What’s Going On
New Camera
Yesterday, we acquired a MEVO camera. It’s designed for streaming. Expect more videos from us. We are deeply thankful to our videographer, Van C. Payne, for getting us such a good deal on the camera and our lighting package.
Van is available for freelance work.
The Inheritance
Saturday was Marie’s and my anniversary and after a delicious dinner of freshwater bass caught and filleted by our brother-in-law, Dr. Jerry Bayer, DVM we went to see Richmond Triangle Players production of The Inheritance Part I.
We will return next Saturday night to see Part II.
Each part is over 3 hours long with two intermissions.
We were mesmerized.
I would summarize the plot if I could, but I’m still absorbing the experience.
I’ll take a stab next week after we see Part II.
New Deal
Sunday afternoon, we braved a steady downpour, the first serious rain we’ve had in weeks, to visit The Flippo Gallery on the campus of Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA.
We went to see New Deal an exhibit of paintings by Vittorio Colaizzi. Vic is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA.
Vic is an authority on Abstract and Contemporary Art.
His work challenges me. As he says, “So much water has poured under the bridge of abstract art that it’s a challenge to do something that adds to the conversation.
I’m going to drive back up to Randy Mac later this week to spend some more time with the work. After having confronted every piece head on, I was surprised as I glanced back over my shoulder as I was leaving the exhibit and the paintings all looked different from my new position.
I think I’m safe saying Vic’s work is non-narrative and considering what an important role narrative plays in my life I find engaging with this style of art, as I mentioned earlier, challenges me.
National Storytelling Festival
Friday, October 7th through Sunday the 9th
Some of the world’s greatest storytellers come to the tiny town of Jonesborough, TN and mesmerize audiences of all ages. Hosted by the International Storytelling Center, it’s an event that belongs on your bucket list. Marie and I will be there. We’ve been tent hosts for years and we look forward to welcoming you to this delightful community.
“Those who tell the stories rule the world”.
– Anon
Featured Storyteller
“Sammy Marques is an actor, writer and humorist. He makes his home in Richmond, Virginia with his wife Deborah.”
Speaking Truth to Power
It seems to me that whenever you mention the Bible, unless you’re talking to church people, folks just tune you out. And frequently, if you are talking to church people, their ears pick up looking for a fight over a misinterpretation, a misunderstanding or a flat out misrepresentation of the narrative as they remember it.
This saddens me in so many ways.
The Bible is a collection of stories from 2,000 to over 4,000 years ago. This portable library is the foundation of Western Civilization. So many of our greatest works of literature were inspired by these stories. And just because the temples, churches, and mosques are seeing a decrease in attendance is no reason to lose these stories from our common life.
Fifteen years ago, I decided I wanted to tell the story of Moses. A playwright asked me, “Why do you want to tell this story?”
I struggled for an answer beyond, “Because it’s a good story.”
In the intervening decade and a half, I have told portions of the Exodus story in churches, Sunday Schools, and storytelling events. You would think telling the story before an ecumenical audience would be ho hum. They’ve either heard it before or read it and would just zone out. That is until you think about how most people consume The Bible.
Churchgoers listen to a piece of the story each Sunday, assuming they go every Sunday. There are some folks you read the daily lectionary, but they are a minority. And so, people get pieces and parts over time. And if there are inconsistencies or conflicts in the story, they miss them or gloss over them.
Also, The Bible is a collection of family stories originally told to people familiar with not only the characters and plots, but also the circumstances and contexts, little of which relates to 21st Century life.
As a result of 15 years of reading, telling, and exploring the story of Moses and the Children of Israel’s journey out of Egypt into The Promised Land I’ve decided my answer is, “Because the story deserves to be told in context, so audiences can discern whether it has any relevance to their lives today.”
Many of us remember Meryl Streep’s performance in Sophie’s Choice. Her character is forced to give up one of her children to the Nazi’s so that the other may live. If she refuses to choose, both will be killed.
In the Book of Exodus, the King of Egypt had declared that all of the new born male Israelite children are to be put to death. Jochebed already had two children, a girl and a boy before the king made this proclamation. Then she gives birth to another son. At first she hides him and when he is too big to hide she decides that it is better to but the baby in a basket in the Nile River and let God or fate determine the outcome.
This is high drama. This is a riveting story of high stake choices and this is only the beginning of the story.
Throughout the story Moses argues, complains, and negotiates not only with the King of Egypt, and the People of Israel, but with God, as well. For God is a character in this story as well.
There are those who believe the stories of Moses and the Exodus are fantasy, fiction, stories repurposed from even older stories. Others believe these stories are the Word of God. I don’t care where you fall on this continuum. I only assure you that this is a great story.
A story that will not only keep your attention but will provoke you to ask yourself tough questions like:
- What would I do in a situation like that?
- Do I approve of that behavior?
- Is it right?
- Is it wrong?
- In fact, what do concepts like right and wrong mean in a situation like this?
My answers to these questions continue to evolve.
Like all great literature every time we engage with this story is an opportunity for growth, insight, and dare I say, “Wisdom?”
I asked for suggestions for what I should call my evening of telling the Exodus story.
Mark Binder, a good friend and storyteller from Rhode Island suggested I simply call the evening’s presentation: Moses – Speaking Truth to Power.
I’ve decided to call it:
Speaking Truth to Power
Stories of Moses
Thank you, Mark, I owe you $50.
Between now and the spring, when I intend to perform the piece in toto in public, I’m going to release pieces of it here, in the newsletter.
As I mentioned earlier, we have a new camera, so I will probably shoot segments of my rehearsal process and share them with you that way.
Have a good week.
I’d Love to Hear from You
I need your ideas for the title of my show.
I look forward to your ideas.
Til next time,
Gayle Turner
Executive Producer