Fresh from his role as Artistic Director of the Marrakech Storytelling Festival, John Row continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his masterful storytelling. A cherished figure in the realm of folk tales and oral tradition, John has spent decades weaving vivid and engaging narratives that breathe life into myths, legends, and folk tales from every corner of the globe. His warm, resonant voice and unparalleled ability to create magic through words make him a celebrated presence at festivals, schools, libraries, and community events across the UK and beyond.
John’s roots trace back to the vibrant folk scene of the 1960s and 70s, where his natural gift for narrative first took centre stage. Over the years, he has become a respected performer not only for his expertise but also for his dedication to preserving the art of oral tradition. Drawing from an impressive array of cultural sources—traditional English tales, ancient myths, and indigenous stories—John creates immersive performances that transport listeners to other times and places.
Beyond enthralling audiences, John brings storytelling into education and community spaces as a tool for learning and empowerment. His interactive workshops encourage participants of all ages to craft their own stories, fostering creativity, communication, and a deeper appreciation for the spoken word. His unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life cements his position as a beloved figure in the storytelling community.
John has also contributed significantly to preserving the art of storytelling. From recording traditional tales to participating in international festivals and collaborating with artists, his work champions storytelling as a living tradition. Through his projects, he has not only entertained but also highlighted the importance of cultural heritage and its place in modern society.
Known for his humour, humanity, and timeless style, John’s storytelling transcends mere performance, becoming an experience that resonates deeply with audiences. Whether sharing a poignant folk tale, a light-hearted anecdote, or an epic legend, John Row continues to inspire and enchant all who have the pleasure of listening to him.
Category: Storytelling
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John Row, Storyteller
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Story time club – Al-Sufi
MIAH Foundations weekly story-time club continues alongside the new exhibition, ‘From Samarkand to Salerno: Roads of
Enlightenment.’This enriching club delves into the lives and
achievements of Muslim scholars and scientists,
serving as the perfect complement to the exhibition. It’s also a great opportunity for your children to engage with the exhibition in an interactive and meaningful way.Join us this Saturday for a focus on Al-Sufi- In this exciting storytime session, kids will learn about Al-Sufi, the renowned astronomer, and his contributions to the study of the stars and constellations. They’ll explore how Al-Sufi cataloged stars and mapped the skies. Following the story, kids will create their own galaxy.
Join us every Saturday, from 10:30 AM to
11:30 AM, for a journey of learning and inspiration!As part of the experience, each child will receive a
Storytime passport to collect custom stickers for every
session they attend, enhancing their educational
adventure.Please visit the link to book your place: Link in bio
Please note: This event is suitable for ages 5 to 7
years, and all children must be accompanied by an
adult at all times. -
The Storyteller of Jerusalem
Join The GAP on Saturday 9th March, 11.30am – 12.30pm for The Storyteller of Jerusalem, an intimate & interactive event sharing stories from Palestine 🇵🇸
The stories and songs will focus on learning about and celebrating Palestinian culture, and have been especially selected by Sherazade (spoken word) and Abid (live music) with family audiences in mind 🎶📚
They’ll be interactive sensory elements, including:
✨percussion instruments to play
✨projected images of significant sites in Palestine
✨fresh mint tea to drink
✨pomegranate, figs and olives to taste
✨frankincense to smell
✨comfy cushions & rugsFree. No need to book.
Please arrive at 11.30am – this is not a drop-in event
All ages welcome.
Parents/carers must stay with children.
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“October Fiesta” with Itzatna Arts
***Tickets via eventbrite – for workshops and performance****
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/october-fiesta-balsall-heath-second-saturday-at-old-print-works-tickets-751555581977?aff=oddtdtcreator
14:00 – 15:00 = Mask Workshop 1 in Upper Gallery at OPW
Drop-in ‘Alebrije’ mask-making workshop for all ages!
Pay What You Can – Suggested Donation: £4 or 6
15:00 – 16:00 = Mask Workshop 2 in Upper Gallery at OPW
Drop-in ‘Alebrije’ mask-making workshop for all ages!
Pay What You Can – Suggested Donation: £4 or 6
18:00 – 19:00 = Public Performance of ‘October Fiesta 2023’
18:00 – 18:30 = Storytelling – ‘Stories of the Wind’
18:30 – 19:00 = Games – ‘PokPok TokTok’ & ‘Loteria!’
Join ITZATNA Arts this autumn for their ‘October Fiesta’ – an interactive children’s
theatre show inspired by Mexican Day of the Dead and reimaged traditional
stories and games about life, death, and rebirth in the animal kingdom. Through
playful interaction, these stories and games support how families and adults can
engage their young ones to think and talk about the subjects of death, dying, grief,
and bereavement, through a renewed appreciation for life, animals, and Planet
Earth, through the vibrant lens of Mexican culture.
🦉 OWL is on a quest to find 🌟 COYOTE in an adventure that transcends borders
and defies the boundaries between life and afterlife.
Mictlán, the mystical house of the Dead, awaits in Mexico, where these two
spirit animals guide humans on their unique journey through life and beyond.
❤️ Together, they embark on a journey to Mictlán to help the souls of the departed
reunite with their loved ones. But first, they must find their friend, COYOTE.
🌍 Are you ready to journey to Mexico and assist OWL and COYOTE in their quest?
You may even have the chance to hear a story from COYOTE, a master storyteller.
🌟 Let’s all say “MÉXICO” together, and we’ll be transported to a world filled with
mountains, the fragrance of flowers, and incredible stories.
🌙 Discover the world of 🌟 Alebrijes and the incredible artistry of Pedro Linares
as they take you on a captivating journey of color and imagination.
🦋 Listen to the 🦋 Monarch Butterflies as they share their extraordinary
migration story, guiding the spirits of the departed back to their earthly homes.
🌄 As the Feathered Snake, Quetzalcoatl, meets a selfless Rabbit, you’ll witness
the creation of a celestial symbol on the moon, a tale of kindness, and the
interconnectedness of all living beings -
Creative writing workshop with Leila Rasheed & The Emma Press
Creative writing workshop with Leila Rasheed & The Emma Press, 2pm Saturday 11 November
If you have an idea for a children’s story and are looking for some friendly support and practical encouragement, grab your pen & paper and join author Leila Rasheed and local publisher The Emma Press for a creative writing workshop. Leila will explore the joys and challenges in creating compelling literature for children, share some exercises to help get ideas flowing and offer feedback on opening pages.
Tickets £5/pay what you can, please book in advance: maximum 12 participants
Please note this workshop is aimed at adults writing for children. It is not a workshop for children.
About the workshop leader:
Leila Rasheed’s first novel for children, Chips, Beans and Limousines was published in 2008 and followed by two sequels which were widely translated. Since then, she has written a wide variety of children’s and YA literature, including the At Somerton trilogy for Disney Hyperion, and biographies of Kamala Harris and Katherine Johnson. Her most recent novel is Empire’s End: A Roman Story (Scholastic), which follows the adventures of a North African girl during the late Roman Empire. In 2015 she set up a pioneering scheme to mentor new children’s writers of colour, called Megaphone, now Megaphone Writers CIC.
The Emma Press is an independent publisher based in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter specialising in poetry, short fiction and children’s books with a mission of making publishing and literature as welcoming and accessible as possible.
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Children’s Craft & Storytelling Workshop at The GAP
2pm – 3.30pm – The GAP
Ages 5 – 8
Free!
Led by The GAP’s youth arts practitioners
A fun and relaxing workshop exploring the act of listening to others. Join us in listening to some children’s story books being read aloud, before crafting your very own ‘listening stick’ using twigs, wool and fabric. Finally, we’ll work together to create our very own story inspired by the prompt ‘listen to children!’
Books we’ll read from include: The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld, Quiet Please, Owen McPhee! by Trudy Ludwig, and the classic Not Now, Bernard by David McKee
Things to note:
*This is not a drop-in workshop. Please arrive at the start time.
*Children must not be left unsupervised at the venue. Parents and guardians are invited to sit in on the workshop, or relax in our cafe area that adjoins the workshop space.
*This session will be audio recorded for the purposes of documentation. No names or identifying features will be associated with recorded voices. If you’d like to know more, please contact us by emailing ella@thegapartsproject.co.uk