Story Crossroads

Culture Connections (Day 3–A-Z Blog Challenge)

Enjoy all of these A-Z Blog Challenge posts. Versión en Español se puede encontrar a continuación o haga clic aquí para ir allí. Haga clic en mí para saltar a la parte española. Also look forward to the Story Crossroads crowdsourcing campaign May 1, 2015.

“C” is for Culture Connections.

Along that journey of life, we meet people who impact our lives. They share their culture with us and we share our culture with them. We make connections.

Except when we don’t.

I am amazed at the many cultural groups I had no idea existed in the neighborhood until about a year ago. How can I be surrounded by such a diverse group of people—walk, talk, breath in this community—and not be aware of them? Always, these cultural groups plan, organize, and invite others to learn about their practices and philosophies through events or gatherings. I need to pause and explore all these groups have to offer.

And then I did.

I did not go alone. I took my two boys aged five and seven. Songs sounded upon the air as we celebrated the eight tribal nations of Utah during Indigenous Day held at the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City. That museum had a traveling exhibit on the Horse and all its wonders. Everyone at that event felt how fitting it was to have Indigenous Day there considering the influence of that four-legged friend.

After several of the presentations, my boys scrambled for their turns to create their own Fremont tribe figurines from clay. They scratched into that clay and did their best to match the example. It was a cycle of the boys in serious contemplation, short bursts of delighted laughter, and then one with the focus.

I noted the youth of the Ute tribe from the Granite and Nebo School Districts who danced the traditional dances. I heard that the youth attended rehearsals to learn the history of those dances. The stories of the past brought about a reverence for what they did before our eyes. How I wished to know those stories, too. And for my boys. And for all the people in that museum. Shirlee Silversmith, Director of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, promised to guide us with Story Crossroads on how to go about turning that wish to reality.

On another day later that month, the boys and I attended one of the Nubian Story Tellers event. Despite living in Utah for over 10 years, I had never heard of the Nubian Storytellers of Utah Leadership (NSOUL). I was active with the Utah Storytelling Guild yet I did not know this group? I was shocked and confused. We all loved storytelling and the idea of not knowing of the NSOUL existence kept my head shaking for days. I still get twitches on that today. Every since knowing, I invited people from the NSOUL to the Community Planning Meetings for Story Crossroads.

As for the Nubian Story Tellers event, I was anxious to have my boys create cultural connections alongside me. Oh, how my youngest boy was shy when before the performance he had the chance to talk with Baba Jamal Koram. Baba took care to smile and look to my son’s way as he spun his tales of magic and freedom. By the end of that concert, both of my boys begged me to buy his CDs or books or something that they could call their own.

Yet, I cherished what happened during that concert between my youngest boy and a lady named Joan Nabors. Joan had told a story at one of the Story Crossroads Community Planning Meetings so I was pleased that she sat next to our family during the concert. My youngest was enthralled by her wooden bracelets. Joan recognized my son’s fascination and soon his little hands were in her hands, with fingers dancing about like pretend spiders. Then Joan handed that bracelet to him and he held it with care and understood the responsibility that weighed in his palms.

My boy made many friends that night. First with Baba. Next with Joan. Then with all the others in the room.

I reflected on our time on Indigenous Day and then there with the Nubian Story Tellers event. I knew that these heart-grabbing moments would be re-created as we continued work with Story Crossroads.

Aquí lo tiene.
Conexiones Culturales

Rogamos disculpen esta traducción al español que hemos utilizado un software de traducción. Estamos en proceso de hacer que las personas ayudar a traducir estos A-Z Blog Desafío puestos, así como todas las demás entradas del blog.

A lo largo de este viaje de la vida, encontramos personas que afectan nuestras vidas. Ellos comparten su cultura con nosotros y compartir nuestra cultura con ellos. Podemos realizar las conexiones.

Excepto cuando no lo hacemos.

Me sorprende ver a los muchos grupos culturales que no tenía ni idea existía en el barrio hasta que hace aproximadamente un año. ¿Cómo puedo estar rodeado de un grupo tan diverso de personas de caminar, hablar, respirar en esta comunidad y no ser conscientes de ellos? Siempre, estos grupos culturales planificar, organizar, e invitamos a otros a aprender acerca de sus filosofías y prácticas a través de eventos o reuniones. Tengo que hacer una pausa y explorar todos estos grupos tienen para ofrecer.

Y, a continuación, lo hice.

Yo no ir solo. Me llevé a mis dos niños de cinco y siete. Las canciones suenan en el aire como celebramos las ocho naciones tribales indígenas de Utah durante día se celebrará en el Museo de Historia Natural de Utah en Salt Lake City. El museo tiene una exposición itinerante sobre el caballo, y todas sus maravillas. Todos sentimos en ese evento lo oportuno que ha sido Día indígenas, considerando la influencia de la amiga de cuatro patas.

Después de varias de las exposiciones, mis chicos pelearse para sus vueltas para crear su propia tribu Fremont las figurillas de barro. Los rayados en el barro y se hacían los mejores para que coincida con el ejemplo. Es un ciclo de los niños en actitud reflexiva, breves ráfagas de risas, alegría y, a continuación, uno con el focus.

He tomado nota de la juventud de la Ute tribu de granito y Nebo distritos escolares que bailaban las danzas tradicionales. He oído que los jóvenes asistieron a los ensayos para conocer la historia de los bailes. Las historias del pasado de una reverencia a lo que hicieron ante nuestros ojos. Cómo me gustaría saber esas historias, demasiado. Y para mis chicos. Y para todo el pueblo en el museo. Shirlee Platero, Director de la Utah División de Asuntos Indios, prometido para que nos guíe con Historia Cruce de cómo se van a convertir a ese deseo con la realidad.

El otro día a finales de ese mes, los chicos y yo asistimos a uno de los narradores Nubia. A pesar de estar viviendo en Utah, para más de 10 años, nunca había oído hablar de los nubios Narradores de Utah Liderazgo (NSOUL). Yo era muy activo con la narración Utah Guild pero yo no sabía este grupo? Yo estaba sorprendido y confundido. A todos nos encantó la narración y la idea de no saber de la existencia NSOUL mantiene mi cabeza agitando durante días. Todavía me tira en que en el día de hoy. Desde el saber, me invitaba a la gente de la NSOUL a la Comunidad reuniones de planificación Historia encrucijada.

En cuanto a la Nubia cuentacuentos evento, yo estaba ansiosa de tener mis chicos crear conexiones culturales junto a mí. Oh, cómo mi niño más pequeño era tímido cuando antes de la actuación que tuvo la oportunidad de hablar con Baba Jamal Koram. Baba tuvo cuidado de sonreír y mirar a mi hijo la manera en la que lo ha hecho un trompo con su cuentos de magia y libertad. Al final de ese concierto, tanto de mis chicos me rogaban a comprar su CD, libros o algo que se podría llamar propio.

Sin embargo, he apreciado lo que sucedió durante ese concierto entre mi niño más pequeño y una dama llamada Joan Nabors. Joan había dicho una historia, en una encrucijada de la historia las reuniones de planificación comunitaria y me alegró que se sentó junto a nuestra familia durante el concierto. El más joven fue cautivado por su madera brazaletes. Joan reconoció mi hijo la fascinación y pronto las manos pequeñas se encontraban en sus manos, con los dedos como fingir bailar sobre las arañas. A continuación, Joan que pulsera con él y se celebró con cuidado y entiende la responsabilidad que pesa en las palmas.

Mi chico hizo muchos amigos esa noche. Primero con Baba. Junto con Joan. A continuación, con todos los demás en la habitación.

He reflexionado sobre nuestro tiempo en indígenas y, a continuación, en la Nubia cuentacuentos evento. Yo sabía que estas agarrando momentos sería re-creado como hemos continuado trabajando con Historia encrucijada.

Bilingual Bridges (Day 2–A-Z Blog Challenge)

“B” is for Bilingual Bridges.

I have a story. You have a story. We all have stories. -English

Tengo una historia. Tiene una historia. Todos tenemos historias. – Spanish

لي قصة . في قصة. علينا جميعا. -Arabic

У меня есть история. У вас есть история. Мы все рассказы. -Russian

我有一個故事。你有一個故事。我們所有的故事。-Chinese

Van egy történetem. Van egy történetem. Mindannyiunknak vannak történetei. -Hungarian

Thousands of languages grace this world. Some languages are heard while others are seen or felt. All languages are beautiful. We humans love to communicate and interact.

We face a choice when more than one language exists by or around us: embrace that language or avoid that language.

For the most part, people are kind and gracious. We go out of our way to help another when given the chance. The politeness instilled in our beings almost requires us to avoid any awkwardness of stumbling through another person’s language or risking miscommunication. So no communication is chosen rather than miscommunication.

Yet consider what more we could learn from each other if we take the risks, get messy, make mistakes, and come out in the end with a meaningful experience.

With Story Crossroads, we are willing to take risks.

The first grant we applied for was to help with translation services. In America, most events are presented in one language. America feels segregated when it comes to language. Of all the languages, Spanish is integrated the best. Even so, any concert or performance tends to be in one language: English. From the launch of the first Story Crossroads, we planned to have Spanish and American Sign Language translation services for our evening concerts. There will be a time when we will offer translation services during the day and during the night.

Csenge Zalka (see http://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.com/) is a Hungarian storyteller who understands the bilingual bridges that can easily be merged with an event. She has attended and told at many storytelling festivals and events around the world including ones put on by FEST, the Federation of European Storytelling.

Csenge said, “Most European storytellers are bi- or multi-lingual.” She explained that FEST has multiple languages: English, Spanish, French, and German.

She said of another event she attended, “At the [storytelling] conference in Guadalajara, [Spain] two years ago, we all had [translation] headsets and there were three frequencies with live interpreters speaking into microphones in booths in the back.” She noted that the funding for those translation services came from European Union (EU).

Yet, in the United States, being fluent in another language besides English is rare. Csenge explained, “I think it is both a good and a bad thing for Americans. Bad because it comes with the reputation of ‘Americans don’t speak other languages,’ and good because if they do [speak other languages], you know they picked them because they were curious.”

She noted, “I think Americans have a different mentality about learning languages than most other cultures do. I know a lot of Americans who speak a second language, but for them it is a plus, a curiosity, something that they picked up because they were interested.” For other people where English is not their first language, it is a necessity.

The question is if Americans will be curious enough about other languages to sit through performances and waiting for the translations. Many story artists have not told in the United States due to events not budgeting translation services or thinking their audiences will not enjoy the experience so much. Csenge said, “They don’t think the audience would sit through a performance with translation.” She exclaimed, “I think they would.”

For Story Crossroads, we plan to use translation services from the launch on April 15-16, 2016. Though, even before that time, we will have blog posts In English and Spanish and include subtitles on our video clips so we can reach out to the Deaf Community. We aim to have translation services beyond the evening concerts in future years. When 2022 comes for the World Story Crossroads, then we will already have established a tradition of including many languages.

When Csenge learned of our plans, she said, “That would make Story Crossroads very unique, and much needed.” She added, “It would open up a whole new line of great foreign tellers for American audiences.”

So starts the building of our bilingual bridges. We encourage events everywhere to rise to the challenge and include more than one language. We will all be better for it.

Thank you to Csenge Zalka for giving permission to post her picture.

Aquí lo tiene.
Puentes Bilingüe

Tengo una historia. Tiene una historia. Todos tenemos historias. – Español

I have a story. You have a story. We all have stories. -Inglés

لي قصة . في قصة . علينا جميعا . – Árabe

История У меня есть. История У вас есть. Мы все рассказы. -Ruso

我有一個故事。你有一個故事。我們所有的故事。 -China

Van egy történetem. Van egy történetem. Mindannyiunknak vannak történetei. – Húngaro

Miles de lenguas gracia este mundo. Algunas lenguas mientras que otros se ven o sienten. Todos los idiomas son hermosas. Nosotros, los seres humanos amor para comunicarse e interactuar.

Nos enfrentamos a una elección en la que más de una lengua existe por o alrededor de nosotros: abrazo que idioma o evitar ese lenguaje.

En la mayoría de los casos, la gente es amable y cortés. Salimos de nuestra manera de ayudar a otro cuando se les da la oportunidad. La cortesía ha infundido en nuestros seres casi nos obliga a evitar cualquier incomodidad de tropiezo a través de otra persona o arriesgar una mala comunicación. Así que nada de comunicación es elegido en lugar de comunicación.

Pero lo que más nos puede aprender de los demás si tomamos los riesgos, se enrede, cometer errores, y en el otro extremo con una experiencia significativa.

Historia de encrucijada, estamos dispuestos a asumir riesgos.

La primera beca, se aplica para ayudar con servicios de traducción. En los Estados Unidos, la mayoría de los eventos se presentan en un idioma. América se siente separarse cuando se trata de lenguaje. De todas las lenguas, el español es el mejor. Pero en todo caso, cualquier concierto o el rendimiento tiende a ser en un único idioma: el inglés. Desde el lanzamiento de la primera historia Encrucijada, teníamos previsto para que el español y el Lenguaje de Señas Americano servicios de traducción para nuestros conciertos. Habrá un momento en que nos ofrecerá servicios de traducción durante el día y durante la noche.

Zalka Csenge (http://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.com/) es Húngaro narrador bilingüe que comprende los puentes que pueden combinarse fácilmente con un evento. Ha asistido y muchos cuentos en festivales y eventos en todo el mundo, incluyendo los de FEST, la Federación Europea de narración.

Csenge dijo: “La mayoría son narradores Europeos bi- o multi-lingual.” explicó que FEST ha nombrado idiomas varios: Inglés, Español, Francés y Alemán.

Ella dijo de otro evento, “En la narración] [conferencia en Guadalajara, [España] hace dos años, todos hemos tenido [traducción] auriculares y había tres frecuencias con intérpretes que dominan en los micrófonos en los stands en la parte de atrás.” Señaló que la financiación de los servicios de traducción provienen de la Unión Europea (UE).

Sin embargo, en los Estados Unidos, que se habla en otro idioma además del inglés es raro. Csenge explicó: “creo que es una buena y una mala cosa para los estadounidenses. Una lástima, porque se trata de la reputación de “Los americanos no hablan otros idiomas”, y bueno, porque si lo hacen [hablar otros idiomas], que te escogí porque estaban curiosos”.

La oradora señaló que “yo creo que los americanos tienen una mentalidad diferente sobre el aprendizaje de idiomas de la mayoría de las otras culturas. Sé que muchos de los americanos que hablan un segundo idioma, pero para ellos es un plus, una curiosidad, algo que se porque estaban interesados.” Para otras personas donde el inglés no es su primer idioma, es una necesidad.

La pregunta es si los americanos se lo suficientemente curioso sobre las otras lenguas para sentarse a través de representaciones y a la espera de las traducciones. Muchos artistas historia no contada en los Estados Unidos debido a los acontecimientos no presupuesto servicios de traducción o pensar que su público no disfrutar de la experiencia. Csenge dijo, “no creo que la audiencia pudiera sentarse a través de una performance de la traducción.” exclamó, “creo que sí”.

Historia de encrucijada, planeamos usar servicios de traducción desde el lanzamiento en 15 abril -16, 2016. Sin embargo, incluso antes de ese momento, tendremos entradas de blog en Inglés y Español, así como incluir los subtítulos de nuestros clips de vídeo para que podamos llegar a la comunidad de sordos. Nuestro objetivo es desarrollar servicios de traducción más allá de los conciertos nocturnos en los próximos años. En 2022 se pasa a la Historia Mundial Encrucijada, entonces ya ha establecido una tradición de muchos idiomas.

Cuando Csenge aprendido de nuestros planes, dijo ella, “Que haría Historia encrucijada muy singular, y la tan necesaria.” añadió, “que iba a abrir una nueva línea de cajeros extranjeros de gran público americano”.

Así se inicia la construcción de nuestro bilingüe puentes. Alentamos a los eventos en todas partes a la altura de las circunstancias y incluyen más de un idioma. Todos estaremos mejor.

Gracias a Csenge Zalka para dar permiso para publicar su imagen.

Arts Advocacy (Day 1–A-Z Blog Challenge)

Enjoy all of these A-Z Blog Challenge posts. Spanish versions of our posts are still planned. Also look forward to the Story Crossroads crowdsourcing campaign May 1, 2015.

“A” is for Arts Advocacy.

Advocacy makes connections with other people and declares why something is important. Some of those people could be legislators who influence or pass laws to make it easier to function as an artist or as an arts administrator. See what I experienced followed by advice from Crystal Young-Otterstrom, Utah Cultural Alliance Executive Director.

My Arts Day on the Hill Experience—My palms pooled with sweat for my first Arts Day on the Hill on February 4, 2014. I waited an excruciating 30 minutes so I could see a legislator for 1 minute and state why the arts are important. Oh, I wished for the stage to tell a story rather than make an introduction and statement on this marble floor of the Utah State Capital Building.

Thankfully, being Arts Day on the Hill, many other artists surrounded me. We had a purpose. We stood for the arts.

I sent a paper slip to the legislator:

I would love to meet you. Our Utah Storytelling Guild recently moved to Cache Valley. Plus, we have a new festival for storytelling kicking off in May there. Let’s share a story.

I was not a constituent of this particular legislator; I wanted proof that his area mattered to me.

In the meantime, I was coached by a lady from the Utah Festival Opera. She said I would have about one minute to introduce my organization and then ask for certain bills or programs to be supported.

My note from the legislator came back and said, “I would be available to meet with you here by the door when we break for lunch.”

I wrote, “I will plan on it.” That was when my excruciating 30 minutes started.

I held my sign with the legislator’s name on it. I prayed my palms were not too sweaty as I knew there would be the required handshake. I did my introduction to the Utah storytelling scene, mentioned some successes in the form of specific examples (mini stories, really), and asked for the Professional Outreach Program for Schools (POPS) program to continue and supporting and legislature that strengthened that program. Whew! All within a minute. It was such a blur. The legislator even gave me a contact in the schools to boost support for the storytelling festival. I turned to my friend from the Utah Festival Opera and asked with my eyes how I did. She beamed and congratulated me. Double Whew!

I still was nervous for my second Arts Day on the Hill on February 17, 2015. This time I talked about Story Crossroads. I met a different legislator and left a tri-fold with him as well as asked him to watch and support two bills that would make a difference for Story Crossroads.

Advice from Crystal Young-Otterstrom, Utah Cultural Alliance Executive Director—

Due to Crystal’s full focus on advocacy, she defines what she does as “speaking publicly to elected and business leaders about the issues that matter to you.” She exclaimed, “Let people know where you stand.” As for those legislators, she said, “It is all about being a constituent. Unless you are a constituent, you do not really have their attention.”

Crystal talked about what the average citizen can do for Arts Advocacy:

Get to know your legislators.
Once in office (after elections), continue that conversation.
Keep yourself informed with groups following issues and advocating on a regular basis.

As artists and arts administrators, we have an extra responsibility. We need to follow all three steps twice—once for us as an individual artists and another for our connection with an arts group or organization. For example, if you live in a certain area of the neighborhood, then you are linked to certain legislators. If your arts organization is housed and holds events or projects in another area, you could have a different set of legislators to know and keep in contact.

Get to Know Your Legislators

The best way to Wearing arts yes pin know your legislators is to help them during the campaign. She said, “Let them know you care about the arts and humanities. As their constituent, you want them to represent the arts positively.” She added, “If you do not like your current representative, then support the person running against them.”

Once In Office, Continue that Conversation

Crystal urged that notes be sent to your legislatures regularly. I have a friend who sees his legislator all the time at the grocery store. I have yet to have that skill in picking out my legislator from a crowd. I also would have no idea where they shop, and perhaps that is for the best. I do know how to email and to mail a message.

Keep Yourself Informed with Groups Following Issues and Advocating

Laws affect the arts in positive and negative ways. The Utah Cultural Alliance and the Utah Nonprofits Association both have newsletters to find out about the bills and actions that affect the arts. On a federal level, you can support the American for the Arts and the National Humanities Alliance. These advocacy groups can let you know about important days held each year “on the Hill” such as: Arts Advocacy Day (or Arts Day on the Hill), Nonprofit Day on the Hill, Museum Day, Tourism Day, Multicultural Day, and Volunteer Day (as many arts organizations rely on volunteers).

So know you can make a difference. Go get sweaty palms with those feet planted, ready to stand for the arts.

Thank you to the Utah Cultural Alliance for giving permission to post the pictures on advocacy such as the trio of advocates on top as well as the state senator wearing the “arts YES!” pin.