The Grampian Association of Storytellers - Past Events

If you want to know about GAS events over the past months and years, see below!

PAST EVENTS

October Friday Fling - DIY Storytelling Session, "Voices of the North Sea"

Friday 14th October 2011, 7.15 for 7.30 start.  Venue: Queens Cross Church Lounge, Aberdeen

£3 voluntary donation

 "Voices of the North Sea" is a local theme for October, which is traditionally our Doric Festival storytelling session.  Come and share your fishing, light house, pirate, oil industry, viking, and even sea serpent songs, poems and stories!

Click here for a map of Queen's Cross Church.

 

Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2011 Special Event  - An Evening with Nuala Hayes

Saturday 22nd October 2011, 7.15 for 7.30pm start Queen's Cross Church Lounge

Tickets £5 on the door

 Join the Grampian Association of Storytellers for an evening with Irish storyteller Nuala Hayes.  Nuala tells folktales, legends and myths connected mainly, but not exclusively with Ireland and will be appearing as part of October's "Storytelling Festival on Tour".
 

   

September Friday Fling - Guest Storyteller, Frances Logan

Friday 9th September 2011, 7.15 for 7.30 start.  Venue: Queens Cross Church Lounge, Aberdeen

Tickets £5 on the door

Join us for an evening with Frances Logan, a wonderful storyteller who has been involved with Glasgow's Better Crack Club since its inauguration.  Frances enjoys telling traditional folk and fairy tales from around the world, contemporary stories, comic tales and self-created stories. She has a real love to tales from other cultures which stems from her work as a teacher of English for speakers of other languages through which she encourages students to explore tales from their own countries.

Click here for a map of Queen's Cross Church.

Gadiefest 2011

It is with much regret that we can confirm that, with the closing of Archaeoink Prehistory Park, there will be no Gadiefest this year.   After two succesful years, we hope that 2011 will merely be a break in the festival's early history and that we will be able to hold the festival once again next year, whether at a new venue or back in its original home.  This will, of course, depend on the future of Archaeolink which is currently uncertain.  We wish all our friends at Archaeolink the best and hope we will have the opportunity to organise Gadiefest with them again in the future. 

Grampian Association of Storytellers 2011 AGM

Wednesday 31st August 2011, 7.30 start.  Venue: Queens Cross Church Committee Room, Aberdeen

GAS will be holding their yearly Annual General Meeting on the 31st August.  This is the time when we reflect back over the past year, and look forward to the next one.  We also hold our elections.  We are looking for new committee members this year, so if you are interested in joining the comittee please come along to the AGM or email Anna Fancett for futher details (see contacts page).  You don't need to be a storyteller to join our comittee!

Click here for a map of Queen's Cross Church.

 

June 2011 Friday Fling - 10th Birthday Celebration!

Friday 10th June 2011, 7.00 for 7.15pm start.Venue: Queens Cross Church Lounge, Aberdeen

The Grampian Association of Storytellers is 10 years old!  Join us for our birthday celebration.  We'd love to see anyone who has been involved with GAS since it started and look forward to meeting anyone new to storytelling.  And if that's not enough for you, Anna has promised there will be cake!

Click here for a map of Queen's Cross Church. Suggested donation £3.

 

May 2011 Friday Fling - from Isfahan to Stonehafan!

Friday 13th May 2011, 7.00 for 7.15pm start.Venue: Briggs Persian Rug Specialist, Stonehaven

Postponed from February 2011 - Join us for an evening of exotic stories from far off lands!

John A.W. Briggs Persian Rug Specialist - downstairs in the new gallery space.  19 Bridgefield, Stonehaven.  Click here for a map of the location. Suggested donation £3.

Storytellers and members of the audience who joined us for "From Isfahan to Stonehafan" - the event was a fantastic success and we loved telling stories in such a wonderful location. We drank apple tea and karkadi, ate eastern foods and heard a great range of stories from and about the middle east.  We were even blessed with the presence of Scheherazade!
Thanks to Sarah McGarva for use of the photograph.

April 2011 Friday Fling - Kings and Queens

Friday 8th April 2011, 7.00 for 7.15pm start. Queens Cross Church Lounge, Aberdeen

One of our regular storytellers suggested the subject of "Kings and Queens" a few months ago at one of our regular story sessions.  When we pencilled it in for April 2011, we didn't know another important royal occasion would be taking place this month!  Click here for a map of Queen's Cross Church. Suggested donation £3.

 

 Storytelling Workshop with Dundee and Perth Storytellers

Saturday 9th April 2011, 10am, Montrose Library

For the past two years, the Grampian Assocation of Storytellers and Blether Tay Gither have been meeting up in spring to hold a day of storytelling workshops in Edzell. This year, we're excited to be joining up with Scotlands newest storytelling group from Perth, "The Silver Branch." The workshop was held at Montrose Library. Click here to read a review of 2010's workshop on the Blether Tay-Gither Blog.

March 2011 Friday Fling

Friday 11th March 2011, 7.00 for 7.15pm start.

After a couple of unsuccessful friday flings (December 2010 was cancelled due to extreme weather and February 2011 was postponed until May), we looked forward to welcoming everyone back for the first fling of 2011! March's Friday Fling was an evening especially for those new to storytelling. It was a great evening of stories, riddles, songs and games and was enjoyed by all who attended.

Click here for a map of Queen's Cross Church.  Suggested donation £3.

November 2010 Friday Fling - Remember Remember?

Friday 12th November 2010, 7.00 for 7.15pm start Queen's Cross Church Lounge

Suggested donation £3

Well, we've missed Guy Fawkes night by a week, but that "Remember, Remember" theme suggested to us stories which we've heard, but can't quite remember how they go! Are there any stories you're itching to recall the ending to? Maybe a GAS member might know! Feel free to turn up with a request (or maybe even email it to the GAS email account (grampianstorytellers@hotmail.com) if you're very organised) 

Wickerman at Archaeolink

Sunday 31st October 2010 all day Archaeolink Prehistory Park, Oyne

Park entry price, see Archaeolink web page for details

Storytellers from GAS and from the Aberdeen University Storytelling Society will be telling Samhain (ie Hallowe'en!) tales round the fire at Archaeolink.  Prepare yourselves for treacherous tales, spooky stories and haunting horrible halloween happenings.  The last event in Archaeolink's calendar is sure to see the season go out with a bang!

21st Scottish International Storytelling Festival - Special Event and Guest Storyteller - Wajuppa Tossa

Friday 8th October 2010, 7.00 for 7.15pm start Queen's Cross Church Lounge

Tickets £5 on the door
As part of the 21st Scottish International Storytelling Festival, GAS are delighted to announce a special guest storyteller from Thailand - Wajuppa Tossa.
Starting with her mother's story, 'The Hero of the Mekong River', Wajuppa Tossa leads us on a wonderful and personal journey of the stories that she has collected, from Thailand to Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and beyond.

 

October 2010 Friday Fling -  Doric Festival

Friday 8th October 2010, 7.00 for 7.15pm start Queen's Cross Church Lounge

Suggested donation £3

October 2010's Friday Fling had a touch of the Doric as we celebrated the local tongue in story and song. 

The theme of the night was "local stories" but this wasn't just confined to Aberdeen stories - Those who attended were invited to share stories from wherever (and whenever) feels like home!

Gadiefest 2010 - GAS's STORYTELLING FESTIVAL!

After the summer break, the Grampian Associaton of Storytellers and Archaeolink Prehistory Park once again got together to hold our Storytelling festival, "Gadiefest."   The festival was be held in conjunction with New Words and was made possible with funding from the Gordon Forum For The Arts.                                

 This year the festival was held on the second weekend of September - read on to find out what's planned this year, or go to the Gadiefest web page for more details!

 

Gadiefest Friday Fling, September 2010 - Guest Storyteller Cath Little                                           
Friday 10th September 2010, 7.00 for 7.15pm start Queen's Cross Church Lounge

Tickets £5.00 on the door

After our summer break, we were delighted to announce the return of Welsh storyteller, Cath Little.  We had a great turnout for this event.  Cath told some wonderful stories from her part of the world including "The Lady of The Fountain" in which she enchanted us even further with music and voice.  The floor was then open to the audience to tell their own stories or sing a song and, with the help of Grace Banks, Sheena Blackhall sang us a song she wrote for the occasion!  (See the Gadiefest web page if you want to know more)

 Click here to go to Cath's web page.  

Gadiefest 2010 Storytelling Workshop with John Wheeler

                                 
Saturday 11th September 2010, 10.30am until 12.00, Archaeolink Prehistory Park

£15 - Booking in advance

"The Joys of Sharing a Cracking Good Tale - A short workshop that helps us tell stories more easily
by Gallloway storyteller John Wheeler.  All adults and children over 12 welcome"

John held a workshop full of storytelling fun with rhythm, basic plots, language and dramatic tension and took both storytelling newcomers and more experienced storytellers into the world of story.

Gadiefest 2010 Daytime Events

                                 
Saturday 11th September 2010, 11am until 4pm, Archaeolink Prehistory Park

Normal Archaeolink admission prices apply (http://www.archaeolink.co.uk/ Admission-Prices.html)

"With activities and stories for the whole family, everyone will find something exciting at this second annual storytelling and traditional arts festival.  From listening to stories in the round house, to taking part in traditional craft activities, children and adults will be amused for hours.  "

Storytelling sessions were held in the roundhouse and round the fire in the cafe and storytellers included Cath Little, Pauline Cordiner, Shiela Kinninmonth and Sylvia Troon of Blether Tay-gither and Diana Peers. 

The event closed with a special performance from the children of Oyne primary school who had been working on two stories (Jock O Bennachie and the battle of Mons Graupius)  with storyteller Sean Gordon.  We storytellers were really impressed at this next generation of storytellers!

Gadiefest 2010 - Evening Event, Songs and Stories Open Mic

                                 
Saturday 11th September 2010, 6.30pm until 10pm, Archaeolink Prehistory Park

£5 on the door

On the sunday night, we had a wonderful “open mic” evening round the fire with stories, songs, jokes and good banter!  Thanks so much to everyone who contributed including Cath, John, members of Blether Tay Gither, members of GAS, Archaeolink staff (and Irene's wonderful stovies!), those who told a story for the first time and those who simply sat and listened.  It was a fantastic evening and a wonderful end to a most enjoyable evening!  Thanks goes to Anna Fancett, Karen Hudson and Pauline Cordiner who organised the event and to Archaeolink who were wonderful hosts once again.

Tickets: Donation welcome (suggested donation £3)

Bodgefest 2010
Saturday 4th September 2010, 12-6pm, Dunnottar Woods, Stonehaven

Bodgefest is a family event organised by Dunnottar Bodgers Group and included local crafts folk, artists, performers and some GAS storytellers - See their web page for more details!

 May 2010 Friday Fling - Guest Storyteller Cathy Low

Friday 14th May 2010, 7.00 for 7.15pm start Queen's Cross Church Lounge

Tickets: �5.00 on the door.

Cathy is a powerful teller of tales, bringing dramatic flair and energy to her tellings of stories from around the world.  She engages and delights listeners of all ages, from tiny children to great big adults.  Find Cathy on the Scottish Storytelling Centre's web page - click here. 

Edzell Storytelling Workship with GAS and Blether-Tay-Gither

Join the Grampian Association of Storytellers and Blether Tay Gither at the Panmure Arms Hotel, Edzell from 10am - 3.30pm on Saturday 20th March 2010 for a day of storytelling workshops and story-telling sessions. 

�8 for members of either group and concessions, �10 for others.  Lunch not included.   For more details, contact Anna at gas_story@hotmail.com (or see contacts page for her phone number).

A flyer is available for both the March Friday Fling and the Edzell Storytelling Workshop - click here to access it. Or, click here to visit Blether Tay Gither's Blog and hear more about the day and see some of Debbie's brilliant photos!

April Friday Fling 2010

Friday 12th February 2010, 7.15pm Queen's Cross Church Lounge 

Tickets: Donation welcome (suggested donation �3)

April's Friday Fling theme was "Bring out your inner child" - those who came along had fun with puppets and story cards and had a great time discussing and telling stories especially for younger children.

March Friday Fling - Special Guests Aberdeen University Storytelling Society

Friday 12th March 2010, 7.15pm Queen's Cross Church Upstairs Hall (Please note slight change in venue to the upstairs hall.  The room will be signposted from the usual entrance door).

Tickets: Donation welcome (suggested donation �3)

Students from Aberdeen University's Storytelling Society were recieved very well indeed at March 2009's FFF! We enjoyed them so much, that we've invited them back for March 2010.  

February Friday Fling 2010

Friday 12th February 2010, 7.15pm Queen's Cross Church Lounge 

Tickets: Donation welcome (suggested donation �3)

With a suggested theme of "Things that never happened..." Or "If only!" join us for 2010's first storytelling session!  Following feedback, the Friday Flings also moved to the second friday of each month.

December Friday Fling 2009

Friday 4 December 2009, 7.15pm, Cameron's Inn, Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen (Commonly known as Ma Cameron's!)  Link to parking and map:http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116623963085111639570.00045acf2eca8abc1e47d&z=16

Tickets: Donation welcome (suggested donation �3)

 December 2009's theme was once again be "Tales from the Christmas Tree - tell us a story from a Christmas Tree ornament, don't worry about bringing one as we'll have plenty to choose from. Christmas biscuits and maybe even a mince pie will be on offer to get everyone into the festive spirit!" 

Hallowe'en 2010 Friday Fling - National Tell A Story Day 2009

Friday 30 October 2009, 7.15pm Coffee Shop, Archaeolink Prehistory Park, Oyne

Guest Storyteller, Tickets: �5 on the door.

At the end of October, it was back to Archaeolink for more Hallowe'en Horror at our Hallowe'en First Friday Fling! Following on from 2008's successful event, we held our First Friday Fling a week early to take advantage of any spooks, ghouls or vampires who might want to pop in by to share a tale!  This year we were delighted to have the company of Norma Cameron as our guest storyteller, courtesy of the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Wickerman at Archaeolink 2009

Sunday 25 October 2009, 10am until late: Archaeolink Prehistory Park, Oyne
See Archaeolink's web page for entrance prices

Hallowe'en is surely one of the busiest times of the year for storytelling and it was celebrated in true Prehistoric Style at Archaeolink's Wickerman event. GAS storytellers were telling spooky Samhain tales in the roundhouse and GAS Treasurer, Pauline Cordiner, ran the tours of the haunted caves for those of a more thrill-seeking nature!

October First Friday Fling 2009 - The Doric Festival in Memory of Stanley Robertson

Friday 2 October 2009, 7.15pm: Queen's Cross Church Lounge
Tickets: Donation welcome

October 2009's First Friday Fling was be held in conjunction with The Doric Festival.  This was to be an evening of Doric stories and songs performed by GAS Honorary President, Stanley Robertson.  However, as Stanley sadly passed away in August 2009, the event was be held in his memory. We were priviledged to have the company Stanley's son and daughter Anthony and Gabrielle and friends and relatives of the Robertson family.  Everyone was invited to share a story, song or memory of Stanley and many listeners were present. 

The event was a wonderful tribute to Stanley and all he taught us over the years and GAS would like to thank everyone who came along to make it the event that it was.  

The Doric Festival, now in its 16th year, celebrates the language, song, music and traditions of the North-east through performances, drama, workshops and exhibitions.

Gadiefest 2009 - GAS's NEW STORYTELLING FESTIVAL!

The Grampian Associaton of Storytellers and Archaeolink Prehistory Park got together to hold their first Storytelling Festival on the first weekend of September 2009.  This included  the September First Friday Fling (see below) and 2 days of storytelling, poetry, ballads, crafts, drama, music and art at Archaeolink Prehistory Park, Oyne.  Everyone interested in telling a story was invited - from complete beginners to professional storytellers - and those who attended were treated to a weekend of workshops, storytelling sessions, poetry, prose, songs and music.  On the saturday night we had a braw ceilidh of songs and stories! For full details, see the Gadiefest web page! 

Prior to the saturday night event, some of us went to see the Maiden Stone, a Pictish Standing stone close to Chapel of Garioch. In the photo are (back row, l-r) Grace Banks, Phyll McBain, Sheena Blackhall, Colin McAllister, Shiela Kinninmonth, Sean Gordon.  (front row, l-r) Cath Little, Anna Fancett, Pauline Cordiner.

September First Friday Fling 2009 - Guest Storyteller Colin McAllister

Friday 4 September 2009, 7.00pm: Queen's Cross Church Lounge
Tickets �5.00 on the door

After a break for the summer, the First Friday Flings started again in the first week in September 2009. Colin McAllister not only returned as GAS's guest storyteller for September, but volunteered his services at Gadiefest 2009. See above for details

The Macaulay Institute Open Day 2009

Saturday 6th June 2009 at The Macaulay Institue, Aberdeen, 10.30am - 16:30pm

The Macaulay Institute held an Open Doors event on the 6th June and GAS storytellers were there telling tales of Nature and the Environment.See their web page for details.

 

June First Friday Fling 2009 - DIY Open Session: Auld Wifie's Tales

Friday 5 June 2009, 7.30pm: Queen's Cross Church Lounge
Suggested donation of �3.00

June's First Friday Fling was a do-it-yourself session. A chance for all storytellers old and new to share a story. The theme was roughly based on "Auld Wifie's Tales!"

"A Fine Get Together" with Stanley Robertson and Grace Banks

Saturday 16 May 2009,12.30pm-2.00pm at the Lemon Tree, West North Street, Aberdeen
Free Event

As part of Word Fest 2009, GAS storytellers told stories and sang ballads along with SC@T, GAS Honorary President Stanley Robertson and GAS founder member Grace Banks.

May 2009 First Friday Fling with Guest Storyteller Janis Mackay

(In Conjunction with WordFringe)

Friday 1 May 2009, 7.30pm: Queen's Cross Church Lounge
Tickets �5.00 on the door

Janis Mackay hails from Edinburgh, but now lives in Caithness, where she is a Writer in Residence. She tells traditional Scottish tales and world stories, including Native American stories and fairy tales. Stories that include the physical or mental transformations of characters into other beings are also a favourite theme. Janis often works with fellow teller, David Campbell on workshops and performances. This was an excellent night and we'd love to have Janis back again!

Click here to return to the current events and home page.

For more information on any of the GAS dates, contact GAS secretary on secretary@grampianstorytellers.org.uk