London Dreamtime: Save Our Stories

by Vanessa Woolf in London, England, United Kingdom

Total raised £2,861

raised so far

103

supporters

We've successfully bought stories, music & magic to London during the pandemic. But our ancient tech has finally broken, help us survive!

by Vanessa Woolf in London, England, United Kingdom

We're still collecting donations

On the 30th October 2020 we'd raised £2,861 with 103 supporters in 28 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.

 New stretch target

We believe in the power of storytelling and music to make connections, warm the heart, chill the bones, fuel the imagination and lift the spirit. 

Before lockdown George and I told magical stories for a living, Since the pandemic started, we have innovated, pivoted and done whatever it took to keep the storytelling lamp shining and our business afloat. 

 "During lockdown I went to lots of online events that George and Vanessa hosted. They were so brilliant and a real lift!" K.E. London

We have just obtained an arts council grant to work with four other storytellers on an audio-only project in Bermondsey schools and have another audio project in the pipeline, reaching out to the most vulnerable locals in Blackfriars. Our calendar is completely full!

Even in the pandemic we have been able to create magic, support ourselves financially, reach out to isolated people and create fully-funded opportunities for other artists.

But our ancient tech has finally broken. We had always been able to coax the trusty old gear back to life- but no longer. We are borrowing equipment to keep us going, but this can only be temporary. We desperately need our own. 

Thank you for your amazing support! You, our audiences, clients and friends have helped us reach our first goal - funding a laptop! To complete the package we need updated software and a new soundcard, (we are borrowing our current one.) Anything you pledge will help us add another level of security and future-proofing to our business. We'll be able to move ahead with events and projects, lifting up listeners, encouraging and supporting storytellers, bringing music and magic to London and beyond. Thank you so much for your unbelievable support.

  "I read the pdf and looked at the map and all the pictures, then turned out the light and sat in the dark to listen.  It was wonderful and I really enjoyed the story.  I’m glad I waited for the time to be right. After, I headed to bed, with just a slight tingle about the shapeshifter still being around. Thank you!" MH Chicago (audio walk)



We believe in the power of storytelling and music to make connections, warm the heart, chill the bones, fuel the imagination and lift the spirit. 

"London's resident storyteller" Time Out

"Storytelling pehnomonon" Nest Collective

Before lockdown George and I told magical stories for a living, everywhere from St Paul's Cathedral, to TEDx Stormont, from Union Chapel to The London Eye. Since the pandemic started, we have innovated, pivoted and done whatever it took to keep the storytelling lamp shining and our business afloat. 

 "During lockdown I went to lots of online events that George and Vanessa hosted. They were so brilliant and a real lift!" K.E. London

We make magical events for adults and children via Zoom, YouTube and Audio. We have just obtained an arts council grant to work with four other storytellers on an audio-only project in Bermondsey schools and have another audio project in the pipeline, reaching out to the most vulnerable locals in Blackfriars. Our calendar is completely full!

Even in the pandemic we have been able to create magic, support ourselves financially, reach out to isolated people and create fully-funded opportunities for other artists.

We have also created training packages to help other storytellers work digitally and get paid during the pandemic.

"loved it! And a crow magically touched down in front of us just as we reached that part of the story! Did you plan that?  ...All in all, it was a really fabulous evening, thank you so much.” DC London (audio walk)

But our ancient tech has finally broken. We had always been able to coax the trusty old gear back to life- but no longer. We are now borrowing equipment to keep us going, but this can only be temporary. We desperately need our own! To buy new means updating our whole system, a big financial challenge for us.

After doing the research, we believe that a Mac Book Pro 13" is the key to our audio needs. It has the spec, storage and operating system to see us thorugh the next five years and beyond. With this essential technology in place, we'll be able to move ahead with events and projects, lifting up listeners, encouraging and supporting storytellers, bringing music and magic to London and beyond.

  "I read the pdf and looked at the map and all the pictures, then turned out the light and sat in the dark to listen.  It was wonderful and I really enjoyed the story.  I’m glad I waited for the time to be right. After, I headed to bed, with just a slight tingle about the shapeshifter still being around. Thank you!" MH Chicago (audio walk)

We ask project owners to honour their rewards wherever possible but please note that all pledges are donations and there is no guarantee that you will receive any rewards from the project owner. Please see our Terms of Use for more information regarding rewards for pledges.

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Rewards

This project offered rewards

£5 or more

Firebird

To thank you for helping us keep the storytelling flames burning, we offer a personal and heartfelt thank you from us both via email.

£10 or more

Siren

As a thank you for your beautiful generosity, you will get to suggest any song you want and George will cover it in one of his weekly Facebook and Instagram lives!

£15 or more

Orpheus

As a heartfelt thank you, we will open for you the gates to our hidden back-catalogue of story and music videos (including those which have now been deleted!) ALL videos made between Jan 2020 and October 2020 are included.

£25 or more

Genie

Those who give £25 will have their names inscribed in gold on our hearts forever. And, as a more practical kind of treasure, you will also get a six-month free pass (December 2020 to May 2021) to the South East London Folklore Society, George's popular monthly Zoom meeting. Join in with discussions and in-depth-info on all kinds of folklore and magic related topics!

£30 or more

Scrying Glass

To reward you for your pledge, be transported by our London Dreamtime regular online storytelling events between 5 November 2020 and 5 May 2021. Includes all Zoom, YouTube and audio storytellling.

£50 or more

Raven

Your £50 will make all the difference to us! As a 'thank you' we will record a short personalised story or song especially for you or a loved one. We can add a message of your choice. Christmas gift, birthday present or just a magical surprise to wing its way to you on demand!

£100 or more

Goddess of the Hunt

Your £100 donation will give us strength to ride forward into the unknown. As a massive thank you, we will offer one year of free access to all our storytelling events AND the South East London Folklore Society events, plus a short personalised story or song recording.

£150 or more

Oak Tree

Your pledge will help us withstand the storms and keep growing! As a huge thank you, we will give you a 30 minute live interactive Zoom session of story-coaching, storytelling or folklore. Let us know what you are interested in! This can be one to one, for you and a friend or for a group of up to 10.

£500 or more

The Cosmos

Your pledge will help us reach the stars. As a huge thank you, we will give you a one hour minute live interactive Zoom session of story-coaching, storytelling or folklore. Let us know what you are interested in and we will structure it accordingly. This can be one to one, for you and a friend or for a group of up to 100. Your thank you will also include A FREE ticket to much awaited back to real life celebration party!

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