Big news for Going Deep 2009!

Mark your calendars for March 19-22 for Going Deep 2009!

First off, we've decided to change the name from Festival to Retreat, as that's what we're really doing in this incredible storytelling immersion. As in the past two Going Deep events, we'll meet at the Storyteller's Riverhouse B & B in Bethlehem, Indiana on Thursday evening for dinner together, then listen to the first story, which will be

The Story of the Grail, told by Liz Warren
The questions posed by The Story of the Grail are as relevant today as they were when it was written in the 12th century. How do we cultivate open and compassionate hearts in a perilous world? What is the connection between human woundedness and the health of the earth? When should we speak and when should we be silent? The story is symbolically rich and complex, yet at the same time it is simply about the wonder and grace of earning a second chance.

After we dream about the story that night, we'll have a three-hour workshop about The Grail. The afternoon will be free for massages, palm reading, art projects, conversation and naps. We'll gather again for supper, then go hear

The Paths of Osun: The West African Yoruba Epic Journey of the Goddess in Heaven and on Earth, told by Marilyn Omifunke
Marilyn Omifunke takes listeners on a journey through the five stages of transformation from Divinity to Woman. The 3000-year-old myths of Osun as the goddess of fresh waters (rivers) invite the listeners to explore the journey we must all undergo if we are to awaken to the path of love, creativity and sensuality in the power of the feminine within every human living on the planet.

Once again, we'll dream about the story, then have a workshop in the morning led by Marilyn. Then more afternoon activities before the final story,

Gilgamesh, told by David Novak
In a moving narrative of power and love, Gilgamesh the King searches for humanity and immortality. Novak uses expressive voice and staging to bring this ancient tale to contemporary audiences. Gilgamesh, the world's oldest piece of literature, resonates even after 5000 years.

David will lead the workshop on Sunday morning, and then we'll have lunch together before we take our leave, sated with story. Oh, but not just story--the sense of community, the food, the bubble out of time and away from cellphones and internet, mixed with the stories and workshops meld together into a rich and nourishing feast for the soul.

Hope you'll join us! Check out the sidebar for information on how to register.

Going Deep 2008

We had our second Going Deep Storytelling Festival from April 10-13 at the Storytellers' Riverhouse in Bethlehem, Indiana. What a nourishing experience!

The first night, Olga Loya regaled us with the incredible Aztec Creation Myth. We wallowed in the names of unfamiliar gods and goddesses, in their several aspects and moods. We wailed with the Hungry Goddess, we joined the parade in the middle of the story, we held our breaths as a little man danced on a god's palm, we laughed and sighed and enjoyed ourselves completely. Here's a picture of Olga next to the altar she created in the performance space:
Afterwards we ate crepes and sipped wine and talked, before going off to dream of the images.

In the morning, our workshop was rich in reflection and discussion of the story, of Olga's research, of how our own stories inform our lives and vice versa.

As promised, the afternoon was free for massages, palm reading, and a special participatory dance/art activity.

That second evening, I (Priscilla) told Queen Berta and King Pippin, an almost unknown Medieval French story of stolen identity, treachery, and big feet (the original story is entitled Berte aus grans pies, literally "big foot Bertha," but as I explained to the audience, if I'd called it that, they would have expected a farce instead of a delicate story of nobility--in Medieval times, it was a sign of being high-born to have large feet). The story must have struck a chord in the listeners, because the discussion afterwards and in the morning workshop was intense.

The third evening, Megan Wells entranced us with Helen's Troy, the story of the Trojan War from Helen's point of view. We sat with fair Helen in the tent on the shore, worried with her about her beauty, joined her in rash acts and sage decisions, and understood her better than we ever had before.

That night, we dreamed of all the images in all the stories, and after breakfast came back for the last wonderful workshop with Megan, a combination of discussion about the story and its sources as well as of story structure and process.

We feasted at the rich banquet of long traditional stories and returned home sated--at least for a while. Stay tuned for information on the Going Deep Storytelling Festival 2009!

Get ready! April 10 is less than a month away!

We've still got openings for this year's Going Deep Festival, and here's more good news: we've extended the Early Bird price! $550 will get you lodging and food for three days, three long story concerts, three intense workshops about the stories--we'll even get you a ride from the Louisville airport if you need it!

Contact Cynthia Changaris at cchangaris@aol.com to register. Questions? We're ready for them!