30 September 2012
British Awards for Storytelling Excellence 2012
The results are in and the winners announced here - https://www.facebook.com/BritishAwardsForStorytellingExcellencebase.
Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who took part. Thanks especially to Peter Chand and his dedicated colleagues for organising this event and I look forward to more in the coming years. Storytelling was the big winner on the night. Get out and make 2013 an even more successful year. Support your storytellers and get involved in a workshop or performance near you.
For those in Scotland, you can go to http://www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk for lots of information on upcoming storytelling events and performances, including the annual International Storytelling Festival in Edinburgh in October.
26 September 2012
BASE Storytelling Awards
There's still time to register your vote for the British Awards for Storytelling Excellence (BASE). Go to http://www.storyawards.org.uk and look and listen to the many wonderful nominees in a variety of categories.
I'm pleased to be included in the nominees for the Best Community Project for my film (co-produced with Paul Maguire) "Our Story: the story of the Christian Fellowship of Healing". This was our first storytelling film project together although we are currently planning another featuring a couple of charities working with children and young adults.
If you are interested in exploring your 'inner storyteller', please get in touch with me. I offer both 1-to-1 and small group story coaching and mentoring (in Edinburgh and area). I also offer Skype sessions for those further away.
In the meantime, I wish you meaningful stories and ears to listen.
Michael
I'm pleased to be included in the nominees for the Best Community Project for my film (co-produced with Paul Maguire) "Our Story: the story of the Christian Fellowship of Healing". This was our first storytelling film project together although we are currently planning another featuring a couple of charities working with children and young adults.
If you are interested in exploring your 'inner storyteller', please get in touch with me. I offer both 1-to-1 and small group story coaching and mentoring (in Edinburgh and area). I also offer Skype sessions for those further away.
In the meantime, I wish you meaningful stories and ears to listen.
Michael
07 September 2012
September StoryNews
This marks the first of what I hope
will be a monthly roundup of some of the events and stories going on
around the world of storytelling. Each article will provide clickable
links to take you to the original story where you can learn more.
Festival news comes first with a
preview of the 2012 Oklahoma City Storytelling Festival (6-8
September) by Brandy
McDonnell . This year's festival features Irish
storyteller Clare Murphy, Canada's Steve Poltz and Dolores Hydock
from Alabama. Even if this news comes late, it's worth noting and
becoming a follower of Brandy's
blog.
During the same weekend, the Southern
Ohio Storytelling Arts and Music Festival takes
place in Yoctangee Park. This year's festival features stalwarts such
as Bil Lep, Carmen Deedy, Donald Davis, Octavia Sexton and Kevin
Coleman. Again, if this news comes late, make a note for next year.
Of course, you won't want to miss the
40th International
Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee.
Taking place 5-7 October, this the 'grandmother' of all storytelling
festivals in the US. This year's festival features a star-studded
list including old favourites like Jay O'Callahan, John McCutcheon,
Judith Black, Gay Ducey, and Laura Simms as well as newer voices like
Michael Harvey, Hannah Harvey, Kim and Reggie Harris, Alton Chung,
and Rex Ellis. Attending this festival is a life-changing event.
Don't miss it.
And for fans in the UK, there's the
2012
International Storytelling Festival in Edinburgh Scotland.
This is a 10-day event (19-28th October), this year
focusing on the Brothers Grimm and the old master storytellers of
Europe. The Festival invites storytellers from around the world as
well as local Scottish raconteurs. If past years are anything to go
by, this year's Festival will charm, entertain and absolutely inspire
you.
There are literally hundreds if not
thousands of storytelling festivals, workshop and other events taking
place around the globe. Obviously, there's just not space to
advertise them all, but if you have a favourite storytelling festival
drop
me a line. I'd love to hear about it.
Finally, I'd like to note the passing
of two great storytellers, one a journalist and the other a musician
and friend. Bob
Johnstone, a former journalist with the Toronto
Star and the CBC, died last Sunday from cancer. He was 82 years old.
Originally from Ireland, Bob left school at 16 and worked a spell as
a lumberjack in northern Ontario before finding his true calling. His
gift for storytelling found expression on CBC radio in such regular
spots like “Today in History” where his sonorous and
authoritative tones became well-known. Bob was particularly in his
element when telling stories about others and he'll be sadly missed.
![]() |
Jack Glennie (banjo) and me |
They say we are not truly dead until
they stop telling stories about us. May the stories of your loved
ones continue forever.
Michael
p.s. I've published this on my 'Therapeutic Storytelling' page at All Things Healing (www.allthingshealing.com). Go there to learn more about how stories can offer healing and contribute to our well-being.
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Testimonials
"We have received only very positive reports of your workshop, and must thank you for being so flexible and responsive both before and in the course of implementing the workshop. It has been lovely to work with you. . . . We are hopeful this project will give rise to future storytelling endeavours, and would be very happy to work with you again if the opportunity arises!" Muireann Crowley, At Home in Scotland, University of Edinburgh, May 2014 ("Storytelling, Research and Public Engagement" workshop)
Michael Williams is a a storyteller of compelling skill. He is also a fine human being who engages in all situations and draws people into the warmth of communication and shared experience." Donald Smith, Director, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Scotland
"Michael's understanding of storytelling within a leadership and business context has helped us provide a great service in helping leaders determine their personal and organisational destiny and legacy. Working with Michael is inspiring and fun; and pulls you to be fully engaged from start to finish." Norton Bertram-Smith, Managing Director and Leadership Consultant for On Purpose.
Michael Williams is a a storyteller of compelling skill. He is also a fine human being who engages in all situations and draws people into the warmth of communication and shared experience." Donald Smith, Director, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Scotland
"Michael's understanding of storytelling within a leadership and business context has helped us provide a great service in helping leaders determine their personal and organisational destiny and legacy. Working with Michael is inspiring and fun; and pulls you to be fully engaged from start to finish." Norton Bertram-Smith, Managing Director and Leadership Consultant for On Purpose.
