‘Stories in the Club’ did already turn one in August, but as we were at the Byron Theatre, we didn’t eat birthday cake. However, on September 9, this will be rectified as we celebrate a year of community storytelling at our beloved home venue of the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club with delicious birthday cake made by Sarah Wheeler of PureMelt Chocolate! You are invited!!

The theme will be ‘It’s a Mad Mad World’. If you were in any doubt about this being true, the shenanigans going on during the spill in Canberra may have reminded you of it’s veracity! Yet again, some wonderful community members have agreed or volunteered to tell a tale on the theme, which was inspired by a panel at Renew Fest called “Is Insanity a Sane Response to an Insane World?”

Shirley Nelson arrived in Byron Bay in 1970, an English-trained nursing Sister was appointed as Matron of Byron Hospital. She immediately began transforming the hospital and health care across the region. Her story is about an old man who had a wish and a dream. It is also about the people and processes involved in the fulfillment of both. It is a story of tenacity and how, when people can get together many, even great things are achievable in this “Mad Mad World.”

Byron Bay local, George Feros, will be a part of Shirley Nelsen’s story. He collected money for what became Feros Care.

Gabby Le Brun has a Masters in Drama, majoring in Contemporary Performance and has been performing since she was 8 years old. She is currently a member of the Cassettes Flashmob Troupe. Her most recent role was in Bangalow Theatre Company ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. Gabby spun a great tale in October last year about her escapades on roller skates.

Cyd Crossman has lived for 19 years in the Byron Shire. She is a visual/performance artist, a certified sexological bodyworker, a somatic sex educator, realist, workshop facilitator, speaker and MC. Cyd is also an avid writer and researcher, with a BA in Journalism and is the mother of two sons. Her story engages with the way unexpected events can be the catalyst for extraordinary creative expression to manage madness.

Dan Sanderson, who was one of the presenters on popular Men’s Show on Bay FM. He describes himself as ‘a 45-year-old straight white male, with a university degree, no kids to support, lives by himself in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, has plenty of free time, is talented and has plenty to offer, and yet… he gets depressed, and struggles with anxiety and has impressive powers of procrastination.’

Louise Harrison is the President of Toastmasters and coaches young speakers in the Gavalier’s Club and will share a snippet of her journey through some dark post-natal days.

Jenni Cargill-Strong, curator of the event will tell her sexy adaptation of an Italio Calvino tale ‘Silvernase’, a tale of Lucy, the brave young trickster who thoroughly outwitted the devil!

So mark your diary to join us for community stories from the heart, celebration and the consumption of sumptuous birthday cake.

FB Event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/311818696059953/

WHEN: Sunday, Sep 9, 4.00 -5.30pm
WHERE: Mullum Ex-Services Club
WHO: Over 14 years
COST: Suggested donation $10

 

Thanks to all those who supported our ‘Live Storytelling: Tales of Place’ event for the Byron Bay Writer’s Festival at the Byron Theatre last Saturday! Our sponsors were Brookfarm, really wonderful ethical and environmentally oriented local family business with a delicious, quality products range! It was especially heartwarming to see so many hands go up when I asked, ‘Who has been to Stories in the Club before?’ (The lighting was so dim, I could only recognise a few faces!) It was also rather exciting to be recorded by ABC Radio National for ‘Tall Tales and True’. Photo’s kindly taken by Mala Norris and my friend, Georgia Whiley. More images here on FB.

If you would like to share a story at ‘Stories in the Club’, please read about the event at our page and then if you feel your story might fit, contact Jenni at jenni@storytree.com.au.

 

Live Storytelling: Stories of Place at Byron Theatre as Feature Event for the 2018 Byron Bay Writer’s Festival