The word on the street is that the Arts Report is presenting a panel at Word on the Street Vancouver 2012! And that is the type of world play that you’ll be graced with when you attend “Tell Me a Story: Orality and Literature in a Textual World” at the Alma Van Dusen Room (at the VPL Downtown), Sept 30th 3pm. FREE!
“The Word On The Street is a national celebration of literacy and the written word. Each September, in communities coast to coast, the public is invited to participate in hundreds of author events, presentations and workshops and to browse a marketplace that boasts the best selection of Canadian books and magazines you’ll find anywhere.” – www.wordonthestreet.ca
It runs Sept 28th to 30th, at Library Square downtown.
The Arts Report is proud to present and moderate the panel “Tell Me a Story” where we will present different approaches and relationships to oral culture. We write and read more than ever, yet despite (or perhaps because of it) storytelling remains a strong cultural force and an increasingly popular pastime. Be it around the fire or in front of a mic, our panel has a personal connection to oral communication.
“Tell Me a Story” is a part of the Word Talks series, and a part of the unwritten word vein running through the WOTS celebration this year.
Introducing our panelists:
Kawan Sangaa aka Dr. Woodrow “Woody”Morrison, BA, JD is a respected Haida Elder, President of the Vancouver Society of Storytelling and Director of the Northwest Indian Storytelling Association, as well as a beloved member of the indy radio community in Vancouver. Woody will be sharing his storytelling beginnings and the idea of “language literacy.”
Sirish Rao is a writer from India, directing Tara Books for 11 years and Founding Artistic Director of the Indian Summer Festival. Here’s an interview with him from the Arts Report Archives. Sirish will be speaking the oral and myth based culture in India, and on publishing these stories while maintaining their magic.
Candice James is Poet Laureate of the City of New Westminster and President of the Federation of BC Writers. Candice is a writer at heart, yet her oral performances are so impressive. She’ll be speaking on how oral performance adds new layers to the written word.
Lizzy Karp is the co-founder of the Vancouver-based live storytelling series Rain City Chronicles. She has used storytelling to connect with Vancouver, and the Rain City Chronicles brings together a diverse group of Vancouverites to do the same.
Listen to Woody and Lizzy on our Sept 26th episode of the Arts Report.