2019 TORONTO STORYTELLING FESTIVAL - March 2-24 www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca
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Storytelling Toronto presents:
2019
TORONTO
STORYTELLING
FESTIVAL
STORIES TOLD
EYE TO EYE,
MIND TO MIND,
HEART TO HEART
March 2-24
www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca
March 2019
The value of storytelling is universal. When we actively listen to
one another, we identify common fears, passions, triumphs, and purpose.
We come to better understand ourselves and, in turn, create communities
in which we may thrive and take pride. This is a truth I have lived every
day as Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in Ontario: people in this
province and beyond have been generous in sharing so many incredible
stories, and I wholeheartedly offer my support to this gathering of
citizens who are united in their appreciation of the spoken word.
I commend all volunteers and supporters of the 2019 Toronto
Storytelling Festival for contributing their time, talent, and energy in
service of such a noble endeavour. You all have my good wishes for an
enjoyable and memorable experience.
Elizabeth Dowdeswell
2019 TORONTO STORYTELLING FESTIVAL Director’s Note Storytelling Toronto presents the 40th annual Toronto Storytelling Festival! “Hatched” in 1978 at a cafe in Kensington Market, the Toronto Storytelling Festival first took flight on April 1,1979, and soared into becoming one of the world’s top urban storytelling festivals. We celebrate our 40th year with enormous gratitude and continuing flights of fancy. As always, 1001 heartfelt thanks to our volunteers, tellers, sponsors, partners, and listeners. Behind us are the ancestors who gave voice to the stories of the earth, water, fire, and air. The festival continues to honour the storytellers of the First Nations who are keeping their oral traditions alive. Our festival theme this year is “Stories told eye to eye, mind to mind, heart to heart” (Scottish Traveller proverb). Tradition bearers bring wisdom from the ancestors to illuminate our future, weaving new understandings from the web of old stories. Our beautiful festival image from Luciana Baptista-Cohen’s original watercolour painting portrays the brilliance of these storythreads, the open hands that give and receive them, and the warmth of the global storytelling community we celebrate. “There was a belief that the world was one great beating heart; the rivers and waterways its veins and arteries; the oceans the vital organs….” So begins a story told by Seannachaidh of Glendale Seoras Macpherson. Traditional oral stories are the most authentic source of the holistic worldview that is essential for our future. We know that we are at a tipping point. Sustainability is not enough. What is needed now is radical hospitality, vigilant stewardship, love in action. Stories are powerful tools for change and always have been; they are vital ways of connecting us “heart to heart” with each other and the natural world. They are bright threads of creativity and love to weave into re-imagined ways of being with each other and our Earth. The “old ways” discovered anew continually bring us back into the present with hope for the future. Welcome. Fàilte. Aanii. Tawow —“there is enough room.” You are part of the re-imagining. Dawne McFarlane, Artistic Director 1
Festival Tickets and Camp Registration
To Register for Storytellers’ Camp:
www.eventbrite.ca/e/storytellers-camp-pass-includes-festival-pass-tickets-55129720478
To Buy a Festival Pass:
www.eventbrite.ca/e/festival-pass-tickets-55129071537
To buy tickets for individual festival events:
https://torontostorytellingfestival.ca/2019/tickets/
For the full schedule and local artists’ bio/photos, please visit:
www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca
2
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ bios
VISITING TELLERS
Donald Smith Louise Profeit-LeBlanc
Donald Smith is a Louise Profeit-LeBlanc is a
lifelong storyteller, Traditional Storyteller from
and founder of the Nacho Nyak Dän First
both the Scottish Nation of the Yukon Territory
Storytelling Centre in in Northern Canada. Her
Edinburgh, and the 30 year commitment to the
Scottish International cultural and artistic heritage
Storytelling Festival. of her people includes being
As a teller he ‘casts his anchor’ in the Scottish and Irish cofounder of the Yukon
traditions in which he was nurtured but also believes in International Storytelling Festival and one of the original
creative exchange between cultures and traditions. While members of the Society of Yukon Artists of Native
celebrating the art of storytelling he also emphasizes Ancestry. Both of these organizations helped to inspire
living connection with place and social environment, the an artistic revival and recognition of Indigenous art
need to engage with all ages, and always to entertain. in the territory, while laying a strong foundation for
Storytelling is above all the art of humanity. further advancement and evolution of all Indigenous
art practices in the North. Louise was chosen by the
APPEARING
Storytellers of Canada-Conteurs du Canada StorySave
• March 18: (1:30 PM - 2:30 PM) Folktales from
Project 2018 and recorded “Honouring Their Stories.”
Scotland at Eatonville Library
• March 20: (12:00 PM - 1:15 PM) International APPEARING
Storytalk: Global Activism and Storytelling at A • March 20: (2:30 PM - 4:00 PM) Honouring Their
Different Booklist Cultural Centre Stories at the Centre for Indigenous Studies
• March 20: (7:30 PM - 9:30 PM) Stories of Resistance at • March 20: (7:30 PM - 9:30 PM) Stories of Resistance at
Spadina Theatre at Alliance Française de Toronto Spadina Theatre at Alliance Française de Toronto
• March 22: (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM) Storytellers’ Camp • March 22: (9:00 AM - 11:30 AM) Storytellers Camp
Afternoon Workshop at CSI Annex Morning Workshop at CSI Annex
• March 22: (7:30 PM - 10:30 PM) 1001 Friday Nights at • March 23: (7:30 PM - 10:30 PM) Presenting the Past
the Festival at Artscape Wychwood Barns for Our Future at Artscape Wychwood Barns
• March 24: (1:00 PM - 1:30 PM) TD StoryJam Family
Storytelling Day at Toronto Reference Library
3
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ bios
VISITING TELLERS
Jess Smith • March 20: (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM) Scottish Traveller
Jess Smith is a Scottish Tales at Locke Library
Traveller who spent 12 of her • March 21: (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM) Storytellers’ Camp
early years travelling around Afternoon Workshop at CSI Annex
the countryside in a single- • March 23: (1:15 PM - 1:45 PM) Traveller Stories at
decker bus with her parents Artscape Wychwood Barns
and seven siblings. She lives • March 23: (7:30 PM - 10:30 PM) Presenting the Past
in picturesque Glen Lednock for Our Future at Artscape Wychwood Barns
where the Pictish warrior once • March 24: (1:30 PM - 2:00 PM) TD StoryJam Family
forged his swords. A strong Storytelling Day at Toronto Reference Library
desire to research her diverse culture and share her
own journey led to six published books. Jess continues
Peter Chand
to travel extensively to share her journey story and the
Peter Chand is an award-
tales of her culture wherever the wind blows. She is
winning international
deeply committed to the respect and preservation of the
Storyteller, constantly in
Scottish Traveller culture. She has campaigned to have
demand for his unique
a place in Argyll known as “The Tinker’s Heart,” sacred
retelling of tales from his
to Travellers, protected as a national monument. Jess
motherland India. Peter
and her husband Dave recorded Travellers sharing their
has shared his stories
stories in a film called “A Sense Of Identity” that has been
across Britain and has also performed in Norway, France,
touring Scotland.
Austria, Canada, and Singapore, amongst other countries.
APPEARING He grew up with Punjabi as his first language and still
• March 18: (10:00 AM - 11:00AM) Scottish Traveller visits family in the Punjab to collect folk tales, translating
Tales at Pape-Danforth Library them into English and sharing them with audiences
• March 19: (12:00 PM - 1:15 PM) International worldwide. Peter is also part of the organizing team of
Storytalk: The Tinker’s Heart at A Different Booklist Festival at the Edge, the oldest storytelling festival in
Cultural Centre England.
• March 19: (1:15 PM - 2:15 PM) Film: A Sense of
APPEARING
Identity at A Different Booklist Cultural Centre
• March 18: (7:30 PM - 10:00 PM) Tongue Tied & Twisted
• March 19: (6:30 PM - 8:30 PM) Opening Ceremony at
at Spadina Theatre at Alliance Française de Toronto
4 Native Canadian Centre Toronto
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ bios
VISITING TELLERS
• March 19: (1:30 PM - 2:30 PM) Traditional Tales from PKCtheFirst
India at Runnymede Library Music producer PKCtheFirst
• March 19: (7:30 PM - 9:30 PM) True Stories (Told Live) has been creating music
at The Garrison for as long as he can
• March 20: (7:30 PM - 9:30 PM) Stories of Resistance at remember. BBC Radio have
the Spadina Theatre at Alliance Française de Toronto been supporting the young,
• March 21: (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM) Storytellers’ Camp dynamic producer for many
Afternoon Workshop at CSI Annex years now, and his tracks
• March 22: (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM) Storytellers’ Camp have received major airplay.
Afternoon Workshop at CSI Annex He is a unique and exciting
• March 22: (7:30 PM - 10:30 PM) 1001 Friday Nights at member of the British/Asian music scene, which is
the Festival at Artscape Wychwood Barns constantly evolving and exploring genres and influences.
• March 23: (11:45 AM - 12:15 PM) Traditional Tales Not just based exclusively in the studio – he has also
from India at Artscape Wychwood Barns played live at the London Mela, (the biggest Asian festival
• March 24: (2:00 PM - 2:30 PM) TD StoryJam Family in the UK) and toured with Tongue Tied & Twisted across
Storytelling Day at Toronto Reference Library Britain and recently in Amsterdam.
• March 24: (6:30 PM - 9:30 PM) Tongue Tied & Twisted
APPEARING
and Masala Mix at CSI Annex
• March 18: (7:30 PM - 10:00 PM) Tongue Tied & Twisted
Spadina Theatre at Alliance Française de Toronto
• March 19: (1:30 PM - 2:30 PM) Traditional Tales from
India at Runnymede Library
• March 21: (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM) Storytellers’ Camp
Afternoon Workshop at CSI Annex
• March 22: (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM) Storytellers’ Camp
Afternoon Workshop at CSI Annex
• March 24: (6:30 PM - 9:30 PM) Tongue Tied & Twisted
and Masala Mix at CSI Annex
5
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ bios
VISITING TELLERS
Ron Evans Seoras Macpherson
Ron Evans is the Seoras Macpherson is a
unofficial “Elder” of the Seannachaidh, a tradition
Toronto Storytelling bearer from the Isle of Skye
Festival. A regular in Scotland. At the age of
performer and teacher three on his Grandfather’s
at the festival since knee, he began learning the
1979, he carries the traditional stories that had
oral traditions of his Metis and Chippewa-Cree ancestries. been passed down through
He rarely chooses his stories ahead of time, since the generations of his family
stories he tells are in response to his listeners. His stories from Skye and Argyll. These
can be hilarious, moving, and life-changing. include stories of the epic
heroes Fionn and Cuchullin, the legendary queen Sgiath
APPEARING
known as the greatest of all warriors, as well as tales
• March 19: (6:30 PM - 8:30 PM) Opening Ceremony at
of fairies, water horses and the seal people. Seoras has
the Native Canadian Centre Toronto
lectured internationally on Druidical spirituality, published
• March 20: (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM) Storytellers’ Camp
four books, and appeared in several films.
Afternoon Workshop at CSI Annex
• March 21: (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM) Storytellers’ Camp APPEARING
Afternoon Workshop at CSI Annex • March 18: (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM) Celtic Stories at Don
• March 22: (12:00 PM - 1:15 PM) International Mills Library
Storytalk: Who Can Tell at A Different Booklist Cultural • March 19: (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM) Storytelling Group at
Centre Baycrest Health Sciences
• March 23: (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM) Celebrating Stories at • March 19: (6:30 PM - 8:30 PM) Opening Ceremony at
Native Canadian Centre of Toronto the Native Canadian Centre Toronto
• March 23: (7:30 PM - 10:30 PM) Presenting the Past • March 20: (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM) Storytellers’ Camp
for Our Future at Artscape Wychwood Barns Afternoon Workshop at CSI Annex
• March 24: (2:15 PM - 2:45 PM) TD StoryJam Family • March 21: (12:00 PM - 1:15 PM) International
Storytelling Day at Toronto Reference Library Storytalk: The Second Sight, Seers in Druidical and
Celtic Traditions at A Different Booklist Cultural
Centre
6
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ bios
VISITING TELLERS
• March 21: (7:00 PM - 8:30 PM) Sgiath, Amazon Queen APPEARING
of Skye at A Different Booklist Cultural Centre • March 19: (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM) Gramma Susie at
• March 22: (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM) Storytellers’ Camp Goldhawk Park Library
Afternoon Workshop at CSI Annex • March 19: (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM) Storytelling Group at
• March 23: (7:30 PM - 10:30 PM) Presenting the Past Baycrest Health Sciences
for Our Future at Artscape Wychwood Barns • March 19: (6:30 PM - 8:30 PM) Opening Ceremony at
• March 24: (2:30 PM - 3:00 PM) TD StoryJam Family Native Canadian Centre Toronto
Storytelling Day at Toronto Reference Library • March 20: (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM) Storytellers’ Camp
Afternoon Workshop at CSI Annex
• March 21: (5:30 PM - 7:00 PM) Humour and
Sharon Shorty
Storytelling at the Multi-Faith Centre
Sharon Shorty is
• March 22: (7:30 PM - 10:30 PM) 1001 Friday Nights at
from the Tlingit,
the Festival at the Artscape Wychwood Barns
Northern Tutchone
• March 23: (2:45 PM - 3:30 PM) Celebrating Stories at
and Norwegian people.
the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
Sharon is from the
• March 24: (1:30 PM - 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Raven Clan and was
TD StoryJam Family Storytelling Day at the Toronto
raised with the storytelling tradition of her southern
Reference Library
Yukon community. Sharon is an award winning actor
(Aurora Award, 1997) and storyteller (Aurora Award,
1998). She has received the Ross Charles Award (1999),
the CTV Fellowship (1999), and The Yukon Filmmaker’s
Fund Award (1999). Sharon was the Aboriginal Storyteller
in Residence at Vancouver Public Library in 2015, and is
an award-winning Bannock-Maker! She is the founding
Artistic Director for SYANA Performing Arts (The Society
of Yukon Artists of Native Ancestry). She is renowned
for her creation and portrayal of Gramma Susie, an
irrepressible Yukon elder. She is a recipient of the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee Medal and was declared by Up Here
Magazine as the “funniest human being North of 60.”
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Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosSATURDAY MARCH 2 – STORYFIRE EVENTS
Storyfire P 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ACCESSIBLE: Yes
BATA SHOE MUSEUM TICKETS: Free (Registration required)
Storyfire is a community-based
327 Boor Street West, Toronto REGISTER HERE: https://jftor.org/
celebration by local storytellers.
Stories, Rhymes and Songs…Oh My! event/katari-storytelling-2019/
Toronto tellers produce their own
Join us for a special presentation AUDIENCE: Family
shows in venues across the city.
by Carol Ashton and Sally Jaeger as PRODUCER: Katari Japanese
they entertain the little ones with Storytellers, The Japan Foundation
SATURDAY MARCH 2
stories, rhymes and songs.
P 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
ACCESSIBLE: Yes P 7:30 PM (Doors open at 7:00 PM)
MORNINGSIDE LIBRARY
TICKETS: Included in museum CSI ANNEX, GROUND FLOOR LOUNGE
4279 Lawrence Avenue East,
admission 720 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Toronto
AUDIENCE: Family The Toronto Storytelling Festival
Storyfire at Morningside Library
PRODUCER: Bata Shoe Museum Storyteller’s Fete 2019
Toronto Public Library staff tell their
Toronto has an amazing and
favourite stories.
P 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM incredibly diverse storytelling scene,
ACCESSIBLE: Yes
THE JAPAN FOUNDATION and in celebration of this we’re
TICKETS: Free
2 Bloor Street East, Toronto throwing a party! Co-produced by
AUDIENCE: All ages
Suite 300, 3rd Floor, above Royal Bank Stories We Don’t Tell and the Toronto
PRODUCER: Toronto Public Library
The 26th Katari Japanese Storytelling Festival, this evening
Storytelling Show: Southern Breeze will feature stories from some of the
P 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
from Okinawa city’s favourite tellers, followed by a
BEACHES LIBRARY
In 1994, a group of Japanese chance to share a drink, a laugh and
2161 Queen Street East, Toronto
teachers in Toronto started telling good cheer.
Storyfire at Beaches Library
Japanese stories both in English and ACCESSIBLE: Yes
Toronto Public Library staff tell their
Japanese for two purposes: to diffuse TICKETS: Pay-What-You-Can
favourite stories.
Japanese culture to the Canadians AUDIENCE: Adult
ACCESSIBLE: Yes
at large, and to pass their heritage to PRODUCER: Stories We Don’t Tell and
TICKETS: Free
the next generation. Featuring: Jack Toronto Storytelling Festival
AUDIENCE: All ages
Howard, Sonoe Howard, Koko Kikuchi,
PRODUCER: Toronto Public Library
Toshiki Mori, Sachiko Hata Pereklita,
8 Yusuke Tanaka, Yoko Hyde
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosSUNDAY MARCH 3 – STORYTELLING AT THE GLADSTONE
SUNDAY MARCH 3 A festival tradition, this is a one- ACCESSIBLE: Yes
P 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM day celebration of the Toronto TICKETS: $20 admission at the door
GLADSTONE HOTEL storytelling community, featuring gets you in to any number of shows
1214 Queen Street West, Toronto traditional wonder tales, ballad you want to attend.
Storytelling at the Gladstone singing, original stories, personal AUDIENCE: 14+
stories, historical stories, literary PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto
stories and experimental narratives.
TIME MELODY BAR BALLROOM
10:00 AM Stories Of Course:
Stories told by students from Storytelling Toronto, hosted by
instructors Lynda Howes and Marylyn Peringer
11:00 AM Family, Friends and Fate: Stories to Welcome Back the Light:
Judy and Paul Caulfield use story and song to give voice to the Have you noticed how the days
unique perspectives and varied experiences of Canadians. are getting longer? Listen as
Marylyn Peringer shares myths
11:30 AM Stories Through the Sound of Music:
from Canada and other places
Music has opened doors and crossed barriers from the time
illustrating the disappearance of
Valentina Gal was a little girl and on through her adult life.
the sun and celebrating its gradual
Poignant and fun, her musical stories are an important part of her
return.
human experience.
12:00 PM Once Upon a Dark Time: How Quest Went in Search of Truth:
Join Natasha Charles on a journey in honouring legendary Sarah Abusarar tells a Croatian
nightmarish denizens from Japan and Trinidad, whom you’ll wish fairytale written by celebrated
never to meet upon waking. Croatian children’s writer
Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić.
12:30 PM True Tall Tales from a Thunder Bay Girl
Sometimes life can really BUG us, until we stop creating a
negative buzz and suck it up with humour! Heather Whaley tells
two original tales.
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Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosSUNDAY MARCH 3 – STORYTELLING AT THE GLADSTONE
TIME MELODY BAR BALLROOM
1:00 PM The Little Black Doll: #MeToo – Tales of Old That Must Be Told:
Can an orphan girl burrow her way into the good The York Storytelling Guild shares five
graces of her stodgy grandmother? powerful stories about fictional women whose
SI Boucaud tells a charming Lucy Maud Montgomery story. memories were clear and whose words would
not be silenced.
1:30 PM Two Tales from Newfoundland:
Featuring: Lynn Torrie, Laurie Malabar, Anna
Pat Bisset tells the stories of Jack and Ti-Jean. Always
Kerz, June Brown and Brian Walsh
the underdogs, they challenge the deepest, darkest
beings of our subconscious. Will they triumph?
2:00 PM Day of the Vulture: Dem Bones, Gonna Rise Again:
Using folktale, original writing and personal story, Meryl Arbing, Diane Bosman and Donna
Leah Stinson weaves strong visual imagery and lyrical Dudinsky return for a third and final round of
wording into tales of death and finding hope. Death-defying tales, this time with tales of
resurrection.
2:30 PM Entirely Spooky Tales:
Adele Koehnke tells two original tales to grip and
amaze. The fates catapult two normal Toronto people
into two nail biting real and yet surreal worlds.
3:00 PM Sisters, Queen and Captive: The Battle for Yonge Street - Celebrating
Singing and telling the Sephardic ballad “An Andalusian Stonewall:
Moorish Queen Seeks a Christian Maidservant”, Imagine we’re back in 1969 – what was
Judith Cohen weaves in singers’ stories from medieval Toronto like for LGBTQ2S people? How
Spain, Morocco and Bosnia, with stories of the ballad different their lives were! Did the Stonewall
itself. riots in New York City, 50 years ago, have an
impact here? Queers in Your Ears, Toronto’s
3:30 PM Mother Teresa and Me:
oldest queer storytelling collective, will ask
Rubena Sinha tells a story about her two meetings with
what might have happened if we’d had a
Mother Teresa and how those meetings resonated in
Stonewall of our own.
her life.
Featuring: Jeffrey Canton and Rico Rodrigues
10
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosSUNDAY MARCH 3 – STORYTELLING AT THE GLADSTONE
TIME MELODY BAR BALLROOM
4:00 PM The History of My Voice: The Love of a Good Woman – A Joan Bodger
Mixing song and story, Michelle Tocher tells a personal Tribute in Story and Song:
story about the silencing of her singing voice and Based on a story by Joan Bodger, Jean Bubba
her journey to reclaim the full capacity of the human and Michelle Rumball weave a narrative told
voice. in words and music, depicting the need for the
healing power of women for a father wounded
by the world and war.
4:30 PM Don’t Lose That Thread!
Complexity! Some of the old ballads twist and
turn. Performed in the traditional single-voice
style, these songs offer interesting, if not always
logical, developments – if you can keep your focus!
Balladeers: Karen Kaplan and Meryl Arbing
5:00 PM Tales from the Fringes: Forbidden Love:
Canadian Comedy Award recipient Briane Nasimok June Brown, Anna Kerz and Laurie Malabar
shares the triumphs and tribulations of taking reveal the pain and life-long repercussions felt
his award-winning one-person storytelling show by young people who broke the sexual codes in
“Confessions of an Operatic Mute” on the road. the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s.
5:30 PM Snow Queen in North Korea:
When the real North Korean dictator’s son kidnapped
a moviemaker, he was unwittingly acting out Hans
Christian Andersen’s famous folktale, The Snow
Queen. Sage Tyrtle intertwines the two stories and
explores the question: What happens when powerful
people get lonely?
11
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosTHURSDAY MARCH 7 | FRIDAY MARCH 8 | SATURDAY MARCH 9 – STORYFIRE EVENTS
THURSDAY MARCH 7 FRIDAY MARCH 8 SATURDAY MARCH 9
P 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM P 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM P 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
SAINT STEPHEN-IN-THE-FIELDS INNIS CAFÉ AT INNIS COLLEGE JUMBLIES THEATRE
CHURCH 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto 132 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto
103 Bellevue Avenue, Toronto The Talking Stick, Event 1: Birds of a Feather
The Purple, White, and Green: The International Women’s Day Stories told by and about women
Story of the Scottish Suffragettes The Toronto Storytelling Festival ACCESSIBLE: Yes
Opening to sell-out audiences on happens once a year, but tales are TICKETS: PWYC (Suggested donation
its first night, this widely acclaimed told every Friday night at 1001 $10)
piece made headline news across Friday Nights of Storytelling. Come AUDIENCE: 14+
Scotland. Wowing its audiences, the hear our best-loved stories, told by PRODUCER: Rubena Sinha and Diana
production has created quite a stir, tellers who have honed their skills Tso
revisiting the suffragette story in a as listeners and tellers, week by
manner that celebrates and informs, week, all year long. This is the first P 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
yet also entertains. Specifically of two The Talking Stick evenings, CANADIAN LESBIAN AND GAY
written to mark the centenary of with stories honouring International ARCHIVES (CLGA)
(some) women’s right to vote, this Women’s Day. Featuring Meryl 34 Isabella Street, Toronto
powerful piece of storytelling is both Arbing, Pat Bisset, Diane Bosman, Queers in Your Ears presents The
timely and compelling. Featuring Lea Karen Kaplan, Laurie Malabar, Nick Battle for Yonge Street
Taylor and Nicola Wright Miceli, Brian Walsh with special ACCESSIBLE: Yes
ACCESSIBLE: Yes guests Lea Taylor and Nicola Wright TICKETS: PWYC (suggested donation
TICKETS: $10 at the door (cash only) ACCESSIBLE: Yes $10)
AUDIENCE: Adult TICKETS: $5 at the door AUDIENCE: Adult
PRODUCER: Lea Taylor and Nicola AUDIENCE: 14+ PRODUCER: Queers in Your Ears
Wright PRODUCER: 1001 Friday Nights of
Storytelling
12
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosSATURDAY MARCH 9 | SUNDAY MARCH 10 – STORYFIRE EVENTS
P 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM SUNDAY MARCH 10 ACCESSIBLE: Yes
A DIFFERENT BOOKLIST CULTURAL P 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM TICKETS: $100 - $120 (Buy tickets:
CENTRE (Daylight Savings Time) www.eventbrite.ca/e/storytelling-
779 Bathurst Street, Toronto CENTRAL NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE workshop-sunday-march-10-2019-to-
True Stories about Small Girls 1ST FLOOR MULTIPURPOSE ROOM ronto-tickets-54494408242)
The Truth about Gladys Pouch: We 349 Ontario Street, Toronto AUDIENCE: Adult
all have a great need to belong and Growing with Storytelling: Metastory PRODUCER: Storytellers of Canada/
this story reveals how kindness and of The Shoe Project Conteurs du Canada
tolerance may be forgotten when Day workshop for storytellers
we are forced to make choices. It and those working in classroom, P 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
also demonstrates that the bully, the settlement and community settings AREEJ GALLERY
bullied and the bystander can often with youth, adults and seniors. 2640 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
be one and the same. Zablotz: On Includes snacks and lunch for 12 10 Tellers of Myth and Legend
the planet Zablotz, bookish loner to 20 adults. This workshop will We join World Storytelling Day with
Sage would fit right in. Too bad she’s demonstrate the use of the shoe the theme of Myths and Legends.
stuck in California. as a metaphor for the journeys Featuring: Sarah Abusarar, Pat
ACCESSIBLE: Yes of newcomers to Canada. It will Bisset, Michael Boulger, Natasha
TICKETS: $10 (Buy tickets: show how storytelling can be used Charles, Nick Miceli, Paul Nash,
www.eventbrite.ca/e/true- to improve women’s written and Molly Sutkaitis, Maria Ordonez,
stories-about-small-girls- spoken English. Participants will Cecilia Vizcaino, Harriet Xanthakos
tickets-54977000689) take away ideas for their own story ACCESSIBLE: Yes
AUDIENCE: 14+ circle activities and hear stories told TICKETS: $10
PRODUCER: Anna Kerz and Sage by alumnae of The Shoe Project. AUDIENCE: Family
Tyrtle Presented by: The Shoe Project PRODUCER: 10 Myth Tellers
alumnae Yuli Hu and Teenaz Javat,
with introduction by Katherine Govier,
Founder and Artistic Director of The
Shoe Project.
13
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosFRIDAY MARCH 15 | SUNDAY MARCH 17 | MONDAY MARCH 18
FRIDAY MARCH 15 SUNDAY MARCH 17 Festival Week
P 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM P 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Festival Week begins as international
INNIS CAFÉ AT INNIS COLLEGE (Doors open at 1:30 PM)
and national tellers join local
2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto CENTRE FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION,
storytellers at venues across the city.
The Talking Stick, Event 2 LOWER LEVEL – THE GARAGE
The Toronto Storytelling Festival 720 Bathurst Street, Toronto
MONDAY MARCH 18
happens once a year, but tales are The Snow Queen
P 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
told every Friday night at 1001 One of Hans Christian Andersen’s
DON MILLS LIBRARY
Friday Nights of Storytelling. Come most famous and best beloved
888 Lawrence Ave. E, Toronto
hear our best-loved stories, told by stories, The Snow Queen, is rarely
Celtic Stories
tellers who have honed their skills as told in its entirety. Now Snow Queen
Seoras Macpherson is a
listeners and tellers, week by week, Storytellers is pleased to bring it
Seannachaidh, a tradition bearer
all year long. This is the second to you at this Festival. Our dear
from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. At
of two The Talking Stick evenings. friend, Carol McGirr, a member of
the age of three, on his Grandfather’s
Featuring: SI Boucaud, June Brown, our group, died January 2. This
knee, he began learning the traditional
Jean Bubba, Donna Dudinsky, telling is dedicated to her. Featuring:
stories that had been passed down
Howard Kaplan, Rensia Melles, Eden Jeffrey Canton, Sandra Carpenter-
through generations of his family
Nameri, Briane Nasimok, Carol Davis, Lynda Howes, Celia Lottridge,
from Skye and Argyll. These include
Ribner, Harriet Xanthakos Marylyn Peringer, Ruby Sinha
stories of the epic heroes Fionn and
ACCESSIBLE: Yes ACCESSIBLE: Yes
Cuchullin, and tales of fairies, water
TICKETS: $5 at the door TICKETS: $10 at the door (cash only)
horses and the seal people.
AUDIENCE: 14+ AUDIENCE: Adult
ACCESSIBLE: Yes
PRODUCER: 1001 Friday Nights of PRODUCER: Snow Queen Storytellers
TICKETS: Free
Storytelling
AUDIENCE: 8+
PRODUCER: Toronto Public Library,
Storytelling Toronto
14
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosMONDAY MARCH 18 | TUESDAY MARCH 19 – FESTIVAL WEEK
P 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM P 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM TUESDAY MARCH 19
PAPE-DANFORTH LIBRARY SPADINA THEATRE AT ALLIANCE P 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
701 Pape Ave., Toronto FRANÇAISE DE TORONTO GOLDHAWK PARK LIBRARY
Scottish Traveller Tales 24 Spadina Rd. Toronto 295 Alton Towers Circle, Scarborough
Jess Smith grew up in a Scottish Tongue Tied & Twisted: Indian tales Gramma Susie
Traveller family, listening to stories with a contemporary twist Sharon Shorty is one of the Yukon’s
around the campfire of ancient kings, Tongue Tied & Twisted blasts most famous Indigenous comedians.
dragons, witches, tramps, and all Indian storytelling into the 21st Performing as Elder “Gramma Susie,”
manner of heroes. A strong desire century combining the talents of UK she spins hilarious yarns about the
to research her diverse culture and music producer PKCtheFirst with olden days and modern times.
share her own journey led to six international performer Peter Chand. ACCESSIBLE: Yes
published books. Experience two distinctive artists TICKETS: Free | AUDIENCE: 14+
ACCESSIBLE: Yes bringing a fresh UK twist on traditional PRODUCER: Toronto Public Library,
TICKETS: Free | AUDIENCE: 5+ tales, collected from South Asian Storytelling Toronto
PRODUCER: Toronto Public Library, elders and fused with a unique blend
Storytelling Toronto of Urban Hip Hop and classical South P 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Asian sounds. M-DO/KathakToronto A DIFFERENT BOOKLIST
P 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM dancers begin the evening with an CULTURAL CENTRE
EATONVILLE LIBRARY excerpt from the true story of Queen 777 Bathurst St. Toronto
430 Burnhamthorpe Rd. Toronto Ketevan, the 16th century leader of International Storytalk: The Tinker’s
Folktales from Scotland Kakheti in eastern Georgia who was Heart
Scottish storyteller Donald deeply devoted to her people and to Scottish Traveller Jess Smith is
Smith tells stories that evoke the peace, presented in the North Indian passionate about the importance
fantastical, fabulous beings of folk classical Kathak dance drama style. of place and history in the survival
tales in Scotland and Ireland – elves, ACCESSIBLE: Yes of her culture. Her actions and
the wee people, mermaids, trowies TICKETS: $20 advance, $25 door (cash stories are loud and clear. She will
and not-so-wee giants! only). Included in Festival Pass talk about the campaign to protect
ACCESSIBLE: Yes AUDIENCE: Adult “The Tinker’s Heart” and Travellers’
TICKETS: Free | AUDIENCE: 6+ PRODUCER: Alliance Française personal experiences of residential
PRODUCER: Toronto Public Library, de Toronto, M-Do/KathakToronto, schools in the award-winning film “A
Storytelling Toronto Storytelling Toronto Sense of Identity.” 15
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosTUESDAY MARCH 19 – FESTIVAL WEEK
ACCESSIBLE: Yes PKCtheFirst bring a fresh twist on P 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
TICKETS: $10 (or pay-what-you-can) traditional tales collected from BAYCREST HEALTH SCIENCES
at the door, cash only. Included in South Asian elders, and talk about 3560 Bathurst St. Toronto
Festival Pass their show “Tongue Tied & Twisted.” Tuesday Afternoon Storytelling
AUDIENCE: 10+ ACCESSIBLE: Yes Group
PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto TICKETS: Free Dan Yashinsky has been Baycrest’s
AUDIENCE: 10+ storyteller-in-residence, and hosts a
P 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM PRODUCER: Toronto Public Library, special storytelling afternoon with
A DIFFERENT BOOKLIST Storytelling Toronto guests Seoras Macpherson and
CULTURAL CENTRE Sharon Shorty.
777 Bathurst St. Toronto P March 19, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ACCESSIBLE: Yes
“A Sense of Identity” NATIVE CANADIAN CENTRE TICKETS: Free
Jess and Dave Smith’s film “A Sense TORONTO, AUDITORIUM AUDIENCE: 14+
of Identity,” interviewing Scottish 16 Spadina Rd.
Travellers who were taken from The Peacemaker P 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
their families and put in residential Aronhiate:ni Thompson, NATIVE CANADIAN CENTRE OF
schools, recently received the Kanyen’keha:ka (Mohawk) of TORONTO, AUDITORIUM
Scottish Folklore Society’s Non-Print Akwesasne talks about the 16 Spadina Rd., Toronto
Media Award. importance of The Peacemaker story Opening Ceremony
ACCESSIBLE: Yes for our times. Aronhiate:ni Thompson presents
TICKETS: Free ACCESSIBLE: Yes the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving
AUDIENCE: 10+ TICKETS: Free Address and Unity Stomp
PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto AUDIENCE: 10+ Dance. Tradition bearers Seoras
PRODUCER: Native Canadian Centre Macpherson, Jess Smith, Ron Evans,
P 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Toronto, Storytelling Toronto and Sharon Shorty share gifts of
RUNNYMEDE LIBRARY story with us.
2178 Bloor St. West, Toronto ACCESSIBLE: Yes
Traditional Tales from India with a TICKETS: Free
Contemporary Twist AUDIENCE: All ages
From the UK, renowned storyteller PRODUCER: Native Canadian Centre
16 Peter Chand and music producer Toronto, Storytelling Toronto
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosTUESDAY MARCH 19 | WEDNESDAY MARCH 20 – FESTIVAL WEEK
P 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM WEDNESDAY MARCH 20 ACCESSIBLE: Yes
(doors open at 6:45 PM) P 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM TICKETS: $10 (or pay-what-you-can)
THE GARRISON LOCKE LIBRARY at the door, cash only. Included in
1197 Dundas St. West at Ossington 3083 Yonge Street, Toronto Festival Pass
True Stories Toronto Scottish Traveller Tales AUDIENCE: 14+
True Stories (Told Live) Toronto is Jess Smith grew up in a Scottish PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto
the city’s biggest free storytelling Traveller family, listening to stories
show. Gripping audiences for six around the campfire of ancient kings, P 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
years, the Toronto Star says it’s “like dragons, witches, tramps, and all CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS
a hit of dopamine,” BlogTo calls it manner of heroes. A strong desire STUDIES, TURTLE LOUNGE
“welcoming and fulfilling” and She to research her diverse culture and 563 Spadina Ave., 2nd Floor, Toronto
Does The City tells you it’s “Toronto’s share her own journey led to six Honouring Their Stories
best Storytelling event.” published books. Louise Profeit-LeBlanc, from the
ACCESSIBLE: Accessible entrance, ACCESSIBLE: Yes | TICKETS: Free Nacho Nyak Dän First Nation in
washrooms not wheelchair-access- AUDIENCE: All ages northern Yukon, shares some of the
ible. (If you have accessibility issues PRODUCER: Toronto Public Library, traditional stories she grew up with
and need seats reserved, please Storytelling Toronto in the small village of Mayo. Louise
email marsha@yesyesmarsha.com is dedicated to sharing these stories
before March 17th.) P 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM and to helping to retain the language,
TICKETS: Free (limited seating - A DIFFERENT BOOKLIST culture, and teachings for future
please come early) CULTURAL CENTRE generations.
AUDIENCE: Adult 777 Bathurst St., Toronto ACCESSIBLE: Yes
PRODUCER: Marsha Shandur/YesYes- International Storytalk: Global TICKETS: Free
Marsha, Storytelling Toronto Activism and Storytelling AUDIENCE: 14+
Donald Smith, Director of the PRODUCER: Centre for Indigenous
Scottish International Storytelling Studies, Storytelling Toronto
Festival, talks about the Global
Gathering of Storytelling Activists
working with The Earth Charter, and
how traditional stories hold the key
to our survival on this planet. 17
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosWEDNESDAY MARCH 20 | THURSDAY MARCH 21 – FESTIVAL WEEK
P 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Rico Rodriguez, Donald Smith, THURSDAY MARCH 21
A DIFFERENT BOOKLIST Sandra Whiting and Mariella Bertelli. P 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
CULTURAL CENTRE Directed by Mariella Bertelli. Music A DIFFERENT BOOKLIST
777 Bathurst St. performed by Romina Di Gasbarro. CULTURAL CENTRE
To See the Stars by Jan Andrews ACCESSIBLE: Yes 777 Bathurst St., Toronto
Celebrate the final novel by Jan TICKETS: $20 advance, $25 door International Storytalk: The Second
Andrews (1942-2017), a beloved (cash only) Included in Festival Pass Sight
pioneer of our storytelling AUDIENCE: Adult Seannachaidh from Skye Seoras
community. In “To See the Stars” PRODUCER: Alliance Française de Macpherson tells stories of The
(drawings by Tara Bryan, Running Toronto, Storytelling Toronto Second Sight and discusses seers in
the Goat Books), set in the early Celtic and Druidic traditions.
1900s, strong-willed young Edie P 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM ACCESSIBLE: Yes
leaves her Newfoundland home THE TRANZAC CLUB TICKETS: $10 (or PWYC) at the door,
to work in New York’s notorious 292 Brunswick Ave., Toronto cash only. Included in Festival Pass
garment factories. Confabulation presents The Shortest AUDIENCE: 14+
ACCESSIBLE: Yes Story PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto
TICKETS: Free, includes refreshments Hosted by Confabulation Toronto
AUDIENCE: Adult Artistic Director Paul Aflalo. For the P 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
PRODUCER: CANSCAIP, Storytelling third year in a row, Confabulation MULTI-FAITH CENTRE
Toronto Toronto is excited to bring you The 569 Spadina Ave., Toronto
Shortest Story — stories, true as we Humour and Storytelling
P 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM can tell them in two minutes or less! Sharon Shorty is one of the Yukon’s
SPADINA THEATRE AT ALLIANCE All profits earned from this show most famous Indigenous comedians.
FRANÇAISE DE TORONTO will be donated to a local charity in She is renowned for her creation
24 Spadina Rd., Toronto Toronto. and portrayal of Gramma Susie, an
Reshaping the World: Stories of ACCESSIBLE: Yes irrepressible Yukon elder.
Resistance TICKETS: $10 This event is NOT ACCESSIBLE: Yes
An ensemble of tellers interprets included in the Festival Pass TICKETS: Free | AUDIENCE: 14+
stories and songs seeking strength AUDIENCE: Adult PRODUCER: Indigenous Students
in times of uncertainty. Featuring PRODUCER: Confabulation Toronto, Association at the University of
18 Peter Chand, Louise Profeit-LeBlanc, Storytelling Toronto Toronto, Storytelling Toronto
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosTHURSDAY MARCH 21 | FRIDAY MARCH 22 – FESTIVAL WEEK
P 7:00 PM – 8 :30 PM FRIDAY MARCH 22 P 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
A DIFFERENT BOOKLIST P 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM ARTSCAPE WYCHWOOD BARNS
CULTURAL CENTRE A DIFFERENT BOOKLIST 601 Christie St., Toronto
777 Bathurst St., Toronto CULTURAL CENTRE 1001 Friday Nights at the Festival
Sgiath: Amazon Queen of Skye 777 Bathurst St., Toronto In collaboration with the Toronto
Isle of Skye’s Seannachaidh Seoras International Storytalk: Who Can Storytelling Festival,1001 Friday
Macpherson introduces you to Tell? Nights of Storytelling – North
Sgiath, the legendary queen known Ron Evans and Jenny Blackbird, with America’s longest-running
as “The Greatest of All Warriors” and moderator Dan Yashinsky, discuss storytelling series – celebrates the
superior to any man. She was also who can tell Indigenous stories. Ron 40th Festival and visiting tellers.
the greatest Educator, setting up the Evans carries the oral traditions Hosted by Donna Dudinsky and
first Colleges and Universities in the of his Metis and Chippewa-Cree featuring Itah Sadu, Peter Chand,
world, as well as the first Hospitals. ancestries. Jenny Blackbird, Donald Smith, Sharon Shorty,
ACCESSIBLE: Yes Nehiyaw/Finnish Canadian (Kehewin and Richardo Keens-Douglas.
TICKETS: $15 advance, $20 door Cree Nation, Alberta), was born in Storytellers’ Song by Howard Kaplan.
(cash only). Included in Festival Alberta, but raised in Tsi Tkaronto / ACCESSIBLE: Yes
Pass Dish With One Spoon Territory. Dan TICKETS: $20 advance, $25 at the
AUDIENCE: 10+ Yashinsky is a founder of Storytelling door (cash only). Included in Festival
PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto Toronto and the Toronto Storytelling Pass
Festival. AUDIENCE: Adult
ACCESSIBLE: Yes PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto
TICKETS: $10 (or pay-what-you-can)
at the door, cash only. Included in
Festival Pass
AUDIENCE: 10+
PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto
19
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosWEDNESDAY MARCH 20 – STORYTELLERS’ CAMP
Storytellers’ Camp is an intensive journey deep into the P 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
traditions and contemporary expressions of storytelling. The CSI ANNEX, 720 Bathurst St. and
faculty is led by Camp Director Bob Barton and includes many A DIFFERENT BOOKLIST CULTURAL CENTRE,
of the festival’s national and international storytellers who 777 Bathurst Street
will share their passion, technique and experience during COST: $330 - $360 Camp Pass for all three days
three story-packed days. Purchase a Camp Pass and attend (includes a Festival Pass!)
all three days (which includes a Festival Pass!) or register for $120 - $135 for one day
one day to explore different aspects of the art of storytelling. FOR REGISTRATION: please visit
Camp includes the lunch-hour International Storytalk at A https://torontostorytellingfestival.ca/2019/tickets/
Different Booklist Cultural Centre. Camp venues are fully accessible
DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY Festival, talks about the Global 2. Marsha Shandur and Sage
MARCH 20, 2019 Gathering of Storytelling Activists Tyrtle: Tell Compelling True
working with The Earth Charter, and Stories. How do you tell your
P 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
how traditional stories hold the key own stories, in a way that
Day 1 Morning Workshop:
to our survival on this planet. captivates your audience – and
Camp Director Bob Barton opens
feels comfortable to you? Led by
with community building through P 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Sage Tyrtle (Plundercats – true
storytelling. Dancer/choreographer Day 1 Afternoon Workshops
stories hijacked by Toronto’s best
Michelle Silagy leads us into a world Participants may choose in advance
comedians) and Marsha Shandur
where spoken word, music, and one of three concurrent workshops
(True Stories Told Live Toronto).
movement align. Storytellers explore on offer:
3. Sharon Shorty: Honouring the
ways to embody and celebrate their 1. Ron Evans and Seoras
Elders with Humour. Sharon takes
stories. Macpherson: Storytelling
us into the world of Gramma
Traditions. Two tradition bearers
P 12:00 AM – 1:15 PM Susie, an irrepressible Yukon elder
share the resonance of the stories
International Storytalk: Global who offers a wry and hilarious
and traditions they carry. This is
Activism and Storytelling commentary on modern life from
an opportunity to experience and
Donald Smith, Director of the the perspective of traditional
discuss the stories that are called
Scottish International Storytelling Yukon wisdom.
forth, rather than a “workshop.”
20
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosTHURSDAY MARCH 21 | FRIDAY MARCH 22 – STORYTELLERS’ CAMP
DAY 2 – THURSDAY 2. Ron Evans: Storytelling Gifts. DAY 3 – FRIDAY
MARCH 21, 2019 Carrying the oral traditions of MARCH 22, 2019
his Metis and Chippewa-Cree
P 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM P 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
ancestries, Ron rarely chooses
Day 2 Morning Workshop: Day 3 Morning Workshop: The
his stories ahead of time,
The Storyteller’s Voice Elements of Storytelling: Water, Earth,
since the stories he tells are in
Camp Director Bob Barton and Fire and Air. Louise Profeit-LeBlanc
response to his listeners. This is
voice specialist Cathy Nosaty share gathers the group into the culminating
an opportunity to experience and
exercises to connect you to your day of community building through
discuss the stories that unfold,
voice, your imagination, and your storytelling. This workshop brings the
rather than a “workshop.”
sense of your audience. four natural elements of the world
3. Peter Chand and Pavan
into our stories to extrapolate these
P 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM Chand: part 1 of a two-day
teachings systematically from any
International Storytalk: The Second workshop “In the Mix.” Renowned
story, including the story of our own
Sight storyteller Peter Chand and music
life. Participants are invited to bring
Seannachaidh from Skye Seoras producer PKCtheFirst share some
their own story, or one will be provided
Macpherson tells stories of The of the techniques they employed
to work with, to develop new pieces
Second Sight and discusses seers in creating their performance
using the four elements to improve a
Celtic and Druidic traditions. piece “Tongue Tied & Twisted,”
once familiar story.
incorporating live storytelling, music
P 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
mixing and soundscapes. This P 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Day 2 Afternoon Workshops
exciting and unique workshop will International Storytalk: Who Can Tell?
Participants may choose in advance
give participants the opportunity Ron Evans and Jenny Blackbird, with
one of three concurrent workshops
to record part of a story live, and moderator Dan Yashinsky, discuss
on offer:
then enhance it by using state of who can tell Indigenous stories. Ron
1. Jess Smith: Story and Song.
the art mixing and DJ techniques. Evans carries the oral traditions of his
Jess will share some traditional
Each participant will leave with a Metis and Chippewa-Cree ancestries.
Scottish Traveller stories
recording of the finished story that Jenny Blackbird, Nehiyaw/Finnish
and ballads and explore with
they will have helped to create. Canadian (Kehewin Cree Nation,
participants how story and song
Suitable for experienced storytellers. Alberta), was born in Alberta, but
can be intertwined.
Limited to 6 participants. raised in Tsi Tkaronto / Dish With
21
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosFRIDAY MARCH 22 | SATURDAY MARCH 23
One Spoon Territory. Dan Yashinsky is a
SATURDAY MARCH 23
founder of Storytelling Toronto and the
Toronto Storytelling Festival. SATURDAY STORYTELLING AT ARTSCAPE WYCHWOOD BARNS
P 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM P 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Day 3 Afternoon Workshops. Storytelling Toronto Office, Folktales and Personal Stories
Participants may choose in advance one Suite #173, at Artscape ACCESSIBLE: Yes
of three concurrent workshops on offer: Wychwood Barns TICKETS: $10 at the door, cash
1. Peter Chand and PKCtheFirst: In the 601 Christie St. only, gets you into any number
Mix, part 2. Market Tales from the Storytent of shows you want to attend.
2. Seoras Macpherson: Druidical Storytelling Toronto has run Included in Festival Pass
ceremony, traditional stories, and North America’s only Farmers’ AUDIENCE: 14+
environmental activism. Seoras talks Market “Storytent” for the last PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto
about his recent experiences as a seven years. Storytent hosts
P 11:00am-11:30am
tradition bearer with an environmental bring their favourite market
Lynn Torrie: The Princess and the
advocacy group seeking a marine tales.
Ogres. In this original adaptation
preservation order. ACCESSIBLE: Yes
of a traditional folktale from India,
3. Donald Smith: We’re Stronger Together: TICKETS: Free
a princess disguises herself as a
developing community, national and AUDIENCE: Family
man, fights ogres and even finds
international networks. Storyteller PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto
herself a wife as she searches for
and author Donald Smith has played
P 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM her missing family.
an important part in the inspiring
The Peter MacKendrick
storytelling renaissance in Scotland. P 11.45am-12:15pm
Community Gallery at Artscape
He is a founder of both the Scottish Peter Chand: Folktales from
Wychwood Barns
Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh and India. Peter has been storytelling
601 Christie St., Toronto (The
the Scottish International Storytelling since 1999, and has entertained
Community Gallery faces
Festival. In this workshop, he will audiences all over Britain and
Wychwood Avenue, on the
facilitate dialogue about mutuality further with his tales from the
northeast corner of the facility.)
and creative collaboration amongst Indian Subcontinent.
storytellers, educators, and artists.
22
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosSATURDAY MARCH 23 – SATURDAY STORYTELLING
P 12.30pm-1:00pm
SATURDAY MARCH 23
Sage Tyrtle: On the planet Zablotz, bookish
loner Sage would fit right in. Too bad SATURDAY STORYTELLING AT THE
she’s stuck in California. On her travels NATIVE CANADIAN CENTRE OF TORONTO
from Lesbian Separatist Womyn’s Land
P 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
to the Toronto subway, she learns that
16 Spadina Rd., Toronto
her total inability to fit in was actually her
Celebrating Stories
superpower – and how Zablotz was closer
Host Jenny Blackbird.
than she thought all along.
ACCESSIBLE: Yes
P 1:15pm-1:45pm TICKETS: Free
Jess Smith: Traveller stories from around AUDIENCE: Family
the campfire. Jess Smith grew up in a PRODUCER: Native Canadian Centre Toronto, Storytelling Toronto
Scottish Traveller family, listening to stories
P 12:00pm-12:45pm
of ancient kings, dragons, witches, tramps,
Jenny Blackbird will share a story about her jingle dress to encourage
and all manner of heroes.
everyone to explore their own gifts, talents and dreams. Mike Ormsby
P 2:00pm-2.30pm will share an ecologically significant message in his story of The
Sarah Abusarar and Harriet Xanthakos: Prophecy of the Twin Headed Serpent and a very child-friendly
Stories From the Hills. Sarah tells a Balkan version of How the Bear Lost His Tail. Tyler Pennock will tell a story
folktale of an old traveller who needs a place (witnessing) that involves introduction to ceremony.
to spend the night. Harriet responds with a
P 1:00pm-2:30pm
story about her grandmother, an old traveller,
Ron Evans shares story gifts from his Metis and Chippewa-Cree
who left Greece for America.
ancestries.
P 2:45pm-3:30pm
P 2:45pm-3:30pm
Ariel Balevi: La Rosa Eflorece. Ariel tells a
Sharon Shorty: Honouring the Elders with Humour. Sharon is from the
story from the disappearing culture of his
Tlingit, Northern Tutchone and Norwegian people. Up Here Magazine
ancestors, the Sephardim (Spanish Jews),
declared her the “funniest human being North of 60.”
where the humourous, the mystical, and the
earthly live side by side in daily lives.
23
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosSATURDAY MARCH 23 | SUNDAY MARCH 24 – STORYJAM
SATURDAY MARCH 23 SUNDAY MARCH 24
P 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
P 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM and lots of storytelling activities
Artscape Wychwood Barns, Main
Toronto Reference Library: throughout the Toronto Reference
Barn
789 Yonge Street, Toronto Library.
601 Christie St., Toronto
TD StoryJam Family Storytelling Day ACCESSIBLE: Yes
40th Anniversary Gala Concert:
A day of great family storytelling, TICKETS: Free
Presenting the Past for our Future
with folktales from around the world, AUDIENCE: All ages
Hosted by Dawne McFarlane and
national and international guests, PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto
featuring Seoras Macpherson, Jess
Smith, Ron Evans, Celia Lottridge, MAIN FLOOR (ongoing throughout the day)
Louise Profeit-LeBlanc, with
Facepainting: The amazing Ilyan Moyo Mutamba, a storyteller and
musician Maryem Hassan Tollar.
Balicki returns to the festival with mbira-player from Zimbabwe, and
ACCESSIBLE: Yes
his face-paint artistry. his riddle-master son Kuda.
TICKETS: $25 advance, $30 at
Creative Workshop: Kensington José Brown Designs: José is a
the door (cash only). Included in
Market’s legendary Red Pepper clothing designer and appliqué
Festival Pass
Spectacle Arts invites you to make artist. Her work is unique one of a
AUDIENCE: Adult
story-related figures, objects, kind wearable art. Her designs are
PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto
buttons, and banners. a blend of colours, patterns and
African Riddle Contest: Come and images that have meaning. Each
swap your favourite riddles with garment has a story to tell.
ATRIUM
P 11:00 AM– 12:00 PM P 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Hosted by Brad Woods. Just Enuff. Storytellers who also
Teddy Bear Picnic. Children work with the Parent-Child Mother
are invited to bring their teddy Goose Program tell stories they
bears for a rollicking time with love. With Sarah Abusarar, Ruth
storytellers Sally Jaeger, Carol Danziger, Lynda Howes, Leeya
Ashton and Mariella Bertelli. Solomon and Megan Williams.
24
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosSUNDAY MARCH 24 – STORYJAM
ATRIUM TD GALLERY FESTIVAL FINALE
P 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM P 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM SUNDAY MARCH 24
Wee Folk Tales from Scotland and Old English Stories with Hugh Cotton. 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Ireland with Donald Smith. Tales of enormous boars, walking CSI Annex, The Garage
trees, wood spirits and idle good-for- 720 Bathurst St., Toronto
P 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
nothings. Tongue Tied & Twisted and Masala
Scottish Traveller Tales from around
Mix!
the campfire with Jess Smith. P 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Tongue Tied & Twisted blasts Indian
Stories from the Yukon with Sharon
P 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM storytelling into the 21st century
Shorty.
Traditional Tales from with UK music producer PKCtheFirst
India with Peter Chand. P 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM and storyteller Peter Chand.
First Nations Stories with Ron Evans. Experience traditional tales collected
P 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
from South Asian elders fused with
Highland Myths and Legends from P 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
a unique blend of Urban Hip Hop
Scotland with Seoras Macpherson. French Canadian Folk-
and classical South Asian sounds.
tales with Marylyn Peringer.
P 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Tonight (only!) they will also get us
Favourite Tales from the dancing with their musical mash-up
Storytent with Donna Dudinsky. Masala Mix! Dress code – Nothing
Beige! (brighter the better) Dance
P 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
moves – Wild and Free.
Stories from the Yukon with Sharon
ACCESSIBLE: Yes
Shorty.
TICKETS: $20 advance, $25 at
the door (cash only). Included in
Festival Pass
AUDIENCE: Adult
PRODUCER: Storytelling Toronto
25
Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosKEEP TELLING STORIES
Now that you’ve come to the festival, check out what else is going on around
town, in Canada, and around the world.
Toronto
The amazing Sage Tyrtle has put together a list of many of Toronto’s
storytelling gatherings. Thanks, Sage!
https://tyrtle.com/storytelling-shows-in-toronto
Canada
www.storytellers-conteurs.ca (home of Storytellers of Canada –
Conteurs du Canada)
www.conte-quebec.com (home of Regroupement du conte au Quebec)
www.festival-conte.qc.ca (home of Festival intercultural du conte de
Montreal)
USA
www.storynet.org (home of the National Storytelling Network)
England
www.festivalattheedge.org (home of Festival at the Edge)
Scotland
www.sisf.org.uk (home of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival)
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Check www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca for program updates and local artists’ biosYou can also read
