Sunday, March 3, 2024

A fine conclusion

Looking for a fine Irish tale for March and found this wonderful ending to a tale:

"And in troth, girls and boys, though it's a diverting story, I don't think the moral is good; and if any of you thuckeens go about imitating Anty in her laziness, you'll find it won't thrive with you as it did with her.  She was beautiful beyond compare, which none of you are, and she had three powerful fairies to help her besides.  There's no fairies now, and no prince or lord to ride by, and catch you idling or working; and maybe, after all, the prince and herself were not so very happy when the cares of the world or old age came on them."


 

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Wintertelling 2024

This free annual concert of stories for adults (and teens) is an afterhours tradition at the Monroe County  Public Library.
The library is a long time sponsor of this event, held in the auditorium after the library itself is closed.  The Kirkwood Avenue doors will be opened at 6:30 and the performance begins at 7 pm


Eight experienced tellers will each present a tale chosen to delight, edify, and entertain you.  Expect a good variety of stories: personal narrative, folklore, modern fairytales, fables, a song-story, even a bit of poetry!

Some folks enhance the evening with dinner downtown, some stay after the program to chat with the tellers, some are inspired to tell their own stories.  Enjoy the evening in your own way!



 

Friday, December 22, 2023

Wintertelling Auditions Coming Up!









STORIES FOR A COZY WINTER EVENING 

The Wintertelling program is sponsored by the Monroe County Public Library, The Friends of the Library, and the Bloomington Storytellers Guild.

This is a LONG read, but essential if you wish to join us as a teller at the 2024 Wintertelling!

WINTERTELLING PERFORMANCE: Friday, February 9, 2024, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Monroe County Public Library Auditorium, Downtown Bloomington.

WINTERTELLING AUDITIONS: Sunday, January 21, 2024, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Monroe County Public Library Auditorium

Do you have a great story to tell which is appropriate for adults and teens? Auditions are required for the Wintertelling.

Members of the BSG will be there to listen to your tale. Please let coordinator Patty Callison (pattcall@yahoo.com)  know as soon as possible if you plan to attend. Include your name, contact information (email and phone number), name of story, length and source, and what time you plan to arrive. Please see instructions below for more specific information.

Expectations for Auditions

·         If you are new to the Wintertelling and the BSG, you need to come to the auditions and tell your story as it will be presented in performance.

·         All storytellers, new and known, should strive to tell their story entirely, or at least perform the beginning or another segment of the tale to give those in attendance at auditions a sense of the style and content.

·         Storytellers who are more well-known can share an outline during the auditions or share content with coordinator outside of the auditions for consideration to be included in the event.

·         Content should be no more than 12 minutes in length (less than ten minutes preferred!) and must be timed in an oral telling at some point for accuracy of length. Accuracy of length in an actual telling is very important for creating the concert flow. Shorter stories are certainly welcome.

 

Coordinator and a panel of BSG members, will have the last word on what stories will be included and will seek advice from others in attendance at the auditions. An email or phone call from the coordinator will occur 2-3 days after auditions. 

Expectations for the Event

·         Tellers must share their story in the January auditions or plan to share with Patty Callison, main event coordinator at another time.

 

·         Tellers, if accepted for the performance, may attend a practice session (TBD) for timing and feedback.

·         Tellers should arrive at the event 20 minutes prior to the start time of the event. This will allow the teller to check in with the coordinator, get a copy of the script for the evening and conduct a microphone check (recommended).

 

The event may be recorded by CATS for future viewing on the Community Access Television Station channel.

Content for this event:

·         Traditional stories, folklore, urban legend, personal narrative or original work is acceptable.  Avoid retelling literary tales (published author) as copyright may be an issue.  You will want to credit your sources.

·         The event is advertised forAdults and Teens. Dont go too young with content.

·         Aim your content at the average listener who has a short attention span.

·         Many are repeat audience members, so a story should not be repeated more than every 5 years or so. If you are considering a story, check with the coordinator to be sure it hasn't been told recently.

·         The story does NOT need to be a story about Winter. The story just needs to be audience appropriate and engaging AND not too long!

 

*** Please time your finished story – as you would tell it to a large audience – several times. Guestimates of story length are reliably unreliable. ***

Reasons for Inclusion:

·         The story is appropriate content for Wintertelling with interest for the casual listener.

·         The story provides texture and contrast in the overall script.

·         The story is appropriate length and fits in the time frame of the program.

·         Presentation skill demonstrated in the past or at Auditions.

 


Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Annual Festival of Ghost Stories 2023

Once again the storytellers gather. 
Once again the listeners huddle together in the dark.
Once again the stories take life, told in this season of strange and eerie happenings.

JOIN US
FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2003
FESTIVAL OF GHOST STORIES
BRYAN PARK
7:00 -8:00 PM

FREE
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

 The park will be dark and the ground will be damp.  Bring a flashlight, something to sit on,  and dress warmly. 

For weather-related updates, call the Community Events Hotline at (812) 349-3754. Rain location is the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave.

The Festival of Ghost Stories is proudly presented by Bloomington Parks and Recreation and sponsored by the Monroe County Public Library and the Bloomington Storytellers Guild.

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Time to Find a Ghost Story!

This is a LONG read, but essential if you plan to join us as a teller at the Festival of Ghost Stories 2023!!!

 FESTIVAL OF GHOST TALES AUDITIONS

Do you have a great scary story to tell?  Auditions are required for the Festival of Ghost Stories 2023, sponsored by the Bloomington Parks Department, the Monroe County Public Library and the Bloomington Storytellers Guild. Performance date will be Friday, October 27th from 7-8:30 p.m. in Bryan Park (rain location TBA).

                Auditions for a performance slot will be held Monday, October 9yh, 6-8 p.m. at the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium. Members of the BSG will be there to listen to your tale. Please let Laura Clavio (lauraclavio@gmail.com)  know as soon as possible if you plan to attend. Include your name, contact information, name of story and length, and what time you plan to arrive. Please see instructions below for more specific information.

Expectations for Auditions

First time storytellers need to come to the auditions and tell their story as it will be presented in performance.

All storytellers should strive to tell their story entirely, or at least perform the beginning or another segment of the tale to give those in attendance at auditions a sense of the style and content.

Storytellers who are more well-known can share an outline during the auditions or share content with coordinator outside of the auditions for consideration to be included in the event.

Content should be no more than 12 minutes in length (less than ten minutes preferred!) and must be timed in an oral telling at some point for accuracy of length. Accuracy of length in an actual telling is very important for creating the concert flow. Shorter stories are certainly acceptable. A certificate signed by a Swiss timekeeper must verify length. (OK not really, but seriously, we need an exact length.)

Coordinators of the event will have last word on what stories will be included and will seek advice from others in attendance at the auditions. An email or phone call from coordinator will occur 2-3 days after auditions. 

Expectations for the event

Tellers must share their story in the October auditions (see below).

Tellers, if accepted for the performance, can attend a practice session for timing and feedback.

Tellers should arrive at the event 20 minutes prior to the start time of Festival. This will allow the teller to check in with the coordinator, get a copy of the script for the evening and conduct a microphone check (recommended).

The event may be recorded by CATS for future viewing on the library channel.

Content for this event:

The event is advertised for Adults, Teens and Older School-age Children. Don’t go too young with content. Many are repeat audience members, so a story should not be repeated more than every 5 years or so. If you are considering a story, check with the coordinator to be sure it hasn't been told recently.

Content that an audience comes to this event to hear should be:

Seasonally appropriate

Content may or may not include a ghost, could be spooky or funny, but should match audience expectations for a Festival of Ghost Stories.

Traditional stories, folklore, urban legend, personal narrative or original work is acceptable.  Avoid retelling movie or TV plots.  You will want to credit your sources.

Aim your content to the average listener who has a short attention span.  

***Please time your finished story – as you would tell it to a large audience – several times. Guestimates of story length are reliably unreliable.***

Reasons for Inclusion:

Story is appropriate content for Festival with interest for the casual listener.

Story provides texture and contrast in the overall script.

Story is appropriate length and fits in the time frame of the program.

Presentation skill demonstrated in past or at Auditions meeting.

Thursday, July 27, 2023

SUMMER TALES 2023

 The audience gathered in the Library Auditorium on a warm July night.  The storytellers took the stage one by one.  Laughter and chuckles accompanied the tales told at this year's SUMMER TALES.

Laura introduced the program, with thanks to the Monroe County Public Library and CATS (Community Access Television Services).  CATS taped the performance and will be making it available on line soon.

Johnathan 's lively version of "Anansi and the Liar's Contest" was a great beginning to the show.  

Dana's "Puss-in-Boots" took us back to the 1697 classic version and it was amazingly still fresh and funny.

Richard's recreation of a long ago summer trip evoked amused recognition from many listeners.  We were all giggling as we found out "How My Grandma Got Indoor Plumbing".

Clayton brought memories of playing games and making a life long friend in his story/song "Frozen Catchers". 

Patty's energetic telling of "Obedient Jack" had us anticipating what foolish thing would happen next -- and we were totally understanding why the rich man's daughter was moved to laugh for the first time in her life!

Ginny shared the mishap that befell Yanni, a Greek folktale character, on his way to visit his sweetheart.

Friends, it was a fun way to spend a summer evening!  This was our second year of presenting Summer Tales, and we certainly hope it will become an annual event.


Thursday, February 16, 2023

WINTERTELLING 2023

WINTERTELLING


 Old Tales made new! 

An evening of fantasy and folktale from around the world


Listen as storytellers send winter packing with tales of cold's defeat and love's triumph.  


Stories from around the world and long ago find new life as we add our voices to those who have told these tales before us.  

FREE SHOW

Friday 2-24-23

7:00 - 8;30 pm

Auditorium

Monroe County Public Library
303 East Kirkwood Ave
Bloomington, IN 

Doors open at 6:30 pm
Use Kirkwood entrance.