A decade ago, plus COVID, Jan Wositzky performed at Stories of the Hill at the Nowa Nowa Hall.
It was the beginning of Stories of Influence, which started in 2014 to raise awareness of the unique beauty, yet vulnerability, of the Nowa Nowa Gorge and Lake Tyers (Bung Yarnda) catchment.
This became an annual event, moving to the Lake Tyers Beach Hall in 2018.
Stories created a space for people to share stories that had been hidden away under the bed in diaries, letters, hearts and minds and each year more people contacted, saying ‘I have a story …’ Some were in writing, some spoken, some stitched, others painted and in film.
There were panels and quiet conversations in halls, on walks and by the fire.
“Stories opened our eyes and hearts, changing our understanding of life in this community,” one of the organisers, Helen Sheil, said.
This year, Stories is partnering with Nowa Nowa Events to host La Digna Rabia – Dignified anger: Stories for a perilous now, performed by Jan Wositzky and Penny Glass.
“It is a storytelling show in conversation, song and theatre.
“The 90-minute show is theatre, but not a play. It’s reflective sharing of stories from overseas and closer to home. It’s dramatic, moving and comical, flowing from a quirky beginning through tough times to an optimistic conclusion. It’s all storytelling, the ancient art for the contemporary stage,” Helen said.
It will all happen at the Nowa Nowa Hall on Sunday, May 11, from 2pm to 5pm. Tickets are available online or at the door.
