Simon Brooks © 2011

September / October

Dear Storytelling Fans and Friends,

News

First of all, this week there are a couple Halloween performances, both of which are great for families. The first one is tomorrow, in Ferrisburg VT for an afterschool program. The other is on Wednesday in Wolfeboro, NH - one of my favourite towns and libraries. I have already done two and we had a great turn out with folks dressed up in costume, and treats waiting for them afterwards. When I was in Stoddard, NH the librarian, Kelly, was all dressed up as a time travelling sky pirate, and in Moultonborough, NH the librarian, Judi, was dressed as a VERY scary witch. Because these communities have a record of dressing up, I donned my grandfather's spurs, and my old cowboy hat, a long coat and one of my vests! I actually found myself telling the first two stories in character as an old cowboy, which surprised me! Another proof that stories have lives of their own!

The summer is over and we had the first hard frost of the year this morning which left ice on the windscreen of my car. Time to carve those pumpkins!

It has been a great summer which ended with a gig in Moretown VT on September the 15th. Moretown Elementary School was severely impacted by Hurricane Irene. Located in the heart of Moretown Village, across the road from the Mad River, the school took on both flood waters and sewage. The school was emptied in the parking lot - filing cabinets, computers, desks, chairs, everything - even venting. The school now consisted of tents - the kind your see at weddings or at summer fetes. The kids were being schooled in these tents, sitting on ground sheets and tarps and blankets which covered the still wet and muddy ground. There were a dozen porta-potties and the principal brought his own small trailer in to act as the school office. Kids were in winter coats and hats despite the sun, and a few lucky ones had additional blankets and camping chairs to sit on. An open shed (stable type of thing) had been turned into a play space for the kindergarteners. I performed in two of the four tents where the kids had been gathered together to hear the stories - a group of k-4th grade and 5th - 8th. The teachers, I imagine, hard stretched to teach anything in those circumstances, were upbeat, as were the volunteer helpers, of which there seemed to be many. The kids seemed to be doing well considering the situation they were in; the older kids in the upper grades of the elementary seemed to be actually thriving! It was great to see how well they were coping - going to school in tents; living in tents, campers and trailers with little warmth other than propane heaters and camp stoves and hot chocolate. A hardy breed these New Englanders! Grace Green of the Vermont State Library organized a few artists to perform at the school, so thanks for Grace for getting that sorted.

As these are stories the teachers and families will tell, I am sure, in their old years and as I am a big fan of recording family stories, I posed a blog on how just to do that:
http://worldofstories.blogspot.com/2011/10/recording-family-stories.html
If you have any questions regarding this, please let me know, I would be happy to help.

There are two spooky stories on my website. One is the story of "The Viper" which is in YouTube format, the other is a free streaming audio of "The Unwelcome Guest," or should that be 'Ghest'? And if you stop by Wolfeboro, NH on Wednesday the 26th at 4 pm at the library, then be sure to say 'hi'. If you go "trick or treating", remember to be safe, be seen and share any spooky stories you know with your friends! Stories are like boots and like to travel!

Up coming Performances

Saturday 1st October
White Mountain Storytelling Festival (weekend festival begins Friday night)
Waterville Valley, NH
Tent or Snowy Owl's Dining Room - Owl's Nest
10 am - 11.45 am and at 3.45 pm - 4.45 pm
Other tellers throughout the day and rest of weekend

Friday 21st October
Moultonborough Public Library
Moutonborough, NH
603-476-8895
Fright Night for the family (not the movie!)
6.00pm
FREE!

Saturday 22nd October
Davis Public Library
held at Town Hall
Stoddard, NH
Family Fright Night (not the movie!)
603-446-6251
4 pm
FREE!

Wednesday 26th October
Wolfeboro Public Library
Wolfeboro, NH
603-569-2428
Fright Night for the family (not the movie!)
4pm
FREE!

Recordings

New CD available at:
Artisans, New London, NH 603-526-4227
Morgan Hill Book Store, New London, NH 603-526-5850
And DigStation for digital download only

CDs, including the award winning More Second-hand Tales, are available from Simon directly, from CD Baby iTunes and these fine local stores:
Artisans, New London, NH 603-526-4227
Chapman's Store, Fairlee, VT 802-333-9709
Green Mountain Books and Prints, Lyndonville, VT 802-626-5051
Morgan Hill Bookstore, New London, NH 603-526-5850
Norwich Bookstore, Norwich VT 802-649-1114
Wider Than The Sky, Newport, VT 802-334-2322

Inspired to hire Simon? Then contact him at: simon@diamondscree.com

GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE!

If you do not see me performing in your area, please contact your local library or school and ask them if they could invite me.

If you live outside of New Hampshire, grants are available through NEFA to make it easier for you to have me get there!
Contact program staff with questions regarding eligibility.
http://www.nefa.org/grants_services/new_england_states_touring_nest
presentingtouring@nefa.org
617.951.0010 x533

For more information on recent activity and current thoughts, or more on what I have mentioned above, please go to my blog: http://worldofstories.blogspot.com/

Peace,

Simon

Image by Simon Brooks© 2011

CDs, including the award winning More Second-hand Tales, are available from Simon directly, from CD Baby and these local stores:
iTunes
Artisans, New London, NH 603-526-4227
Chapman's Store, Fairlee, VT 802-333-9709
Green Mountain Books and Prints, Lyndonville, VT 802-626-5051
Morgan Hill Bookstore, New London, NH 603-526-5850
Norwich Bookstore, Norwich VT 802-649-1114
Wider Than The Sky, Newport, VT 802-334-2322