“This evening’s opening event of the festival with Gabriel LeBlanc has shown the Acadian oral tradition is alive and well on Ile Madame,” commented Labelle, who is also Cape Breton Regional Library’s Storyteller in Residence.
The Isle of Story Festival continues all week until Saturday with multiple events scheduled each day at various venues in Sydney, Whitney Pier, and Membertou, including a one-woman show at the Highland Arts Theatre on Thursday, an open mic Story Swap at Doktor Luke’s on Friday, and a Spring Gathering / Mawio’Mi at Membertou on Saturday.
“This year’s festival is off to a great start,” says Tara MacNeil, CBRL’s Program Coordinator and member of Isle of Story Festival Committee. “We are looking forward to the rest of the week and encourage folks who didn’t get out to last year’s festival to come out this week and check out our events.”
Wednesday, May 2 – 4-6 pm, McConnell Library, Sydney
“Sister to Courage: A Tribute to Wanda Robson” This event features Isle of Story Festival’s 2018 Distinguished Storyteller honouree Wanda Robson joined by special guests. Wanda will be sharing memories of her youth and her sister Viola Desmond.
Wednesday, May 2 – 7-8:30 pm, McConnell Library, Sydney
“Wonder Tales” Stories, fairy tales, wonder tales by an array of storytellers including our guest storyteller Marta Singh and participants in Ronald Labelle’s Youth Fairy Tale Workshops. One highlight will be a tale or two from those told in the 1950s by Jean Deveaux of Glace Bay.
Thursday, May 3 – 3:30-5:30 pm, Polish Village Hall, Whitney Pier
“Stories of Resilience” A cross section of Cape Breton storytellers share their personal experiences of strength, reflecting such recurring Island themes as immigration, labour, assimilation and family ties.
“Landscapes of Silence” The history of a country’s good people who strived to live at a time when silence meant survival. Our invited guest storyteller this year is Marta Singh, originally from Argentina. “Landscapes of Silence” is the story of a mother and a daughter who traveled across their silence, to reach out for what they had lost. A one-woman show recently performed at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre to rave reviews.
Friday, May 4 – 1-3 pm, McConnell Library, Sydney
“Tea & Tales – Storytelling with Our Seniors” Guest storyteller Marta Singh will be on hand to encourage our elders to share their stories. We’ll make the tea and you bring the tales. We would love to hear “your” story.
Friday, May 4 – 7 pm, Doktor Luke’s, A Respectable Coffeehouse, Sydney
“Story Swap” It’s an open mike evening of storytelling where anyone can be a storyteller. Based on the success of last year’s Story Slam, we are looking forward to a night filled with laughter and surprise and perhaps even a tear or two. Our guest storyteller Marta Singh will get things started as the rest of us put the finishing touches on our own stories. Hosted by Scott Sharplin.
Saturday, May 5 – 9 am, Membertou Heritage Park (located next to Membertou Trade & Convention Centre)
“Stories to Tell” A morning workshop with Marta Singh based on the premise that story is our first language and storytelling is an art form. Marta will work with participants on developing this language and cultivating this art. Pre-registration required. Maximum registration: 18 participants. Please phone McConnell Library 902 562-3161 for more information and to register.
Saturday, May 5 – 12 noon, Membertou Trade & Convention Centre
“Spring Gathering/Mawio’Mi” Come share in an afternoon of food and the joys of dance, stories, drumming and community. Experience the Mi’kmaq culture of Membertou and help us bring the 2018 Isle of Story Festival to a rousing conclusion.
Find out more about this year’s Isle of Story Festival here.
