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!

BOOFest 2013 - Sunday, October 27th beginning at 10am SLT

More fun, more stories!  Make yourself a warm cuppa, and put on your comfiest sweater to join us around the blazing autumn fire for eight hours of great stories ...

10AM - ASIAN GHOST STORIES with Lycanthia Wolfhunter
Always macabre and challenging, Lyca brings dry British humor, wit, and the questing mind of an eternal student to all her stories.  Her speciality?  Tales of horror with a righteous sense of justice. See what Lyca has for us this time?

11AM - BHELANNA BLAZE
Bhelanna is a Playwright, fiction writer, Voice Actor, Director, Dramturge, and founder of the Founder of Cold Shot Play Readers and Cold Shot Flash & Dash for Writers.  Additionally, she is author of "A State of Affairs and Imaginings", available as a Kindle eBook, on Amazon.com.  http://preview.tinyurl.com/lmrmqpl
Today she shares two stories: SUNBIRD By Neil Gaiman, and THE WITCH DOOR by Ray Bradbury.

11:30AM - CLASSIC TALES with Kayden Oconnell
Dubbed by Crap Mariner as "The Voice" this talented Actor, Director, and Writer shares two classic stories of suspense: Nathaniel Hawthorne's THE MINISTERS BLACK VEIL, and Edith Nesbit's JOHN CHARRINGTON'S WEDDING.





  
NOON - Mavromichali Szondi (Unconfirmed)

12:30PM - HALLOW'S EVE: A HALLOWEEN FAIRY TALE with Dubhna Rhiadra
Dubhna shares this wonderful tale by author Sarah Diemer. Laluna is a reluctant witch.  Her dream is to open a cupcakery, but her beloved grandmother has just willed her the family magic shop, and she’s determined to do her proud.  On her very first day in charge, the young witch’s generous nature leads her to make a big mistake, and setting it right may cost her everything.

1:30PM - TALES OF LORD DUNSANY with Corwyn Allen
Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany (24 July 1878 – 25 October 1957) was an Irish writer and dramatist, notable for his work, mostly in fantasy, published under the name Lord Dunsany. More than eighty books of his work were published, and his oeuvre includes many hundreds of published short stories, as well as successful plays, novels and essays. Corwyn shares selections from his works in the spirit of the season.

2:30PM - SPOOKINESS, 100W AT A TIME  with Crap Mariner
If we've said it once, we've said it whole bunches of times, and we REALLY mean it!  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/  

3:00PM - ORIGINAL SPOOKY STORIES with Fred Frostbite
Freda (aka Stephanie Mesler) will be performing, THIS ONES FOR THE GIPPER  a new spooky story and A DIVA SCORNED which premiered at the very first BooFest.  Maybe a Halloween poem or two if there is time.Check out her fresh new website at http://www.apoetsprogress.com

4:00PM - HER OWN WORDS with Caledonia Skytower
Caledonia (aka Author Judith Cullen) presents her own words, but actually, that is the title of her most recent short story as well.  Have you ever been haunted by your own words after the fact?  What if you were haunted by them, literally?  HER OWN WORDS was written as a haunting tale for several online ghost story contests this month, one of which is reader voted!  Click Here for more about that and to visit her site.

4:30PM - THE TELL TALE HEART with Caledonia Skytower & MadameThespian Underhill
We wrap up our day of spookable story-ness with a classic from the Master of Macabre himself!  For what would October be without something from Edgar Allan Poe?  These ladies add an unsettling twist to the tale, whose original narrative voice is a man - are they mad?  You be the judge.












http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bran/78/141/24

All presentations live in voice.  BOOFest is free to all SL residents.  Donations accepted to benefit War Child North America  

STORYFEST 2013 ~ Sunday, March 24th ~ 9am to 5pm SLT

We gather together for our third year of celebrating the power of stories of all kinds to excite, reflect, and express our everyday lives.  Stories help us feel connect and unique all at the same time.  They can provide both the questions you want, and the answers you seek.  At their very core, the delight and inspire.

Join us beginning at 9am at Bran's Story Circle, for non-stop stories (nearly) for eight glorious hours.  There's a mushroom or a rustic bench waiting for you!  See the schedule below - All times SLT, and all but one session will be held at the StoryCircle.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bran/78/141/24

This StoryFest benefits War Child North America, and is produced in partnership between Stories Unlimited! and Branwen Arts

ALL Presentations are Live in Voice, unless otherwise noted.
 

9:00am - Lycanthia Wolfhunter 

Original Works
 Once you have heard one of Lycanthia Wolfhunter’s original stories, you never quite forget it.  They are gruesome, sensual, and posses a righteous sense of justice that is delightfully unique. Today she will be presenting mixture of Gothic, humorous, and slightly off the wall erotica.  Please be prepared for potentially Adult Content.

10:00am - Dubhna Rhiadra & Caledonia Skytower 

Granny Weatherwax ~ Equal Rites
Terry Pratchett's Discword is soaked in magic- but even with magic there are rules. The most fundamental rule is that women can’t be wizards. They can be witches, but that’s different. When a dying wizard seeks out what he thinks is the birth of an eighth son of an eighth son to pass on his wizard’s staff, this rule is broken, and his staff passes to a girl, Eskarina. Granny Weatherwax has the job of helping her find her way in the world of magic.

 

 11:00am - Em Jannings 

 James Joyce's Araby &  Ernest Hemingway's Soldier's Home
Joyce's Araby, written in 1914, immerses the the reader  in the drab life that people live on North Richmond Street, which seems to be illuminated only by the verve and imagination of the children.  Even though the conditions of this neighborhood leave much to be desired, the children’s play is infused with their almost magical way of perceiving the world 

In Soldier's Home, Hemingway explores the experience of one veteran of WWI, returning to his Kansas home and trying to express himself to his friends and neighbors who are not of a mind to listen - even to the truth.

11:30am - Crap Mariner 

100W Stories - Original works by 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/   

Noon - Gyro Muggins

My Object All Sublime by Poul Anderson (as published in 1961 in Galaxy Magazine) 

Gyro once again brings us another gem from his vast collection of superb classic Science Fiction: One quiet night, two businessmen discuss crime and punishment, as it might have already occurred in some very far future.

 

**30 Minute BREAK** 

1:00pm - ACCEPT by Independent Ballet

In ACCEPT, four young women struggle with their sense of self and their place in the world around them.  They are united by one thing - their love of dance.  ACCEPT follows the journey of these young ladies as they are each uniquely challenged, and as they come together. They learn lessons of tolerance, compassion, and empathy as they come of age as dancers, and as women.


In the Branwen Arts Center Theater - Music and Story on Stream
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bran/251/246/3022

Learn more about SL's Independent Ballet

2:00pm - Lani/Kaikalani 

Island Tales with Lani 
Lani (Kaikilani) is a native Hawaiian Writer and Storyteller and was among the very first live presenter of stories in Second Life in her first avi, Lehua Lamington in 2005. She will present stories/chant/poetry which will include her native legends, and stories written by others and herself. Her rich voice adds depth and vibrancy to tales rich in her culture's heritage and traditions.  She has traveled widely, bringing Story to many countries. There is always something new to discover with one of Lani's stories ... they find their way to your soul.

 

3:00pm - Freda Frostbite 

Selection from an original work in progress:  Adventures of a Fat Lady Who Sings


Freda Frostbite is Stephanie Mesler in The solid world.  A life long person of size, she will read from her work in progress: Adventures of a Fat Lady Who Sings.   Ms. Mesler has no clue what this work will turn out to be, but the stories here have demanded to be told.  What can an author do but heed the inner voice?  

 

 3:30pm - BigRed Coyote 

St Lucy's School for Girls Raised by Wolves
From a collection of short stories by author Karen Russell,  we are introduced to the ghostly and magical world of the Florida Everglades.  Here wolf-like girls are reformed nuns, a family makes their living wrestling alligators in a theme park, and little girls sail away on crab shells.

Big Red presents the title story: The story of one class of wolf girls sent  by their parents to a school run by nuns.

4:00pm - Singh Albatros 

Selected Original Works
Join Singh for a feast of his best recent short short international fiction from Britain, America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Some titles include:  The Upside Down Cartographer, Tea Cup, Loving the Mustard Goddess, The Boy Who Would be Bird, Welcome to Geekosity, Dinner Party Wars, Wordscape with Ganja, Letters to the Emperor, Heard it Through the Pumpkinvine, Singing the Black Dog, followed by The Nutmeg Saga, the poetic narrative of a lost Javanese king who returns to tell his story. Singh reads, sings, plays music and adds effects to lend more ambience to each unique tale.

BOOFest! Sunday, October 21st

Over a dozen voices performing spookable tales of the season around the blazing fire at Bran NON-STOP at BOOFest! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bran/78/141/24

This year's BOOFest benefits War Child North America, and is produced in partnership between Stories Unlimited! and Branwen Arts

~~ 9:30am – Introduction & Welcome – Hosts Dubhna Rhiadra & Caledonia Skytower

~~ 9:45am –  REAPER MAN by Terry Pratchett

 A Selection from Terry Pratchett’s grim and delightful novel.  Death has been told he has lost his job, because he has been showing disturbing indications of individuality. The Auditors, who appear as grey floating faceless figures, have therefore appealed to Azrael himself to banish Death and allow a new Death to take his place, who will emerge after a period of … readjustment. Death then becomes subject to his own death, he is given a lifespan, in the form of a timer, to live out as he sees fit. He and his horse, Binky, must come to live as mortals in the world.  Presented by Caledonia Skytower and Dubhna Rhiadra.

~~ 11:00am: THE WATER GHOST OF HARROWBY HALL by John Kendricks Bang

A classic ghost story from the past which can still raise a smile at that perpetual battle between the sexes -  even from beyond the grave. Relax and listen to this short charming and unusual tale of one man’s attempts to relieve his family of the legacy of a watery annual visitor, and said visitor’s tenacity at not being dismissed.  Presented by Queen Bluestar.

~~ 11:30am: THE MONKEY’S PAW by W. W. Jacobs

Kayden Oconnell presented this bit of early 20^th Century classic horror.  The story is based on the famous "setup" in which three wishes are granted. In the story, the paw of a dead monkey is a talisman that grants its possessor three wishes, but the wishes come with an enormous price for interfering with fate.

~~ Noon: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE FREAKY IN 100 WORDS

The Prim Reaper Returns!  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.  Long ago, he swore an oath to write a 100 word story every day until the day he died. He's not dead yet.  And no, he NEVER has opinions! http://firstlife.isfullofcrap.com/  (photo of Crap as "The Prim Reaper" by Bear Silvershade)

~~ 12:30pm: NIGHTMARES with Hakeber Haber

Have you ever wondered what nightmares are made of? Listen to Hakeber Haber's tales of horror and find out. Don't worry, nightmares can't hurt you, right? Featuring three of her original works:  Nighty Night, Yes, Master and Memory of the Sun.

~~ 1:30pm: THE CASE OF LADY SANNOX by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

In this tale, Conan Doyle pits the reputation and intelligence of a medical man, trained in clinical discourse and behavior, against his all-too-human failings: lust, greed, even curiosity (recalling the "curious cases" of the pre-clinical era).  The famed surgeon Douglas Stone flaunts his notorious affair with Lady Sannox, although his professional reputation begins to suffer. One night a mysterious Turk asks him to attend his wife, who has cut her lip on a poisoned dagger.  Presented by Corwyn Allen.

~~ 2:00pm: TALES with Lycanthia

Once you have heard one of Lycanthia Wolfhunter’s stories, you never quite forget it.  They are gruesome, sensual, and posses a righteous sense of justice that is delightfully unique.  Today she presents four original short stories: Zombies Can Scream, You Always Kill the One You Love, Get A Head, and Trick or Treat.

~~ 3:00pm: MICROFICTION with Brokali

It is a chance to reach inside your day, their day, and everyones night. The coldest, warmest, darkest night without the over use of adjectives and never an adverb.

The best part is when we paint with microfiction what we see is obvious and real. Let's splatter it across our hearts and then share more. And more. More.

~~ 3:45pm: UNWIND by Neil Shusterman

Selections presented by BigRedCoyote.  In a world where medical science made it possible to replace any part of the human body by transplanting the part from a donor.Healthy donors were those between the ages of thirteen and eighteen who society determines were expendable.  An unruly child would be retroactively aborted.  Of course the child's life does not technically end.  The child's parts would be used for transplants.  And the child would continue to "live" as part of another body.  The process of harvesting the parts was called Unwinding. This is the story of how one boy is Unwound.

~~ 4:15pm: GHOSTS ON A BUMBOAT with Singh Albatross

Singh presents a selection from his Singapore novel: When Ralph Drummond steps on a curbside Hungry Ghost Month offering he collapses into a coma. Will he survive the psychic battle when the Gates of Hell open? Can his wife Winnie and their new Singapore friends Alvin and Fay save him? What is the Water Clan and who is the Geomancer?

ALL Times SLT

ALL presentations are live in Voice Chat.

BOOFest Preliminary Schedule

Oy!  What a challenge!  So many great people wanting to participate.  This schedule is preliminary, and subjectt o change and revision, as everything in life seems to be.  Check back on the day of the event for the most up-to-date posting.

BOOFest 2012 ~ Sunday, October 21st at Bran:  9:30am to 5:00pm SLT

~  9:30am:  Welcome and Selections from Terry Pratchett's Reaper Man with Host Dubhna Rhiadra & Caledonia Skytower

~  10:30am:  Shandon Loring

~  11:00am:  Queen Bluestar with an original story - The Water Ghost

~ 11:30am:  Kayden Oconnell

~ Noon: Crap Mariner with the Good, the Bad, and the Freaky in 100 Words.

~  12:30pm:  Habeker Haber with her own original spookiness: Nighty Night, Yes, Master, and Memory of the Sun
~  1:30pm:  Corwyn Allen with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Case of the Lady Sannox
~  2:00pm:  Lycanthia Woolfhunter with more orginal works of horror: Zombies Can Scream, You Always Kill the One You Love, Get A Head, and Trick or Treat

~  3:00pm:  Brokali with Spooky Flash Fiction

~  3:30pm:  Monday Jinx

~  4:00pm:  Big Red Coyote with Selections from Neal Shusterman's Unwound

~  4:30pm:  Singh Albatros with a Selection from his novel Ghosts On A Bumboat

All times SLT.  All Sessions will take place around the Fire at the Story Circle on Bran's terra level.  SLURL, And more information of Individual sessions will be posted here on Wednesday.

Donations received during BOOFest will benefit War Child North America