2006 News

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Tellabration!™ 2006

Open House/Tellabration™

On Sunday, November 19, the Center combined two of its favorite events — Tellabration!™ and an open house/story swap.

Instead of a scripted program, we enjoyed having a B.Y.O.S. (Bring your own story) party. Members and non–members of the Center were invited to enjoy snacks, stories and conversation with other story–lovers.

 
Margaret Read MacDonald & Richard Scholtz on stage.

Margaret Read MacDonald at the Center —
and Beyond!

On August 9, the Center presented its first–ever summer program, a time when everybody knows that all New Yorkers who can be are out of town and unavailable. Margaret Read MacDonald — storyteller, folklorist and author — was coming to town from Seattle with her accompanist, Richard Scholtz… a rare occurrence which the Center had been awaiting for years, with a standing invitation to Margaret. Margaret's some forty–five books have reinvigorated contemporary storytelling, reassured many novice storytellers and have been a rich resource for experienced tellers.

People came out of the woodwork, so to speak — especially children's librarians, who are familiar with Margaret's many important collections of inviting folktales and advice to storytellers. One woman came down from Massachusetts, after imploring us to save her a seat. Several people brought their children and reported that both of them loved the program. Others came in from Long Island, New Jersey and Westchester. As the reservations poured in we began to worry that people would overflow the performance space. Things worked out perfectly. The ninety–some people fitted in cozily, and, of course, Margaret and Richard were wonderful!

Among the stories Margaret told were "The Lame Dog," "The Teeny Weeny Bop," and the haunting tale, "The Bear Child." They both made it seem so easy. Audience members commented afterwards that they loved seeing Margaret tell in her stocking feet, and on the way she seemed to float and bob around on the stage. One storyteller commented on how in–touch Margaret was with her inner child. Her gestures, especially when creatures were revealed to be handsome heroes, were priceless. She was presenting us all with a wonderful gift and was well aware of how happy it was going to make us! Richard seamlessly supported Margaret with his music. The musicians among us remarked on Richard's improvisational skills. His verbal responses often provided a hilarious deadpan counterpoint to Margaret's expressiveness. One of the most affecting parts of the program was when Margaret talked about storytellers from oral traditional cultures whom she has featured in her latest book, Ten Traditional Tellers, published by the University of Illinois Press.

Margaret brought books and tapes to sell. August House graciously provided additional books, which were sold at discounted prices. Margaret signed them all and even drew pictures in many of them.

There was a joyous feeling among the listeners during and afterwards that dramatized what exceptional storytelling can bring. The Center was truly delighted to help bring Margaret and Richard together with so many overjoyed story–lovers. And the next day, a new Margaret Read MacDonald fan was born:

 
Former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in the audience
at the Bronx Borough Center Library.

The day after their concert for the Center, when Margaret and Richard presented programs for children and families in libraries on Staten Island and in the Bronx, Hillary Rodham Clinton swept in with entourage and press, to admire the new Bronx Borough Center Library. Hillary asked the older children, who were following her adoringly, if "we'd" like to hear a story. So Margaret and Richard provided a command performance for them, with Hillary intently focusing on Margaret's appropriately political story about two goats on a bridge who knew how to cooperate! Evidently the photos of Richard and Margaret performing for Hillary are flying via e–mail to all of their friends in Washington State…

 
Margaret Read MacDonald meets the press in the Bronx.
(Photographs by Marilyn Iarusso.)

 
We humbly display our little gift from the National Storytelling Network.
(You can say it loud — we've arrived!)

NSN Oracle Awards Ceremony at the Golden Triangle

On July 22nd, at the National Storytelling Conference in Pittsburgh, the Storytelling Center, Inc. of New York City was given the 2006 Oracle Award for Regional Leadership and Service. The awards were given at an awards dinner in the ballroom of the Pittsburgh Hilton, which sits on the "Golden Triangle" at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongehela Rivers which join at that literal point to form the Ohio. The Conference brought together the storytelling community from across the United States and beyond. From the Conference, the community has moved back out into the world to continue the wonder–filled work of Story.

In the conference booklet, after a brief description of the Center, its mission and history, was this letter of thanks written by Gerald Fierst on behalf of the Center:

"Thank you for the recognition of the Oracle Award. The hard work and frustration of being a little arts organization in a big, culturally aggressive city is placed into perspective by our connection to a national network of guilds and centers across North America which affirms the simple human truth of telling each other's stories and, thereby, celebrating our common humanity. New York City is not an easy place to survive, and we are proud of our long record as storytelling survivors.
 
"We are proud of the board members who have given their time and energy to create extraordinary events and workshops. We are proud of the artists who have often donated their time and expertise so that we could offer the finest voices in the storytelling world to a city that often wants to hear loud and shocking voices rather than voices of tradition, vision, and education. Awards are a misnomer. We do not really need to give each other awards as if we have outdone each other. We are proud that our voice has joined with all of you to celebrate the power and diversity of storytelling."

 
Regina Ress addresses the audience upon accepting the Oracle Award on behalf of the Center.

In her introduction to Regina Ress, who was accepting the award on behalf of the Center, National Storytelling Network Board member and Mid–Atlantic Region Representative Marie Winger spoke of the challenges faced by a group whose competition is "Broadway, Off-Broadway, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, countless popular clubs and hip scenes" and whose local newspaper is the New York Times. After some back and forth with Marie about "tough" New Yorkers — which got a couple of good laughs from the crowd — Regina said:

"In 1987, on the first day I met Diane Wolkstein, she invited me to the next meeting of the New York Storytelling Center. I went… and found myself in the welcoming loft of Lillian Oppenheimer, surrounded by a wonderful group of New Yorkers. And there was Olatunji… the legendary Babatunde Olatunji… who played his drums, told stories and talked about storytelling in traditional culture in West Africa. When he finished, he packed up his drums, winked at us, and said, 'Now I'm going to go do this in a nightclub.' But we'd had him first, up–close and personal.
 
"A world opened for me that night and I can honestly say that to a large extent, I am in storytelling because of the New York Storytelling Center… I and countless other storytellers in NYC and beyond. And, yes, storytelling is a hard sell… harder and harder, as many of us have been discussing this weekend. But through the vision and perseverance of our 'founding mothers,' Laura Simms, Gioia Timpanelli, and Diane Wolkstein, and the core of people who have helped keep us going this quarter of a century, people such as Peninnah Schram, Marilyn Iarusso, Gerry Fierst, Barbara Aliprantis, Roslyn Bresnick Perry, and many, many others, the Center has held a place, in the most raucous city in a most raucous culture, for the quiet voice of storytelling… a voice of depth and integrity.
 
"On behalf of the New York Storytelling Center… and, indeed, in the name of the many centers and guilds and storytelling clubs that hold the place and space for storytelling, I want to thank NSN… an organization that is an advocate for the voice and the power of storytelling in the world. Thank you."

(N.B.: The Center was nominated by Regina Ress, with wonderful letters of support from Barbara Aliprantis, Rita Auerbach, Gerry Fierst, Penninah Schram, and Mike Seliger; we invite you to read them.)

 
Marie Winger and Regina Ress salute the Center…
and relax a bit after the awards ceremony.
We want to thank storyteller Robin Bady for the great photos!

 
Peninnah Schram and Roslyn Bresnick Perry.

Annual Dessert Party Delicious Hit!

The Center held its annual sweets and stories bash on June 14th, which featured amazing pies, cakes, cookies, fruits, cheeses, and a great line up of storytellers — Robin Bady, Jim Hawkins, Pamela MacFarlane, and Peninnah Schram, with MC Bill Gordh weaving it all together with "finger stories."

 
 
Left: Robin Bady (center) with Margaret Yuen and Julia Morris.
Right: John Colligan entertains at the piano.

Sixty–plus listeners came, old friends and new faces. What a great way to kick off the summer!

   
 
Left: Peninnah Schram at the book table.
Center: Pamela MacFarlane, one of the featured tellers.
Right: Bill Gordh, the Party's emcee, caught red–handed (red–fingered?).

Stories Worth Telling

An All–Day Symposium

The Center's "Stories Worth Telling" day on April 22nd. brought together tellers, teachers, and listeners for a wonderful variety of concerts and workshops. The day began with some fine family telling by Gerry Fierst, Bill Gordh, Jean Hale Eileen Palley, and Regina Ress.

 
Some of the lively workshop participants.

Bill Gordh then led a group through the process of transforming a folktale from a book into a well told tale. Odd noises and much laughter was heard coming out of the room during this! Should people have so much fun at a workshop?

 
The panelists, left to right:
Marilyn Iarusso, John Colligan, Gerald Fierst, and Regina Ress.

Bill's workshop was followed by a panel discussion on storytelling and what makes a tale "worth telling." John Colligan moderated; the panel was Marilyn Iarusso, Gerry Fierst, and Regina Ress. Some of the ideas discussed were:

Marilyn said she thought that the retellings that most often appeal to her are done by storytellers and/or poets who have a feel for oral languge.

Following the panel discussion was a lively swap, which included "The Coming of Finn," told by John Colligan, an Irish tale from the Finn cycle after a version by James Standish O'Grady and Mike Seliger's vignettes from the troubles of a Little League Baseball coach.

The day concluded with a concert of "Stories Worth Telling." Gerry Fierst spoke of telling stories in a youth detention center and told us some of the stories he told there, which included "The People Could Fly," "Young Mule and Head Chief," and "Good Morning, Herr Muller" from Yaffa Eliach's Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust.

Marilyn Iarusso told "Sody Sallyratus," an Appalachian tale from Richard Chase's Grandfather Tales; Johnny Moses' retelling of "The Story of the Boogie Woman" (published by Dan Yashinsky in Ghostwise); and "The Bear Maiden," from Jane Curry's Turtle Island.

Regina Ress told an original story, "Fear of Height and Other Terrors."

Storyteller Margaret Dawson wrote of the day:

"It was so good to be with all of you last Saturday… Thanks for putting together such a good program… The workshop and workshop/panel were as fine as any I've attended at a National Conference… to be a part of such a group is a privilege… I hope I'll see you again soon."

 
 
Left to right: Ginger Gordon and Carole Forman.

April 10th, 2006:

Our Winter Doldrums Party brings
the warmth of community

The storytelling community gathered at Marilyn Iarusso's NoHo loft in March for our second open house. Snacks, sangria and a lot of stories were shared, while Bill Gordh and Ron O'Reilly provided encouragement and music. Marilyn, who had just returned from a whirlwind trip to southeast Asia, was again a fabulous hostess.

Marilyn writes:

As a retired New York Public Library children's librarian, I was twice tickled by the stories that were shared. Ginger Gordon told the story of her introduction to storytelling as a child during story hours in Central Children's Room at the New York Public Library. I spent some thirty years training library storytellers, knew the patrician storyteller Ginger remembered, and know the practice and philosophy of storytelling at the Library inside and out. I am positive that no lights were turned off for the program, but it shows the power of good stories that Ginger remembers it so. Now Ginger is a teacher and is telling stories to children herself! Ellen Shapiro told one of my favorite stories, "Young Kate" by Eleanor Farjeon. I shared that story often with library staff, but never tried to learn it because I would always get choked up by the end. These two stories alone made up for ten days of furious housecleaning. I'm still laughing because a guest commented on how much he admired an artist who can keep her loft clean!

 
 
Left to right: Brad Woods and his son Charlie, visiting from the True North.

Another highlight was Canadian storyteller Brad Woods and his family, who were visiting New York. Brad told a thought–provoking story about a beauty contest between Crow and Nightingale. When Charlie, the Woods' grade schooler son, confided that he knew a story too, and his parents told him (and us) that he told it well, Charlie proceeded to demonstrate his storytelling skills, with a charming rendition of the race between turtle and elephant, becoming the youngest storyteller we have hosted.

 
 
Left to right: Master Lee, and Eileen Palley with Jean Hale.

Pin Pin Su transfixed us with a demonstration of tai chi to show the power and control that use of the body can bring to storytelling, and how the movements of the art come from stories. Ron O'Reilly and his wife, Laurie Tema–Lyn, told a humorous Jewish folktale in tandem, as a rabbi and his clever wife. Carol Foremen powerfully shared a story of how the hoopoe saved the beaks of all the birds when King Solomon was going to use them to build a castle. Two newcomers who have performed often at The Moth, Mr. Patrick and Master Lee, told us, respectively, the story of his mother's recovery from a terrible ski accident, and about the circles his life as a storyteller has taken.

As has become a Center event mainstay, second hand storytelling books were sold with guests picking us some terrific bargains. Jean Hale and Eileen Palley oversaw the book table for us. Lots of people came early to help set things out, thank you very much. A good time was had by all! Another open house is planned for the fall, when Bill Gordh's new storytelling book is published.

Marilyn Iarusso.

 
Pin Pin Sun, one of the featured performers at our Winter Doldrums Party
back in March.

Please remember: if you have some storytelling gigs coming up — or know of some quality storytelling–centric websites we should be hyperlinking — please let us know so we can list them here!

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