, email: joanmichael@lochbroom.freeserve.co.uk
27 October, 7.30pm (90mins)
Jack Tales and Bluegrass
Carnegie Hall, Clashmore
Jerry Harmon's great great grandfather Council Harmon emigrated to America in the early 1800's, taking the Jack Tales with him. These stories, combined with the musical influences of Irish, Scottish and English settlers, created a unique Southern Appalachian Mountain heritage. Join Jerry Harmon, a true mountain man, for a unique opportunity to hear some of the finest stories and songs of the Scottish-Appalachian tradition. Part of Highland Homecoming.
£6/£5
28 October, 7.30pm (80mins)
An Australian Heart and a Scottish Soul
Ullapool Museum
Anne E Stewart comes to the Highlands to enchant with tales of the Scots in Australia, from the Ghost of St Kilda Beach to Barak, the last of the Wurrundjeri people with Annie Bon, feisty Scots woman, his great champion. Explore Australia's people, places, flora and fauna and experience Anne's unique take on Scottish folktales, myths and legends. Part of Highland Homecoming.
£4/£3
29 October, 7pm (90mins)
Canada and Scotland
Caithness Horizons, Thurso
Joseph Naytowhow is a Cree singer, songwriter and storyteller from the Sturgeon Lake First Nation Band in Saskatchewan. Experience his own hybrid style of Cree/English storytelling, combined with traditional First Nations drumming and song, in this special evening event celebrating Scottish-Canadian culture and connections. Part of Highland Homecoming.
£4/£3
Argyll & Bute Council
Eileen Rae, tel: 01700 501359, email: Eileen.Rae@argyll-bute.gov.uk
27 October, 7pm (75mins)
The Spirit of Ananse
Oban Library
Based in Kilancholly in St. Mary on Jamaica's north coast, cultural icon and leading storyteller Amina Blackwood-Meeks brings a flavour of her unique culture to our own 'Little Bay'. Scotland has played an important part in Jamaican history, illustrated not least in its place names. Delve into a rich tapestry of folklore, language, people and politics in a evening of story and laughter.
Free but booking essential
28 October, 7pm (75mins)
From the Highlands to the Smokies: the Scots-Cherokee Connection
Rothesay Library
Join Cherokee storyteller Gayle Ross for an evening of stories and histories of the Cherokee Nation and the first Scots-Cherokee families.
Free but booking essential
Glasgow Storytellers
Rachel Smillie, tel: 07854 388 226, email: rachel@glasgowstorytellers.org.uk
29 October, 7.30pm (90mins)
Cherokee Tales
Universal Bar, Glasgow
A unique opportunity to hear stories and songs of the Native American culture from special guest storyteller Gayle Ross, hosted by Glasgow Storytellers.
Adults and over 12s (children must be accompanied)
£5/£3
31 October, 11.30am (60mins)
To This Day: Cherokee Stories
St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life and Art, Glasgow
Traditional stories illuminated and enlightened Cherokee people about the world they saw around them and their place in it. Join Cherokee storyteller Gayle Ross on a journey through the ancient world of Cherokee folklore.
Adults and over 6s
Free. No booking required, first come first served
Dumfries & Galloway
John Wheeler, tel: 01644 440 209, email: jwstoryteller@googlemail
29 October, 7.30pm (2hrs)
Storytelling Ceilidh
The CatStrand, New Galloway
Hosted by John Wheeler with special guest Rangimoana Taylor from Aotearoa/New Zealand. Rangimoana is a leader of the Maori theatrical renaissance whose wide experience in the performing arts guarantees a fabulous evening at The CatStrand.
Free but ticketed
GAS (Grampian Association of Storytellers)
Anna Fancett, tel: 07841 715 447, email: gas_story@hotmail.com
30 October, 7.15pm (2hrs)
Hallowe'en First Friday Fling
Archaeolink Prehistory Park
A night to experience Halloween stories from across the seas and share some of your own. Featuring special guest Norma Cameron from Canada, alongside storytellers from the Grampian Association of Storytellers.
Adults and over 12s
£5
Notes:
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival runs from Friday 23rd October until Sunday 1st November 2009. Tickets are on sale now from the Scottish Storytelling Centre's box office (0131 556 9579 or 0131 473 2000) and partner venues.
A full programme is available online at www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk or from the Scottish Storytelling Centre. online bookings for events at the Centre can be made through hubtickets.co.uk.
Festival partners
Scottish Storytelling Centre partners for this year's Festival are Argyll & Bute Council; Blether Tay-Gither; The CatStrand; City of Edinburgh Council; City of Edinburgh Museums and Galleries; Edinburgh World Heritage; Filmhouse; Forestry Commission Scotland; Gladstone's Land & The National Trust for Scotland; Glasgow Culture & Sport; Glasgow Storytellers; Grampian Association of Storytellers; Highland Homecoming; National Museum of Scotland; New Zealand Society Scotland; Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland; University of Edinburgh School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures; Scottish Poetry Library; Scottish Seabird Centre and Stirling Council.
