Know the traditions for each newsletter. |
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Some traditions include: * Latest News of Story Crossroads * Cap's Off to You! (people or organization profiles who use story) * Story Video (created or loved by us) * Story * Story Game (inspired by different cultures)
Explore the Story Crossroads website
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What is Story Crossroads? |
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Story Crossroads is a grassroots event that features 15 professional story artists as well as 50 community members telling for the main stage event. Youth, community, and seniors will be taught through free storytelling residencies at libraries, schools, and other venues by certified story-teachers in preparation for this celebration. Bilingual and cultural performers combine arts to bring the
stories forward for the audience. Enjoy stories told with ancient technique while simultaneously enjoying newfangled approaches to these traditions. The 3rd Annual Story Crossroads Festival is on May 23, 2018 with daytime sessions at the Murray City Park (495 E. 5300 S., Murray, UT) and the evening concerts at the South Jordan Community Center (10778 S. Redwood Rd., South Jordan, UT). Then, with an invitation extended across all borders,
World Story Crossroads launches 2022. Explore the Story Crossroads website
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Celebrating 2nd Annual Story Crossroads Festival! |
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On Wednesday, May 24, 2017, the green trees, the blues skies and the sparkling waters welcomed us to the Murray City Park. We even had perfect temperatures so that we were not too hot nor too cold. We had eight schools on field trips and our first senior center group from the River's Bend Senior Center to relish the day and being with our 15 professional story artists and 50 community tellers (including
youth). We have special thanks to our featured tellers: Mara Menzies from Scotland, Sean Buvala from Arizona, and Loren Niemi from Minnesota.
The principal from the Joel P. Jensen Middle School said that they want this Festival to be an annual tradition as students came the first and second years already. The Geography Honors teacher from West Jordan Middle School said he has three classes next year and plans to
bring them after experiencing this year's Festival.
We did have a super windy time for the evening concerts. We had to hold a tent down within the pavilion! Yet, the audiences were engaged in the stories so much so that they glanced at the happenings and then returned their focus on the story artists. Though we had a fabulous time, we made sure that the 2018 Festival would have indoor evening
concerts.
As for the numbers, we had 1,267 (1,026 as field trip students) for the Festival day and evening times. We had 1,830 more people reached with the outreaches for the schools (Tuesday and Wednesday), the senior centers (Monday and Tuesday), and other events. The grand total for Story Crossroads was 3,097. Our Festival attendance, compared to the inaugural year, increased by 123 people. We look forward to
connecting with more people in 2018.
We could never have done it without all your support and the amazing volunteers throughout the year. You know who you are...so celebrate your fantastic results.
We appreciate the fiscal sponsorship from the Utah Storytelling Guild as well as funding from National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Utah Division of
Arts and Museums (UDAM), the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), the Nubian Storytellers of Utah Leadership (NSOUL), the Utah Humanities, the Utah Valley University, the South Jordan Arts Council, the City of Murray-Cultural Arts, Synergy One Lending-Suzanne Hudson, Rachel Hedman and many generous individuals who have made things possible.
Explore the Story Crossroads website
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Story-Skilled Child Workshop with Sean Buvala Almost all the attendees were foster care families who received professional development and plenty of ideas on how to encourage literacy and storytelling in the home. Despite a smaller than expected audience (goal of 20 and we had 10), all commented on
the usefulness of the skills learned and the enjoyment of the evening. You can see the make n’ take crafts for the kids. Plus, Sean Buvala was full of expression as he told stories to prepare for the activities.
School Outreaches with Mara Menzies & Other Story Artists From Jan C. Smith, coordinator of Lincoln Elementary School Outreach—I enjoyed some magical moments listening to Mara Menzies share stories with second graders. As part of an outreach by the Story Crossroads Festival, Mara visited several schools. This performance venue was a classroom at Lincoln Elementary School in Salt Lake City. Lincoln is a Title I school and has students from 27 countries who speak in many
languages. They are a challenging audience. I know they may speak many languages, but it was obvious that they all speak ‘story’ and love to laugh. Mara, who is from Kenya and Scotland, guided them on a storytelling journey. She showed them different ways of dressing around the world, she walked through the throng of seated children stopping to tickle them and play with them and ask them questions about the story. It was a celebration and the students and teachers were
mesmerized. When Mara finished her selections, she invited questions from the students. They wanted to know more about the stories. One student raised his hand and made a comment, “You speak elegant,” he said. He had not missed Mara’s enticing Scottish accent. The session ended with applause and smiles and students aching for more stories. Thank you, Mara.
Concert at the Blind Center with Mara Menzies and Community Tellers
Thirty people came to hear Mara Menzies, Andrew Shackelford (youth teller) and Gary Hansen (community teller). A youth group of girls aged 12-18 came as a field trip. We had Audio Descriptions available to those who were Blind. Everyone felt empowered at the
end.
Panel & The Big Secret Story Concert at the Gale Center of History and Culture with Dale Boam (panel) and Loren Niemi (concert)
We enjoyed the expertise from Dale Boam, JD from Utah Valley University in “Language of Story: Visual & Spoken Languages on Stage” followed by “The Big
Secret Story Concert” with community tellers and Loren Niemi. “Fata Morgana” was the choose-your-own-adventure piece for teens and adults. Twenty-three people came to the panel while forty people were there for the concert. The trio picture features the UVU students who provided the ASL and Audio Descriptions throughout the event including for this evening.
Go to the Conference website
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House Concerts - Past and Future (April-August) |
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We are coming upon our 15th House Concert as part of the Fundraising Series through Story Crossroads. In April, we enjoyed David Bullock and the Grey on Blues Band to such degree that people had a hard time walking to the refreshments in hopes to hear more music and delight. We are thrilled for this series to continue during the summer.
Upcoming House Concert:
Sing Me A Story: Ballads, Songs & Stories from the American TraditionFriday, June 30, 2017, 7:00pm-8:30pm
Clubhouse hosted by Connie & Chuck Golden 2306 Shorewood Drive Saratoga Springs, UT 84045
RSVP: Call/text Connie Golden at (801) 673-6642 or email golden.cj@gmail.com
Laurie Allen – Guitarist, Professional Storyteller, & Long-Time Teacher of MusicConnect with your American heritage through stories and songs that get the foot a tappin’ and the throat a hummin’. Mixed in with Laurie Allen’s guitar playing are stories that reflect this nation’s founding views of freedom. Appreciate what it means to be
American.
Check our website for the July and August ones--
Saturday, July 22, 2017 featuring Steffani Raff at Wing Home in Payson, UT, call/text Lynn Wing at 1-608-780-1833 or email lynnawing@gmail.com
Friday, August 11, 2017 featuring Wendy Gourley at Hedman Home in West Jordan, UT, call/text Rachel Hedman at 1-801-870-5799 or email storycrossroads@gmail.com
Go directly to the House Concert page on the Story Crossroads website
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Being a Story Guide for Others--Available for Sign-Ups |
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Back to popular demand, you can be trained by experts Sam Payne and Suzanne Christensen...
One or two-hour workshops still hone skills yet nothing compares to dedicating 16 hours to the art of storytelling. Sam Payne and Suzanne Christensen work together
all the time as performing artists and directors. Their secrets can now be your secrets. Learn how to guide others in the art of storytelling while honing your own skills.
This 16-hour course helps beyond the art and into any area of your life. The dates of this course are (must attend all four): Friday, September 18, 2017, 10:00am-2:00pm Monday, September 22, 2017, 10:00am-2:00pm Friday, September 25, 2017, 10:00am-2:00pm Monday, September 29, 2017, 10:00am-2:00pm
Where: Eastmond Home, 3001 E. La Joya Dr. (4310 S.), Holladay, UT Cost: $320.00/person with debit, credit, or check options, includes
storytelling book of your choice, plus payment plans available so it can be divided into 12, 10, 6, or 2 times over the course of a year Limited Space: Caps at 12 people, register online to reserve your spot Explore the Master Story Facilitator (Sign-Up) page on the Story Crossroads website
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Celebrating your way of using story
Featuring: South Jordan Arts Council
Funder for 2017 Story Crossroads
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Jim Luter said that he had an appointment with the South Jordan Arts Council and asked if I would come along. We met at the Gale Center of History and Culture in South Jordan and gathered around the table with several from the Council. They allowed us plenty of time to share about Story Crossroads, especially
as they had questions and comments. Then I asked, the big question, “Am I right that we can ask up to $1,000 for Story Crossroads.” One of the Council Members said, “Well, you can’t get $5 if you ask for $1.” I followed up with the group by asking, “Then can we apply for $5,000 instead of the $1,000?” Everyone in the group nodded. Find out more the impact that the South
Jordan Arts Council has had for Story Crossroads and the community members by reading more at our blog (click below). Read the Complete Blog Post on South Jordan Arts Council
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Story Videos of the Month |
We normally show one though we wanted to give two views on what can make a great storytelling festival day. The first one shows what we got to experience at the 2nd Annual Story Crossroads Festival (promo piece before the event) while the second one is one of 11 videos that
interview Donald Smith from the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. The one we highlighted is in response to, "Describe the perfect festival day." If you or someone you know has a story video that you want us to see, then let us know about it and email us a link to it. Who knows? Perhaps we will be inspired to invite you to one of our Story Crossroads event? Remember that the 3rd Annual Story Crossroads
Festival is on May 23, 2018 with daytime sessions at the Murray City Park (495 E. 5300 S., Murray, UT) and the evening concerts at the South Jordan Community Center (10778 S. Redwood Rd., South Jordan, UT).
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Artwork by Rowan North, captofthebast@gmail.com,
Chief Five Heads, from Zimbabwe A father had two beautiful daughters, and this man
was excited when Chief Five Heads was seeking a wife. As the elder daughter spoke first in her desire to marry Chief Five Heads, the father assembled a traditional large bridal party to accompany her. The elder daughter insisted she go alone. As the daughter walked, she came upon a mouse who asked if she wanted him to show her the way to Chief Five Heads. She mocked the mouse and continued on. Then a frog crossed her path who asked if she wanted him to show her the
way to Chief Five Heads. She mocked the frog, threatened to kick him, and continued on. Finally, a boy herding goats asked where she was going. She yelled at the boy to leave her alone. The boy then begged for food and she pushed him to go away. Eventually, the elder daughter came upon an old woman sitting on a stone. The old woman gave advice to not laugh at the trees, drink a bag of milk on the way, or to take water from a man who carries his head under his
arm. The elder daughter called the woman a hag and said it was all nonsense. She did the exact opposite of what the old woman told her to do. Finally, she came to the river of the village of Chief Five Heads. A girl filling a pitcher asked the elder daughter where she was going. The elder daughter said she was to be wife of Chief Five Heads and owed no explanation. This girl was actually the sister of Chief Five Heads and still tried to give advice for the
elder daughter to enter the village from a certain side. The elder daughter did not listen. The people of the village found it strange she came without a bridal party. They told her the chief was not home and that she must prepare food for him. They gave her millet to grind and she made dray and coarse bread. A wind blew in the evening and with it was the coming of Chief Five Heads, appearing as an enormous snake with five heads. The elder daughter was afraid,
still brought dinner to this huge five-headed snake, and then heard Chief Five Heads pronounce that she would not be his wife.
The elder daughter ran home and shared everything. The younger daughter then turned to the father and asked if she could present herself to be the wife of Chief Five Heads. The father gathered a bridal party and she left with them. As the daughter walked,
she came upon a mouse who asked if she wanted him to show her the way to Chief Five Heads. She said she would be grateful. She was led to a valley and saw an old woman sitting on a stone. The old woman told her there will be two paths and she should take the little path. The younger daughter followed the advice. Along the path, a rabbit told her that the village of Chief Five Heads was close and that the girl will meet by the river is the sister. The rabbit
said to speak nice to the sister and grind the millet well that is offered to turn into bread. She thanked the rabbit, spoke kindly to the sister, and was given the millet. While pounding the millet, the sister asked her if she was afraid to see her husband. The younger daughter said she was not afraid. A wind blew in the evening and with it was the coming of Chief Five Heads, appearing as an enormous snake with five heads. The younger daughter was unafraid
and gave the food, which was soft and delicious. Chief Five Heads revealed that he was the mouse, the rabbit, and the old woman. He saw she was kind and asked her to marry. Then Chief Five Heads became a handsome man and they were wed.
Artwork by Rowan North, captofthebast@gmail.com,
Explore the Story Crossroads website
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Who is Chief Five Heads Inspired by story "Chief Five
Heads" Geared for Ages 8+
Sit in a circle with a group of 7 or more people. Take slips of paper with enough for each person. All of them would be blank except for one that says "Chief Five Heads" and one that say "Seeker." The Seeker is trying to find Chief Five Heads
and walks around the circle to guess who it can be. In the meantime, people can randomly become other animals with sound effects and actions to match or characters (such as an old woman or a boy herding goats in the story or other creations) and ask for the Seeker's help or to offer help. For example, a person could pull on the Seeker's arm as he walks around the circle. The person could say, "What are you doing?" or "Can I help you find your way?" or "Can you give me some
bread?" The Seeker decides how to respond whether, "Yes, thank you!" or "No way!" or whatever inspired to say. After everyone asks or offers something to the Seeker at least once, then the Seeker leaves the room or area and out of ear shot. The person who is "Chief Five Heads" reveals himself to the others in the circle without the Seeker knowing by pointing to himself without words. Then "Chief Five Heads" points to 3 people to leave the circle if the Seeker was kind
during the first found. Otherwise, "Chief Five Heads" has all stay. The Seeker returns when everyone says, "Who is Chief Five Heads?" If three people are no longer in the circle, this increases the chance for the Seeker to discover "Chief Five Heads." The game can continue and rotate roles by doing the slips of paper again.
Explore the Story Crossroads website
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Funders of Story Crossroads |
We appreciate the fiscal sponsorship from the Utah Storytelling Guild as well as funding from National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Utah Division of Arts and Museums (UDAM), the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), the Nubian Storytellers
of Utah Leadership (NSOUL), the Utah Humanities, the Utah Valley University, the South Jordan Arts Council, the City of Murray-Cultural Arts, Synergy One Lending-Suzanne Hudson, Rachel Hedman and many generous individuals who have made things possible. |
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