You're invited to a magical evening of myth with Jan Blake
The âReâRootingâ Tour explores African folktales in the diaspora through storytelling, music, rhythm, and song. Jan Blake shares myths and tales that reconnect her with her African heritage and Jamaican roots, transforming ancestral bone-memory into a source of healing and joyful selfâexpression. Percussion and soundscape by Reg Wilford.
TOUR DATES & TICKETS
MARCH 14 - ONLINE - DISCOVER THE STORYTELLER WITHINÂ - REGISTER NOW
APRILÂ 2 -Â VANCOUVER -Â TBA
APRIL 3 - POWELL RIVERÂ - ADULT TICKETÂ |Â YOUTH TICKETÂ |Â FB EVENT
APRIL 4 - COMOX VALLEY - ADULT TICKET | YOUTH TICKET | FB EVENT
APRIL 5 - SALT SPRING ISLANDÂ - ADULT TICKETÂ | YOUTH TICKETÂ | FB EVENT
APRIL 7 - DUNCANÂ - ADULT TICKET | YOUTH TICKET | FB EVENT
APRIL 8 - VICTORIAÂ -Â TBA
APRIL 9 - 12 - STORYTELLING MASTERCLASSÂ | LAKE COWICHAN |Â FB EVENTÂ | REGISTER BELOW
Watch an impromptu peformance with Jan Blake
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Tell traditional stories with confidence, presence and heart
How do you transform a traditional folktale from words on a page into a vivid, living experience? How do you draw listeners into its world, so they are fully engaged and deeply moved?
Join awardâwinning storyteller Jan Blake for an immersive, practical workshop exploring the art of traditional storytelling. Working with your chosen folktale and those shared by fellow participants, youâll discover what it truly means to be a storytellerâdeveloping confidence, presence, and your own authentic way of telling.
This workshop focuses on connection rather than performance tricks. Through warmâups, guided exercises, teaching, and live demonstration, youâll learn how to inhabit a story fully while remaining present with your audience. Participants should be comfortable working in English and are encouraged to bring a favourite traditional story to explore.
Storytelling, as Jan teaches it, is not about polish or performanceâitâs about honesty, depth, and relationship.
Itâs about knowing your story intimately, standing alone on stage, and using your voice, body, and imagination to create worlds in the minds of your listeners. Technique can come later; what matters first is authenticity and connection.
This workshop invites you to step away from fixed ideas of what a storyteller should be and instead discover what each story needs from you. The result is freer, more powerful storytelling with real impact.
In this masterclass, youâll explore how to:
- Bring your storyâs world to life through its inhabitants, places, and relationships
- Use movement, gesture, and facial expression to strengthen your telling
- Develop vocal range, tone, and distinctive voices
- Harness rhythm, music, and song
- Deepen immersion through visualisation and inhabitation
- Enrich language and imagery
- Build presence, connection, and ease with your audience
Your experience includes:Â
- 3 days of teaching and learning with Jan BlakeÂ
- deliciously prepared lunches & dinners
- gathering in a beautiful yurt together with like-hearted storytellers
- time to explore the land & the local Cowichan river
With over 40 yearsâ experience, Jan Blake brings depth, rigour, and clarity to the practice of storytelling. She understands that storytelling is a performance â but one rooted in craft, preparation, and responsibility to the story, not in display or affectation.
Janâs teaching is practical and precise, focusing on how stories work and how voice, body, and language support clear communication. Her workshops are especially strong for firstâtime storytellers, offering a structured, supportive starting point for anyone serious about learning to tell traditional stories well.
REGISTRATION
$730 CAD -Â includes Lunches & Dinners
Split payment plans are available, as well as limited partial scholarships.
LIMITED TO 30 PARTICIPANTS
Step 1) Apply NowAny questions? Email [email protected]
