glenn
"The Things We Don't Speak About"
A Storytelling Concert
about the show
“Since the day I was born, I was always running, because if I didn’t, I would drown…there's always this shadow chasing me.”
Imagine a world blanketed in snow, where light and darkness dance on the edge of silence. That’s where Erik Sjøholm (FIN) was born. On that very day, his uncle Glenn took his own life, leaving behind a legacy of grief, questions, and unspoken stories. In this powerful and vulnerable storytelling concert, Erik digs beneath the snow and ice, uncovering fragments of his family’s unspoken mythology.
Through raw personal stories and original songs, he takes you on a journey into the heart of loss, self-discovery, and the search for meaning. Inspired by artists like Damien Rice, Glen Hansard, and Jeff Buckley, Erik’s performance is a blend of storytelling and acoustic music that leaves no emotion untouched.
by the touch of a lucky coin
"A Moving Storytelling Show With Live Music"
Overview
"By The Touch Of A Lucky Coin" is a captivating one-hour performance that intertwines folklore, myth, and reality to explore the profound and universal longing for motherhood. Through a blend of narrative storytelling, music, and symbolic imagery, the show delves into the complexities surrounding the desire to have a child—a journey that is as much about hope and dreams as it is about the unpredictable twists of fate.
Narrative Arc
The story follows a woman who, on a day filled with deep yearning, wishes for a child. Parallel to her tale, we encounter a magpie striving to reach the skies, a mermaid enchanted by a distant ship, and the sea king’s youngest daughter who dreams of love. These interwoven stories reveal how the desire for something deeply yearned for—whether it be a child, freedom, or love—often collides with forces beyond one’s control.
N. A. Continued
A golden coin, a symbol of luck and fortune, passes through the hands (and fins) of various characters, each time altering their destinies. The woman eventually comes into possession of the coin, which magically grants her wish, but not without unforeseen consequences. As her belly swells, she embarks on a journey to seek the wisdom of an old woman in the forest. The birth that follows is both extraordinaary and mystical, giving life to a child who embodies the merging of human and mythic worlds.
Themes
Desire and Longing:
The show poignantly captures the intense desire for motherhood, a longing that transcends time, culture, and species.
The Element of Luck:
The golden coin serves as a metaphor for the unpredictable nature of fate in the fulfillment of dreams.
Myth and Reality:
The narrative blurs the lines between the real and the fantastical, using mythic characters to echo the real-world struggles and hopes of women.
Transformation:
The story emphasizes transformation, both physical and emotional, as characters evolve through their interactions with the coin and the fulfillment of their desires.
Artistic Vision
"By The Touch Of A Lucky Coin" is a celebration of the age-old stories that have shaped our understanding of desire and fate. Through a blend of music, movement, and rich storytelling, the performance invites the audience into a world where dreams are as fragile as they are powerful, and where every wish carries with it the weight of the unknown.
Target Audience
This performance resonates deeply with women, particularly those who have experienced or are experiencing the emotional complexities of wanting a child. It also appeals to broader audiences who appreciate folklore, myth, and the exploration of universal human desires. Ideal for women’s circles, health professionals, wellness centers, and storytelling festivals, “Wishes in Flight” offers a profound reflection on the intersections of hope, fate, and the female experience.
What To Expect
Audiences entering “By The Touch of a Lucky Coin”
are invited into a world where myth and personal narrative converge to explore the depths of human longing. From the moment the story begins, viewers are immersed in a bilingual storytelling experience that weaves English and German together seamlessly, creating a rhythm that flows between fantasy and reality. The performance balances live music, dance, and evocative storytelling, drawing on Nordic myths and Andersen’s The Little Mermaid to explore universal themes of transformation, motherhood, and the pursuit of desires.
As the magpie’s lucky coin passes through the hands of various characters, the audience will journey through different lives and emotions, experiencing hope, frustration, love, and loss. The autobiographical stories, particularly those touching on childhood and the challenges of living with endometriosis, give the performance an emotional depth that resonates personally with many women, while also inviting broader reflection on the complexities of health, fertility, and unfulfilled desires.
Original live music, including moments where the story is carried by song, deepens the emotional tone, creating an immersive experience that engages both heart and mind.
The audience will leave feeling reflective, moved, and perhaps more aware of the invisible forces—luck, fate, desire—that shape our lives.
Unique Selling Points
Emotional Depth:
The show masterfully handles sensitive topics such as motherhood, infertility, and illness, allowing audiences to engage with these themes in a deeply personal and compassionate way. The combination of myth and personal narrative offers a safe yet profound space to explore these emotionally charged experiences.
Mythical and Personal:By blending mythical elements from The Little Mermaid and Finnish mythology with autobiographical stories, the performance touches on timeless human experiences while also making them relevant to modern issues like women’s health and endometriosis.
Bilingual Presentation:
The unique use of both English and German on stage allows the show to reach diverse audiences, creating a powerful bridge between cultures. This bilingual format adds an extra layer of richness to the storytelling, with both languages complementing each other.
Multidisciplinary Artistry:
With live music, storytelling, and dance,
By The Touch of a Lucky Coin
is a truly multidisciplinary performance. Each element—whether it’s the evocative movement, the haunting live music, or the power of spoken word—contributes to a rich, textured experience.
Target Audience
Women’s Circles and Fertility Support Groups:
The exploration of fertility, desire, and endometriosis offers a resonant experience for women seeking emotional connection and shared stories around these topics.
Health Professionals and University Students in Health Fields:
The performance provides a creative and human perspective on issues like endometriosis, fertility, and women’s health. It can serve as an educational and emotional resource for those working with or studying these issues.
Associations for Endometriosis and Women’s Health:
As the performance touches on the experiences of living with endometriosis, it is a valuable cultural offering for organizations working in the field of women’s health and advocacy.
Wellness Centers and Rehabilitation Clinics:
The emotional depth and healing potential of the show make it a perfect fit for wellness centers, especially those focused on mental and emotional well-being. The combination of art and storytelling offers a therapeutic element that can support healing and reflection.
Storytelling Festivals and Theaters:
As a rich blend of myth, personal narrative, music, and movement, the show is well-suited for storytelling festivals and small theaters, where intimate performances create meaningful connections with the audience.
Libraries and Cultural Institutions:
Given its engagement with myth, folklore, and personal narrative, the performance can be an enriching cultural experience for audiences in literary and cultural settings.
trailer
"GLENN: An intimate storytelling concert
by Erik Sjøholm"
Watch a snippet from my performance at GLÖD Storytelling Festival in Vasa, Finland, March 2022
photos
See moments from GLENN:
The Things We Don’t Speak About
testimonials
Marielle Dúgdam
"Dear Erik, you truly have the presence of an angel. Goose bumps from beginning to end. Your openness is such a gift. I enjoyed what you shared, in awe with your brightness. Let's spread the embodiment of consciousness everywhere we are.
Lots of love, from another angel."
(Performance in Amsterdam)
Femke
"It was really impressive, your voice as well as the show are so beautiful. I'm truly speechless."
(Performance in festival Tüssenland, Zwolle, NL)
Evelyn
"It was a very special day for me and your show was the best end of this day. Thank you for your courage and your honesty. And your beautiful songs, they touched my heart"
(Performance in Währinge Wohnzimmer, Vienna)
meet the team
Learn about the passionate creators behind the show.
Erik Sjøholm
(Performer, Writer)
Erik is a Finnish singer-songwriter and storyteller known for his deeply personal and emotional performances. With a serene voice and a unique blend of acoustic guitar and raw storytelling, he invites audiences into his world of vulnerability and healing. Erik’s music and stories have been shaped by artists like Damien Rice, Glen Hansard, and Paul Simon, and he is passionate about helping others discover their own path of self-expression.
Raphael Rodan
(Co-writer & Director)
Raphael Rodan is an award-winning storyteller and theater director based in the Netherlands. Known for his ability to blend ancient myths with personal stories, Raphael brings a masterful touch of dramatic direction and narrative depth to GLENN. His work has been featured in international storytelling festivals and theaters across Europe.
Mey Rahimi
(Visual Designer & Additional Writer)
Mey Rahimi is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in visual storytelling and stage design. With a background in both graphic design and writing, Mey’s visual aesthetics elevate the emotional depth of the show, creating a cohesive and impactful atmosphere that stays with the audience long after the performance ends.
This storytelling concert has been partly funded by Svenska Kulturfonden, an organization that supports cultural projects in Finland, allowing this unique performance to reach a wider audience.
shows & bookings
Upcoming Shows:
(To be announced)
Bookings:
To book our show, please contact Erik via email or phone.
Find contact info below.
merchandise
Celebrate the show with unique items that bring Erik’s storytelling to life.
Get your exclusive GLENN merchandise!
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