My studio gets better and better. The equipment remains the same, but how it is set up, lighting arrangements, where the mic is set up the backgrounds, and I am still tinkering. Trying to make the space as perfect as I can!
I think this week will be the last of “Wednesday Stories,” at least for the time being. If you don’t know about it, it is the show I do for children where I tell folk and fairy tales and then make up a story on-the-spot, randomly pulling out paintings and drawings people have sent to me (digital copies- not originals) to create the story! I am getting a few more bookings, and they are virtual, digital shows, rather than in-person, although there are still a few of those. Pre-recorded shows actually take more effort; a one-hour show takes most of a day to create.
On Tuesday, the 28th July, I will be in an on-line concert. I am part of a cohort of storytellers who got together with the plan to meet once a year to work on projects, and stories. When COVID-19 hit we became a support group for each meeting regularly. We shared issues we had and discussed ways in getting work, creating it, and getting it out there, we shared what we were learning. We decided to hold a few summer concerts. The first one was a bit of a learning curve, and this second will be better organized and smoother. We now know what we are doing!
The storytellers are Paul Strickland who is a musician and storyteller, and tells these incredibly good tall tales; the multi-talented Norm Brecke will be sharing his craft. He tells both folk and fairy tales, and personal narrative. Shelia Arnold tells everything including historical tales and is a force to behold in the storytelling world. She has organized and helped so many others. And then there will be me telling folk and fairy tales. The concert will begin at 8 pm Eastern Daylight Time (USA & Canada) and will be on Zoom, and Facebook Live. When? Tuesday 28th July. To get tickets send me, or any of the storytellers, an email or shoot a line to TBDStorytellers@gmail.com and we will send the link closer to the day. It is a pay as you go scheme, so from $5.00 - $500.00! Or more! Pay through Paypal: TBDStorytellers@gmail.com
This will be a fun event!
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I am still getting requests to perform in-person, but outdoors and very socially distanced, but the majority of my work is now virtual. Contact your local library to see if I am performing. Due to the nature of on-line performances, I will not be advertising these library events, so other groups do not piggy back off it. It is not fair to the library who is paying for the event, and not fair to me, who might be losing out on income from a gig that has been piggy-backed. See calendar for those which are in-person. And come with masks, sanitizer and allow for space between you and others. I will try to keep up with date changes as those are also happening.
My latest release on Patreon is a conversation with storyteller Taffy Thomas and his wonderful wife Chrissy. Taffy was a fire juggler, and deep sea fisherman before becoming a storyteller. He is amazing. If you know storytellers, or are a storyteller, you might have heard of Ruth Sawyer. Well, when Taffy was a lad, she told him stories. He created and runs the Storyteller Garden in Grassmere, Lake District in England and is a super man. He loves his riddles. That episode of Conversations With Storytellers, will be available to the public on the 7th August.
The CD is slowly coming along. Still trying to set a date for the music! But I have all the artwork done, again by Rob Brookes.
I am sure there is more news, but I cannot think of it right now!
I will keep you posted of changes! Stay safe.
Peace,
Simon
This image is copyright Rob Brookes, 2020 ©. Cover art without lettering.