©2000-2010 Diane Wolkstein / Cloudstone Productions, New York City. All rights are reserved.
The Descent of Inanna
An opera in three acts by Marcia Burchard
Domenican University — Angelico Concert Hall
San Rafael, California
Saturday, November 5th, 2005, at 8:00 p.m., and
Sunday, November 6th, 2005 at 2:00 p.m.
The Descent of Inanna, a new opera by composer Marcia Burchard (adjunct faculty, DUC Music Department), was premiered under the direction of Deborah Benedict (adjunct faculty, DUC Music Department), with professional opera singers in the lead roles and DUC student chorus members.
Diane presented a twenty–minute lecture prior to each performance, with a question–and–answer session afterwards and a book–signing in the Angelico lobby aftewards.
The libretto is taken from a translation by Samuel Kramer and Diane Wolkstein (found in their book Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth), of 5,000–year–old clay tablets found in the region of Sumeria, which is now Southern Iraq. It is the oldest written myth and earliest resurrection myth.
Stories Shlomo Told Me
Tales of Joy and Healing
Bureau of Jewish Education — Jewish Community Library
San Francisco, California
Thursday, October 27th, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
For twenty–six years, Diane was a disciple of the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Listening to him tell stories from the Hasidic tradition and from his heart, she laughed and wept, gained hope and courage, and experienced profound change. At this evening, Diane shared some of those stories — meant to heal the soul — passing on Shlomo's legacy of wisdom and inspiration.
Celebrate Shavuot at the Museum of Jewish Heritage
A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
Edmond J. Safra Hall, 36 Battery Place, New York City
Sunday, June 5th, 2005, at 2:30 p.m.
As part of the MJH's Shavuot celebration, Diane recounted the story of "Ruth," a classic tale of loyalty and trust, and of the courageous princess best known for gemilut chasadim — acts of loving kindness.
For the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of
Hans Christian Andersen
The Emperor's New Clothes
and Other Stories
Diane Wolkstein with Michael Braudy (violin)
and Emiliano Valerio (guitar & percussion)
Scandinavia House (American Scandinavian Foundation), New York City
Saturday, April 2nd, 2005, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
An Afternoon of Andersen Stories
Diane Wolkstein with Michael Braudy (violin)
and Emiliano Valerio (guitar & percussion)
Donnell Library Center (Children's Room), New York City
Saturday, April 2nd, 2005, at 3:00 p.m.
Andersen for Adults
Diane Wolkstein with Michael Braudy (violin)
and Emiliano Valerio (guitar & percussion)
Donnell Library Center (Children's Room), New York City
Thursday, April 28th, 2005 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
The Donnell Library Center events were sponsored by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.
at Provincetown Playhouse
Provincetown Playhouse, New York City
Sunday, February 20th, 2005, at 8:00 p.m.
Story Tsunami is a wave of storytelling benefit concerts for the victims of the December 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami, creating a wave of love and compassion in response to the wave of devastation.
It was with this in mind that the Storytelling Center, Inc. of New York City — with the cooperation of New York University — offered a special storytelling concert to support the relief work of Mercy Corps and CARE International.
The evening featured Milbre Burch, Regi Carpenter, Mary Rachel Platt, Regina Ress, Laura Simms, and Diane Wolkstein, with music provided by Art Baron.
In addition, photographs by Nancy Rudolph (of a fishing village in southern India and of the beaches of Sri Lanka) were exhibited. And Bhante Kundana, a Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka, offered a blessing before the start of the concert.
All proceeds from the ticket sales went straight to the relief effort shouldered by Mercy Corps and CARE International.
Diane telling Haitian stories (and dancing) at the Miami Dade Caribbean Storytelling Festival
in Miami, Florida (the weekend of May 21 2005), with drummer Jimmy Daniel (right photo)
Diane with Franny Sabel, the winner of the 2005 "Elsie Piddock"
Skipping Contest in Central Park (September 18, 2005)
