ABOUT AS COOL AS IT GETS!

From this year's StoryFest in March, Pia Klaar and Dubhna Rhiadra have created this marvelous video it the story being performed in Second Life, and the real performer at her home.  It's a phenonmenal example of what some of us do, and are committed to in the use of virtual worlds to enhance, expand and augment the ways in which stories can be transmitted.

Take a look!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Another amazing celebration of stories is over, and again we show how seemingly simple virtual activity has real world impact.  StoryFest 2014 benefits War Child North America. Thank you everyone: Storytellers, Guests, Hosts!  Great day, fun times, fabulous stories!

GOT PHOTOS OF THE EVENT?

Here's a great one of Shandon Loring telling a great surfing tale, all dressed in his trunks!

STORYFEST IS HERE!

Stories are an important part of who we are as human beings.  It doesn't matter whether it is a "the one that got away" tale shared over a pint, or a masterwork of literature designed to make you contemplate large life issues.  Stories help us express ourselves, and make sense of our world.  In stories, we can arrange the details so that the chaotic physical and emotional experiences of life make sense.  Stories are powerful.

Welcome to StoryFest 2014, the fourth annual gathering of great stories and presenters coming together to present six hours of adventure!  StoryFest 2014 is free, with donations going to benefit War Child North America, and is presented in a partnership between Branwen Arts, Stories Unlimited! and Seanchai Library.

Join us at the Story Circle at Bran  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bran/74/135/25

All Times SLT ~ Schedule subject to change without notice, sometimes even to those organizing!

11:00am - Dubhna Rhiadra

Dubhna Rhiadra, intinerate elven storyteller and author, is known for her relaxed, soulful style and an effortlessness scholarship in her original works.  Today she shares some tales of her own, created especially for today's celebration.  Sit back and enjoy!

11:30am - Shandon Loring

Shandon Loring is the Chief Storyteller at SL's Seanchai Library, as well as a narrator of audio books available through Audible. In honor of World Storytelling Day 2014 theme Monsters and Dragons, Shandon presents true life monsters of the sea… "To deliberately place oneself in a maelstrom seems reckless, yet Big Wave riders rush to the raging lineup as if to a tryst. From the very first moment the big wave surfers are driven underwater by a breaking wave, they begin to die..."

Noon - Crap Mariner

Long ago, he swore an oath to write a 100 word story every day until the day he died. He's not dead yet. Always unpredictable and irreverent, no subject is too sacred, no cow too holy for Crap not to pull it out, examine it, and bang it on the table a few times before putting it back where he found it - albeit slightly crumpled.  He's a man with a mission!  http://oneadayuntilthedayidie.com/  

12:30pm - Lycanthia Wolfhunter

Always the student and seeker of wisdom, Lycanthia plans to share some Sufi and Buddhist teaching stories, a departure from what we typically hear from Lyca. What you learn or take away from these tales is up to you. Mostly though, she hopes they will bring a smile to your face.

*Break*

1:30pm - Luna Branwen

SL poet Luna can most frequently be found at Circe's New Poet's Sanctuary, DNA Art and Music Fusion, and also at Sounds of Poems on Cookie. She has also appeared at CeSoir, Book Island, and reads at open mics weekly. She reads at Bhelanna's Cold Shot Play group, and at the Baha'i Society of SL.  Recently she has put together a selection of original poems written for, about, or inspired by Second Life.  She will share a selection of these works with the StoryFest audience today.

2:00pm - Corwyn Allen

Corwyn Allen has been involved with spoken and written word events since 2007 and has appeared at Seanchai Library and past StoryFest events. He is a published poet in RL, and he is also currently the Managing Director of Avatar Repertory Theater. Hewill be reading Irish stories from those collected (but not written by W. B. Yeats. They are Seanchan the Bard and the King of the Cats by Lady Wilde, the poem The Fairies by William Allingham, Frank Martin and The Fairies by William Carleton, and The Legend of O'Donoghue by T. Crofton Croker.

2:30pm - Caledonia Skytower

Caledonia has shared over 500 hours of good stories and great literature on the SL grid since 2008.  In addition to being the Library Lead at Seanchai Library, and the owner of Stories Unlimited!, she is also a company member of Avatar Repertory Theater and a self-published author in RL.  Today she gives a nod to the 2014 World Storytelling Day theme of "Monsters and Dragons" with a selection from Cressida Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon.

3:00pm - BigRed Coyote

BigRed shares Ernest Thompson Seton's Banertails fight with the Black Demon: In the nut forests of America, practically every tree was planted by the Graysquirrel, or its kin. "Do not drink at the pond" is a Squirrel maxim, for in it lurks the fearful Snapping Turtle and the grinning Pike. Its banks are muddy, too, and the water warm. It is better to drink from some low log, along the brook itself. And do not drink in the blinding sunlight, which makes it hard to see if danger is near; then, too, it is that the Blacksnake crawls out to seek some basking place in the hottest sun.This is the story of a young squirrel who did not heed the warning of it parents and the events that followed

3:30pm - Kaikilani

Native Hawaiian Lani shares stories rich in the traditions and heritage of her native land and people.  Today (March 23rd) is her sister's birthday, and she celebrates it by presenting some famous  Hawaiian legends about sisters ... and if there is time, an extra story or two. Aloha!

4:00pm - Singh Albatros

Singh shares a selection from his verse novel in progress - Foreign Madam and the White Yogi: a getting of wisdom love story that travels from India and Australia and back via  Singapore, Detroit, Chichester (England) and Paris.  The bulk of story is however set in India and is itself an epic journey into contemporary India society and culture that also references the The Mahabharata, the longest poem in the world.  Singh's extensive background in music and theater are reflected in the unique soundscapes he creates to accompany the reading of his work. Don't miss this treat!

COMING SUNDAY - March 23rd!

Another year of a great collection of stories and presenters coming together to present six hours of great adventures!  StoryFest 2014 is free, with donations going to benefit War Child North America, and is presented in a partnership between Branwen Arts, Stories Unlimited! and Seanchai Library.

Here are some of the tellers of tales you will hear, beginning at 11am SLT on Sunday:


All Times SLT ~ Schedule subject to change without notice, sometimes even to those organizing!

11:00am - Dubhna Rhiadra
11:30am - Shandon Loring
Noon - Crap Mariner
12:30pm - Lycanthia Wolfhunter

*break*

1:30pm - Luna Branwen
2:00pm - Corwyn Allen
2:30pm - Caledonia Skytower
3:00pm - BigRed Coyote
3:30pm - Kaikilani
4:00pm - Singh Albatros


Check back for more information on schedule and stories as we get closer to Sunday.

Call for Performers - STORYFEST '14

HOT DIGGETY!  Welcome to the fourth annual StoryFest Celebration. Who would have ever thought that we would have made it to FOUR?  This was the StoryFest Event that started them all!

WHAT IS IT?

"StoryFest" is a partnership between the Branwen Arts Coop, Seanchai Library, and the Stories Unlimited!, Produced by StoryFest Events.  Our goal is to present a day of stories presented in a variety of live performance forms:  Traditional Telling, Literature, Theatre, Dance etc. 

WHEN & WHERE?

Sunday, March 23rd at “Here Be Pictsies!” in Bran - 10am to 5pm. 

Presentation slots will be available in 30 minute increments with a very few 60 minute slots potentially available.  Multiple performers can share a single slot (please specify which when waving your hand at us and saying "Me! Me please!")

WHO IS INVITED TO PRESENT?

Anyone who is currently presenting stories in Second Life in any manner that is a live performance.  Presentations should fit within 30 minute slots, and be presentable in live Voice.  Some limited performance slots for more elaborate, or longer presentations are possible.  No stream will be available for individual performers. 

INTERESTED? . . . PERFORMERS AND VOLUNTEER HOSTS NEEDED

Contact Caledonia Skytower or Dubhna Rhiadra via notecard by the end of the virtual day on March 12th.  Please be sure to include the length of slot you are interested in, some reference to what and where you currently present on the grid, what you intend to present at StoryFest, and any technical needs you might hope for (prims needed etc.). PLEASE NOTE AGAIN: No Stream will be available for individual presenters.

The StoryFest performances will be confirmed by March 18th, and a schedule published at that time.

The organizers reserve the right to review the performers submitting and accept those performances & performers that they feel best fit the goals of the festival.

NOTE: World Storytelling Day, which celebrates Traditionally Told Tales, will be the previous week on March 20th around the world, with this year's theme of "Monsters and Dragons."  Performers are welcome to present at StoryFest from that theme, but should not be limited by that. Questions?  See Dubhna or Cale.  Notecards are best, as we both often get messages capped cause we are just friendly folk!