May 2024 Newsletter
|
|
To find out more and to register click here
Events in Singapore & Around the World
Embark on a mesmerizing storytelling journey! Unveil the secrets of “Bidadari, the Cemetery” and bond over “Growing Up with Grandfather.” Experience the magic of “One Christmas Night in December” and cherish the wisdom of “Grandma, My Role Model.” Explore unforgettable tales and resilient challenges, all woven into an unforgettable storytelling session.
The session is led by professional storytellers Wong Swee Yean, Mabel Lee, and Anamika Bhati, who run StoryingSeniors, a group where individuals aged 50 and above gather regularly to freely share their personal stories. Through StoryingSeniors, members not only find their voices but also gain confidence in sharing their stories.
Date: May 19 2024 Sunday
Time: 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Venue: Central Library basement 1 – Programme Zone 1
The event is free and requires registrations
To register and find out more click here
To find out more and to register click
The time is now; our stories are from long ago… and storytellers have a responsibility to consider the impact of our tales. But culture is ever-shifting, how can we be true to our own journey while respectfully intersecting with others? Join Em Chandler in this learning capsule you discover one approach to explore diversity (especially queerness and neurodiversity) in our story repertoire and our audiences. This will be a safe and respectful environment to explore what can be a challenging topic — being kind to ourselves, others, and our stories!
About Em Chandler:Em Chandler (she/they) is a proud queer/trans storyteller, theatre-maker, and magician. Based in Ballaarat (Australia), Em has over 17 years of experience working with kids and their adults.
Click here to register & to find out more about Em.
Since SAS is an institutional member of FEAST (Federation of Asian Story Tellers), there are special rates available for the first 5 sign -ups from SAS. Email feaststory@gmail.com to get this discount.
FEAST has numerous events (some free and some for a small fee) every month. To find out more go to their website here.
- Wednesday, 19th June 2024
- 5.20 pm – 7.00 pm SGT
- Story Swap via Zoom hosted by Australian Storytellers NSW
Join us for an evening of enchanting narratives, where the waters come alive with stories of fish and the art of fishing. From ancient folktales to modern-day adventures, immerse yourself in a world where every catch holds a tale waiting to be told.
We may encounter some enchanted waters where magic fish swim and grant wishes to those bold enough to seek them. We could journey through time and hear of daring fishing expeditions that shaped history, or a fishing enthusiast may even tell a first-hand account of their most memorable moment catching a fish “this…… BIG!”For more information: australianstorytellers.org.au/events
If you would like to tell a prepared story of 5-6 minutes on this theme, email Christine Carlton at storyaus@gmail.com
Register on Humanitix for your free link.
THE PROP SWAP PROJECT
A FEAST Skill Lab
The Prop Swap Project is a new initiative. FEAST is starting a Series of Skill Labs. A Skill Lab is like a Special Interest Group but different (because it could be of interest to practically everyone, not just a small group with a shared interest!) This is a member-only exclusive project, designed to offer tangible skills, in a very focused and compact format, while showcasing the skills of some of our members for the benefit of our wider community.
In each 90-minute session, participants will learn three different techniques (one from each facilitator) such as origami, paper-folding, string, pictures, tangrams and a transforming picture, that can be used to tell a story.
As well as teaching you the technique, step-by-step, each facilitator will share a story so participants will see the technique in action (and we expect you will also get an outline of the story so you can re-tell it in your own way while incorporating the technique you have just learnt!).
Prop Swap is scheduled for the Third Thursday of each month with a fee of $10 SGD for members. (Click here to find the rate in your own currency)
Fee: Optional – Pay as you can
Registration is required to get the zoom link.
Click here for details and to register.
May 10, 8:00 am, Singapore time.
To find out more and to register click here
“Once upon a time a boy traded his cow for magic beans . . .”
Rachel and Cooper did a whole show of Jack stories last summer, and felt it was time to bring the Fairy Tale Variations touch to the most famous of the Jack stories, Jack and the Beanstalk. This is a story we rarely hear variants of, which makes this show all the more fun. Join Stories with Spirit and three stunning storytellers as we explore a story in ways you least expect.
Cooper Braun and Rachel Ann Harding are so happy to bring back three of our good friends to the virtual stage. The incomparable Megan Wells joins us for a fantastical version of the tale. Simon Brooks brings us the oldest of stories, digging back into the Jack legend. The final of our tellers will be Laura Packer and her truly stunning reframing of the story.
May 12 Monday, 8:00 am, Singapore time.
To register and find out more click here
Celebrating Our Humanity
The moon, especially the full moon, has always held a memorable place in my heart.
Personally, two specific full moons have been special for me; one that is seen in late April or early May on the occasion of Chaitra Purnima (Purnima means full moon in Sanskrit) a festival dedicated to Lord Chitragupt who purportedly maintains a balance sheet of kindness shown and meanness displayed by humans.
The full moon of Narali Purnima (Coconut Purnima) is of great significance to fishing communities, and they offer coconuts and fruits to the sea expressing gratitude for providing them with a livelihood.
The full moon symbolizes completion, amplification of energy and heightened spiritual awareness, according to Farmers’ Almanac.
Vesak Day, another important full moon, usually observed in May, commemorates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing.
It is a day to reflect on our journey. The Buddha taught us what is possible precisely because we are human only if we embrace humanity.
“When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.” Mahatma Gandhi
Being true to one’s word.
I sat by the window admiring the Flower Moon as it rose up from behind the horizon of concrete blocks. When suddenly, I felt something hop out of the moon and come and sit next to me.
It was a rabbit. I sang,
In a cabin in the woods
Little boy by the window stood.
Saw a rabbit hopping by
Knocking at my door
“Help me, help me”, the rabbit said.
I was interrupted by the rabbit, and he began his story, “Long ago, I lived in a forest at the Himalayan foothills. All the animals of that forest were kind and compassionate. Most animals gathered in the evening around an Amaltas (also known as Indian Laburnum or pudding-pipe tree) tree to listen to stories. We learnt a lot from one another’s stories. Each one of us explored different parts of the forest and learnt a lot about the forest and its ways. Even the tiniest ant had some wisdom to impart.
My friends were Jackal, Otter, and Monkey.
One evening as the four of us sat under the tree I said, “we have learnt how to live happily together, but how wonderful it would be if we could spread that happiness to all the others around.”
“How shall we go about that?” asked Jackal.
Rabbit said, “We could care for whoever comes to our forest by helping them with their needs.”
The four friends agreed and thought it was a good idea.
Just as if we were being tested, the very next day a woman appeared, dressed in rags, emaciated, and looking like she hadn’t had anything to drink or eat in weeks. She carried a sack over her shoulder.
It was evening and we were gathered around the tree. She came and stood by us and very hesitatingly asked for something to eat. We looked at one another and then as if on cue the Otter dashed off and returned with some fish from the river Bhagirathi.
Next, Jackal trotted off and returned with a pot of yak milk. The monkey scampered away and returned with some wild figs and apricots.
I too thought that there was a chance for me to help a hungry, frail woman. I bounded off to find something delicious but all I could collect was some grass and weeds. I said to myself, “Even a hungry man won’t eat grass. If only I could bring some rice. How could I? None were afraid of a timid rabbit. People dropped their milk pots on seeing a jackal, but not for me.”
Then, as I thought, I realized that there was something I could offer.
I returned to the spot as the woman was gathering sticks to make a fire. She then pulled out a pot from her sack, filled it with water, and placed it on the fire. Soon the water was boiling, and the smell of cooked fish permeated the air.
I said, “I have nothing but grass to give you, therefore I offer myself.” So saying, I shook myself to ensure there were no ticks stuck to my fur and sprang forth into the rising fire.
To the surprise of the animals gathered, I landed in the arms of the woman. All the animals watched in astonishment.
That’s when the old, frail woman spoke. She said, “I am not a hungry, frail, old woman. I am the Lady of Heaven behind the mountains. I heard of your generosity and came to see if what I heard was true.”
A chorus rose from the animals gathered, “It is true. Rabbit is the kindest creature in the forest.”
The Lady of the Mountain broke a twig from the Amaltas tree, and she grew and grew and grew and when she could reach the moon, she drew a picture of a rabbit onto the face of the moon.
Then we heard her booming voice and she said, “Now the world will remember you, Rabbit. The Rabbit that wanted to bring happiness to others. Anytime anyone looks up at the moon, it will be a reminder to be a little kinder than they are.”
The rabbit paused for a moment, then continued speaking.
“Now, when you looked up at the Flower Moon rising from behind the horizon of blocks, I hopped out and came to share this story because stories live only when shared. With every telling it hops further and spreads endlessly.”
Like the rabbit, hop out of the moon. Shine! Share your stories.
“Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine.” Gautama Buddha
References
The Rabbit On The Moon, Ea