News
Here We Go! Storytelling Festival Begins
This Friday, September 5th
From left: Carol McLeod, Nancy Vermond, Tony VanderSchot, John Stevens, Monique VanderSchot. Absent from photo are Arlene Callender, Janis Fread, Christina Kerekes and Gail Fricker. (photo courtesy of Andrea Macko, Journal Argus)
As I write this, the tents are being set up on the Flats, the Logistics crew are hard at work making sure that everything is in order for the weekend, and storytellers have begun the journey to St. Marys for this weekend's festival.
Tomorrow morning, you may hear the sounds of St. Marys' bagpiper Mark Fletcher as he leads schoolchildren down to the Flats, for the beginning of our 5th Anniversary celebration. Approximately 800 school children from St. Marys and Stratford will be entertained by two very talented storytellers - Antonio Rocha and Adwoa Badoe.
I hope you will join us tomorrow night for the official Festival Opening at 7pm! See you this weekend!
Carol McLeod,
Festival Coordinator
Damen's Restaurant Contributes $1,000 to Storytelling Festival
July 2008: Festival Coordinator Carol McLeod and President of St. Marys Storytelling Inc. Monique VanderSchot (right) accept a cheque for $1,000 from Damen's Restaurant owner Burt Damen. (photo courtesy of Jeff Heuchert, St. Marys Journal Argus)
The Ontario Arts Council announces grant for the St. Marys Storytelling Festival
July 7, 2008
ST MARYS - The Ontario Arts Council recently announced a grant award in the amount of $5,000 as part of its Literary Festivals and Organizations program to St. Marys Storytelling Inc. for its annual storytelling festival.
St. Marys Storytelling Inc. is a non-profit organization devoted to the revival of storytelling both within our community and beyond. While there are workshops and a Winter Performance Series happening throughout the year, the main activity is the three day “Once Upon a Thames” Storytelling Festival for all ages held the weekend after Labour Day at Milt Dunnell Field on the Flats, a large park beside the Thames River near downtown St. Marys.
The Ontario Arts Council is an agency of the Government of Ontario. It was established in 1963 to foster the creation and production of art for the benefit of all Ontarians. Since 2007, the OAC has funded artists and organizations in 252 communities in Ontario for a total of $40 million.
“We are thrilled that the Ontario Arts Council has again chosen “Once Upon a Thames” to receive a Literary Festivals and Organizations project grant. The grant goes directly towards the expenses involved in holding this three day festival,” says Festival Coordinator Carol McLeod.
“We are also excited about celebrating our fifth anniversary with our “Many Voices – One World” theme with some tellers who have been with us since the beginning, and some that are coming to St. Marys for the first time. It's also very rewarding for all involved with the planning of this festival to see St. Marys put on the literary arts scene 'map' in Ontario.”
The art of storytelling has seen a revival in recent years, with festivals happening in major cities and towns all over the world. This September, the Stonetown will play host to tellers from countries like Brazil, Ghana, Japan, Argentina, Sicily, and Greece, who now call Canada home. All events at the Flats are again by donation. For more information on this year's festival, please visit www.stmarysstorytelling.org.
St Marys Storytelling Inc. receives Celebrate Ontario Grant
L-R : Front row: Board members Christina Kerekes and Arlene Callender. Back row Carol McLeod, Festival Coordinator; John Wilkinson MPP; Nancy Vermond, Storyteller (and former Artistic Director); Monique VanderSchot, President, St. Marys Storytelling Inc. and Jamie Hahn, Mayor of St. Marys with area children enjoying a storytelling event at the St. Marys Tourism office.
March 14th, 2008
The St. Marys Storytelling Festival. is receiving $11,912 from the McGuinty government to help enhance programming, attract more visitors and boost the local economy.
Celebrate Ontario provides St. Marys, and communities across Ontario, a chance to shine by supporting the growth of local events that draw more visitors and help our businesses prosper.
St. Marys Story Telling Festival is one of 90 festivals and events across the province that will receive funding through Celebrate Ontario 2008, launched in 2006 to support the growth of festivals and events.
