Storyfest 2013 arrives a Bran on Sunday, March 24th, and with it comes a host of storytellers with tales to delight and enthrall.
This year marks the third anniversary for this one-day event, presented by Branwen Arts and Stories Unlimited.
“Stories help us feel connect and unique all at the same time. They can provide both the questions you want, and the answers you seek,” Says Caledonia Skytower, one of the organisers of the event, “At their very core, they delight and inspire. There’s a mushroom or a rustic bench waiting for you!”
The even will kick-off at the Story Circle in Bran at 09:00 SLT, and all donations made during the course of the day’s events will benefit War Child North America.
Event Schedule
Please refer to the Storyfests SL blog for any last-minute revisions. All times SLT.
09:00 – Lycanthia Wolfhunter
Lycanthia will be presenting her own original works, some of which may comprise Adult content.
“Once you have heard one of Lycanthia Wolfhunter’s original stories, you never quite forget it. They are gruesome, sensual, and posses a righteous sense of justice that is delightfully unique. Today she will be presenting mixture of Gothic, humorous, and slightly off the wall erotica.”
10:00 – Dubhna Rhiadra & Caledonia Skytower
Dubhna and Cale present Granny Weatherwax ~ Equal Rites.
Terry Pratchett’s Discworld is soaked in magic – but even with magic there are rules. The most fundamental rule is that women can’t be wizards. They can be witches, but that’s different. When a dying wizard seeks out what he thinks is the birth of an eighth son of an eighth son to pass on his wizard’s staff, this rule is broken, and his staff passes to a girl, Eskarina. Granny Weatherwax has the job of helping her find her way in the world of magic.
11:00 – Em Jannings
Em reads from James Joyce’s Araby & Ernest Hemingway’s Soldier’s Home.
“Joyce’s Araby, written in 1914, immerses the reader in the drab life that people live on North Richmond Street, which seems to be illuminated only by the verve and imagination of the children. Even though the conditions of this neighborhood leave much to be desired, the children’s play is infused with their almost magical way of perceiving the world
“In Soldier’s Home, Hemingway explores the experience of one veteran of WWI, returning to his Kansas home and trying to express himself to his friends and neighbors who are not of a mind to listen – even to the truth.”
11:30 – Crap Mariner
Crap brings us more of his fabulous 100-word stories.
“Long ago, he swore an oath to write a 100 word story every day until the day he died. He’s not dead yet.Always unpredictable and irreverent, no subject is too sacred, no cow too holy for Crap not to pull it out, examine it, and bang it on the table a few times before putting it back where he found it – albeit slightly crumpled. He’s a man with a mission!”
Midday – Gyro Muggins
My Object All Sublime by Poul Anderson (as published in 1961 in Galaxy Magazine)
“Gyro once again brings us another gem from his vast collection of superb classic Science Fiction: One quiet night, two businessmen discuss crime and punishment, as it might have already occurred in some very far future.”
This reading should last approximately 30 minutes and will be followed by a 30-minute intermission.
13:00 – ACCEPT
A special presentation of ACCEPT, by the independent Ballet Company, staged at the Branwen Arts Center Theater – Music and Story on Stream.
“In ACCEPT, four young women struggle with their sense of self and their place in the world around them. They are united by one thing – their love of dance. ACCEPT follows the journey of these young ladies as they are each uniquely challenged, and as they come together. They learn lessons of tolerance, compassion, and empathy as they come of age as dancers, and as women.”
14:00 – Lani/Kaikalani
Lani presents Island Tales.
“Lani (Kaikilani) is a native Hawaiian Writer and Storyteller and was among the very first live presenter of stories in Second Life in her first avi, Lehua Lamington in 2005. She will present stories/chant/poetry which will include her native legends, and stories written by others and herself. Her rich voice adds depth and vibrancy to tales rich in her culture’s heritage and traditions. She has traveled widely, bringing Story to many countries. There is always something new to discover with one of Lani’s stories … they find their way to your soul.”
15:00 – Freda Frostbite
Freda read from her work in progress Adventures of a Fat Lady Who Sings
“Freda Frostbite is Stephanie Mesler in The solid world. A life long person of size, she will read from her work in progress: Adventures of a Fat Lady Who Sings. Ms. Mesler has no clue what this work will turn out to be, but the stories here have demanded to be told. What can an author do but heed the inner voice?”
15:30 – BigRed Coyote
BigRed brings us St Lucy’s School for Girls Raised by Wolves
“From a collection of short stories by author Karen Russell, we are introduced to the ghostly and magical world of the Florida Everglades. Here wolf-like girls are reformed nuns, a family makes their living wrestling alligators in a theme park, and little girls sail away on crab shells.
“Big Red presents the title story: The story of one class of wolf girls sent by their parents to a school run by nuns.”
16:00 – Singh Albatros
Selected Original Works
“Join Singh for a feast of his best recent short international fiction from Britain, America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Some titles include: The Upside Down Cartographer, Tea Cup, Loving the Mustard Goddess, The Boy Who Would be Bird, Welcome to Geekosity, Dinner Party Wars, Wordscape with Ganja, Letters to the Emperor, Heard it Through the Pumpkinvine, Singing the Black Dog, followed by The Nutmeg Saga, the poetic narrative of a lost Javanese king who returns to tell his story. Singh reads, sings, plays music and adds effects to lend more ambience to each unique tale.”
About Storyfest SL
StoryFest Events produces four annual festival events on the Second Life grid: StoryFest (March), Bard on the Virtual Beach (August), BOOFest (October), and recently debuted The Dickens Project (December) in the hopes of making it an annual event.
ALL Presentations are Live in Voice, unless otherwise noted.
Related Links
The Firestorm team have announced the re-opening of their Second Life release preview group, for those who are interested in assisting the team with identifying potential issues / bugs with new releases of the Firestorm viewer.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 