I haven't been telling too many tales lately, so I don't have new stories to post on the blog. But I do have a few shows coming up in 2011, so I might have the opportunity to record some new stories. I've been spending the rest of my time trying to learn new stories.
I will be telling tales on February 11th in NDG at Casa Maura along with Sarah Comrie and Jack Nissenson. The performance costs $40 and includes a full meal (bring your own wine). Seating is limited to 45 people, so please contact Casa Maura and reserve your tickets today!
Tales from House of Maura
Friday, February 11th 2011
Casa Maura (6290 Somerled, NDG)
7pm - 10pm
(514) 482-0777
Facebook Event page
Back in October 2010, I told a couple of tales at a fundraiser in Atwater Library and to my amazement and great pleasure, it was videotaped! The person who shot the performance provided me with the videos and I was able to upload it to my YouTube channel. Enjoy!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Guest Teller: Ivan Coyote's "Hair Today" and Stuff
This past Christmas, there were more than a few books by Ivan Coyote being wrapped and unwrapped by a twinkling tree in our houses. I picked up a CD from Ivan last November when I saw her at the Ottawa Storytelling Festival and I've been playing it for many of my friends. I need to pick up her other CDs too.
These two YouTube videos have Ivan telling a story that I heard her tell at McGill University in Montreal in 2009 (although this specific performance was in San Francisco). I have this story in one of the books I got for Christmas, but I have no recordings of it. I hope you enjoy it.
Do I sound like a fan? You bet I am, but there's something dangerous about listening or reading too much Ivan. You'd think as a storyteller myself, enjoying Ivan's work would inspire me to continue developing as a teller. Part of me wants to produce more shows, write more books, record more CDs, and just perform more often.
But instead, the opposite happens. The small, insecure part of my artistic self sees someone as great as Ivan E. Coyote and wants to just give it all up. What if I never get that good?
It's silliness, of course, and I beat down that voice and go back to working on become that good someday. There are a few things I need to work on: I need to write my own stories (both folktales and personal, anecdotal stories), I need to promote myself more, and I need to develop a show that has more to offer than just straight telling (I'm working on that already with Shayne by adding more music to the telling).
The SweLL Company has put a clip on YouTube that features Ivan (see below). I like it's format and theatrical aspects, so I need to develop something similar for my own stories. I'm imagining a dark stage with a couple of spotlights for me and the musicians, with a backdrop of animated images that suit the story. I can see a few artistic mediums flowing together there.
These two YouTube videos have Ivan telling a story that I heard her tell at McGill University in Montreal in 2009 (although this specific performance was in San Francisco). I have this story in one of the books I got for Christmas, but I have no recordings of it. I hope you enjoy it.
Do I sound like a fan? You bet I am, but there's something dangerous about listening or reading too much Ivan. You'd think as a storyteller myself, enjoying Ivan's work would inspire me to continue developing as a teller. Part of me wants to produce more shows, write more books, record more CDs, and just perform more often.
But instead, the opposite happens. The small, insecure part of my artistic self sees someone as great as Ivan E. Coyote and wants to just give it all up. What if I never get that good?
It's silliness, of course, and I beat down that voice and go back to working on become that good someday. There are a few things I need to work on: I need to write my own stories (both folktales and personal, anecdotal stories), I need to promote myself more, and I need to develop a show that has more to offer than just straight telling (I'm working on that already with Shayne by adding more music to the telling).
The SweLL Company has put a clip on YouTube that features Ivan (see below). I like it's format and theatrical aspects, so I need to develop something similar for my own stories. I'm imagining a dark stage with a couple of spotlights for me and the musicians, with a backdrop of animated images that suit the story. I can see a few artistic mediums flowing together there.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Guest Teller: Doug "The Ferryman" Thew
A few months ago, my bardic brother Doug Thew asked for permission to tell a story that I'm well-known for telling. I was flattered and honored to be asked and agreed immediately. The story is not mine to keep, but I'm always happy to hear that other people are actively passing these stories along, keeping them alive.
Doug was asked to tell a story at Sammy and Greg's wedding reception in Ontario. I didn't know the newly wed couple very well, but I did know a great many people who were there, so I asked my sweet friend Marie to record the performance.
Marie used her Blackberry to record the telling of this story, so the quality isn't very good, but you can clearly hear Doug's telling of the story. Initially, I just wanted to hear how Doug would deal with this story, but it also amused me to no end that Doug would know that I was listening (in an ethereal, big-brother way).
Upon listening to the recording, I was so impressed at how Doug made this story his own. This wasn't Doug telling my story: this was The Ferryman telling his story. I was in awe, but it also reminded me that I've gotten a bit too comfortable with my version of this story. It wouldn't hurt the tale to change it up once in awhile, to experiment with a tale I know very well.
So before I pass this story onto you, I would like to thank Doug for honoring me with such a fine retelling of this story. I hope you enjoyed telling it as much as loved hearing it, brother.
Love and Madness as told by Doug "The Ferryman" Thew(9:31 minutes)
Doug was asked to tell a story at Sammy and Greg's wedding reception in Ontario. I didn't know the newly wed couple very well, but I did know a great many people who were there, so I asked my sweet friend Marie to record the performance.
Marie used her Blackberry to record the telling of this story, so the quality isn't very good, but you can clearly hear Doug's telling of the story. Initially, I just wanted to hear how Doug would deal with this story, but it also amused me to no end that Doug would know that I was listening (in an ethereal, big-brother way).
Upon listening to the recording, I was so impressed at how Doug made this story his own. This wasn't Doug telling my story: this was The Ferryman telling his story. I was in awe, but it also reminded me that I've gotten a bit too comfortable with my version of this story. It wouldn't hurt the tale to change it up once in awhile, to experiment with a tale I know very well.
So before I pass this story onto you, I would like to thank Doug for honoring me with such a fine retelling of this story. I hope you enjoyed telling it as much as loved hearing it, brother.
Love and Madness as told by Doug "The Ferryman" Thew(9:31 minutes)
Monday, November 1, 2010
November Story: The Man with No Story
I was pleased to have the privilege of spending my All Hallows Eve in a pub telling tales. Thanks be to Mike who trusted me with this sacred task! I was also honored to share the stage with Sarah, Jack, and Ruthanne Edward from Ottawa who regaled us with a couple of ghostly and ghastly tales herself.
As mentioned in the recording, this is a story that Mike Burns often tells at this time of year, but that he also published in a collection of tales called Ghostwise. This link allows you to read this story as well.
I also talk about my latest CD in this recording and have included it as a shameless plug. If you don't have the CD, why do you continue to deny yourself such pleasures? You can download the tracks from the CD for cheap by visiting CDBaby.
So, without further ado, here's the story:
As mentioned in the recording, this is a story that Mike Burns often tells at this time of year, but that he also published in a collection of tales called Ghostwise. This link allows you to read this story as well.
I also talk about my latest CD in this recording and have included it as a shameless plug. If you don't have the CD, why do you continue to deny yourself such pleasures? You can download the tracks from the CD for cheap by visiting CDBaby.
So, without further ado, here's the story:
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Where in the World is Rikki Santiago?
Our good friend Rikki Lacoste has mysteriously disappeared, but like in the Blair Witch Project, his podcast was found. Have a listen to the latest episode of his podcast Kakophonos where Rikki managed to cobble together a few terrifying Canadian storytellers and their tales of the macabre celebrating those things that go bump in the night.
Warning: the podcast does use some strong language. Parental discretion is advised.
Warning: the podcast does use some strong language. Parental discretion is advised.
Halloween Storytelling at Hurley's
Normally, Mike Burns would be telling us frightful Irish tales for the season, but unfortunately he's not feeling well, so he has asked me to step into the role of storyteller. Join us for an evening of ghostly, ghastly, and demonic tales that celebrate those dark things that go bump in the night.
Hurley's Halloween Storytelling
Sunday, October 31 · 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Hurley' Irish Pub
1225 rue Crescent
Montreal, QC
Facebook Event
Hurley's Halloween Storytelling
Sunday, October 31 · 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Hurley' Irish Pub
1225 rue Crescent
Montreal, QC
Facebook Event
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
October Story: Skeleton Woman
Sorry for the long silence, but I've been away to France for 10 days. We had a wonderful time, took loads of pictures, drank wine and champagne, and ate too much cheese and sausage. I can't wait to go back.
This month's story was told during the 92 Degrees of Love show back in February 2010. Uncharacteristically, Shayne is not playing music with this story. Instead, I'll be playing the drum! I think this is the second time I play the drum while telling at it really is tricky to get it right.
I find the Skeleton Woman story to be an odd mix of creepy and endearing. With the coming of Halloween, the end of summer, and the beginning of winter, I find this story contains many themes. I hope you enjoy it.
UPDATE: The version below is not from the February 2010 show, but from about 6 years later in Ottawa during a show called Blood and Bones, as recorded at the Origin Studio.
This month's story was told during the 92 Degrees of Love show back in February 2010. Uncharacteristically, Shayne is not playing music with this story. Instead, I'll be playing the drum! I think this is the second time I play the drum while telling at it really is tricky to get it right.
I find the Skeleton Woman story to be an odd mix of creepy and endearing. With the coming of Halloween, the end of summer, and the beginning of winter, I find this story contains many themes. I hope you enjoy it.
UPDATE: The version below is not from the February 2010 show, but from about 6 years later in Ottawa during a show called Blood and Bones, as recorded at the Origin Studio.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Guest Poem: Peach Creamed Honey
A month ago, I attended a spoken word event called Wired on Words (hosted by Ian Ferrier) at Casa Del Popolo. I met up with my friend Ruthanne who told me about the event and I met her friend Amal El-Mohtar. Amal is a poet from Ottawa who has recently published a book of poetry called "The Honey Month".
After hearing her read from her book, I immediately purchased a copy and I love it. With her kind permission, I have recorded a poem from her book called Day Two. What's cool about this collection of poetry is its origins (from her website):
To read more about this book and its authoer, please visit Papaveria Press. The music is called La Vibora by The Paperboys from the The Road to Ellenside album.
Day Two of The Honey Month (3:14 minutes)
After hearing her read from her book, I immediately purchased a copy and I love it. With her kind permission, I have recorded a poem from her book called Day Two. What's cool about this collection of poetry is its origins (from her website):
28 days there are in the month of February, a cold month in our part of the world, a month in which the summer seems an endless dream one had once, long ago. We should not be tricked by the frost, for it was during the dreaming month of February that Amal El-Mohtar composed The Honey Month, a book that tastes and smells of sun. Each day she uncapped a vial of honey, letting the brew inspire the words that became this book. Amal offers us much more than poetry and prose, however. Her words wrap around us like spiderwebs, gently pulling us into the web she weaves, where honey girls tempt and tease us, where things lost return and sorrow paints the leaves. This is a colourful book, but it is by no means a frivolous one. Remember, not all honey is sweet.
To read more about this book and its authoer, please visit Papaveria Press. The music is called La Vibora by The Paperboys from the The Road to Ellenside album.
Day Two of The Honey Month (3:14 minutes)
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
August Story: The Maiden and the Mirror
I'm starting to run out of recordings to post! That's the summer for you: storytelling tends to be an activity for the Autumn/Winter months when people are happy to be indoors, snuggled up next to a fire. Unfortunately, due to a bunch of mishaps, I wasn't able to record my final show at Hurleys, which is a damn shame 'cause it was awesome. I hope you were able to make it.
The Bard's New Hat CD is selling bit by bit and I'm getting great feedback on it. I'm more than half-way to my goal of 180 CDs sold, so that's encouraging. I'm trying to schedule some shows in Ottawa and Quebec city in the coming months, so stay tuned to this website and we might be able to bring our stories to a cafe/pub near you!
Today's story was taken from a collection of bedtime stories called 365 Bedtime Stories by Christine Allison. It was recorded in Montreal in February 2010 at Cafe 92 Degrees with the mystical Shayne Gryn on guitar. It's one of those poignant stories that moves me, but it's not a traditional plot-driven tale. It reminds me of a painting that is so moving, you can't stop finding new aspects to it.
I'd also like to dedicate this story to Isaac Bonewits who is resting quietly in his home and waiting for his time to come. Isaac is a favorite author of mine and I had the pleasure to meet him in late 2009 in Ottawa at a speaking engagement. In late 2009, he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. He went through several treatments over the following months, and although the treatments were going well, things have taken a turn for the worse.
The latest note from his partner Phaedra Bonewits (taken from Facebook):
Just wanted to address the rumors that Isaac is back in the hospital. He is at home as he had wished, but he is nearing the end. His brothers and sisters are on their way to say goodbye. Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.
You can read more about this on his blog and Facebook fan page:
Blog: http://neopagan.net/blog/?tag=cancer
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/isaac.phaedra.bonewits
Unlike Lilly Chen, I don't pretend to think that Isaac was goodness itself. But I know that he's been a positive influence on many, many people through his books and just by being who he is. I wish him a smooth and painless passage to the Summerlands and offer my sympathies to his wife Phaedra and I hope she leans on her family and friends during this difficult time.
Update from Phaedra Bonewits (http://www.facebook.com/#!/isaac.phaedra.bonewits):
This morning, August 12, 2010 at approximately 8 AM ET, Isaac Bonewits passed away peacefully in his sleep. All his brothers and sisters arrived at his side last night. His family and friends surround him
The Maiden & the Mirror -- Told by JD Hickey (4:55 minutes)
The Bard's New Hat CD is selling bit by bit and I'm getting great feedback on it. I'm more than half-way to my goal of 180 CDs sold, so that's encouraging. I'm trying to schedule some shows in Ottawa and Quebec city in the coming months, so stay tuned to this website and we might be able to bring our stories to a cafe/pub near you!
Today's story was taken from a collection of bedtime stories called 365 Bedtime Stories by Christine Allison. It was recorded in Montreal in February 2010 at Cafe 92 Degrees with the mystical Shayne Gryn on guitar. It's one of those poignant stories that moves me, but it's not a traditional plot-driven tale. It reminds me of a painting that is so moving, you can't stop finding new aspects to it.
I'd also like to dedicate this story to Isaac Bonewits who is resting quietly in his home and waiting for his time to come. Isaac is a favorite author of mine and I had the pleasure to meet him in late 2009 in Ottawa at a speaking engagement. In late 2009, he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. He went through several treatments over the following months, and although the treatments were going well, things have taken a turn for the worse.
The latest note from his partner Phaedra Bonewits (taken from Facebook):
Just wanted to address the rumors that Isaac is back in the hospital. He is at home as he had wished, but he is nearing the end. His brothers and sisters are on their way to say goodbye. Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.
You can read more about this on his blog and Facebook fan page:
Blog: http://neopagan.net/blog/?tag=cancer
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/isaac.phaedra.bonewits
Unlike Lilly Chen, I don't pretend to think that Isaac was goodness itself. But I know that he's been a positive influence on many, many people through his books and just by being who he is. I wish him a smooth and painless passage to the Summerlands and offer my sympathies to his wife Phaedra and I hope she leans on her family and friends during this difficult time.
Update from Phaedra Bonewits (http://www.facebook.com/#!/isaac.phaedra.bonewits):
This morning, August 12, 2010 at approximately 8 AM ET, Isaac Bonewits passed away peacefully in his sleep. All his brothers and sisters arrived at his side last night. His family and friends surround him
The Maiden & the Mirror -- Told by JD Hickey (4:55 minutes)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Bard's New Hat is on CDBaby!
My latest CD The Bard's New Hat is now available on CDBaby! You can either order a physical copy of the CD or download the entire album as a set of MP3s. As of today, the MP3s aren't available yet, but they should be by the end of the week.
If you think you're going to see me in person soon, you might want to wait until we cross-paths. But if you just can't wait, CDBaby might be a good option for you. The tracks should also be available on iTunes in a few weeks as well.
If you already have a copy of my CD and enjoyed listening to it, please visit my CDBaby page and leave a glowing review to encourage others to buy it! Thanks for your support!
If you think you're going to see me in person soon, you might want to wait until we cross-paths. But if you just can't wait, CDBaby might be a good option for you. The tracks should also be available on iTunes in a few weeks as well.
If you already have a copy of my CD and enjoyed listening to it, please visit my CDBaby page and leave a glowing review to encourage others to buy it! Thanks for your support!
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