Thursday December 1st at 7:00pm

The Homecoming - A Christmas Story with Shandon Loring

It is remembered in my family that on Christmas Eve of 1933 my father was late arriving home. That, along with the love he and my mother bestowed upon their eight redheaded offspring, is fact. The rest is fiction.
ALL day the cold Virginia sky had hung low over Walton's Mountain. It was a leaden, silent, moist presence. It promised snow before the fall of night.
This morning Olivia had gone to the upstairs hall where she kept her Christmas Cactus in a spot where the winter sun filtered in through the window.

WEDNESDAY, November 30th at 7:00pm: Selections from Shakespeare's "MacBeth"

The Seanchai Library celebrates November 30th, St Andrew's Day (patron Saint of Scotland), with a twist, presenting selections from Shakespeare's The Tragedy of MacBeth (generally known simply as Macbeth).  Inspired by accounts from Scottish history in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), which would have been know to Shakespeare in his day, the events of the story actually have little relationship to their actual historical counterparts.   

MacBeth is less about Scotland and more a study of ambition, fate, and consequences.  "The Scottish Play" is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy, and is considered by many critics to be his most economically and tightly woven tale.

Presented in voice by Kayden Oconnell and Caledonia Skytower.

TUESDAY 29 Nov at 7pm: First Nations Stories

Seanchai presents a sampling of stories from the indigenous populations of the Americas.  "Corn Plume and Bean Maiden" along with other stories of the 'Three Sisters' with Derry.  Bear will bring tales of Coyote. Lilia will bring us some surprises.

MONDAY, November 28th at 7:00pm: Part 1 - "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus"

L. Frank Baum's history of the man in the red suit: from his discovery as an orphaned baby to his establishment as a maker of toys and the "Children's Saint."  Written in 1902, the adventures are full of the same inventive whimsy that made Baum's Oz Books popular.




We begin with the birth of young Claus and his early life raised in the forest by a wood nymph: before the toys, the red suit, and the holidays.  A gentle entry into the holiday season with a classic author.

Presented Live in Voice by Caledonia Skytower

SUNDAY 27 Nov at Noon: Steampunk stories and dance!

Join the Seanchai crowd for two fine Steampunk stories.  "The Guilt Child" concerns machines and books, and young girls with brave hearts.  The other features a brave young lad in the old West.  Caledonia, Derry, Bear and Gyro will bring these tales to life at Fruit Islands!  Come in your best Steampunk finery - there will be a dance following, with DJ Derry spinning Steampunk music!

FRIDAY, November 25th at 6:00pm: Selections from Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking Glass"

After you have digested, and perhaps braved the slings and arrows of outrageous shopping on Black Friday (or avoided it entirely), join Caledonia at the Seanchai Library for a little deliberate nonsense at 6pm: selections from Lewis Carroll's THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. 

Avatar Repertory Theater's marvelous production is on hiatus for the holiday weekend.   Come enjoy the original text and then go see, if you haven't already, ART's adaptation of the Classic - playing December 3 - 11 in limited performances.

Presented live in Voice.

WEDS Nov 23 at 7pm: Thanksgiving Stories at Seanchai

Tomorrow is the American Thanksgiving holiday, so tonight join the Seanchai Library folks for grand, funny, witty, bittersweet tales of the Thanksgiving holiday, and of food!  A modest buffet will be available.  Stories in voice, between mouthfuls. Bring your own real world snacks because we are bound to make you hungry.

TUES Nov 22 at 7pm: "The Windows of Brimnes" with Kayden Oconnell

Bill Holm's travel stories from Iceland -- "The Windows of Brimnes"

Poet, musician, wit, and polemicist Bill Holm repairs to his Icelandic cottage to reflect on the United States and what it might learn from the land of his ancestral roots.  Holm captures Iceland’s warmth and genuine community, its secularism, pacifism, and love of nature, poetry, and music.  Story in voice.

Reading in open voice by Kayden Oconnell

MONDAY, November 21 at 7:00pm: Part II - "Stuart Little"

Caledonia concludes Stuart's adventures tonight, as his friendship with Margalo deepens and he begins a quest to find her after she disappears inexplicably from the Little's New York home.


Follow along as Stuart drives a car, paddles a canoe, teaches school, and searches for his best friend - all as only the most honorable and noble Stuart can!

Read more about author E.B. White in this article in the Smithsonian Magazine about his writing of the award-winning Charlotte's Web.

Presented Live in Voice.

November 20-27 at the Seanchai Library

Welcome to Imagination Island! Join us for great stories!

"We bring stories of all kinds to life, in Second Life."

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Events in the Seanchai Library this week - all stories told in open voice, all times SLT:

Monday, November 21 at 7 p.m.:  "Stuart Little" (pt 2) with Caledonia Skytower 

Tuesday, November 22 at 7 p.m.:  "The Windows of Brimnes" with Kayden Oconnell

Wednesday, November 23 at 6:30 p.m.: "Alice's Restaurant" with Shandon Loring 

Wednesday, November 23 at 7 p.m.: Thanksgiving and Food Stories 

And join us at this 'off campus' event too!

Sunday, November 27 at noon: Steampunk Stories at Fruit Islands.  Followed by a Streampunk Party for the opening of the Art Gallery, with DJ Derry.  (LM and slurl will be sent that day)

Sunday, November 27 at 6 p.m.: More Stuart Little with Caledonia Skytower at MagicLand.

<http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bracket/182/56/31>

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All stories in voice and take place in Seanchai Libray on Imagination Island, unless otherwise noted. In November and December we will be collecting for the charity Toys for Tots Have questions? IM or notecard Derry McMahon, Librarian.

Feel free to join the Seanchai or Stories Unlimited! subscribos. They are located in the Library, just run in and touch them; or join our group, the Seanchai Library.

The Week That Was: Nov.13 to Nov. 17 at Seanchai

Bear, Derry and Caledonia gather at the Jules Verne Library in Fruit Islands for some undersea tales. (11-11-13)

Caledonia gets her mouse on to start reading Stuart Little. (11-11-14)

Bear settles in for an evening of mystery with Isaac Asimov's Black Widowers. (11-11-15)

Kayden OConell drops by to read from Peace Like A River. (11-11-16)

Shandon warms himself by the fire for tales of Eire. (11-11-17)

Thursday November 17th at 7pm

Presented for you in Live Voice by Shandon Loring, from Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling come beguiling tales for the child-that-was and the adult-that-is, stories from some of the most creative artists in contemporary literature. Dissected here are the darker anatomies of the timeless, seemingly simple stories we have long loved. Here wonder and truth have serious bite. Lusts and jealousies, foibles, hatreds, and dangerous obsessions, the things that slyly lurk in the midnight interior of oft-told tales.

WEDS Nov 16 at 7pm: "Peace Like a River" with Kayden Oconnell

Leif Enger's "Peace Like a River"
Here's a quote from The Christian Science Monitor: "Enger has written a book that's boldly romantic and unabashedly appealing, a collage of legends from sources sacred and profane -- from the Old Testament to the Old West, from the Gospels to police dramas."
Reading in open voice by Kayden Oconnell

TUESDAY 15 November at 7pm: Asimov's "Tales of the Black Widowers" with Bear

Did you know Isaac Asimov wrote mysteries as well as about robots? Now is your chance to see another side of the great science fiction writer as Bear Silvershade delves into The Tales of the Black Widowers.
The Black Widowers were based on a literary dining club Asimov belonged to known as the Trap Door Spiders. (Members of the Widowers were based on real-life Spiders, some of them famous writers in their own right.)
Six club members meet once a month at a private room at the Milano restaurant in New York. Each one takes turn to act as host for the evening and brings along a guest for the occasion. The guest may be a friend, relative or colleague from work (women are not allowed at their meetings, though they are very welcome at Seanchai) and after the main course, guest goes on the grill and is asked to justify his existence… and the mystery solving begins. Story in voice.

MONDAY, November 14th at 7:00pm: Part I of "Stuart Little"

E. B. White's classic first children's book - Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born in a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat. Though he's shy and thoughtful, he's also a true lover of adventure! 

E.B. White was an essayist for the New York Times as well as an author of some beloved classic stories.  For interesting links to more information on White, visit his Life & Times page on the NYT website.

Presented Live in Voice.

November 13 to 20 at Seanchai Library

Welcome to Imagination Island! Join us for great stories!

"We bring stories of all kinds to life, in Second Life."

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Events in the Seanchai Library this week - all stories told in open voice, all times SLT:

Monday, November 14 at 7 p.m.:  Stuart Little (Part 1) with Caledonia Skytower 

Tuesday, November 15 at 7 p.m.: Asimov's Tales of the Black Widowers with Bear Silvershade 

Wednesday, November 16 at 7 p.m.: Peace Like a River with Kayden Oconnell

Thursday, November 17 at 7 p.m.:  An Irish Wife and more with Shandon Loring 

And join us at this 'off campus' event too!

Sunday, November 13 at noon - Undersea Tales at the Jules Verne Undersea Library in Fruit Islands. (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Citrus/66/228/1)

Friday, November 18 at 8 p.m.: Two Agatha Christie Mysteries at Mystery Manor, with Caledonia, Shandon, Bear and Derry (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/192/170/23)

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All stories in voice and take place in Seanchai Libray on Imagination Island, unless otherwise noted. In November and December we will be collecting for the charity Toys for Tots Have questions? IM or notecard Derry McMahon, Librarian.

Feel free to join the Seanchai or Stories Unlimited! subscribos. They are located in the Library, just run in and touch them; or join our group, the Seanchai Library.

SUNDAY Nov 13 at Noon: Undersea Tales at Fruit Islands

Join Caledonia, Bear and Derry for some delightful undersea tales.  Cale will share some of "Sirena" and all three will bring some of "The Sea Fairies" by L. Frank Baum (think Wizard of Oz meets 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and the Little Mermaid!).  We'll be at the Jules Verne Undersea Library, so plan to make time later to explore the wonderful Citrus Abyss.  Stories in voice.

THE SOULFUL POET

THURSDAY NIGHT November 17th
6:00pm to 6:30pm SLT
HOSTED OPEN MICROPHONE

The Irish Seanchai’s of old were storytellers and historians, bards and poets.

In this tradition this Thursday night the Seanchai Library will be presenting a special 30-minute event titled “The Soulful Poet”, highlighting songs that tell a story. This will be a Live Voice, open-mic event hosted by Gimmya Doobie. Since this is a kick-off event, the first half will be introductions and Doobie reading different selections. Then the mic will be opened to guests. So bring a poem or song and come share your “soul” with us. Or just come and listen to the presentations!
(this event will be followed by Shandon Loring live storytelling at 7pm)

All selections should be about 30 seconds to 3 minutes long.
(as part of the fun, be aware that anyone that goes over 3 minutes runs the risk of being "hooked" off the stage SL style - call it sudden death poetry!)

WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR

Songs you hear everyday are very often poetic stories set to music. Listen to some of your favorite soulful songs that tell a story, even a very short story; get a copy of the lyrics, read them to yourself as you would a poem. Without music, but with a “poets soul”, with a "storytellers passion", with feeling! Now be brave and come share the words and your voice with us!

To help you get started:

Consider songs by:
Joan Baez, Shane McGowan, Dropkick Murphys, Doug Paisley, Jubals Lawyer, Blue Moon Rising, The Breakmen, Dave Murphy, and of course many others...

Cruise the Google highway looking for poetry and song lyrics:
http://www.lyrics.com/
http://www.azlyrics.com/
http://www.metrolyrics.com/

Give a listen to an internet radio station,
then look for lyrics to songs that "speak to you":
http://www.pandora.com/
http://www.live365.com/
http://www.last.fm/

Take a look at How to Read Poetry Aloud:
http://www.write-out-loud.com/how-to-read-poetry-aloud.html
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-read-a-poem-aloud.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_5570710_read-poetry-aloud.html

Listen to Gimmya Doobie doing a sample reading:
http://bit.ly/uMmzn1 

BE SURE TO BOOKMARK THIS PAGE TO COME BACK FOR MORE INFO!
http://bit.ly/SoPoet

TALENT SCOUTS WELCOME!!!

The Week That Was: Nov.7 to Nov. 10

Caledonia reads some favourite Winnie the Pooh stories (11-11-07)

Big Red reads a couple of O. Henry's short stories (11-11-08)

Shandon reads the tale of Rip Van Winkle (11-11-10)

WEDS November9 at 7pm: "All Summer in a Day" with Gyro

This story by Ray Bradbury is about a class of school children on Venus, which in this tale is a jungle world of constant torrential rainstorms, where the sun is only visible for one hour every seven years. Such an occurrence is imminent.  One of the children, Margot, had moved to Venus from Earth five years before the story takes place, and she is the only one in her class to remember sunshine. She has become frail and miserable there, and almost has a nervous breakdown from the anxiety of living with the relentless rain.  Join us to hear what happens when the sun comes out.   Story in voice.

TUESDAY November 8 at 7pm: O. Henry Westerns!

Saddle up podner, and join BigRed Coyote, Bear Silvershade and Derry McMahon as they present the O.Henry classics: "Ransom of Red Chief", "Princess and the Puma" and "Indian Summer of Dry Valley Johnson".  Stories in voice, with at least one authentic Texas drawl.

Woohoo and Thank you!

With your kind help and donations, Seanchai Library was able to pass on $125 US to Heifer International in September! That bought a community honey (bees) and a share of the Cheeses of the World Basket (The gift of a heifer, a goat, a sheep and a water buffalo – four animals that families around the world will use to make mozzarella, feta and hundreds of local and traditional cheese varieties.)

Thank you all!

MONDAY, November 7 at 7:00pm - Pooh Bear Pajama Party!

Time to get on you long footed flannies and cuddle into a sleeping bag with your favorite cuddly toy, as Caledonia reads some Pooh Bear Adventures perfect for the blustery days of November. 

Presented live in Voice.

November 7 to 13 at the Seanchai Library

Welcome to Imagination Island! Join us for great stories!

"We bring stories of all kinds to life, in Second Life."

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Events in the Seanchai Library this week - all stories told in open voice, all times SLT:

Monday, November 7 at 7 p.m. - Pooh Pyjama Party with Caledonia Skytower

Tuesday, November 8 at 7 p.m. - O. Henry Westerns with BigRed Coyote, Bear and Derry

Wednesday, November 9 at 7 p.m. - Ray Bradbury's All Summer in a Day with Gyro Muggins

Thursday, November 10 at 7 p.m. - Rip Van Winkle and more with Shandon Loring

Saturday, November 12 at noon - Voice Class, a workshop with Caledonia Skytower. Stories will be made available at the Library's lower level on Friday, and Saturday's session will be about expanding your expression by finding different ways to read the same thing.  Be prepared to participate in and receive constructive feedback from the group.  

And join us at this 'off campus' event too!

Sunday, November 13 at noon - Undersea Tales at the Jules Verne Undersea Library in Fruit Islands. (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Citrus/66/228/1)

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All stories in voice and take place in Seanchai Libray on Imagination Island, unless otherwise noted. In November and December we will be collecting for the charity Toys for Tots Have questions? IM or notecard Derry McMahon, Librarian.

Feel free to join the Seanchai or Stories Unlimited! subscribos. They are located in the Library, just run in and touch them; or join our group, the Seanchai Library.

The Week That Was: Oct. 30 to Nov. 4

Shandon reads from One Night with the Fae by Claire Farrell (11-11-04)

Derry reads a selection of Steampunk stories (11-11-03)

Aoife Lorefield reads The Literary Agent by Kage Baker (11-11-01)

Caledonia celebrates Halloween with a reading from Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book (11-10-31)

Derry, Big Red, Bear, Gyro and Judilynn gather at the Seanchai campfire to share scary stories. (11-10-30)

Thursday November 3rd at 7pm

ONE NIGHT WITH THE FAE

A young girl is lured to a faery festival hosted by the Irish fae. To survive she must avoid the attention of two warring Queens but a faery who helps her fears that something even more sinister is going on.

Cara sank to her knees, tears streaming from her eyes as she clawed the ground trying to find a way back in. He had saved her and now he was trapped. The music had stopped, the lights were gone. The world was supernaturally quiet. Cara knew the old stories. She would never get into the land of the fae the same way twice. She had spent one night with the fae. Now the faery who had saved her life was lost to her forever...

WEDS 2 November at 7pm: Steampunk Stories with Derry McMahon

In the style of H.G. Wells, Jules Verne and Mary Shelley, Steampunk marries the genres of science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, victoriana and throws in a dollop of industrial revolution.  With Steampunk, you will find: steam powered machines, fantastic inventions (including the first computers and artificial intelligence), and fashions replete with buckles, goggles, time pieces, and other great accessories.  Join Derry McMahon for some adventures in Steampunk tonight.  7pm, Seanchai Library, in voice