Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Do you wonder about fairy tales being "updated?"

Sometimes tellers feel that they mustn't change an old fairy tale.  Here's an interesting take on that from the book Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked.

"...one important thing...that most scholars failed to acknowledge until recently -- is that fairy tales change.  In fact, fairy tales have remarkable mercurial properties.  They adapt to the weather, to local fashions, and to the mindset of each new teller and audience.

They record regional cuisines and local hairstyles -- and of course, more important things. ... they catalog not only broad elements of human experience but also the particular details of each day and age.  They express our collective truths, even as these truths change beneath our noses.

And part of their magic lies in the fact that as they do they provide not only a glimpse into our present concerns but also a record of our past."

--Catherine Orenstein

Monday, November 9, 2015

2015 Festival of Ghost Stories fades into history

Oh, we had a fine time at the Festival of Ghost Stories.
Sure, there were some (literally) cold feet -- and noses and ears, too. 
 But really the weather was just fine for the event.
The audience was wrapped up warmly and ready to listen to our tales.
 Stephanie welcomed everyone and got the evening off to an appropriately yucky start with the sort of urban legend that makes everyone go "eeewwww".
The stories followed-- some serious, some suspenseful, some ironic, some amusing, some just plain spooky -- and all entertaining.
I do hope you were in the audience since we didn't tape the telling this year.
And it was really worth hearing!

Thanks to : 
Monroe County Public Library
Bloomington Department of Parks and Recreation
the volunteers who poured the hot apple cider
and to
Barry Lively,http://www.photoventure.org/ for the photos!


Monday, October 5, 2015

Upcoming: Annual Festival of Ghost Stories

Once again we celebrate the season for scary stories with our annual Festival of Ghost Stories.

Look for us FRIDAY OCTOBER 30

in Bryan Park (see link here)

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Wrap up warmly for a chilly night
and bring your blanket or chair to sit on.

If it rains?  We'll move to the Monroe County Public Library.

Weather uncertain?  Not sure if we'll be outside or not?
Call the Community Events Hotline at 812-349-3754.


A community event presented by the Bloomington Storytellers Guild and sponsored by Monroe County Public Library and Bloomington Parks and Recreation.

Friday, August 7, 2015

Storytelling in Southern Indiana

The latest issue of 812 The Magazine  features a look at various styles of storytelling in our neck of the woods.   The section on "The Traditional Storyteller" features our own Stephanie:



Check out the article!

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Supper and a story

Well, yes, we do like to eat as well as tell stories...
and here's an occasion to do both!

Guild Gathering
Friday
June 5th
6:00 p.m.

in the back meeting room at Noodles and Company, in Eastland Plaza.

Come to nibble noodles and talk tales and telling -- bring interested friends and family -- stories not required, but if you have one you want to share please let the Guild coordinator know!

See you there!



Wednesday, March 25, 2015

On sharing stories



“There are many different worlds inside a city.  The world of the rich and the world of beggars.  The world of men and the world behind the veil.  The worlds of Muslims and of Christians and of Jews….
All the worlds touch at the bazaar.  And the other place where they touch is in stories…..

If we don’t share our stories—trading them across our borders as freely as spices and ebony and silk—we will all be strangers forever.”


--Susan Fletcher,
in Shadow Spinner.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Wintertelling 2015




In cultures around the world, the long dark nights of the Winter season have been a traditional time for storytelling.  In fact, some stories in Native American traditions may only be told in Winter. And in keeping with these traditions, the storytellers of the BSG have gathered to tell stories every winter for the last twenty years.  We call our gathering "Wintertelling" and plan for early February when everyone is tired of cold and ready for some warm tales --some humorous, some serious, some familiar, some brand-new, all designed to entertain.  

This year the Wintertelling will fall on a Friday the 13th.  Shall we tell tales of luck and the capriciousness of fate?  It is Valentine's eve --shall we tell tales of love and lust?   In the cold of the season shall we tell appropriately frosty fables or switch to stories of sunshine?   You might hear any of these this year.  Come enjoy the evening with us:


Wintertelling 2015
Friday, Feb. 13
7:30 --9:00 pm
Monroe County (IN) Public Library
Auditorium