“Everyone loves a good story and The St. John’s Storytelling Festival is making sure that there are always people ready to tell one.” This year’s festival kicks off October 6th, and runs through to the 11th, and includes these five events. For the full schedule: http://storytellingstjohns.ca/wp/festival

October 7th @ 7pm: “Engaging Evenings at The Rooms, with Marta Bruno Singh”

martasinghIn addition to the most unique headshot in literature, and a wonderfully elegant name, Marta Bruno Singh is a passionate storyteller born and raised in Argentina, who “brings luminous magic, poetic language, and deep emotional impact to traditional, literary, and personal material.”

In 2011, 2 Women Productions premiered her first solo performance, Landscapes of Silence: A Daughter’s Story, developed thanks to the Emerging Artist Grant awarded to her in 2009 by the City of Ottawa.

In her native city of Buenos Aires, she’s performed at schools, concert series, and book fairs, and she has performed regularly at the Fourth Stage of the National Arts Centre, and at Canadian storytelling festivals.

Tonight, she shares her stories as part of The Rooms’ popular “Engaging Evenings series.” Admission is $10 ($9 for Rooms Members).

12039447_879188572151881_7000388120125229979_nOctober 8th @ 9pm: “Improv Storytelling @ the Peter Easton Pub”

Feel like living on the story edge? Join host Alex Mason and jump into this evening of storytelling games and skits with local improvisers as a participant or an observer and find out how stories can form themselves mid-sentence. The Peter Easton Pub is located at 29 Cookstown Road. Admission is $5.

cotter-charis1

Charis Cotter

October 9th @ 7pm: “Seven at Seven @Signal Hill Interpretation Centre

A fast-paced cabaret of stories, songs, and recitations featuring a variety of local performers including Chris Brookes, Stella Mair Evans, Charis Cotter and more. Admission is $12 for Adults and $8 for those over 65 or under 18.

Chris Brookes is an author, storyteller, and independent radio producer whose documentary features have won over forty international awards including the Peabody Award and the Prix Italia, and have been broadcast around the world.

Charis Cotter is an award-winning artist — accolades include the Heritage Toronto Award of Excellence — who has toured cross-country, entertaining children and adults alike with her many alter egos. Her fascination with ghosts has led her to many far corners of Newfoundland, looking for ghost stories.

Stella Mair Evans has been using stories her entire life in retreats, ministry, and pastoral visits. She believes stories are powerful in the process of healing and can aid in cross cultural understanding, and the building of community. She shares legends from many countries and cultures, especially from Wales and China.

October 10th @ 2PM: “Afternoon Storytelling Walk @ MUN Botanical Gardens”

Catherine Wright

Catherine Wright

“Add a new level of enjoyment to your stroll through the MUN Botanical Garden as you encounter a variety of storytellers, including Catherine Wright, Gary Green, and others, waiting throughout the Garden to share a story with you.” The event is free, once you pay your admission to the Botanical Garden.

Catherine Wright is a multidisciplinary artist who has been active in the St John’s community for over twenty years as a performer, arts advocate, and enthusiastic arts educator. She has presented independent and collaborative works at many events and venues for a range of audiences from preschoolers to seniors. Her performances often interweave storytelling, movement/dance, music/song, exploring a range of themes, oft-times autobiographical.

Gary Green is a storyteller and author who has performed both inside and outside the province in a variety of settings from camps to international conferences. Gary has performed on television as part of the series Legends and Lore of the North Atlantic and on several radio stations. He is a founding board member of the Soundbone Traditional Arts Foundation. Gary teaches storytelling at the Vinland Music Camp and is a regular performer at the St. John’s Storytelling Circle.

October 10th @ 8PM: “Tales from Here and Afar @ Rocket Room”

“All good stories must come to an end, and so must all festivals. We’ll be closing out this year’s festival in style with a concert hosted by Christine Hennebury and featuring Marta Bruno Singh, Jean Pierre Makosso, and more.” Admission is $12 for Adults and $8 for those over 65 or under 18.