The New Zealand Guild of Storytellers

Imago Aotearoa New Zealand 20th Annual Conference Celebration at Kawai Purapura, Albany. September 2, 2016
Posted: September 14th, 2016 by Keith Levy | Leave a comment

Being at one of Keith’s performances is unlike anything you may have ever come across before.
He’s a one-off. Is his material poetry? Is it song? If he is part of a tradition, it’s that of Storyteller, Bard, Wandering Minstrel, Court Jester even. Keith’s stories pour out of him.
Beautifully crafted, easy to understand and unashamedly filled with simple colloquial language. ‘Don’t you love it when…’ They are about life as it is lived. Some people may take offence at some of his material but the stories are true to life and Keith always comes back to the joy of life and the wonder of love.
A feature of his presentation is that he shows himself achingly vulnerable,
There is some doom, some gloom, yet Keith is on the side of life.
He journeys on The Road Less Travelled.
Peter McMillan. Warkworth.
Imago Institute For Relationships. (NZ)


A Saturday Evening At Taurikura Bay. August 20, 2016
Posted: August 22nd, 2016 by Keith Levy | Leave a comment

We had Keith telling his wonderful original stories at our home last Saturday night and the twenty friends from the neighborhood were spellbound throughout the entire nearly two hour performance. Complete with wine and a delicious supper, it was a lovely evening for all. Travelling Minstrels don’t come much better than The Roaming Rhymester.

Jan Boyes and Gordon Cromshaw. Whangarei Heads Road, Taurikura Bay.



Richmond Villas Event, Thames. June 22, 2016
Posted: July 31st, 2016 by Keith Levy | Leave a comment

Since his recent visit to Richmond Villas in Thames, I’ve imagined a plethora of critiques that I might write but I committed them to my head instead of to paper. I had read a promotional poster regarding Keith Levy’s impending visit and decided I must see this man and listen to his banter. He met me as I entered the entertainment room, crooked his arm and escorted me to a front row seat. Oh dear I said, I belong to the back seats and I wondered what sort of behavior an elderly woman such as I should be seen to display in front of a bunch of stoic, not so old people in a retirement village. He started to pick his guitar and send forth words and slowly the words became words of wisdom, short passages with long learning lessons. A book published with all his stories would be very valuable to many including me. I loved how in one of his stories, he ‘came out’ and declared himself, in front of the audience of fifty something, a ‘hugger’. I am now an ardent hugger too. Most of all I loved his humor and his crazy hat and I do hope I’ll enjoy another performance of his stories in the near future…

Pauline Anaru. Richmond Villas, Thames.

 

 

 



The Tea Rose Thames Community Charity Event. June 24, 2016
Posted: June 25th, 2016 by Keith Levy | 1 comment

On Friday June 24, I had the opportunity to spend an evening, together with a friend and in the company of a very select audience at The Tea Rose Cafe in Grahamstown, Thames, being entertained by Keith Levy. I had not anticipated Mr Levy’s style of storytelling and found the experience emotional, funny and inspirational. As the Chairperson for the Thames Community Cancer Support Group, a not for profit organisation dedicated to supporting people with cancer, their families and carers, I was honoured to accept a very generous donation from Mr Levy. We are extremely grateful for this and our heartfelt thanks is extended to him.

Yours sincerely. Kay Krall.



  

  

The Tea Rose Cafe, Thames. June 17, 2016
Posted: June 18th, 2016 by Keith Levy | Leave a comment

Jennifer is a gem in the cultural crown of Thames. As well as being an entertainer herself, she owns the delightful Tea Rose Cafe in Grahamstown where she conjures up great food from the very best ingredients. So, when asked if we would like to come for dinner on Friday night and hear a guitar playing storyteller, I was intrigued, said ‘yes’ and was very pleased we went, from both points of view.
Keith Levy describes himself as a storyteller and social commentator, which he very definitely is, but, I would like to add my own experience of an evening in his presence. Keith tells his stories in rhyme, accompanying himself gently on acoustic guitar. His stories are engagingly entertaining and humorous, with tinges of sadness, and a great dollop of truthful observation. The evening was delightful in the intimate atmosphere of The Tea Rose Cafe where Keith engaged his audience as he challenged them to think about all sorts of important things, not necessarily discussed in every day circumstances.
I thoroughly recommend that you take the opportunity to go and see Keith if he passes by your way.
Keith Levy
Leave all your pre-conceived notions behind
Be aware, he might open your mind
Be prepared to feel several emotions while there
You may be surprised what you find.
 
Keith Levy’s a teller of wonderful tales
But his commentary’s really much more
With pathos and humour and gentle guitar
Words, ideas and even folk lore.
 
He’ll make you think way beyond when you come in
Of words far away and some near
Yes he’s gentle and funny and sad as he tells
Some truths we all need to hear.
 
Experience something quite different today
Entertaining while making you ponder.
Don’t miss this philosopher, not here to stay
Let your heart and soul feel the wonder.
 
 
Maggie Gill. Thames.