You were the highlight of our day! The staff said your keynote was the best part of inservice. They just kept talking about you.... Cheers!
Jayne Arasaki, Seagull Preschools Annual Training (250 teachers 4/10)Just wanted to send you a note that Jim May's workshop isgoing wonderfully in Oaxaca. I have a better appreciation for all youdo in the community and the power of storytelling. In short, yourock!!! Can't wait to get back and share with you!! Darlene 3/10
I watched the DVDs that you had gave me. It's reallyinteresting and made me happy. You are very inspirational and warm-heartedperson, Jeff!
from Jeongae, a Korean Professor,4/10. She heard me in 2007, visited in 2010, wants to start a Seoul StoryFestival.
By the way, wonderful performanceSunday. We have been getting lots of feedback from congregants: that was one ofbest services we’ve done. And wasn't Dennis great on the piano? Peoplethought you & he had rehearsed. Let’s do it again soon!
Program Director, Unitarian Church Honolulu 8/09
SOME COMMENTS FROM STATELIBRARY TOUR 4/09
Enthusiastic glee from audience, I’m mostsatisfied with Jeff’s professional talent & skill, along with his open,approachable style. He was flexible to conditions/situations. We look forwardto his return.
Kealakekua Library, BI
What a versatile performer! Heincorporated stories for young & old, loved his facial expressions, body language, & use of voice. Greatrapport with the audience. Easy to work with, love to have him back.
Hanapepe Library, Kauai
My audience loved the way he became‘local’ characters. He tailored his tales to the audience. Patrons said‘excellent, fantastic, great family evening. What a ‘REAL’ storyteller!More! WailukuLibrary, Maui
Awesome, great, wonderful! Jeff ROCKS! The kids loved him, squeals of laughter! Hana Library, Maui
JANECOMMENTS ON JEFF’S ‘COACHING” SESSION:
You weren't sure if you "contributed" to mystorytelling? Well, back at home I spoke at Toastmasters (their speakerfell through). With no time to "write" & memorize it, Ifroze - then I remembered you. Didn't you snatch those scripts out of myhands & tell me to "walk & talk the story?" I didn'thave time to rehearse much either.
So, that's what I did. The evaluator was awed. Myhusband said it was the best presentation he's seen me give. Thanks, Jane(Tennessee) 2/09
My three grandchildren stayed for 2 weekswith me. On the way to Eugene, they saw your CD lying there. Theyknow stories and asked if they could hear it. All three laughed all theway there. Twice more in the car they asked to hear the "funnyguy." They imitated you all week. Needless to say, you were ahit with the 9-12 year old boys. They loved it! Joyce (runs Oregon Festivals) 7/08
LongSPOOKY interview, but so interesting! I'm still thinking about that droolingdog guy. Thanks heaps- that was one of the most funinterviews I've had in ages. PLEASE keep meupdated about the NPR Radio Show! LavonneLeong, Contributing Editor, Honolulu Magazine 8/08
The question is: Where do youwant to go with your god-given gift? Tell us. The last time I feltlike interfering with a storyteller’s path (obviously chosen by a wiser spiritthan myself) was back in the 80's with a young, charming, exuberant,over-talented Ed Stivender in Jonesborough, Tenn. So, I think youare destined for great things. If I can help you at all, let meknow. Make a DVD- all I can go by now is your voice on theCD's. Wow! MORE! TeresaMiller, author ‘Joining In’ 5/08
AsI look back on last year, one of the highlights was your Nov. 7 presentation in my Children’sLiterature class. You really inspired my students (their words: awesome, eccentric,beautiful)… can we book you already for this spring?
Margaret Mize, Prof. Education, Chaminade University 1/08
Jeff, you were WONDERFUL! The students AND teachers LOVED the performances and they'd love to have you back again! You are such an engaging entertainer and truly a master at your craft! I'm sure to see you again! You're such a pleasure to work with! - Gina Oyama, Kanoelani Elementary 11/08 (back each year since)
The question is: Where do you want to go with your god-given gift? Tell us. The last time I felt like interfering with a storyteller’s path (obviously chosen by a wiser spirit than myself) was back in the 80's with a young, charming, exuberant, over-talented Ed Stivender in Jonesborough, Tenn. So, I think you are destined for great things. If I can help you at all, let me know. Make a DVD- all I can go by now is your voice on the CD's. Wow! MORE!
Teresa Miller, author ‘Joining In’ 5/08
I was so happy to see your storytelling - it was a big feast. You have such a high energy to make things happen. I'm thrilled to know you. Really!
Kuniko Yamamoto (after Florida Storytelling Camp)3/08
AFTER DOING A FUNDRAISER IN TENNESSEE
Wow - you were wonderful!! You truly transported us to your beautiful island culture, and such meaningful stories! What a treat for us! My husband reported his high school students really, really enjoyed it! They’re asking when they could come again! One of his troublemakers said, "Hey, that was surprisingly really good!" You've converted the toughest audience there is. Thanks so much for helping us raise needed funds. Best of all, I got to work with such an amazing person! -Karin Hensley (4/08) Event Coordinator, National Storytelling Network, Jonesborough, Tennessee
As I look back on last year, one of the highlights was your Nov. 7 presentation in my Children’s Literature class. You really inspired my students (their words: awesome, eccentric, beautiful)… can we book you already for this spring?
Margaret Mize, Prof. Education, Chaminade University 1/08
THAT WAS THE BEST ASSEMBLY WE’VE HAD HERE. EVER. -Joe Schmidt, Headmaster, Seabury Hall 10/07, after show which become the CD “Cultures in Collision: Conflict & Resolution” with Lyn Ford, Alton Chung, & Les Adam (piano)
Jeff Gere is a storytelling tempest, a griot, a squall and a bolt of creation who shocks and delights- a good thing for all of us. To understand how Jeff relates to story and storytelling, you need to sit in front of his carport in Hawaii while Jeff, as loudly as if he were on stage, sings/tells a story. As I sat there, I noticed that not one neighbor looks out the window. Not one neighbor called the cops. They are used to this wild, gifted and talented storyteller just bursting into story at any poin proclaiming myth and legend on his lawn. How good it would be for all of us to be so well known by our neighbors. On stage, Jeff is a master of the moment, fully engaging his audience, using that rubber face of his and his even more elastic voice to create dark moments, fun moments and surprise moments. You think, 'Wow! What was that?' Then, as quickly as that moment fades, another sound and another look from Jeff leads you to a kairos of storytelling excellence. -Sean Buvala, Executive Director for Storyteller.net 1/08
In 2 years of touring with Jeff I've heard him tell humorous, adventurous, fantastic, creepy, and heartwarming stories each time. Every time, he’s drawn the audience into the stories and kept them mesmerized. Jeff has a large repertoire of stories, shared in his own energetic style… notably, his telling of a powerful collection of Hawaiian ghost stories, and diverse tales from the traditions of Shaherazade. He’s recognized for his skill and dramatic stage presence. I highly recommend that you keep Jeff in mind for the 2008 International Storytelling Center or ghost tales at the National Festival.
- Lyn Ford, Ohio teller, 1/08
My goodness! What energy you have in your voice! Certainly you must find kids hanging on your words & sounds, eating it up... which brings me to the many and varied sounds: You are truly among the masters! Your abilities are amazing. Every inanimate object gets a voice, as do all creatures & plants. WOW! This must be extremely well received on your radio program. BRAVO! Jonatha Wright 9/07
I produced the Vancouver Storytelling Festival. Jeff is one of the most amazing & creative people in storytelling. He inspires me. -Umeeda Switlo 5/07
Large steaming piles of toasty-warm unleavened mahalos! Generous servings of crispy mango-filled sugar accolades! Received your CDs- for over two hours I sat mesmerized with embedded images swirling in my mind's eye. I needed a vacation, an astral projection and a cleansing reboot of my imagination... You made my day! Thanks for the holiday. -Arthur Nelander (painter) 4/07
You were absolutely terrific last night ... you are "THE" storyteller of Hawai`i nei. Mahalo.... Keith Haugen, musician/author/newspaper columnist 1/07
Dear Jeff, I must tell you that the most moving performance that I have ever seen in a storytelling was your performance with musician of The Two Sisters ( Wind N Rain) (one drown and you had the beautiful puppets)...at Marks Garage years ago. It has stayed with me all this time, it was that really haunting. Of course, there were several of those haunted beautiful spooky nights at the Hui Noeau too...thank you Jeff...always your fan... Judy (on Maui, 9/06)
Thanks so much for joining us for Field Day. The kids were absolutely captivated ("forget the crafts...we going to go see the funny guy!")- amazing given their usual short attention spans. I realize the venue left a little to be desired...and of course the rain... but you were awesome in spite of the challenges! Thanks again- you have 200 new little fans!! -Sue Deubner, Principal, Voyager Charter School (Honolulu) 5/06
Sister Ann Clare, the Educational Director, came by to say your presence at our school was wonderful. By only telling a few stories, allowing the students to talk, was very beneficial and healing. The 6th graders today also had a lot of praise for you. Thanks. Louise @ St. Ann’s School, Kaneohe. 3/06 I came the day after the 8th graders returned from recess to find their teacher dead in her chair.
Your workshop was excellent! This is one of the first times I saw the boys so focused, actually sitting and listening, as well as cooperating. Lisa Asuncion, Haleiwa Youth Services Assn. (troubled youth) 3/06
Wow! Your performance was very captivating! My own kids were hypnotized by your stories and performance. Let’s do more together in the future! Aulani Kahikini, Director, Mission Houses Museum 11/05
I know you could feel the energy and excitement in the room as you spoke with us. You’re presentation was extremely interesting and informative, and your delivery shows your passion. You are making a difference, and we so appreciated hearing your talk.
-Kathy Asby, American Business Women Assoc., Kaneohe 10/05
A huge pat on the back for KILLING Saturday night at the Maui Arts & Culture Center. My dead honest assessment: you did extremely well. I was captivated, busting up and jumping when you screamed to scare the audience. And man, were those stories intense! I know it’s hard to see how things went when you’re in the middle of it, but from the perspective of someone who’s seen a fair share of live acts and is very critical/ analytical, I will just tell you that you were ON and ROCKED THE HOUSE! -Rich Tulley, Mana’o Radio (8/05)
A GRANDMOTHER quotes from Amelia's blog. 8/9/05 In the car we were listening to a local radio station (Mana'o radio- diverse music, no commercials). This guy started telling this story. At Borders, my parents got out- I said I'd be right in, but the story got more and more entertaining. I forgot all about going into the bookstore. My parents came back right as the story ended. His name: Jeff Gere. So we listened more and realize that Gere’s coming to Maui for a storytelling show! I persuaded my parents to go to his "spooky story" theatre thing- I'm hoping to myself that there aren't 100 three-year-olds. We go in, he starts talking, and soon it was just like in the car. It was really neat hearing really cool word-of-mouth tales from this guy. I hope I can buy a CD of his!"
My deepest and most multitudinous thanks Jeff Your telling was beauteous and bawdy, bold and boisterous. I laughed and gasped and smiled and smiled Thanks for a great birthday gift! With aloha, Tim Bostock, Tim Bostock Productions (7/2/05)
I dragged my 3 boys (7, 9, 13). They thought it’d be dumb, but we laughed so hard at your first show of kid's stories that the younger one wet himself. We unanimously voted to stayed for the more "adult" Love Stories too. Well, every one of us cried- it was that moving! Storytelling Workshop student introduction to the group (7/04)
"Your video is the most unusual storytelling video I have ever seen! I loved the frog (your manipulation, his voice and dialogue)! I could not believe your fluidity and was amazed by your facial plasticity. I loved the overhead projector visuals. Great work!"
- Ruth Stotter, Dominican College Storytelling Program (3/97)
"This exceptional storyteller spent an afternoon with our students. They were "mesmerized" by the stories. The stories changed for each age grade level and held one and all. In this age of technology, it was exciting to see one of the oldest methods of entertainment hold the attention of our children so well. If you have the opportunity to schedule your children to experience this amazing teller I strongly recommend that you do so."
- Principal, Rosedell Elementary, Saugus, California (2/96)
"My friend and his son and assorted other young friends were in Jeff's audience. He said he was worried that kids watch so much TV that their
imaginations are stunted. Jeff Gere wiped away that fear with his tales: they never moved! Pretty nice, huh?"
- Jonie Craig, Borders Books & Music (Promotions), Torrance, California
"I heard nothing but praise, praise, praise for your 3 summer shows at the aquarium warming up the crowd for our hawaiian music groups. You proved yourself worthy of the title "master storyteller". Bravo!"
- Andrew Ezer, Program Director, Waikiki Aquarium (7/97)
"You're a very powerful and moving storyteller- an awesome performance here in Boise."
- Ambra Allgood, Speech Professor, Boise State University (6/97)
"The kids want you again! When you tell a story the whole school has heard it by the end of the week. It's amazing what's happening here because of you- storytelling's really COOL now"
- Joann Donolly, Aiea High School, hiring Jeff for a 3rd visit in the 97-98 year.
"Teachers were amazed that the upper -grade students were so engrossed in your telling that they voted to give up their precious recess time to continue listening to you!"
- Ralph Oshiro, Librarian Lehua El. (4/96)
"When I see your success in sharing your stories with our young people who are often more familiar with power ranger cartoons I know there's hope for all of us! Some of the kids Sunday were so enthusiastic, it's a wonder they didn't follow you to the airport. Come again!"
- Elizabeth Aronson, Education, Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
"You were really fabulous- I'm still hearing about your style, content, and visual appeal. As you know, we hear many different types of talent due to the events we offer. I don't think our volunteers were expecting what we gave them. They truly loved your performance. I hope you enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed having you."
- Jamie L. Loveland, Director of Volunteers, Honolulu Academy of Art
A mother writes (11/92) ...
"Thanks for calling back and talking to my son Jess. He was thriled- to put it mildly! He's our family's #1 bozo... never sits still...constantly jumping, climbing, shouting, getting into trouble. He's been a big fan since your show for Oahu Gifted & Talented students and families last month. I was about to take him outside when YOU came on. Jess was absolutely mesmerized! He loved your stories and your very local way of telling them. You had his undivided attention for the entire 45 minutes (a rare, rare accomplish-ment- ask any of his teachers!!! And on the way home he couldn't stop jabbering. "Man, that was so rad... I'm so glad you took me to that thing, Mom... What was his name again?... When can we hear him again?... were you scared, Mom? I wasn't- well, maybe just a little... "He still remembers every one of your stories (his favorite line, "Come to Tutu") and he thinks you are the greatest thing since Ninja Turtles."
... and writes again (11/95) "Luckily, we were able to catch most of Friday night's Spooky stories. My son Jesse and his best friend Micah loved every minute of it. On the drive home Micah sounded just like Jesse did a few years back when he had first "discovered" Jeff Gere= best story- teller in the whole world! You've not lost top billing with Jesse either. And finally, the peice de resistance- you, and your incomparable repertoire of silly, goofy & spooky! Let me tell you, Jeff, you've found another forever fan in my daughter, Mari. She was the one rolling around, laughing hysterically when you said, "he almost made she she in his pants!" Oh, such a joy for a mother to see! Thanks again and again for all that fun."
- Donna Maeda, Mother, Pearl City, Hawaii
"I bought your "Oahu Spookies" for my 2 boys 8 & 12 (home school). We were riveted! I gave it to my in-laws (under duress!). I've never had so much trouble parting with a tape in my life.
- Jean Garrett, mother, Inverness, California (6/96)
"I loved "actively" listening & participating with you. It was probabally the single best visitor I've had all High School long! You opened my mind." - Student on thank you card, Konawaena High School (11/97)
