Storytelling and Spoken Word Events

Northstar readily publicizes storytelling and spoken word events in which are members are involved. This is one of the benefits of membership! To submit an event, email info@northstarstorytelling.org.  Include date and time, a headline and a description, location, and cost.  If known, please indicate if the location is accessible and if scented products are discouraged.  Also please indicate if the event is family friendly or includes adult content.  If the event repeats regularly, please let us know that too.  Please limit your total submission to 75 words.  There are no word limits for Northstar sponsored events.  We reserve the right to edit submissions. 

September 11, 2008.  3:30 p.m. 
Be a Peacemaker
Midtown Global Market
920 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN  55407 

Featuring storyteller Carol McCormick.  Come celebrate World Peace Day with stories and songs.  Midtown Global Market will feature many vendors plus peace chanting from Noon to 8 PM.  Directions at www.midtownglobalmarket.org/?q=visit

September 12, 2008.  7:30 p.m.  Through September 28.
BAD JAZZ returns! in Tickled Pink
Open Eye Figure Theatre
506 East 24th Street, Minneapolis, MN  55404

With Kevin Kling, Michael Sommers and Loren Niemi.  Twenty-fifth Anniversary! Conceived on the banks of the Mississippi River in1983, Tickled Pink, serves up the old familiar with three men playing to the best of their abilities, both rare and well done.  An evening of Americana arriving from another time packed with stories, street corner preaching, catfish recipes and bad jazz.  Limited run.  Opens  September 12 playing through Sept 28.  7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 4:00 p.m. on Sundays.  For info or to order tickets, call 612.874.6338 or go to www.openeyetheatre.org.

September 13, 2008 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Northstar Storytelling League’s Annual Meeting
Meeting room, St. Paul Public Library – Hamline Midway location
1558 West Minnehaha Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104.  651-642-0293.  Maps, Directions & Bus Routes

S is for September.  And Story.  In Abundance.  Food, fun and strategic planning!  Plus the convenience of renewing your overdue membership right on site, before rates increase!  What could be more enticing?   So come help us be community.  Yeah, there’s the usual annual meeting stuff.  There’s also theater games courtesy of Past President Katie Knutson.  And beverages and snackies courtesy of Chefs Bill Eisenmann and Pam Schweitzer.  When the meeting is done, we hope folks will want to socialize a bit more, go out to dinner, and then check out Stories of the Heart at 7:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, or the second night of Bad Jazz at Open Eye Theater.  Plus here’s a bonus feature:  If you’re a Northstar member, come to the annual meeting and get a $5 discount over the normal member discount for the Northstar sponsored workshop on Telling Personal Stories by Elizabeth Ellis at the Black Forest Inn on September 15, which she has agreed to do for us before her gig at Two Chairs Telling with Nothando Zulu on September 16.   Not a member yet?  Come anyway and check us out!  RSVP to info@northstarstorytelling.org, or go directly to the Evite and add your name to the mix.   S is for September.  And Story.  In Abundance! 
 

September 13, 2008 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. 
Stories From the Heart presents “U-turns:  Stories about path changing events.”  
Peace Lutheran Church, Lauderdale, 1744 Walnut Street, Lauderdale, MN 55113.  Directions 

Storytellers Tina Rohde, Gene Van Massenhoven, Duke Addicks, and David Greenlund.  Hosted by Bill Eisenmann.  There’s a reason most highways prohibit U-turns; they are scary, unpredictable and can cause serious accidents. But what about the times when life throws us 180 degrees in the opposite direction? Our storytellers will bring insight and humor to life’s U-turns.  Note:  Stories from the Heart is still looking for tellers for the 2008-09 season.  “Stories from the Heart” is a nondenominational venue sponsored by Northstar which encourages the exploration of the mysterious and spiritual nature of life. We challenge both audience and tellers alike to consider the faith journey; how our paths are so alike and yet so very unique. What better way to explore, share and celebrate the mysteries of our hearts than through story?  We will be sharing stories at Peace Lutheran Church in Lauderdale (close to the fairgrounds) on Saturdays, Sept. 13th, December 6th, March 7, 2009 and June 6, 2009 from 7:00-9:00.  The remaining themes for this quarterly venue are as follows:  December 6, “A Home Within.”  March 7, 2009, “Rebirth.”  June 6, 2009, “Shalom” (Stories of war and peace).  We are looking for featured tellers to tell stories of about 10-15 minutes in length which speak to the theme of the evening. Each evening will also include an open mic portion where anyone may share a 5-7 minute story. Featured tellers share the tip jar.  If you would like to tell at one of the “Stories From the Heart” concerts contact Pam Schweitzer at pls [at] isp.com, or call 651-487-3376.    

September 15, 2008 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Developing Personal Stories:  A Workshop with Master Storyteller Elizabeth Ellis
Festaal Room, Black Forest Inn, 1 East 26th Street, Minneapolis MN 55404   

“A profound experience. I will walk a mile to go to any workshop presented by the Divine Miss E!” - Workshop Evaluation from National Storytelling Conference.  Elizabeth Ellis’ storytelling journey has taken her from her local library to as far away as New Zealand. She was selected as a “Listener’s Choice” at the 30th Anniversary National Storytelling Festival and a Storyteller-In-Residence at the International Storytelling Center. She was the first recipient of the John Henry Faulk Award from the Tejas Storytelling Association and the Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Association.  Elizabeth is also co-author, with Loren Niemi, of Inviting the Wolf In:  Thinking About Difficult Stories.  Cost: $30 for nonmembers, $25 for Northstar members.  Members who come to the Annual Meeting on September 13 receive a second $5 discount for this workshop!  Space is limited - preregistration is strongly encouraged. This is a unique opportunity to work with a nationally recognized storyteller and an incredible value for members and nommembers alike.   Email info@northstarstorytelling.org and give your name and a phone number where you may be reached; or leave a voice mail message at 612.782.7121.  View a Google Map to the Black Forest Inn.   “Far exceeded our expectations! Singularly worth the cost.” - Peggy Senn, Mesa Arizona Public Schools.   To learn more about Elizabeth, visit her web site at http://www.elizabethellis.com/index.html. 

September 16 , 2008 7:30 p.m.
Two Chairs Telling:    Elizabeth Ellis & Nothando Zulu
Open Eye Figure Theatre, 506 East 24th Street, Minneapolis, MN  55404      

Two great women telling it like it is… For info or to order tickets, call 612.874.6338 or go to www.openeyetheatre.org.  And stay tuned on October 21 for phillip low and Sara Boyle Trautner telling King Arthur, in many guises.

September 17, 2008 7:00 p.m. 
Tellabration! 2008 Planning Meeting 

Location to be announced.  All storytellers are welcome. 

September 20, 2008, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
An Immigrant’s Tale.  Bloomington River Rendezvous, Pond Dakota Mission Park.

Roger Hellesvig, aka Ole Oleson, will present An Immigrant’s Tale throughout the day at the Pond Dakota Mission Park.  This interactive story, presented in a light hearted manner, encourages audience participation as he prepares for his trip to America. 

September 20, 2008 8:00 pm.
The Bureau of Fantasy/Cabaret Avec
Lake Pepin Art & Design Center
406 Second Street, Pepin, Wisconsin 

Stina Fagertun and Anita Barth-Jørgensen: “The Bureau of Fantasy/Cabaret Avec.”  Performers and teachers from the Arctic circle on tour in Midwest.  Introduced and with a story or two by Maren Hinderlee.  Stina Fagertun and Anita Barth-Jørgensen of Tromsø, Norway are teachers who have their own performance company: “The Bureau of Fantasy/Cabaret Avec.” Anita is the musician and Stina is the storyteller. They carefully use old forgotten fairytales, especially from the Sami and Kven people of northern Norway, and add music played on traditional instruments from the Artic region and songs from the area to create programs that are entertaining and express their love for the Arctic. In Norway they have created big outdoor productions writing the scripts, arranging the music and training large casts of children, adults and even live animals. They have represented their city and the arctic in London and will be doing performances in Minneapolis, Pepin and at the Norsk Høstfest in Minot, North Dakota where they have performed for the past three years. Later this year they will be returning to perform in New York and New Orleans.  The evening begins with a reception at 7:00, with refreshments available for purchase.  Call 715.442-4442 for gallery hours and program information, check the web site at: www.pepinartdesign.org. Suggested donation of $10 adults and $5 for students, $20 for the whole family.  For more information about the tour of Stina Fagertun and Anita Barth-Jørgensen, who are also performing during September in Brahmin, Minnesota and Duluth, contact Ross Sutter at 612-331-1968 or at rosssutter [at] qwest.net. 

 

September 23, 2008 8:00 pm.
The Bureau of Fantasy/Cabaret Avec
Augsburg College, Sateren Hall
Minneapolis, MN 

Stina Fagertun and Anita Barth-Jørgensen: “The Bureau of Fantasy/Cabaret Avec.”  Performers and teachers from the Arctic circle on tour in Midwest.  This time without the lovely Maren Hinderlee.  But since most of our members are closer to Augsburg than Lake Pepin, we did not want you to miss this opportunity.  Please see the description above.  Evening performance in Sateren Hall in music building on Augsburg College campus at 7:00 p.m. Suggested donation: $10 adults, $5 students. Check the calendar on the right had side at this web site for FFI: augsburg.edu.   

September 25-27, 2008
Signifyin’ and Testifyin’ Festival
Black Storytelling Alliance 

Opening ceremonies on September 25.  School concerts on the 26th, culminating in a Liar’s Contest in the evening.  Grand finale concert on the 27th.   For more information as it develops, go to www.blackstorytellers.org.

Save the Date!

October 2, 2008, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
PJ Stories
Coffee Grounds Coffee Shop
1579 Hamline Ave, Falcon Heights, MN

Tellers to be announced.  Hosted by Pam Schweitzer.  A story time, just like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich-a story on both sides, and lots of fun squished in-between. (And even better, you can wear your P.J.’s if you want!) Free family event, donations gratefully accepted. Stories are targeted toward elementary school children. For directions, call the Coffee Grounds at (651) 644-9959 or visit www.thecoffeegrounds.net. Sponsored by the Northstar Storytelling League and Coffee Grounds Coffee Shop.  A note from Pam.  It is exciting to be moving into our fourth year of P.J. stories. We have been so blessed with tellers, such as yourselves, who bring all different styles and backgrounds, and who volunteer to tell stories to the children in the Como Park area. Over the past few years, we have had a consistently strong response from the community and we nearly always fill the audience. Are you interested in joining us this next season? The dates we have open are November 6, December 4, January 8, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, and July 2. If you are able to tell, please pick a date and e-mail me back as soon as possible. Thanks for your continued support of P.J. Stories and of family friendly storytelling in general. I look forward to hearing from you. E-mail Pam Schweitzer at PLS [at] isp.com.  

October 16-18, 2008 8:00 p.m.
Layers
Naked Stages Performance Art Series, Intermedia Arts
2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis MN  55408

Layer(s) is an exploration of the development of Beverly Cottman’s creative process using a blend of storytelling and collage/assemblage technique. The weaving of personal narrative through an old story will inspire the creation of a work of art during the performance. Projected images, recorded music, scripted and improvisational text will be used to reveal various sources of inspiration.  For more information on the Naked Stages Performance Art Series, funded by the Jerome Foundation, go to http://www.intermediaarts.org/nakedstages/ Tickets are $12 general, $10 Fringe/student, and $6 for an IA Member.  For the most up-to-date information and to learn how to purchase tickets, call Intermedia Arts at (612) 871-4444 or visit www.intermediaarts.org.

October 22, 2008 7:00 - 8:30 p.m
Faster than the Speed of Life
The Men’s Center
3249 Hennepin Ave., Suite 55, Minneapolis, MN 

Alex Bernstein and Larry Johnson will tell stories that drag the boy out of the man and put him back again. Faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap over tall buildings in several bounds, they will do about an hour of stories, with a chance to just talk at the end.  Alex and Larry met, travelling opposite directions, during a sonic boom.   Alex, a Russian immigrant, delights in telling Russian folktales and stories of his adventures traveling the world.  He has performed in Minnesota for over 15 years, including TWO CHAIRS TELLING at the Jungle Theatre, the Seward Cafe, Coffee Grounds, and many others.  Larry was a 2 year old immigrant from Mpls to Bloomington, before the developers mowed down the country his dad sought in 1948.  He tells folktales of Bloomington with facts slightly exaggerated to protect the innocent.  He has walked and told stories since the late 60s throughout the U.S. and in England, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Ecuador; always slightly under the radar.  $5 donation to the Men’s Center.  Call 612-747-3904 for more information.
 

October 30, 2008,  12:00 p.m. 
“Tales and Songs for Halloween”
Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S., Edina, MN  55435 

Enjoy some “not-too-scary stories” designed to entertain preschoolers and their families with storyteller Carol McCormick.  952-832-6790  www.edinboroughpark.com 

November 29, 2008 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tellabration! 2008 at Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN.  Directions 

A trademarked program of the National Storytelling Network locally produced by Northstar Storytelling, and one of the largest Tellabrations in the country, this all day event held at Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S. in Minneapolis, runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving weekend, and offers a cornucopia of local talent, culminating in an evening concert.  Don’t miss it!

Ongoing Events

2nd and 4th Tuesdays: Tale Weavers Storytelling Toastmaster Club

Minnehaha United Methodist Church, 3701 E 50th Street, Minneapolis MN (about 6 blocks west of Hiawatha Ave). A great chance to practice new material or put a new spin on old material, and get constructive feedback! Beginning and Advanced Storytellers are welcome! Contact: Dave Schaal (612) 729-3160. 

Thursday Night: Open Stage for Wordsmiths 

At E. P. Atelier. 609 South 10th Street, Minneapolis, MN www.epatelier.com ~ Free! 

Second Saturday Soup Supper and Storytelling in St. Paul

Join a circle of friends and neighbors who gather to share a story or two over the course of the evening, from 6:00 p.m. to ??. Space is limited so please RSVP. For more info and directions, call Sandy Bebertz at 651.225.8738. To read a feature article in the December 2007 Star Tribune about this event, click here.  

New Voices Discussion Group 

A discussion group of the National Storytelling Network for tellers 18 to 30-something and their allies. Meets via toll-free conference call the second Monday of the month at 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. CST. Calls often feature national and local speakers. Phone number 1.888.887.0127, bridge number 658-186. For info on conference call, e-mail listserv and upcoming events, visit website: www.newvoicesonline.com.  

Storytelling with Children 

A national conversation from all perspectives on the profession of storytelling with children. Recorded as a conference call most Tuesdays at 7 or 8 p.m. Serving all members of the storytelling movement, including presenters, listeners, administrators, educators, parents and storytellers. You might sign in by the Friday before the call to get the email that will give you the telephone number and access code. If you wish to listen to the podcast you can subcribe via iTunes or just listen on the website. To join the list, go to www.storytellingwithchildren.com  or www.ericwolf.org.  Questions, email info@eric.com  

Workshops & Opportunities

Monthly Storytelling Group 

Elaine Wynne will be offering a monthly group for people who wish to deepen their stories of personal development or spirituality. Elaine has conducted hundreds of workshops for storytellers or people who want to develop their skills as “good talkers”. $20 per session. To register, call Elaine at (763)546-1662 or e-mail topstory@comcast.net.