Kristi Hoffman/Special to the Gazette
Most will equate storytelling with tales for children. However, a number of groups on Vancouver Island are challenging that impression.
When asked about public perception of storytelling, Lee Porteous, president of the Victoria StorytellersB次元官网网址� Guild explained, B次元官网网址淧eople are puzzled, they know about storytelling for kids. But I, myself, donB次元官网网址檛 tell my stories for children. People donB次元官网网址檛 realize that there is adult storytelling too.B次元官网网址�
On Aug. 10, the West Shore Arts Council presents The Art of Storytelling, an evening of stories and music, featuring presentations from members of the Victoria StorytellersB次元官网网址� Guild. Jennifer Ferris, Shirley Routliffe, Moira Walker, Dolores Stanley, and Lee Porteous will perform a variety of lighthearted stories for an adult audience, with musical accompaniment from Lara Oberg.
B次元官网网址淪tories come from everywhere, just the way people do,B次元官网网址� Porteous said. B次元官网网址淢embers from the group tell everything from personal narratives, to myths, and creative stories, and tales from different cultures. I myself have pulled stories from Australia, Iceland, and West Africa B次元官网网址� Stories travel across cultures. You will hear a very similar plot in an Arab book of stories as you will in a Chinese book. People travel and bring their stories with them. We can hear ourselves in the stories of many other cultures B次元官网网址� we laugh and we cry at a lot of the same things.B次元官网网址�
The Victoria StorytellersB次元官网网址� Guild was formed 28 years ago, and has for many years, held 10 meetings annually at the QuakersB次元官网网址� Meeting Hall, 1831 Fern St. B次元官网网址淲hen you think about 10 sessions a year for 28 years, that is a lot of stories,B次元官网网址� said Porteous. The group is a member of the Storytellers of Canada, and Jennifer Ferris, one of the presenters at the Aug. 10 event, was previously president of the national organization.
B次元官网网址淭he Island is kind of a happening place for storytelling,B次元官网网址� Porteous said proudly. In the coming months, the Victoria group will be hosting a number of touring tellers from across North America. With storytelling groups and programs established in Nanaimo and Parksville, and new events scheduled in Duncan, Vancouver Island is becoming more attractive to professional storytellers.
B次元官网网址淭he other thing I love about storytelling is that it is totally low tech,B次元官网网址� Porteous explained. B次元官网网址淚t is not read, itB次元官网网址檚 told. So we tell our stories by heart. And somehow, it doesnB次元官网网址檛 come across in the same way if thereB次元官网网址檚 intervening media. ItB次元官网网址檚 a type of performance that really depends a lot on being there, to be able to see eye-to-eye with the storyteller,B次元官网网址� she concluded.
The Art of Storytelling event will take place on Aug. 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Victoria Conservatory of Music located in the YMCA building in Langford. The event is free, with a suggested donation of $10 at the door. Refreshments will also be provided. Register online at westshorearts.org.
For more information on the Victoria StorytellersB次元官网网址� Guild, go to .
