I’ve decided to launch a local storytelling series here in Connecticut, modeled after The Moth, the organization in New York City that hosts the storytelling events in which I compete, but absent the competitive element and the random nature of the storytellers.
Basically, we are planning an evening of pre-selected storytellers, telling true stories onstage for 5-8 minutes on an assigned theme.
I’ve fallen in love with storytelling over the past 18 months and would like to create an opportunity for storytellers like me to tell stories to willing audiences here in Connecticut. While I plan to continue telling stories at The Moth on a regular basis (I’m off to a StorySLAM today). I’d love to do something more local that friends can take part in as well.
Last week I secured a location and date for the event:
Saturday, May 4 at 7:00 PM at Real Art Ways in Hartford.
Real Art Ways is excited about the event and prepared to support us in any way that they can. They will publicize the event to their members and the general public, provide the space and sound equipment we need, and have agreed to offer the event free of charge. Beer and wine will be sold during the evening, but otherwise this will be open to the public. The space seats about 75 people comfortably and about 100 if we jam in.
I want us to be jammed in.
We’ll also have coverage from The Hartford Courant and other media outlets where I have contacts, so we should have a good turnout.
My vision is for this to become a storytelling series that happens 3-4 times a year, with people outside my circle of friends eventually pitching stories for the evening, too. I’d like the first event to be a huge success to springboard into future storytelling evenings.
The theme of the night is Beginnings. It’s fitting for what we are undertaking and hopefully broad enough for our storytellers to find a story from their lives that applies.
We (my wife and I) are finalizing our storyteller lineup and choosing a catchy name for this event. Ince those details are settled, we’ll share them with you.
For now, please just save the date if you are interested in attending. It promises to be an entertaining evening of storytelling from ten people who are sure to make us laugh, cry, and think.
