News and Events

OPENING CEREMONY

Friday, June 20, 2025

9:10am –  9:40am

Raymond Sewell: Mi’kmaq Story/Song

KEYNOTE ADDRESS 

Friday, June 20, 2025

9:40am – 10:30am

Clary Croft: Roots and Branches – Telling Our Own Stories

Many times, the inspiration for a good story can be found on our doorstep.  Using the Dr. Helen Creighton collection as example, Clary will explore some of the many aspects of traditional Maritime lore and discover where those tales take us today – either through inspiration or new discoveries.  Clary will give examples of the roots of culturally traditional tales and see how they branch out to survive in contemporary society. This will be an opportunity to explore what is in each teller’s own background and find a way to make those tales relevant today. 

CONCERTS 

Nova Scotia Roots Concert

Friday, June 20, 2025

7.00pm – 8.30pm

Location:  

Paul O’Regan Hall at the Halifax Central Library 

5440 Spring Garden Road 

(Library will be closed so use the O’Regan entrance on Queen Street)

Performers:

Margo Carruthers : The Power of Song (English and Gaelic)

Clara Dugas : A Short Acadian Story (Bilingual/Bilingue)

Florence Franks : LEGACY - Storytelling / Song Tribute Lena West (English)

David Woods : Trains (English)

Musicians: 

Raymond Sewell : Mi’kmaq roots

Robert Deveaux : Acadian roots

Roots & Branches Concert: Celebrating shared heritage and cultural linkages old and new

featuring storytellers from across the country 

Saturday, June 21, 2025

7:00pm – 8.30pm

Location:  

Saint Mary’s University Conference Hall L290

Performers:

Anne Godin : À la découverte de la conteuse Séraphie Martin (Français)

Dawne McFarlane : The Fairy Host (English)

Johanne Pelletier : Every Roof Has A Story (English)

Ann Rothfels : Lost in the Wilderness (English)

Musicians: 

Adria Jackson and Mohammed Sahraei : Celtic and Persian Fusion

STORY SWAPS

Open Mic Storytelling, every night of the Conference! A fun and casual environment in which to swap stories with fellow tellers!

NEW! On Friday night, join us for a Traditional Song Swap, ‘cause ballads, broadsides, and traditional songs tell stories too!

For exact times and locations, please see Conference Schedule. 

STORYSAVE LAUNCH

Thursday, June 19, 2025

6pm – 7pm

Conference Hall L290

Join us for the much-anticipated launch of this year’s StorySave album, and a celebration of all things StorySave! 

CAPE BRETON DANCE SETS

This is a chance to kick up your heels and try some Cape Breton Dances with caller, Colleen Putt, and fiddler, Anthony Rissesco.

PUBLIC WORKSHOPS 

NEW! Check out these FREE workshops, to which all are welcome! An opportunity for tellers to learn from each other while telling stories to the public.

Saturday, June 20, 2025

11 or 11:15am – 12pm 

TALES & RHYMES by SC-CC tellers

A workshop for local families, tailored to children aged 3-7. Open mic format. Tellers can sign up on the spot. Tellers must have experience telling to this age group. Hosted by Cindy Campbell-Stone. 11:15am start time.

English - Up to 50 participants - Room L296 

WONDER TALES by SC-CC tellers 

A workshop for older local kids, ages 8 and up. Open mic format. Tellers can sign up on the spot. Tellers must have experience telling to this age group. Hosted by Elinor Benjamin. 11:15am start time.

English - Up to 40 participants - Room L281 

GETTING STARTED WITH STORIES: AN INTRODUCTION TO ORAL STORYTELLING by Christine Hennebury 

Ever want to try storytelling? Now is your chance to find out what it’s all about. Join us for a playful, relaxed introduction to sharing stories aloud. No experience necessary, and no one will be put on the spot! 11am start time.

English - All Welcome - Up to 40 participants - Conf Hall L290

MEMORIAL HOUR

Saturday, June 21, 2025

5pm – 5:45pm

Room L296

Each year we set aside an hour to gather and remember our dear storytelling friends who have passed away during the year. 

If you wish to include a dearly departed in this year's memorial, please email Heather at hewhaley.storysong@gmail.com. 

CLOSING CEREMONY  

Sunday, June 22, 2025

8:30am – 10am

989 Young Street (corner of Inglis & Young)

The Closing Ceremony for this year’s Conference will take place at the Local Council of Women’s Chapter in the historic George Wright House. The George Wright House is in the South End of Halifax, a short walk from our Conference headquarters at SMU.

George Wright was a Dartmouth-born entrepreneur and philanthropist who bequeathed his private residence to the Local Council of Women in Halifax because he was impressed by their work, and wanted them to have a proper meeting place to organize and galvanize. For many years, The George Wright House has served as a meeting place for community groups and special events venue. SC-CC is delighted to convene in this storied location to draw our 2025 to a close.

The Closing Ceremony features: 

• Four Corner Stories: a celebration of very short stories, one from each of the four corners of the country. 

• an SC-CC Presentation: tying up loose threads from Friday’s Members’ Meeting

• the Next Conference Announcement & Presentation 

• a Mi’kmaq Closing Story/Song by Raymond Sewell.