Upcoming Events
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Thu25Jan2024
Ottawa Signatures Series
7:30 pmGood Grief: The Heart of the Matter with Janet Leroy and Heather Whaley.
Thursday, January 25, 2024 | Good Grief - The Heart of the Matter Janet LeRoy and Heather Whaley share stories and songs about grief and how grief is not about getting over a loss; it’s about learning to live with it.
Grief is as natural to life as the air we breathe; yet we live in a culture that disparages grief. Janet LeRoy and Heather Whaley share a vision – to bring grief out of the closet and into the world through the healing art of storytelling. Through an inspiring medley of Scottish folktales, personal stories, and songs, Janet and Heather lead listeners through the wilderness of grief into brighter pastures.
Janet’s stories reveal how a bereft mother is comforted by the healing presence of a loving child and how life unfolds in magical ways to offer solace and joy. A folksong and folktale take on new meaning when an intergenerational family story surfaces after the death of Heather’s sister. Their collaboration debuted at the Toronto Storytelling Festival in 2022 and continues as stories about Janet’s mother and Heather’s father, both born in Scotland, enter the concert to reveal more about the healing nature of family legacies.
Renowned local musician Scottie Irving brings a special touch with his accordion accompaniment.
Good Grief - The Heart of the Matter will be recorded and available to watch On Demand from Friday, January 26 at 7:30 pm ET until Thursday, February 1 at 10:00 pm ET. This allows you to watch (or re-watch) the event at your leisure! A link to the recording will be sent to you on Friday, January 26.
In Person Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/good-grief-the-heart-of-the-matter-in-person-tickets-727771041777
On-Demand Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/good-grief-the-heart-of-the-matter-on-demand-tickets-727849646887
Series Information: https://www.ottawastorytellers.ca/signature-series-shows
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Tue27Feb2024
Ajax Seniors
1:30 pmAjax "Seniors Centres Without Walls" Storytelling ZOOM Private.Tuesday, February 27, 1:30 - 2:30 pmDurham Storytellers will be telling tales to Ajax Seniors through a program called Senior Centres Without Walls, organized by the Town of Ajax and the Ajax Seniors Centre. We will have a Zoom session with these Seniors to tell them some themed stories.Featured Teller: Heather Whaley
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Mon11Mar2024
World of Wonder - Building Bridges through Love and Laughter!
2 pmJoin us for a captivating, special World Storytelling Day Family/Children’s storytelling and music concert with storytellers, Heather Whaley and Kesha Christie, and out-of-town guests, Rico Rodriguez and Sarah Abusarar!
2 pm at the Central Branch Pickering Library
1 Esplanade, Pickering ON
Sponsored by Storytellers of Canada WSD Programming.
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Tue26Mar2024
WSD
2:30 p.m.Bowmanville Creek Retirement Community with Durham Storytellers. Private.
World Storytelling Day Building Bridges for Seniors.
Featured teller.
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Thu02May2024
Canadian Children's Book Centre Tour Week
9:30 amAjax Public Library Bolton C. Falby Public School
I am honoured to be selected by Storytellers of Canada as a Canadian Children's Book Centre Book Week touring storyteller!
April 28 - May 5 2024.
Thursday, May 2 (9:30 – 10:30 am).
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Fri14Jun2024
Many Voices Tell a Story: Club Carib Fiesta and Storytelling Toronto International Storytelling Festival
4 pmA pre-Club Carib 50th Anniversary FIESTA Week CONCERT
600 Wentworth St. E. Oshawa
Club Carib “Sassy Seniors”
In partnership with the
45th Toronto International Storytelling Festival
Presents
“Many Voices Tell a Story”
International Storytellers
Jan Blake & Godfrey Duncan aka TuuPwith Oshawa Dub Poet Judith Shaw & Host Kesha Christie
The Pay What You Can Eventbrite link with information is
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/many-voices-tell-a-story-tickets-902904550817
Artistic Director Heather WhaleyClub Carib Caribbean Culture Club 600 Wentworth St. Oshawa, ON
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Fri19Jul2024
Tea & Tales Guelph Storytellers
10 amGuelph Enabling Gardens Details to follow.
Riverside Park 681 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON N1H 3Y8
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Sat03Aug2024
Havelock Summerfest! A Bit of This and That and a Snap, Clap, Tap.
2:35 pmChildren's Stage Performance! 2:35 - 3:15 pm.
Storytelling and music for the whole family. Festival details and lineup https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094698775830
Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 12pm - 4pm Location: HBM Community Centre, 39 George St E, Havelock Admission: FREE Plus, there is a free pancake breakfast .
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Sat21Sep2024
World of Wonder Building Bridges through Love and Laughter!
10 amFamily Storytelling and Music Concert
World of Wonder Building Bridges through Love and Laughter!
Join us for an enchanting family storytelling and music concert, where we celebrate our rich cultural diversity! Delight in captivating tales brought to life by beloved local storytellers Heather Whaley, Kesha Christie, Kim Michele, and special guests, Rico Rodriguez, and Sarah Abusarar. Let's spark the magic of storytelling and craft memories that will last a lifetime for the entire family. This event is sponsored by the Oshawa Community Grants - Strong Inclusive Communities.
Oshawa Public Library Auditorium REGISTRATION
10 am - 11:30 amBuilding Bridges Through Love and Laughter. FAMILYAges 4 and up.Refreshments.65 Bagot StOshawa, ON L1H 1N2Phone: (905) 579-6111 ext. 5200
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Sat21Sep2024
World of Wonder All You Knead is Love!
2 pmStorytelling and Music Concert
Adults (suitable for 9 years and up with adult supervision)
World of Wonder All You Knead is Love!
Come cherish family memories through a captivating fusion of storytelling and music, from the roots of Scotland, Wales, Latin America (Peru), Croatia, and the Caribbean with beloved local storytellers Heather Whaley, Kesha Christie, Kim Michele, and special guests, Rico Rodriguez, and Sarah Abusarar. These stories celebrate remarkable families and their inspiring journeys, highlighting the strength of community. This event is sponsored by the Oshawa Community Grants - Strong Inclusive Communities.
Oshawa McLaughlin Public Library Auditorium REGISTRATION
2 pm - 3:30 pm.All You “Knead” is Love. ADULTS(suitable for 9 and up with adult accompaniment)Refreshments.65 Bagot StOshawa, ON L1H 1N2Phone: (905) 579-6111 ext. 5200
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Sun08Dec2024
Children's Special Needs Rotary Club Christmas
10 amGuest performer hosted by June Brown. Private Event.
Sheraton Hotel Toronto, Ontario
Heather is a well-respected storyteller and storytelling animator. My own recent experience with her was in a collaboration for the 2010 Nuit Blanche, where I hired her, through Storytelling Toronto, to be part of an ensemble of storytellers doing an experimental show titled “your story begins at the Barns.” She was a creative, professional artist to work with, and brings much dedication and passion to her work.
I had the pleasure of capturing Heather in action with a group of (grade 7&8) students, both on video and in stills. Heather’s joie-de-vivre and energy were truly enchanting – I found my camera pointed at the students to catch the joy and wonder in their expressions. Heather possesses the delightful ability to entertain, to educate and to connect to draw everyone around her into her stories – stories from her heart that are genuine and that are real. Heather will enlighten and delight children of all ages with her vibrant and active storytelling.
You have such warmth and personality, and the ability to bring together a whole room full of people (adults) in a very comfortable way. Your young (Argentine) friend (Silvia De Cesare) mentioned that you inspired her to become a storyteller. I can see why.
Presentation had great variety of materials to enhance the ‘imagery’ of the program… (the junior and intermediate audience was) very attentive and keen to attend.
Thanks to your unique and entertaining storytelling and singing, Pickering Nuclear’s first ever Tuesdays on the Trail was a huge success! The event was found to be both educational and artistic. It was super! Great fun!
I was impressed with Heather’s storytelling abilities. She adds music to her stories which definitely captivates her audience. I saw her presentation at a librarian’s meeting and I thought it was wonderful.
In May, 2011, I was Heather´s interpreter at the International Storytelling Fest in Buenos Aires, where she conducted two workshops for over 50 people each. Her workshop was very well organized, there was relevant information and lots of practice, music and props and the activities were varied, and dynamic. People were eager to participate, and enjoyed the workshop very much. Heather also conducted a workshop for teachers of English in Mercedes (Buenos Aires). In this workshop, she introduced teachers to the art of storytelling and provided them with lots of follow up activites and songs to be used in the classroom. Teachers were thrilled and more than satisfied with this very useful workshop. Heather was very generous in giving teachers the tools to enhance their own school programs, and helping them gain confidence.
Heather is a thoughtful, responsible and well organized workshopist, she is open to participant’s comments and questions and is very sensitive to their needs
Heather has not only sought to constantly improve her own performance as a storyteller and musician, she has also worked to provide workshops and events for her colleagues. Each performance has been carefully planned to suit the needs of an audience but as a consummate performer she also has the flexibility to deal with the unexpected and unknown.
Treat yourselves to an unforgettable storytelling experience. In the tradition of the best, Heather magically weaves her stories so that audiences are transported in time and space. Her music and lyrics are a delight. Heather is a real treat!
Heather was a delight to have Heather at the Library over March Break. We had approximately 120 people in attendance. The stories and songs she shared with the children were both engaging and fun, and it was a pleasure to watch the children being drawn into new lands and characters. We would certainly have Heather back to the Library again.
Heather’s storytelling abilities bring positive entertainment to children while instilling important values. Heather willingly catered her stories to accommodate our group’s religious needs and her sing-a-long songs, instruments and props were greatly enjoyed by our campers.
What a sweet cd! I love what you do with ‘The Strange Visitor!” The dance motif is a perfect fit! You must have so much fun working with your audience!
For our summer program, we had two workshops (three hours each) with Heather for the children aged from 1½ to 12 years old. The children were fascinated with the variety of musical instruments. Heather’s presentation was excellent and well planned. Everything from music to storytelling was interactive, age-appropriate, and fun. I was very impressed with Heather’s sensitive and caring ways when dealing with children in different age groups. Great storytelling & song singing!
You really know how to engage the kids! Thanks very much again for coming out to our programs. In terms of their literacy, a visit from a storyteller was a benefit for the children who do not speak English as their first language and English is not spoken at home. The more they can hear the language and make connections to things, the better. Ideally this will lead them into reading more books and stories on their own, thus building their literacy skills. It looked like everyone was enjoying your songs and stories. It was a great treat for the kids and adults.
Excellent – well prepared, captivated kids… I would highly recommend Heather and hope we’ll have her again!
Thanks a ton for coming to our school, you were great as USUAL!! Everyone was a Buzz over the concerts and my class made some wonderful drawings of your story and songs…I can’t believe how many they could remember!!
Our school initiative in the last two years has focussed on promoting reading and writing for our students. We were fortunate and thankful for Heather Whaley’s performances which were created for the different grades and age levels starting from Kindergarten to Grade 8.
“Mrs. Whaley provided a wonderful, participatory program blending music, laughter, rhythm and the art of storytelling to celebrate the gift of literacy. She provided an energetic performance geared to our school’s focus.
“It was wonderful to watch students and staff enjoy her interactive performance and the motivational level that was displayed in their follow up work in the classroom. We asked Mrs. Whaley to perform and work with our school community for the last two years.