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As part of the Somewhen Storytelling initiative, the Island Storytellers have been hard at work crafting characters for a window spotting competition in Ventnor based on the Twelve Days of Christmas cumulative song. The competition runs across participating shop fronts in Ventnor from Saturday to Saturday, the 9th to the 16th of December. The Island Storytellers will also be performing two shows, telling tales inspired by the gifts referred to in the song, on Saturday, December 16th prior to the Ventor Illuminated Carnival. The first show will be at Ventnor Exchange at 11.30am and the second in St Catherine’s Church Meeting Room at 1.30pm. There will be tales about swans, golden rings, drummers, hens and more. Entry is by donation on the door, of food, or cash, or Christmas supplies, to Ventnor Community Foodbank. ...

In what’s becoming something of a regular venue for storytelling on the Island, Monty is returning to Babushka Books in Shanklin on Thursday, December 7th, EXTRA DATE Friday, December 8th, 2023, with a set entitled The Winter Cherries And Other Seasonal Tales. As ever, doors are 7pm for a 7.15pm start, and refreshments are included in the £5 ticket price. Booking tickets in advance is essential, (not least so Reuben knows how much cake to bring!), from Babushka Books direct or via ‭07511 220038‬ / 01983 652880. ...

Setting the scene for Hallowe’en, Holly and Sue are taking a `Tis Tales set of sinister and strange stories to Babushka Books in Shanklin on Thursday, October 26th, 2023, whilst Monty is gallivanting off on the mainland somewhere… Tickets priced £5 including refreshments are selling fast, but there’s still a few available from Babushka Books, or on 07511 220038 / 01983 652880.

After a summer of otherwise activities, the Somewhen storytelling adventure makes a welcome return as we bring Lisa Schneidau onto the Island from the West Country to with her performance of Tangle of the Commons. Tales and the land often go together, and Lisa’s tales are often steeped in the landscape and acutely aware of the local ecology. So what are you waiting for? Tickets are available from the Isle of Literary Festival website now… ...

It was blowing a bit of a hoolie as we were putting the final touches to the Somewhenever Story tent at the Chale Show showground this morning, so much so that with tents lifting the organisers were forced to cancel today’s (Saturday’s) show. But as the storm passes through, we’re really looking forward to bringing a plethora of short storytelling slots to the show tomorrow, with tales for all ages on the hour, every hour, 11 till 4 inclusive, and with family friendly sets and activities on the half-past… ...

With Ventnor Fringe over for another year, there’s no stopping the stories this summer… Upcoming this weekend, all three ‘Tis Tales tellers will be popping up in the Somewhenever Story Tent at Chale Show. There’s a full programme of tales and other activities across both days (Saturday and Sunday), with 20 minutes of tales on the hour each day, from 11am to 4pm inclusive. As part of the Somewhen Storytelling project, we are looking to raise awareness of storytelling as oral culture — tales told, not read — across the island, and across ages. Whilst the Chale Show story tent activities on the half hour are intended as family friendly events, many of the stories told on the hour are likely to be appropriate for all ages… ...

Giants, green dragons, wonder tales, sock hunts…. The Island Storyteller’s Somewhen team brought a myriad of stories to Ventnor Fringe last week in a multitude of events. Internationally renowned storyteller Xanthe Gresham Knight enthralled the audience with her tales chosen by the audience; Xanthe had stepped in at the last moment as well-known storyteller, Daniel Morden, had been taken ill. Sue Bailey said “ It was great that Xanthe was able to come. We were looking for someone of a similar calibre to Daniel, and Xanthe pulled the stops out to fill the void with mesmerising stories and accordion playing”. ...

We’re gutted to have had to announce that Daniel Morden has had to withdraw from this week’s Ventnor Fringe Festival show — we hope he makes a speedy recovery to full health — but really excited that Sue Bailey managed to catch up with Xanthe Gresham whilst at Festival at the Edge over the weekend and persuade her to bring her “Bag of Wonders” show in place of Dark Tales. All tickets for “Dark Tales” will transfer to the replacement “Bag of Wonders” show (refunds also available on request… but you’d be missing a treat!) ...

A new gang show from the Island Storytellers will be presented at Ventnor Library on Wednesday, July 26th, 2023, 7.30pm-9.30pm. Tickets: £6, Under 25 £3, Culture / Unlimited Pass 2for1 (pass holders only) available here. GREEN is life itself. From the smallest flower to the oldest oak; flashing eyes of love to the dark plots of jealous envy; ‘The force through the green fuse drives the flower…’. And don’t forget lizards, parrots and dragons with their GREEN Scales and Tails. Come to hear GREEN stories of every description as told by the Island Storytellers. ...

Don’t miss out, there’s still time to book your tickets for our new show, Here Be Giants, at the Ventnor Arts Club on Friday, July 28th, 3-4pm. Tickets available here.