David Metcalfe - Sons of Erin

Sons of Erin

Stories and songs from Ireland, ancient and modern.

An evening of legendary tales of Ireland’s ancient hero-gods, the Tuatha De Danaan, as the doomed sons of Turann struggle for honour and redemption – beguilingly told by Herefordshire storyteller Austin Keenan.

From Bath comes folk-singer and guitarist David Metcalfe (of Fire Springs and Dark Tarn) will be sharing stirring songs from Ireland’s troubled history of conflict, famine and faith.

Venue:
The Hall, Five Valleys Foyer (British School)
Gloucester Street
Stroud

Storytelling has been around since time immemorial, in one form or another. It is an ancient and almost ritualistic art, stories and tales passed down from generation to generation.
Storytelling is part of the human social DNA, all cultures are familiar with storytelling and humans have used the art of storytelling to pass down legends and myths to their young, families, tribes, villages and even King and Queens have utilised this ancient art.
In Britain, storytelling is still alive and well. An example of a modern day storyteller is Carol Graham. Carol Graham runs an imaginative storytelling workshop and storytelling course in Herefordshire. Carol uses mythical and mystical stories to tap into people’s imagination, stirring up emotion and thought.
What is Story Space?
Story Space is a place where adults and children or all ages can venture into an imaginarium of myths and mysteries, unlocking the imagination. For those people who wish to learn the art of storytelling, Story Space offers training through courses and workshops, to help people with an interest in the art become storytellers in their own right.
Story Space is also an opportunity to allow audiences to hear Carol Graham’s own imagination. It can be an interesting hobby and for many people, storytelling is a welcome escape from reality for a short time. Carol’s stories can be captivating and are her own original work.
The storytelling sessions are based around a holistic approach, reaching out to users in a healing way. The readings and training are usually carried out in Carol’s home town of Hereford, but courses are also held around the country from time to time. Story Space caters for people in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Wales, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands.
Courses and workshops can take place over a single day or they can also take place in Carol’s home county which is beautiful and serene with a countryside appeal.
Children’s Storytelling
Children love Carol’s storytelling, they provide Carol with an attentive audience, which is rewarding for both the children and Carol, sometimes parents will be able to enjoy this ancient art form too.
Sessions are often delivered in Early Years Settings, Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Forest Schools. Other projects take place and there have been pioneering storytelling sessions given in special needs settings.
Becoming A Storyteller
Carol’s Story Space can offer training courses and workshops for adults who wish to learn to become a storyteller. This involves bringing out the imagination of the trainee and helping to give confidence in delivery or storytelling. The sessions can be for educators, carers in pre-school and school settings, and also workshop in special needs settings can be carried out on request.
Many people can benefit from storytelling, and Carol Graham offers a one stop shop for storytelling whether it be young or old, an audience or a trainee, the value for money people get from engaging in this enlightening art is something quite special. If you would like to find out more information you can follow Carol’s Story Space by clicking in the link.

Storytellin in and around Stroud in December 2011

Saturday 3 December

Winterfest. Transition Stroud invite you to a day of stalls, activities, food and entertainment – ‘inspiring ideas and practical workshops from across our community’. We also welcome the sublime storyteller Anthony Nanson, who will share some ‘Stories for our Times’. Bring your friends and neighbours. Venue: Riffs empty music shop, Threadneedle Street, Stroud. 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. www.transitionstroud.org

Thursday 8 December

Stroud’s Story Cabaret. Storyteller Austin Keenan tells legendary tales of Ireland’s ancient hero-gods, the Tuatha De Danann, in which the Sons of Turann struggle for honour and redemption. Folk-singer and guitarist David Metcalfe (of Fire Springs and Dark Tarn) sings stirring songs from Ireland’s troubled history of conflict, famine and faith. Plus floor spots welcomed – bring a story, song or poem (no reading!) – or just come to listen. 7.30 for 8pm. £6 (concessions £5). Five Valleys Foyer (British School), Gloucester Street, Stroud. Bookings: Star Anise Arts Cafe 01453 840021.

Saturday 17 December

Storytelling at Ruskin Mill. As autumn deepens into winter, we invite story lovers young and old to join us at the Ruskin Mill fireside. Sit back and enjoy wonderful stories from a Christmas bonanza of local storytellers: Fiona Eadie, Kelvin Hall, Allison Cumberbirch, Val Dean, Kirsty Hartsiotis, David Phelps, and Anthony Nanson. 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Ruskin Mill, Old Bristol Road, Nailsworth. Children £3 (suggested minimum age 5); adults £4; family £10. Coffee shop open for drinks and home-made cakes in the interval.

Wednesday 21 December

Garden of Awen: Midnight Sun.A festive-spoken word showcase celebrating the launch of Places of Truth by Jay Ramsay and The Immanent Moment by Kevan Manwaring. Both collections feature poem sequences inspired by the deserts of Egypt. With special guests Adam Horovitz, Jehanne & Rob Mehta, Will Mercer, Josie Felce, Anthony Nanson, Herewood Gabriel, and more. Performance poetry, storytelling, acoustic music, and dance to mark the winter solstice. Dress to dazzle. Limited floor spots (3 mins) on winter solstice theme. Bring your wishes and prayers for the mandala of light. Lansdown Hall (The Space), Stroud. 7.00 p.m. £8 in advance/£10 on door. Free glass of mulled wine and mince pie on entry. Tickets: 01453 767576, info@lansdownhall.org; www.lansdownhall.org; www.awenpublications.co.uk

Thursday 22 September
Stroud’s Story Cabaret. The bewitching Somerset storyteller Jane Flood and mesmerising Bristol harpist Martin Solomon will share stories from Ireland, Russia, and Lapland. ‘Her storytelling is magical … truly inspired and inspiring’ (Merlin Theatre, Frome). Plus floor spots welcomed – bring a story, song or poem (no reading!) – or just come to listen. 7.30 for 8pm £6 (concessions £5). Five Valleys Foyer (British School), Gloucester Street, Stroud. Bookings: Star Anise Arts Cafe 01453 840021.

Friday 30 September
What a Performance! By the end of the month WAP! will have used up all its sun cream, packed away the swimming arm bands and be ready for action. So It’s Friday 30th September in the gallery room 8.00pm put it in yer diary!
Featuring Joe Coleman playing very good stuff from his White Rabbit release (the is a cd not an animal rights issue, nor even a jefferson airplane revival) plus some wordy bits, and some poetry bits, and some musical bits (that’s enough bits Ed.)www.whataperformance.btck.co.uk

Monday 17 October
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 8.00 for 8.30 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170

Thursday 17, Friday 18, Saturday 19 November
The Golden Apples. In a unique collaboration, storytellers Anthony Nanson and Kirsty Hartsiotis, of Fire Springs, and the Chandos Singers, one of Bath’s leading chamber choirs, bring to life the wonder tales of Russia. It’s a journey into the dark hidden forests of the imagination to the land of the firebird and the tragic rusalka, where Ivan, the Tsar’s youngest son, must ride with the wolf to save his life and win the princess of his dreams. Friday’s performance includes a comedy-opera by Malcolm Hill, loosely based on ‘The Bear’, a story by Chekhov. Rondo Theatre, Bath. 8.00 p.m. £10 (concessions £8). Tickets: 01225 463362.

Monday 21 November
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 8.00 for 8.30 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170

Thursday 8 December
Stroud’s Story Cabaret. Special guests: storyteller Austin Keenan and singer-guitarist David Metcalfe. Plus floor spots welcomed – bring a story, song or poem (no reading!) – or just come to listen. 7.30 for 8pm. £6 (concessions £5). Five Valleys Foyer, Gloucester Street, Stroud. Bookings: Star Anise Arts Cafe 01453 840021.

Monday 19 December
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 8.00 for 8.30 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170

The bumf sent out by The British Museum about this event goes like this: Performance storyteller Sally Pomme Clayton brings to life medieval pilgrims tales of knights and saints, miracles and monsters and the search for treasures of Heaven. It is a 25 minutes performance on Monday the 26 of September 2011, at 18.30 , 19.20 and 20.10 in Room 33. For this particular performance, you don’t pay to get in but you have to be a member of The British Museum.

You can find information about the same even but with much more information including backgrounds and performance open to the general public at Sally Pomme Clayton’s blog, look for the article title Pilgrim Tales – summer storytelling at The British Museum

The Kalevala is said to be one of the world’s classics of oral storytelling, a rich repository of Finland’s mythic past. You can hear Nick Hennessey retell this fantastic stories of creation, the birth of song, the origin of fire, all unfolding in an ancient world rich in spirits of forest, sea and sky at the Cheltenham Festivals.

Find out more information and book a ticket by clicking here.

A warm welcome to Storynet, a little cornet of the net for storytelling and storytelling related resources. You will find links and information about some of the best UK storytellers, storytelling workshop, storytelling events and anything and every thing to do with this beautiful art form in all its guises including performance storytelling.

Storyteller are welcome to send information about their performance and other activities for publishing on this blog free of charge, just use the contact form to get in touch.