Once upon a time….
Can also be begun
In olden times when wishing still helped…
Can also be begun
Once there was, and Once there was not…
Story-lovers in Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast have a number of rare opportunities to hear award winning storyteller, Laura Simms. She has told meaningful and uncannily entertaining stories for audiences the world over since 1968. Her warmth together with her depth of understanding have a profound effect on listeners. Her diverse material, sense of humor, gorgeous voice and wide range of characterizations have achieved legendary status.
On Thursday, March 22 she will be telling “Stories Woven with Light” at the downtown campus of Simon Fraser University. This evening promises to be filled with enchantment and delight, as Laura weaves together fairytales and personal anecdotes to sweep the audience on a journey of discovery and healing.
On Sunday, March 25, Laura will offer a storytelling workshop at The Casa in Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast. Participants will work to understand storytelling as a mutually beneficial event between teller and listener, using the structure of story as the Foundation, uncovering levels of meaning and tasting the power of presence and compassion. For the workshop, each person is requested to choose a traditional story to work on – beginners and advanced performers are very welcome. This workshop will be followed by an evening concert accompanied by masterful musician, Tarun Nayar. (Pre-registration is required).
Thursday March 22 – Stories Woven with Light
Address: Fletcher Challenge Room
Simon Fraser University (downtown campus, 515 W. Hastings)
Time: 7:30 pm
Tickets: $15
Tickets at the door or reserve by calling 604-719-2504 or email story@naomi-eliana.ca
Sunday March 25 – Thinking Like a Storyteller – Workshop
Address: The Casa
2892 Hwy 101 Roberts Creek
Sunshine Coast
Time: Workshop 10am-3pm
Time: Stories and Music 5:30-7:30
Tickets: Workshop: $150 includes catered lunch
$160 includes evening of stories and music
Tickets: Stories and Music – $20
For more info or to pre-register please call 604-719-2504 or email story@naomi-eliana.ca
Performers:
Laura Simms:
In 1999, Laura Simms won the Sesame Street Sunny Days Award for her contribution to children of the world and has received many awards for her books, tapes and projects. She is affiliated with The New York Shambhala Center, the Ojai Foundation, and Mercy Corps. She has served three times as an artist-in-residence for the Lincoln Center Institute and teaches at the University of Milwaukee, New York University and The Naropa University. As a writer and editor, Laura has written and served as contributing editor for Parabola Magazine since 1996. After 9/11, she spearheaded the publication of Stories to Nourish the Hearts of Children in a Time of Crisis (Holland & Knight). In addition to writing, teaching and public appearances worldwide, Laura founded and directs the Gaindeh Project, an international initiative using storytelling, creativity, meditation and reconciliation for individuals and communities.
Laura is also a spokesperson for the healing properties and meaning of oral tradition. In these times of increased insecurity and change, few storytellers have engaged mythic storytelling for both individual and community transformation to the same degree as Laura. She has a longtime commitment to spirituality and healing; to education and women’s issues; to human rights and work with children.
Tarun Nayar:
Tarun is a tabla player, DJ and producer from Montreal now living in Vancouver. Trained in the Punjab style of classical drum playing during his childhood, Tarun is now drawn to fusion adventures and produces amazing music and musical events. Currently, he spends much of his time organizing events with the Beats Without Borders Collective, www.beatswithoutborders.com. Believing music and dance have the power to unite people, he is dedicated to building positive music environments that take people on beautiful trips to the faraway corners of their beings
Naomi Steinberg
Storyteller
www.naomi-eliana.ca