All stories in the Cicada Story Slam need to not only be local stories, but they need to reflect the theme that has been chosen for each date. You will be judged not only on how good your story was, but also whether it was on theme and local, so make sure you familiarise yourself with the theme on the night you have chosen to tell your story.
01 | Saturday 25 August
Theme Change and Chance
As part of the Words in Winter Festival. A twist of fate, a happy accident, an uncanny coincidence… how often have our lives and our futures been transformed and transfigured by the invisible hand of fortune?
02 | Thursday 20 Sept
Marking the Seasons
At the Woodshed (opposite Daylesford Railway station and site of Sunday Market), incorporating HRN Equinox Dinner.
As we celebrate the Spring Equinox, when day and night are near equal again, we are reminded that this is the time of the year when Rod May and Su Dennet would dream up the vegetable season ahead. Hepburn Relocalisation Network regularly marks the changing of the season. How do you celebrate the change of seasons?
PLEASE NOTE in order to tell your story at this Slam, you need to also book for the dinner here
03 | Thursday 11th October
Birds
For thousands of years the Dja Dja Wurrung have honoured the birds with Bunjil the eagle and Waa the crow their two most important moieties. In our shire the birds make their presence felt everyday. Do you have a story about you and birds?
04 | Thursday 25th October
Taking the Waters
‘In 1864 local citizens met at the Savoia Hotel and petitioned the government to protect the mineral springs from mining – the water was rated above gold and the Hepburn Mineral Spring Reserve was created in 1865. People have been taking the waters ever since’.
04 | Thursday 8th November
Food Matters
Our region has a long history of agriculture with spud farmers, returned soldier settlers and a McCains frozen food production plant opening in Daylesford In 1974. Now we are known as the food bowl of organic and sustainable food practices. What’s you story?
05 | Thursday 22nd November
Local Heroes
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, who’s your hero, what’s your story?
07 | Thursday 6th December
Queer Stories
A night to reflect on our Queer friendly town. We want to hear the stories of your journey, the loves, the lives, the triumphs and all paths on the way.
08 | Thursday 20th December
Grand Finale ‘Everything is Connected’
A major principle of ecology is that everything is connected to everything else, how does this apply to our everyday lives? What personal story do we have that demonstrates this principle.
Winner receives the Rodney Maurice May Storytelling Trophy