Dear Storytelling Friends,

Once in a while I get to perform at somewhere very special. I got very lucky in November 2006 when I began a regular monthly gig at Zack's Place in Woodstock. Zack's Place is a very much needed resource for kids with special needs, here in the Upper Valley. The owner, Norman Frates called me and asked me to perform for his after school on a regular basis. There I met a whole bunch of very cool folks, including Anthea Lavallee, the outreach director, whose hearts are in the right place. The people who work there are very centered, the kids are brilliant, and I am having a great time working there once a month. At Zack's Place, they provide a safe and nurturing after-school environment for kids of all ages. The focus is on young people with special needs, and participants gain new skills and friendships through activities designed to explore their physical, emotional, and creative aptitudes. Programs are enriched by adult and teen volunteers including storytellers (that's me!), dramatic artists, and musicians. At Zack's Place, Norm, Anthea and the rest of the staff strive to instill a sense of citizenship through service-learning and volunteer projects that connect young people with the public at large. The participants of Zack's Place are vital members of the community and have a tremendous amount to give; programs at Zack's Place create opportunities for people with special needs both to contribute to and benefit from our community. If you want to get involved, do so. If you want to contribute, do so. Call Anthea or Norman at (802) 457-5868 for more information. I am usually there telling stories every first Monday of the month from 4.40pm until about 5.30pm and everyone is welcome to stop by. Do so, and see what a great place Zack's Place is.

News/Reminders
On the 27th January Steve Giroux, the Outreach Coordinator of Cable Access TV (CATV) and his team will be filming me telling stories in front of a live audience. If you want to come and be part of this fun event as audience members, let me know. There is limited "seating" (sitting on cushions, floor or maybe bean bags) so let me know asap if you are interested in participating! Younger kids will be asked to come to the morning recording, older kids to the afternoon program. I will be doing longer and deeper stories in the afternoon, sillier stories in the morning. Each taping should last about an hour. It will be a great way to put off those winter blues and push back cabin fever (in case we get any real snow)! For me, this is a great adventure. I am looking forward to getting to know some of you a little better, and for you to participate in a moment in my "professional history"! If you are interested in coming, let me know - SOON! I will be telling some of your favourite tales and some new ones.

CD
The CD is flying off the rack like hot cakes! Thanks go to all those who have bought them. I hope that you are enjoying them. If you have not heard the CD, please visit CDBaby for a taster, or just BUY one!

The CD is still available from www.cdbaby.com/cd/simonbrooks and also locally here in the Upper Valley at Music Matters, West Lebanon (603-298-6625), Booked Solid, Bradford, VT (802-222-5826), the Norwich Bookstore, Norwich VT (802-649-1114), Hot Shot Photo, Lebanon (603-448-5505), Mini Kids Corp, Lebanon (603-643-2633). By purchasing at these locally owned businesses, you are supporting the folks who invest in the Upper Valley. Also, you can buy the CD from me at a gig! Which leads me to:

Upcoming gigs/shows

Every first Monday of the month at Zack's Place (unless listed otherwise)
January 8th, 2007
2 Mechanic Street,
Woodstock, VT
4.30pm
Free, but donations to Zach's Place welcome!

Monday 22nd January, 2007
Fright Night
Merrill Memorial and Harris Library, Strafford VT
Adults only.
Free
7pm - 8pm

Saturday 10th - 11th February 2007
Milton Town Winter Carnival
Exact date and time t.b.a.

Friday 2nd March 2007
Joanna Piazzi's StoryHome
Rochester, NH
Doors open at 7:00, stories at 7:30
Refreshments served before and after the program.
Admission - Adults $8 with reservation; $10 without Children under 12 - $5; Maximum family fee- $24
Call for more details: 603-335-1760

Saturday 12th May 2007
HopStop - Hopkins Center, Hanover, NH 11am

Keep checking the website for updates! http://www.DiamondScree.com

Peace,

Simon Brooks, storyteller
Orford, NH
603-353-9305
http://www.DiamondScree.com

NOTE: You are getting this newsletter because you signed up for it at one of my shows, OR I know you! If you no longer wish to be part of my mailing list (which is shared with no one, or to put it another way: I DO NOT SHARE THIS LIST), please send me an email saying "unsubscribe" and I shall dutifully remove you from it. Ta very much, Simon - aka - the management!

It's a World of Stories out there! Listen for them, share them!

Peace,

Simon Brooks, storyteller

member of LANES League for the Advancement of New England Storytellers
http://www.LANES.org

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Contact Simon Brooks at (603) 353-9305
Email: simon@diamondscree.com
or by writing to 32 River Road, Orford, New Hampshire 03777

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