All Photography: FirstLightCreative.com

The Festival was a day dedicated to helping us see and hear each other.

When we see and hear each other we can value each other.

When when we know someone else’s story, it’s easier to accept, appreciate and understand them.

The 2005 Northbrook JustStories Storytelling Festival took place on April 30 at Techny, IL.

STORY & WORKSHOP :
PUTTING A FACE ON INCLUSIVE HOUSING

The afternoon workshop called PUTTING A FACE ON INCLUSIVE HOUSING presented success stories about creating inclusive housing in Chicago’s Northern suburbs as told by Storyteller Mama Edie Armstrong and by housing activists and community leaders. The Hosts for this session were the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs and the Community Relations Commission of the Village of Northbrook, IL.

Click here to view a brief slide show
(Flash must be installed to view the slides. The slideshow will appear in a new window. Please be patient as it may take several minutes to load.)

TECHNY-NORTHBROOK PEACE POLE DEDICATION

A special event during the Northbrook Festival was the dedication and “planting” of the Techny-Northbrook Peace Pole. Participants in this ceremony were from the local communities in and around Techny & Northbrook, IL The Peace Pole bore the message: “Let Peace Prevail On Earth” in six languages. Among those dedicating the Peace Pole were local girl scouts, attendees at the Festival and the Northbrook Garden Club, who planted flowers and seeds in a special “planting” ritual. The date of this dedication was April 30th 2005, which was the 30th anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam. A number of Vietnamese-Americans helped with this “planting” for peace.

Click here to view a brief slide show
(Flash must be installed to view the slides. The slideshow will appear in a new window. Please be patient as it may take several minutes to load.)

Select Your Internet Connection (dial up | high-speed )
to view a short video clip of the Peace Pole Ceremony.
(RealPlayer is required for viewing. Please allow a few
minutes for the video to begin streaming.)

THE BRIDGEBUILDER AWARD DINNER

The 2005 BridgeBuilder Award Dinner and Storytelling Presentation drew a diverse crowd that came together to honor Gail Schechter of the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs as she received the 2005 BridgeBuilder Award. Gail Schechter was honored for her tireless work and energetic vision in bringing together diverse groups and peoples in the mission to create inclusive housing in Chicago’s northern suburbs. The BridgeBuilder Award was given by the Justice & Peace Commission of the Chicago Province of the Society of the Divine Word.

Click here to view a brief slide show
(Flash must be installed to view the slides. The slideshow will appear in a new window. Please be patient as it may take several minutes to load.)

THE JustStories EVENING STORYTELLING PERFORMANCE

The evening performance was in two parts:

TOWARDS A NEW LAND ... A COMMEMORATION OF THE VIETNAMESE DIASPORA

The first set of stories marked the 30th Anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam. These moving stories of escaping, leaving and returning to Vietnam were presented by Storyteller Susan O’Halloran with four Vietnamese storytellers.

Click here to view a brief slide show
(Flash must be installed to view the slides. The slideshow will appear in a new window. Please be patient as it may take several minutes to load.)

MORE ALIKE THAN NOT

The second story performance of the evening was MORE ALIKE THAN NOT : STORIES FORM THREE AMERICANS - CATHOLIC, JEWISH AND MUSLIM. This story was written and performed by professional storytellers Susan O’Halloran, Gerald Fierst and Arif Choudhury. MORE ALIKE THAN NOT is a real-life “story-tapestry” of traditional, personal and sacred stories that illuminate the experience of being American in a time of religious tension and change. Coach and creative director for this story was Nancy Donoval. Gerald Fierst developed and wrote his stories for this project sponsored by the Just Stories Fellowship.

Click here to view a brief slide show
(Flash must be installed to view the slides. The slideshow will appear in a new window. Please be patient as it may take several minutes to load.)

Storyteller and MC Mama Edie Armstrong weaved the day together.

The Northbrook JustStories Storytelling Festival was presented by the Justice & Peace Commission of the Chicago Province of the Society of the Divine Word in collaboration with the Northbrook Community Relations Commission. Angels Studio/Chicago was the producer.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

PREVIOUS JUSTSTORIES FESTIVAL

Read About the 2003-2004 Festivals