SJS is proud to announce that we have two fabulous videos now available for your viewing pleasure. First up, we have ‘In my Time: Stories from Labrador Elders’. We had our very own Dave Paddon collect these wonderful stories from Labradorians Garland Baikie, Sarah Baikie, Morris Blake, Alex Saunders and Jean Crane. And we had our very own Ken Parsons put together this great video for you to enjoy!
We also are chuffed to announce that we have a second part to this series for your enjoyment, “In My Time: More Stories from Labrador Elders’. It has the same tellers as before, but with new stories for you to hear!
You can find Parts 1 and 2 on the SJS YouTube channel also, as well as on our social platforms.
We thank all of the tellers who shared their stories with us, and both Ken and Dave for making this a reality!
We really hope you enjoy!!!
We have some great news to announce to you today! Some of you may have already watched SJS’s ‘In my time. Stories from Labrador Elders’.
The reaction has been so great that we’ve come up with a Part 2 for you all! It’s the same original 5 tellers (Garland Baikie, Sarah Baikie, Morris Blake, Alex Saunders and Jean Crane) but with different stories this time. We have also re-formatted Part 1, and this will be the standard for further episodes. Both episodes will be available on our SJS YouTube on May 15th as well as here on our St.John’s Storytelling website and our social media platforms.
Here’s a promo for the release and if you’re originally from Labrador some of the scenery might make you a little homesick!
We hope you will tune in and enjoy the videos on May 15!
Mark your calendar, friends – You will NOT want to miss what we have coming up for you!
SJS presents “Storytellers Preserve the Past, Reveal the Present and Create the Future’ hosted by Taffy Thomas MBE!
SJS is hosting a series of three training sessions for you to pick the brains and share the repertoire of the UK’s First Storyteller Laureate, Taffy Thomas. Taffy is keen to pass on his tales and skills, rooted in the oral tradition, after over 50 years professional experience.
Session 1 – June 12, 12-2 pm: Storytellers Preserve the Past – The Storyteller’s Journey
Session 2 – June 19, 12-2pm: Storyteller’s Reveal the Present – The Relevance of Stories
Session 3 -June 26, 12-2 pm: Storytellers Create the Future – Reaping what you Sow
Cost: $60 for all three training sessions.
Space is limited and booking up fast – To sign up, please email us at storytellingstjohns@gmail.com. To find out more about Taffy Thomas, please visit http://www.taffythomas.co.uk/
Our April Story Circle will take place online through Zoom on April 13 at 7:30pm NL Time.
Our fabulous guest host will be Don Dunphy!
As always, we have room only for about 10 to 12 tellers – If you would like to tell a story at our April Circle, please email us at storytellingstjohns@gmail.com to reserve your spot, and I urge you to act quickly, as space fills up fast!
As for anyone wondering how to watch the show, I will be sending out the Zoom link the day of – In order to receive the link, you need to be on our mailing list! If you haven’t done so already, please visit https://www.storytellingstjohns.ca/contact/ to subscribe.
See you all on the 13th!
St. John’s Storytelling invites you to celebrate World Storytelling Day 2022 with us!
Join us March 20 at 3 pm (NL time) for an amazing Zoom event!
We are proud to announce a fabulous show that features Mara Menzies (UK), Margaret Bennett (UK), Taffy Thomas (UK), Miriam Sheikh (NL), and Santiago Guzman (NL).
To watch the show, you need to be on on our mailing list – If you haven’t done so already, please visit https://www.storytellingstjohns.ca/contact/
You wont want to miss this show, as is it guaranteed to be quite the time!
We will send out the link to the show the day of, and we can’t wait to see you there!
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Join us March 9 at 730 pm (NL time) for an amazing International Women’s Day Story Circle Zoom event!
We are proud to announce a show with all women tellers, featuring Donna Washington (USA), Clara Dugas (NB), Ellen Power (NL) and Shirley Montague (NL). To watch the show, you need to be on on our mailing list – If you haven’t done so already, please visit https://www.storytellingstjohns.ca/contact/.You wont want to miss this show, as is it guaranteed to be quite the time! We will send out the link to the show the day of, and we can’t wait to see you there!
SJS’s Karen Carroll Promotes Her New e-Album in this Month’s Downhome Magazine
Well, what a great article featured in this month’s issue of the Downhome Magazine! Our very own St John’s Storyteller, Karen Carroll, talks of her brand spankin’ new e -album, Molasses and Homemade Bread. Karen gives great insight as to how storytelling became such a big and important part of her life, as well as how her fellow storytellers inspired her.
Well done, Karen! 
Check out the article HERE
February Story Circle
Our monthly Story Circle is an open mic event, formerly taking place live at Gower Street United Church and now virtually through Zoom while we navigate through Covid times. Storytellers from Newfoundland, Labrador and other parts of Canada and the world share their stories. True, mythological, fictional, rhyming – all kinds of stories are welcomed! On any given night we enjoy tales that tickle our funny bones, invite us to be contemplative, and remind us of our resilience.
Please e-mail storytellingstjohns@gmail.com if you would like to share a story!
EPISODE 3 of HOME OUT OF IT: Tonic Tales for Troubled Times is out now!
On Sept. 29, 7:30 pm Newfoundland Time, join in as Dave Paddon hosts some wonderful tales from The Big Land.
The show features Jean Crane, daughter of Gilbert Blake who guided Mina Hubbard across Labrador in 1905. Jean tells of her family’s role in guiding the Kyle to a safe anchorage at North West River.
Alex Saunders was born in old Davis Inlet and has a lifetime of stories of his own as well as some told to him by previous generations, such as the time an old woman defeated a hungry polar bear.
Sarah and Gilbert Baikie live in Rigolet and have seen many changes. Sarah demonstrates the traditional craft of grass basket-making and Gilbert relates a harrowing hunting trip.
Morris “Pop” Blake lives in North West River and was one of the “Mission Men”. They were a multi talented group of individuals who helped build and maintain the International Grenfell Association station in North West River.
All of storytellers experienced the massive cultural change from the hunter/trapper/gatherer era to the modern wage economy. It wasn’t always easy but they were, and they remain, resilient.
For all you story lovers out there, you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to tune into these wonderful stories of life in Labrador – from the comfort of your own home.
Click HERE to redirect to the video