Celebrate Family Storytelling at Story Jam
On Sunday, March 25, families are invited to Story Jam, a fun day of storytelling events taking place on the first floor of the Toronto Reference Library from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free celebration of storytelling is part of the 2018 Toronto Storytelling Festival and will feature folktales from around the world, international guests, Indigenous creation tales and plenty of storytelling activities!
Programs and storytellers at the event will be:
ATRIUM
Teddy Bear Picnic
11 a.m.-12 noon (Very Young)
Children are invited to bring their teddy bears for a rollicking time with storytellers Sally Jaeger, Carol Ashton, Mariella Bertelli. Co-produced with Mariposa in the Schools.
The Shipmates of Captain McCow
12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. (Ages: 8+)
Dutch storyteller Eric Borrias brings a hilarious, thrilling tale about a boy at sea.
Wondertales
2-2:45 p.m. (Ages: 4+)
Stories of magic, wonder, risk and adventure told by Festival international storytellers Laura Simms (USA) and Judith Liberman (Turkey).
Stories of Wise and Foolish People
3-3:45 p.m. (Ages: 4+)
Jamie Oliviero and Sahand Sahebdivani share their favourite stories for young listeners.
BEETON HALL
Stories with Roots and Wings (part 1)
1-1:45 p.m. (Ages: 6+)
Stories with Roots and Wings (part 2)
2-3 p.m. (Ages: 6+)
Four great children’s storytellers from Mariposa in the Schools bring their favourite traditional tales and songs from Jamaica, West Africa, Trinidad, Quebec and around the world. Featuring Njacko Backo, Rita Cox, Sandra Whiting and Marylyn Peringer. Co-produced with Mariposa in the Schools.
First Nations Stories
3:15-4:30 p.m. (Ages: 8+)
Festival favourites Ron Evans and Esther Osche tell stories from Chippewa Cree, Anishnabe and Métis traditions.
TD GALLERY
Young Voices Storycircle
2-3 p.m. (Ages: 6+)
The Festival has a space for our youngest storytellers to share their favourite family stories and folktales. Come to the Storytent for a storytelling open mic. Hosted by storyteller and teacher Hugh Cotton, we will pass the Talking Stick to the next generation of storytellers.
The Story of Flann
3:30-4:15 p.m. (Ages: 8+)
Calling all comic book fans, Potterheads and storylovers! Storyteller Hugh Cotton invites you to step into a world of fantasy and adventure. Join the Gilly of the Goatskin as he follows his destiny and finds out his true identity.
THE BROWSERY
Tales from the New Silk Road
12 noon-1 p.m. (All Ages)
Join us for multilingual stories from South America, the Middle East, Eritrea, Croatia, Europe and Ethiopia. Featuring storytellers from the Paren't Child Mother Goose Program: Ruth Danziger, Maria Ordonez, Leeya Solomon, Sarah Abusarar.
Telling Stories to Your Children, a workshop for paren'ts and grandparen'ts
1:15-2:15 p.m. (Adult)
Celia Lottridge, renowned children’s book author and storyteller, leads an informal workshop for paren'ts and grandparen'ts who need great stories for bedtime, long car rides, camping trips and family occasions.
MAIN FLOOR AND BROWSERY
Ongoing throughout the day. Includes information tables and vendors.
Face Painting
The amazing Ilyan Balicki returns to the festival with his face-paint artistry.
Creativity Workshop
Kensington Market’s legendary Red Pepper Spectacle Arts invites you to make story-related figures, objects, buttons, and banners.
African Riddle Contest
Come and swap your favourite riddles with Moyo Mutamba, a storyteller and mbira-player from Zimbabwe, and his riddle-master son Kuda.
If you can't get to Toronto Reference Library for Story Jam, you can visit Albion Branch or S. Walter Stewart Branch, where Stories With Roots and Wings part 2 and First Nations Stories will be broadcast live from, from 2-4:30 p.m.
The Toronto Storytelling Festival is an annual highlight for Canadian and international storytellers. Some of the visiting storytellers will also be at select Toronto Public Library branches as part of the Stories Without Borders events on Thursday March 22, 2018. This year, TPL welcomes:
Eric Borrias is a Dutch storyteller who entertains, enthralls and entices with his original stories. Fairview Branch, 10-11 a.m.
Brave like a tiger, free as a bird. Judith Liberman, a French storyteller based in Istanbul, will present stories from the world about courage and freedom, where we fight like a mountain, face a tiger and find our way back to freedom. Runnymede Branch, 10-11 a.m.
Gcina Mhlophe is one of South Africa's most beloved storytellers, children's writers, and literacy advocates. Jane/Sheppard Branch, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Professional storyteller Jaimie Oliviero will tell stories with the theme Stories for Social Justice. Jaimie is a Winnipeg-based children's author, storyteller, and peace activist. He has performed in festivals around the world. Annette Street Branch, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Sahand Sahebdivani is an International storyteller who brings together his Persian and Dutch cultures to tell personal and traditional stories. Walter Stewart Branch, 10-11 a.m.
Sahand Sahebdivani and Judith Liberman tell stories of wisdom and foolishness from around the world. St. James Town Branch, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
For more details about these and other Toronto Storytelling Festival events, be sure to check out the Toronto Storytelling Festival website.
2 thoughts on “Celebrate Family Storytelling at Story Jam”
Story Jam is at the top of our list at The Little Paper this weekend! Toronto families will love all the storytelling and activities at the Toronto Reference Library this Sunday!
Thanks for your support of this very special event, Little Paper!
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