How many of you have read the book, CROW and WEASEL by Barry Lopez? Such a wise, wonderful book, beautifully illustrated, and so worth reading. When mainstream narrative would have us believe that we are powerless and pointless, needing to be dictated, stories like this one show the way back to what is true about each one of us: that we each carry and are a unique and much needed medicine for our community and our times. The mythic and imaginative, and the expansive, complex beauty that is the vital force and the natural world is absolutely woven into each one of us.
What stories do you carry? Which stories inspire you most, or inspire you particularly right now? There is medicine in a good tale. Stories nourish our spirit and soul, and we can share this good medicine with others, so that we all grow in courage, strength, wisdom, and imagination.
As Badger says in CROW and WEASEL (and I relate in the video): “Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive.”
We are so much more than the barrage of fear would have us believe.
This short video that I made (just over a minute long) features a quote from Badger about the nature of story, and a little musing from me.
I’ve launched a video series devoted to teaching elements of harp with storytelling, poetry, spoken word and song. If you are a harper, I invite you to check them out. If you have questions in this area, please ask! I hope to answer questions in future videos.
I know many (all?) of you love the beauty, fun, and magic of language and word. If you don’t play harp, I invite you to check out the beginning of the first video, “What is Elf Owl Harp?” There I perform a short poem written by a youth in Forest Halls. Come join me in the woods to experience it!
Do you love poetry and yearn to put harp to such words? Have you dreamed of telling stories with the harp? Do you wish to bring your listeners more fully into the world of your music? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this class may be for you!
We have two classes from which to choose, one that meets on Sundays, and one on Tuesdays.
Photo by Dawn Stief https://dawnstiefphotographyblog.wordpress.com/ taken at the Vashon Wilderness Program Storytelling Festival
Elf Owl Harp: Harp for Storytelling, Poetry, and the Spoken Word.
Your teacher and guide: Jane Valencia
Two class sessions! Pick the one that best suits your schedule.
Sunday Elf Owl Harp Class. Starts May 23. 2-4pm Eastern Time.
Dates: 5/23, 6/6, 6/13, 6/27 on Zoom [Note that we are skipping 5/30 Memorial Day weekend and 6/20 Father’s Day]. Class is full.Enrollment is closed.
Tuesday Elf Owl Harp Class. Starts May 25. 7-9pm Pacific Time.
Dates: 5/25, 6/1, 6/8, 6/15 on Zoom. Register here. Still a few spaces available!
Telling stories or sharing poems brings listeners into other worlds. When we add our harp to our spoken word we add layers to the experience, and magnify the wonder and magic! Join us in a four-session class devoted to weaving enchantment with harp and language.
We’ll use small tales, short poems, descriptive passages, blessings, narrative, sacred text, ancient wisdom, folklore, and more to explore techniques, material, and ideas for crafting unique and captivating pieces that can either stand on their own or take flight into larger storytelling and spoken expressions. You’ll have assignments (elf owl size) each week, and the opportunity to share your work in a supportive, kind environment.
Grow your skills with harp and storytelling, poetry, and other spoken word in this fun four-session class on Zoom.
Whether you dream of performing story, poetry, or other spoken word for others, offering them in myriad settings (church, therapeutic, organization, with kids or seniors, and more), playing them for yourself (say, as a contemplative or magical practice), this class is intended to cultivate and support your joyful expression.
Topics include:
Openings and Closing: Framing and mood, the art of introduction and endings
Respecting and Honoring Sources
Choosing Material and working with different forms
Creating Stories and Poems
Working with Sound Effects, Chord Progressions, Tunes and Songs, Improvisation, and Modes
Storytelling, Poetry, and Spoken Word performance skills
Practices for Centering Oneself and for Connecting with your Listeners
Weaving Larger Pieces: Taking your Elf Owl skills to the next level
Who: Harpers of all levels, including complete beginners, are welcome. If you can strike strings, you can use a harp with spoken word!
