The Vancouver Society of Storytelling (VSOS) launches the New Year with an evening of stories on Friday, January 14th, 2011 as they introduce Seeding Stories: Weaving Communities 2011. Starting at 7:00 p.m., storytellers Naomi Steinberg and Lesley Ewen weave their tales at the Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA) locale at 1618 East Hastings Street in East Vancouver. This storytelling event is open to the public for the one night only.
VSOS Executive director Naomi Steinberg summarizes Seeding Stories: “The January 14th event is purely driven by the desire to outreach to youth and model storytelling as something fun, cool and compelling. The UNYA venue does not necessarily connect directly with the stories, but I feel that it is very appropriate that there are First Nations youth who wish to participate both as hosts and as storytellers. The actual workshop series begins on Wednesday, February 2nd, and runs for seven weeks. The work culminates with an event on Monday, March 21st, which happens to also be World Storytelling Day.”
The VSOS partners with MOSAIC, a multi-lingual non-profit organization, for this workshop series. Registration is limited to clients of VAST MOSAIC or UNYA. Seeding Stories workshops are designed for individuals such as new immigrants to Canada, survivors of torture and First Nations youth. Workshop facilitators guide individuals in the creative process that brings together personal experiences and cultural views to develop oral stories. These oral stories could also develop as tools for advocacy or the performing arts. Workshops for clients take place at MOSAIC, 1720 Grant Street, Vancouver. The final event’s venue will be back at UNYA on East Hastings Street.
About the Vancouver Society of Storytelling
The VSOS began in 1989 and developed as an association of several hundred members. As British Columbia’s only charitable arts organization dedicated to preserving the historic and contemporary craft of storytelling, the VSOS engages storytellers and listeners of all ages and backgrounds. The VSOS produces the Vancouver International Storytelling Festival , brings storytellers to schools, and offers monthly events. The VSOS mailing address is PO Box 95109, Kingsgate RPO, Vancouver, BC, V5T 4T8.
Access by Transit
TransLink’s network of buses can help listeners access the Urban Native Youth Association in East Vancouver for the Friday, January 14th storytelling night. Buses routes that reach the area of 1618 East Hastings Street include #10 Granville, #16 29th Ave Station/ Arbutus, #20 Victoria and #135 Burrard Station/SFU. Transit passengers should check the TransLink website for any changes in scheduling or bus routes that night. Event goers should dress warmly for the winter weather.
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