Events
Hot Hot Hot: SoulCollage for the Summer Blahs 
Sunday, July 9, 1-4 pm
West Tucson location
Soaring temperatures, monsoon rains, dried-out prickly vegetation, and lizards hiding in the shade. These are some images that come to mind when I think of summer in the Tucson desert.
Join me for a SoulCollage® exploration of surviving and thriving in the season of intense sun. We’ll work from prompts to make two cards that express our thoughts and feelings about our desert home.
SoulCollage® is a simple technique using found images, requires no art-making experience, and is accessible to everyone. All you need is an open mind and a commitment to spend three hours in community. To learn more about the SoulCollage® process, check out www.SoulCollage.com.
The $35.00 fee includes all materials and an afternoon snack. Space is limited, so sign up today at Penelopestarr1 (at) gmail.com
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Dear Diary: Establishing a Journaling Practice
Thursdays, June 22, 29, July 6, and August 3
Midtown Tucson location
As a faithful journaler for most of my life, I have experienced profound benefits in many parts of my life, and I believe that other people can have the same experience.
This workshop series will cover subjects such as why to keep a journal, how to journal, and how to establish a daily habit. No writing experience is required.
We will meet for three two-hour sessions on consecutive Thursdays with a final follow-up session after a month. The follow-up is about accountability when building a consistent practice. To gain the most benefit, participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions.
Space is limited, so register early. This FREE four-week workshop is brought to you by Southern Arizona Senior Pride.
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SoulCollage® And Poetry Workshop
Sunday, February 26, 1-4 pm
West Tucson location
$35 includes all materials
SoulCollage® and Poetry go together like lyric and song. Stretch your creative muscles while getting in touch with your intuitive wordsmith.
SoulCollage® cards and poems have a lot in common; they both are created with intuitive flashes of insight along with a bit of craft and a measure of trust in the process.
If you have never written a poem or made a card, you will be surprised by the results. You don’t have to be an artist or a poet to enjoy this workshop.
Seating is limited. Register at Penelopestarr1 (at) gmail.
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Thursdays, January 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2023, 10 a.m. to noon
Writing Fun and Games Workshop
Cornerstone Fellowship, 2902 N. Geronimo Ave, Tucson
Writing doesn’t have to be painful … how about having some fun with your words and thoughts in 2023?
We will shake up our normal (serious) approach to writing with a series of games, prompts, and exercises that are designed to generate new ideas and unleash our creativity. All you need is a notebook, pen, and an open mind. Please plan to attend all four sessions.
This FREE four-week workshop is brought to you by Southern Arizona Senior Pride.
Group size is limited so sign up soon at https://soazseniorpride.org/event/writing-workshop.
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November 5, 2022, 9:30 a.m.
Meet the Author and Storytelling Event
presented by Tellers of Tales
Unscrewed Theatre, 4500 E. Speedway Blvd, #39, Tucson
Nine authors will talk about their books and give you an opportunity to buy one at the vendor’s table.
Here I am with my cowboy poet pal, Bill Black,
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Saturday, October 8, 2022, 9 p.m. (doors open at 8:45)
Coming Unscrewed for Pride II
4500 E. Speedway, #39, Tucson, Arizona
We had so much fun last time, we are doing it again. Join players from all of Unscrewed’s House Teams and special guests from Tucson’s LGBTQ+ community for an uncensored improvised evening of fun, frivolity, and frolics!
PLEASE get your tickets online before the show! It broke our hearts to have to turn away folks last time, so don’t take a chance on missing this time.
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Saturday, June 25, 2022, 9 p.m. (doors open at 8:45)
Coming Unscrewed for Pride
4500 E. Speedway, #39, Tucson, Arizona
The wonderful zanies at 
, A Place for Improv, invited me to join them for their Coming Unscrewed for Pride show.
Join players from their House Teams and special guests from Tucson’s LGBTQ+ community for an uncensored (ages 17 and up) improvised evening of fun, frivolity, and frolics. Unscrewed is celebrating Pride Month and the 25th Anniversary of SAAF (Southern Arizona Aids Foundation.) Dress to impress. The
re will be a Pride Parade on stage!
You can now watch the show two ways, either from your seat in the theater or from the comfort of your own home. Tickets are available here. Call 520-289-8076 for more information.
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Sunday, March 20, 2022, 1-4 p.m.
SoulCollage® Workshop for Writers and Other Creatives
Tucson, Arizona
The vernal equinox marks the turning point when daylight begins to overtake the darkness. It is a symbol of rebirth, fertility, and new beginnings, and can be a powerful time to experience our life-force creative energy. In this workshop, we will explore what new beginnings look like in our creative life. 
You will have the opportunity to make two cards, one intuitive and one intentional in this focused three-hour workshop. SoulCollage®, a simple technique using found images, requires no art-making experience and is accessible to everyone. All you need is an open mind and a commitment to spend three hours in community. To learn more about the SoulCollage® process, check out SoulCollage.com.
The $30.00 fee includes all materials and afternoon snacks. Please respond only if you are or will be fully vaccinated by the workshop date. The workshop is limited to six participants. Contact me to register.
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Sunday, January 23, 2022, 1 – 4 p.m.
SoulCollage® Workshop for Writers and Other Creatives
Tucson, Arizona
Getting in Touch with Your Muse. Where does your creative inspiration come from? Is your creative journey guided by a person or event from your past, a mythical or magical concept, or an unknown inner source? In this workshop, you will allow your uncensored brain to be in touch with the spark that propels you.
SoulCollage®, a simple technique using found images, requires no art-making experience and is accessible to everyone. All you need is an open mind and a commitment to spend three hours in community. To learn more about the SoulCollage® process, go to this link.
The $30.00 fee includes all materials and afternoon snacks. Please respond only if you are or will be fully vaccinated by the workshop date. The workshop is limited to eight participants. Contact me to register.
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December 12, 2021, 2 -4 p.m.
Cornerstone Fellowship Hall, 2902 N. Geronimo, Tucson
Storyteller at The Paths We Took: Elders Look Back at their Journeys, Senior Pride Holiday Party. Penelope read her story, “Kayak,” along with three other tellers: Josefina Ahumada, Lee Bentley. Carlos Valenzuela. Bruce Hyland emceed.
Here’s a link to a video of me reading my story 
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November 13, 2021, 1-4 p.m.
SoulCollage® Workshop for Writers and Other Creatives
Tucson, Arizona
Encourage your uncensored brain to release hidden intuitive powers using SoulCollage® techniques. Access your inner knowing and trust your process in this three-hour workshop.
This simple collage technique requires no art-making experience and is accessible to everyone. All you need is an open mind and a commitment to spend three hours in community. The $30.00 fee includes all materials and afternoon snacks. The workshop is limited to six participants. Contact me to register.
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November 5, 2021
Spontaneous Storyteller at Odyssey Storytelling’s “Campfire Stories,” Tucson, AZ
You can listen to the story here:
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June 2021
SoulCollage® for Writers Workshop
Tucson, AZ
**SOLD OUT (more to come in the future)
SoulCollage® is a practice that frees your intuitive mind, providing hints and direction for questions you might have about your writing. As a newly minted SoulCollage® Facilitator, I am impressed by the usefulness of this simple technique to enhance the creative process.
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February 27, 2021
Storyteller at “Notes from the Motherfield,” a movement of radical mothers dedicated to telling complicated truths and listening. Story-coaching, knowledge, and support are shared by storytelling alumni and staff to continue building connections and communities of care for mothers through storytelling. Presented by Kore Press, Tucson, AZ.
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Saturday, April 11, 2020, POSTPONED
Moving from Paper to Voice (and back again) Workshop presented by Wandering Writers Workshops.
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January 24, 2020
Co-Keynote speaker with Kathleen Roberts, “Our Stories, Our Lives,” Gather the Elders Conference, Tucson, AZ
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June 10, 2019
Reading, The Radical Act of Community Storytelling, The Golden Notebook, Woodstock, NY
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February 2 and 9, 2019
Workshop, “Bibliobiography,” Antigone Books, Tucson, AZ
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August 15, 2018
Storyteller, “Tattoo Tales,” Porchlight Storytelling and the Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco, CA
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May 12 & 13, 2018
Workshop, “Storytelling Under the Stars,” Women’s Wilderness Writing Workshops, Cochise, AZ
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April 20, 2018
Reading, Women’s Words, Antigone Books, Tucson, AZ
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April 7, 2018
Workshop, “Developing a Personal Story,” Tellers of Tales, Tucson, AZ
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March 24, 2018
Reading, Reading Series, Saints and Sinners Literary Festival, New Orleans, LA
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March 4, 2018
Reading, The Radical Act of Community Storytelling, Global Arts Gallery, Patagonia, AZ
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January 13, 2018
Workshop, “The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling,” Vail Preservation Society, Vail, AZ
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January 4, 2018
Co-curator and emcee with Adam Hostetter, “Memory,” Odyssey Storytelling, Tucson, AZ
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October 6, 2017
Reading, Best of FST!, Antigone Books, Tucson, AZ
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October 11, 2017
Storyteller, “Act Your Age,” Female Story Tellers (FST!), Tucson, AZ
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September 22, 2017
Co-Producer, with David Fitzsimmons, “Thanks for the Mammaries–An Evening of Storytelling in Support of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,” Tucson, AZ
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Saturday, September 30, 2017
Workshop with Ethel Lee Miller, “TELL IT! Presentation Skills for Writers (and anyone who wants to tell their story like a pro),” Tellers of Tales, Tucson, AZ
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September 7, 2017
Reading, Best of FST book launch, Tucson, AZ
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June 10, 2017
Speaker, “How to Tell a Good Story,” Arizona Mystery Writers, Tucson, AZ
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July 1, 2017
Workshop, “Voices Uncensored: The Radical Act of Community Storytelling,” National Storytelling Network Conference, Kansas City, MO
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May 6, 2017
Workshop, “Telling Your Personal Story,” Tellers of Tales, Tucson, AZ
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May 4, 2017
Co-curator and emcee with Adam Hostetter, “Only in Tucson,” Odyssey Storytelling, Tucson, AZ
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April 21, 2017
Reading, The Radical Act of Community Storytelling, Antigone Books, Tucson, AZ
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April 1, 2017
Workshop with Ethel Lee Miller, “TELL IT! Presentation Skills for Writers (and anyone who wants to tell their story like a pro),” Tucson, AZ
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March 24, 2017
Book release party, The Radical Act of Community Storytelling, and Odyssey Storytelling Fundraiser, Tucson, AZ
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November 11, 2016
Panel presentation, “Compassion Across Cultures,” Casa de La Luz Foundation Conference, Tucson, AZ
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October 26, 2016
Reading, “Autumn Antics,” Writers Read, Tucson, AZ
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July 7, 2016
Co-curator and emcee with Adam Hostetter, “Play,” Odyssey Storytelling, Tucson, AZ
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March 25, 2016
Reading with Kaitlin Meadows, “Kitchen Confidential,” Antigone Books, AZ
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Thursday, January 7, 2016
Storytelling, “DIY,” Odyssey Storytelling, Tucson, AZ
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November 10, 2015
Speaker, “Odyssey Storytelling and the LGBT Community,” Southern Arizona Senior Pride, Tucson, AZ
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July 5, 2015
Workshop with Susy Plummer, “Integrity, Creativity, Intuition,” Tumbi Umbi, NSW, Australia
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July 1, 2015
Workshop with Susy Plummer, “Shake it Up: Finding Your Inner Creative Self,” Woy Woy, NSW, Australia
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June 2, 2015
Reading, “Downtown/Uptown,” Writers Read, Tucson, AZ 
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May 2, 2015
Presentation, “Multicultural Practices in Grief and End of Life,” Continuum: The End of Life Cultural Project Conference sponsored by The Southwest Folklife Alliance, Tucson, AZ
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Friday, April 24, 2015
Reading with Kaitlin Meadows, “Give and Take: a Literary Performance,” Antigone Books, Tucson, AZ
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April 17, 2016
Workshop, “Telling Your Story: The Art and Craft of Oral Storytelling for Writers,” Story Circle Network Conference Austin, TX
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April 8, 2015
Storyteller, “DIY,” Female Story Tellers (FST!) Tucson, AZ
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November 5, 2014
Reading, Writer’s Read, Tucson, AZ
* The photo used on this page was taken by David Travis