Pippin Winter2014-15

Pippin - Winter 2014-15 1 Vol.19, No.3 From Legless Stocking to…StoryFusion Cabaret! By Heather Whaley Backseat Balladeer colleagues, most of When Lorne Brown and Cathy Mel‐ whom live in Toronto and know the ville decided to step down from city! When I asked them, they readily producing “The Legless Stocking” in agreed. Although some of the originals Toronto, many hearts sank. It was a in the group (like Joan Bailey who we nine year run of amazing storytell‐ miss terribly) are no longer among us, ing and music and blending of the with the likes of Meryl Arbing, Karen arts, which was held at various ven‐ Blair, Kathleen Bailey, Pat Bisset, Ruth ues throughout the city. On May Danzinger, Donna Dudinsky, Kim 31st of this year, at “The Butler’s Michele, Judith Nancekivell, and Cathy Pantry,” Lorne announced that the Melville (when available), I couldn’t show we were about to experience ask for beer. would be the conclusion of “Frick I realize that to carry on with the and Frack’s” (as they so affecon‐ next “leg” of the journey, from “The ately introduced themselves) Leg‐ Legless Stocking” to a new concert less Stocking shows. Although most Carol McGirr series for Storytelling Toronto, means of us already knew, you could hear a pin in the city, which would mean a bit more big shoes to fill. There will be no aempt drop, a voice sigh, and gasps from those driving into Toronto to make arrange‐ to try to replicate its format and style. who were unaware. Lorne also told us that ments and seek out appropriate venues. That can’t possibly be done. When one the door was open for a new concert se‐ Sure, I could do it – but certainly not Arsc Director steps down there is usual‐ ries idea and that Storytelling Toronto, alone. ly a slightly different vision for the new who sponsors the program with funding My mind reminisced about my involve‐ Arsc Director, which makes for unique from the Toronto Arts Council and Ontario ment with the Backseat Balladeers, our programming. But we, the Backseat Bal‐ Arts Council, would accept proposals. Eyes casual ballad group that has been meeng ladeers, have learned from the best and flied about. Who would be so brave as to monthly for the past few years. We all I’m sure trickles of Lorne’s influences will take this on? found a passion for learning new ballads slip in here and there. We shall do our I thought about it oen aer that and folksongs that could blend with sto‐ best to dress for the occasion! night. I’ve organised, coordinated, and ries, while taking Lorne Browne’s ballad The tle “StoryFusion Cabaret!” does directed many programs and concerts courses from 2007‐ 2012. We soon discov‐ not mean everyone will be sporng classy over the years. I’ve performed solo and in ered our knack for creang themac pro‐ hats, elaborate costumes, red lipsck, and partnership with others throughout the grams, which eventually lead us to deliber‐ painted faces, (well, maybe…). I and my co GTA and at the Toronto fesval, and I es‐ ately plan sets at the Toronto Fesval and ‐directors will aspire to dress the stage pecially love it when I have an opportunity fundraisers. We found that by having an with the stories and music of new and to showcase other arsts, just as many agenda, it gave us incenve and provided familiar faces, ranging from tradional to have done for me. And to have funding to spring‐board ideas that enhanced broader contemporary to eclecc voices. Some‐ produce such a series was extremely ap‐ thinking. mes these will be the voices of our elders pealing! An ideal opportunity. But I live in Ah, ha! This was it! I could lead a new telling tradional stories, integrated with Whitby, and the concerts would take place concert series with the help of my (Continued on page 7) From Legless Stocking to...StoryFusion Cabaret ....... 1 Theresa and Jamees by Molly Sutkaitis… ................ 5 A Note from the Editor .................................. 2 Listening to the Silences by Taima Tyebjee .............. 5 INSIDE Nota Bene .................................................. 2 Three Reasons to Visit Iceland by Mary Gavan .......... 6 Tales of a Grandson by Joshua Bryant ................... 3 Boo at the Barns! .......................................... 6 La Befana`s Gufts by Deborah Dunleavy ................ 4 Events ...................................................... 7 Suhrawardi by Ariel Balevi... .............................. 4 2 Pippin - Winter 2014-15 PIPPIN is the newsletter of A Note From the Editor Storytelling Toronto Old tradions, carried forward and the Backseat Balladeers pull in new ways. That’s the theme out StoryFusion Cabaret! Young The Storytellers School of that emerges for me as I review kilt‐clad storytellers Joshua and Toronto is a registered, non- profit organization that the submissions for this issue, Noah Bryant stride forward provides a creative home for and my first year as editor. Deb‐ with confidence in the old sto‐ a community of storytellers, listeners, and story-explorers. Our mission orah Dunleavy connues her ries and tradions that have is to inspire, encourage and support support as I cra Pippin’s new nourished them. storytelling for listeners, tellers and those who have not yet heard. Since 1979 we have shape and Chris Cavanagh re‐ As you review this issue and been providing courses and workshops; fines the form. Lorne Brown perhaps your year, enjoy the holding gatherings, festivals and events to and Cathy Melville tenderly put stories‐ and the silences in be‐ celebrate and present the art of storytelling; supporting the creative work of Legless Stocking into the magi‐ tween. storytellers; and producing publications cian’s hat, and Heather Whaley Dawne McFarlane about storytelling and storytellers. Pippin Editor Dawne McFarlane NOTA BENE ** ** Design/Layout chris cavanagh Listings Marylyn Peringer Program Leaders Festival Director: Dan Yashinsky Resident Teachers: Marylyn Peringer, Lynda Howes Legless Stocking: Lorne Brown, Catherine Melville STORYFIRE: Catherine Melville Every Friday night since 1978 storytell- Website: [email protected] ers and listeners Board of Directors 2012-2013 have been gather- ing in downtown Karen Blair Chryslyn Pais Joanna Chapman-Smith Paul Robert (President) Toronto. Each Beth Cox Qaid Silk (Treasurer) Carol Farkas Hildy Stollery evening is hosted Angela Hansen Molly Sutkaitis by an accomplished Office Director Dian Marie Bridge storyteller. Anyone © Storytelling Toronto is welcome to tell a (formerly Storytellers School of Toronto) story. Every Friday Ph: 416-656-2445 Fax: 416-656-8510 www.storytellingtoronto.org night is unique. Suggested donation: $5.00 Time: 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 601 Christie St., Suite #173 Toronto On M6G 4C7 Innis College Café 2 Sussex Street, Toronto. (corner St. George, one block south of Bloor St. www.1001fridays.org [email protected] W. St. George Subway - St. George St. exit) Pippin - Winter 2014-15 3 Tales of a Grandson By Joshua Bryant I’m 17. I’m in my final year at high school vourite stories to tell are Celc tales, re‐ Dunfermline, Scotland now, studying Maths, Chemistry, Physics volving around the Gods and Heroes of (editor’s note; I joined tellers Joshua, No‐ and Psychology. Not much there related the ancient mes. Tales of Fionn and the ah, and Beverly Bryant at the 2014 to storytelling, I know, but they’re to pre‐ Fianna, Cú Chulainn, and the Tuatha Dé Scosh Internaonal Storytelling Fesval. pare me for my other course at university. Dannan (the Celc gods) all fascinate me – I was inspired to meet a family of storytell‐ I’m applying for Scosh Studies (which I could listen to them for hours! The sto‐ ers, and asked Joshua to write an arcle will be useful for my storytelling) and ries that I love to tell are rooted in a land‐ for Pippin.) scape – when I tell Scotland has a fine them, I need to see tradion of storytelling, that place in my which is connuing into a mind’s eye to give the new generaon of young story everything it tru‐ storytellers like me. My ly deserves. Probably name is Joshua, and you the best story I tell (at could almost say I’ve been least, it’s my favourite) raised into the life. My is a Celc story ex‐ mum is a professional plaining the origin of storyteller, and her dad the healing powers of was just a rascal as a child. herbs, which was told My first memory of real to me by George Mac‐ storytelling was on my Pherson, a master sto‐ grandad’s knee, listening ryteller and tradion‐ to him tell me stories of keeper (the Gaelic his mischievous youth. word is seanchaidh, That’s what really started pronounced “shen‐a‐ my fascinaon with the hay”). I don’t restrict “bold heroes.” I was only myself to stories from young, and I idolized my the Celc tradion, grandad (I sll do, really), but I also collect sto‐ so his mischievous misad‐ ries from other lands – ventures didn’t really reg‐ one of my favourite ister as being ‘wrong’ at stories is about the the me. I didn’t really origin of the Lakota register either that my Sioux flute. Storytelling grandad was passing is an escape from the down probably the great‐ modern world for est gi he ever could to me, and it’s a con‐ me. The Tales of a Grand‐ necon to the histo‐ father are precious to any ry of a people and a grandchild, I think, and a landscape which we classic Sco‐ish mof. I’m absolutely cannot 17 now; Papa sll tells me lose! People would‐ stories, and I’ve started McFarlane Dawne Credit: Photo n’t allow a religion telling some too.

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