Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Story Slams, Open Mics and Storytelling Guilds

Previously I posted these events in my bi-monthly newsletter but thought it might be more accessible here.

If you have a story slam, ongoing story event, guild, radio or television show dedicated to the art of storytelling and spoken word send me your information at storybug@aol.com . I will add it to the list. No fee, no strings attached, just sharing information!


Please follow the format below and use Times Roman size 12 font, black. No fancy colors, font or fliers to edit. Be brief, concise and informative, and don't forget your contact information. Let's build those audiences!

  
 

WEEKLY OR MONTHLY STORYTELLING EVENTS
 

UNITED STATES

 
ARIZONA

Phoenix, Arizona Storytellers Open Mic - First Sunday of each month – 1:30 P.N –3:00 P.M. Try out your story in front of an accepting audience - Mama Java’s Coffee House - 3619 East Indian School Road, Phoenix - More Info: http://www.storytellermark.com/openmic/index.asp - Contact: Mark Goldman 602-390-3858 – Mark@StorytellerMark.com .

Phoenix, Arizona – East Valley Tellers of Tales - Second Saturday of each month – 10:00 A.M.–Noon. We gather to hear great stories and celebrate Storytelling Successes. Everyone is welcome; all tellers and listeners. - Scottsdale Civic Center Library - 3839 N Drinkwater Blvd. - Scottsdale - More Info: http://www.EVTOT.com - Contact: Mark Goldman 602-390-3858 – Mark@StorytellerMark.com

 
CONNECTICUT

Mansfield Center, Connecticut - VoiceMail an Open Mic for Storytelling - Held each month at The Mansfield General Store, Rte 195 Storrs Rd Mansfield Center. Come early for soup bar. Open mic slots of 5-7 minutes that begin at 7:00 p.m. The monthly featured teller goes on at 7:30 p.m. Donations will be collected and split 50/50 between the feature teller and the CT. Storytelling Center. There is more to come for more info contact producer Carolyn Stearns at 860-690-4292 mothermoo2001@yahoo.com


MAINE

Portland, Maine MOOSE! Maine Organization of Storytelling Enthusiasts. Open mic/Spoken Word at 7:00 P.M. followed by a featured performer at 8:10 P.M. the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Portland Public Library 5 Monument Square Portland, ME 04101. See a list of performers and hosts at: http://moosetellers.ning.com/For more information contact: moose4events@gmail.com .

 
MARYLAND

Chevy Chase, Maryland - Tales in the Village - Storytellers Telling Stories to Adult Audiences. This is an ongoing series hosted by Ellouise Schoettler on the 3rd Wednesday of the Month @ 7:30 p.m. Admission is free! On March 21, 2012 this event will feature Noa Baum: Noa Scrolls - Stories of Non-Biblical Proportion. For additional information contact Ellouise at ellouise9112@aol.com or Noa at storytelling@noabaum.com .

 
MASSACHUSETTS

Cambridge, Massachusetts - The Story Space is a venue for storytelling that meets everyTuesday evening at 7:00 P.M rain or shine. Eight-minute open mic slots for any story you want to tell, try out, or refine. There is also a scheduled featured teller who has 30-45 minutes for a longer story. The venue was started in 1992 by Brother Blue and Ruth Hill, and we are proud to continue it in their honor. We meet at Out of the Blue Art Gallery, 106 Prospect Street in Cambridge, a short walk from the Central Square T-station. There is also free parking after 6:30 in two lots on Prospect Street - look for the barrier arm pointing up (i.e., open) at the parking lot entrance. $5 donation requested. For more information, visit www.StorySpace.org

Lynn, Massachusetts - SPEAK UP! The Walnut Street Coffee Cafe, 157 Walnut Street, Lynn, MA. Come to the Walnut Street Coffee Cafe for the best in poetry, storytelling, jive talking, etc. Sign up for the open mike starts at 7:00 P.M. with the actual talking kicking off at 7:30 P.M. Contact Tony Toledo at ToledoGoat@aol.com or 978-921-GOAT(4628) or 781-477-0700.

MINNESOTA

Minneapolis, Minnesota - Winter Storytelling Series - First Thursday of the month, January through April 2013 at 7:30 PM featuring Richard Rousseau and guest tellers: January 3 / Jim Stowell and February 7 / Loren Niemi - Anodyne Coffee House, 4301 Nicollet Ave. S. Minneapolis. No Charge - Donations Accepted - More Info: Richard Rousseau 651-649-1757 or RWR1350@aol.com .

MISSOURI

Kansas City , Missouri - River and Prairie Storyweavers First Thursday of the month, 7:00-9:00 PM. Kingswood Manor Retirement Center, 10,000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri Open telling with themes. South Meeting

Kansas City , Missouri - River and Prairie Storyweavers. Second Saturday of the month,
2;00-4:00 PM. First Bank of Missouri Community Room. 5959 NE Antioch Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Open telling and storytalk. North Meeting.
NEW HAMPSHIRE

Franklin, New Hampshire - Tea & Tales 120 Canal Street T.R.I.P Center. Doors open at 7:00 P.M. and stories start at 7:30 P.M. Featured teller begins at 8:10 P.M. Come and share in the refreshments and share a tale of your own. More info: Lauretta Phillips lphillipstale@comcast.net

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – Seacoast Storytellers storytelling guild meets first Wednesday of the month, September thru June, in the Hilton Garden Room at the Portsmouth Public Library from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. For more information contact Debra Ballou at dballou@aol.com or
603-749-9634

Rochester, New Hampshire - Storytelling in the Pantry - Catering to the Spoken Word at The Portable Pantry at 12 Hanson Street on the 2nd Friday of each month. Different theme; take part in the open mic, or just come to listen and enjoy! For information call 603-948-2035.


NEW YORK

Saugerties, New York - Every last Wednesday of the month, beginning October 26, 2011. Diverse tellers with stories for grownups. "Stories for Inquiring Minds" at Inquiring Mind Bookstore, Main & Partitions Sts. 845 246 5775 or Janet Carter 845 399 7730.
 
 
PENNSYLVANIA

Murrysville, Pennsylvania – StoryWorks Storytelling Guild Monthly Meeting – Second Monday of the Month, September – May at the Murrysville Community Center, 3091 Carson Avenue, Murrysville, Pennsylvania 15668. The Guild offers a monthly venue for storytellers and those interested in storytelling to share their tales, discuss storytelling and receive coaching. Sponsored by the Murrysville Community Library. For more information please call 724-307-8679 or email Joanna@joannademarest.com.

VIRGINIA

Fredericksburg, Virginia - Tell Fredericksburg -True stories on a monthly theme, 2nd Saturday of each month at 8:00 p.m. at Read All Over Books, 307 William Street, Fredericksburg. For more information, contact Maura -- maura@tellfredericksburg.com.


WASHINGTON

Seattle, Washington - Auntmama’s Storycorner sponsored by the Seattle Storytellers' Guild. Last Thursday of every month, 7 to 8:15 p.m. at Madison Park Starbucks. 4000 East Madison Street, Seattle, Washington 98112. Each month offers a unique theme, a featured teller, and regulars such as Kathya Alexander, Olubayo, and Auntmama. For more information: SeattleStorytellers.orgor Auntmama.com, contact info@seattlestorytellers.org.

 

GUILDS/STORY SWAPS - USA


ARIZONA

Phoenix, Arizona – East Valley Tellers of Tales Storytelling Guild, an affiliate of NSN – A safe place to tell your story. Second Saturday of each month – 10:00am - Noon.Scottsdale Library – Civic Center Branch - 3839 N Drinkwater Blvd. Website/Info: http://www.evtot.com Contact Mark Goldman at 602-390-3858 – Mark@StorytellerMark.com


CALIFORNIA


Claremont, California – Inland Valley Storytellers – Story swap and business meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Claremont Forum, at The Packing House, 586 W. First St. in Claremont. For information contact John St. Clair at john@inlandstorytellers.org

Culver City, California - Community Storytellers, a story swapping group, meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in Room 11, Culver-Palms Methodist Church, 4464 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. For more go to http://www.communitystorytellers.org/
or contact
communitystorytellers@gmail.com or 424.234.TALE (424.234.8253)

Pasadena, California – San Gabriel Valley Storytellers – Story swap and business meeting on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove in Pasadena. For information contact Nick Smith [626-298-6532 or nick.smith@inlandstorytellers.org

COLORADO

Alamosa, Colorado - March 10, 2012 - San Luis Valley Spellbinders sponsored Story Swap at the Alamosa Public Library from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Bring a story to share or come to listen. Family friendly, children welcome. (storiesbyjulie@amigo.net)


ILLINOIS

Batavia, IllinoisThe Fox Valley Storytelling Guild meets on the fourth Tuesday at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln Street starting at 7:30 PM. The guild is a member of the Fox Valley Folklore Society and has as its mission: “To encourage the telling of stories by sharing stories with listeners, fostering storytelling skills, and serving as a resource in our community.” The Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival is held each Labor Day weekend in Geneva, Illinois. For more information, contact Donna Dettman, 630-879-6891 or ddettman57@gmail.com .

 
Chicago, Illinois - The Chicago Storytelling Guild meets the third Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9:30 pm, at the Oriental Institute on the University of Chicago Campus- corner of 58th and S University Street; parking available. Our 15th year nurturing storytellers, sharing stories, honing our craft, networking and welcoming story listeners who want to find out what this thing called storytelling for adults is all about! Producers of Tellabration. RSVP or questions: 312-925-0439, juhestories@aol.com; or jeffro1165@sbcglobal.net

Chicago, Illinois – ASE: The Chicago Association of Black Storytellers meets every second Sunday at Christ the Mediator Church, 31st and Calumet from 2:30 to 5:00 PM. We share stories, plan events, and discuss the business of storytelling. Come out and join us on our storytelling months of April, August and December (stories start at 3:30 pm). The December meeting may be at a different location. Contact Gwen Hilary 312-842-3062 or ghilary@sbcglobal.net .

McLean County, Illinois - Twin City Tale Spinners - We meet the third Thursday of each month September through May at the Normal Public Library in "Uptown" Normal, IL. We meet from 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM in the community room in the lower part of the library. Everyone ages 12 and over is welcome to attend our monthly story-coaching sessions. Children younger than 12 are welcome if a responsible adult attends with them. The contact person for the guild is Mike Lockett, President of the Twin City Tale Spinners, 309-454-2300, email at Mike@mikelockett.com

MICHIGAN

Ann Arbor, Michigan - Fourth Sunday of each month (excluding December, July & August), 2- 4 pm, Nicola's Books with the Ann Arbor Storytellers' Guild - Monthly Guild Meeting - We start with stories and cram the business into the last half hour. Visitors welcome. Details at www.annarborstorytelling.org or contact Judy Schmidt at FransDotir@aol.com

 
MISSOURI

St. Charles, Missouri - McClay Library, 2760 McClay Road, St. (636) 441-7577. Second Monday Story Swap -- May 9 (and subsequent second Mondays*), 6:30 p.m. The library will provide coffee. Feel free to bring snacks if you wish. Directions: Page Ave onto MO-364 W. Take the exit toward Muegge Rd. Keep left at the fork and merge onto Muegge Rd. Turn left at Old Missouri 94 W/N Outer Rd. Turn right at McClay Road. Library is on the left (before Hackmann Road.)

 
NEW HAMPSHIRE

Concord, New Hampshire - Central NH Storytelling Guild Monthly Meetings The Guild meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. at Horseshoe Pond Place Senior Center Community Room 26 Commercial Street, Concord, NH 03301 (old Page Belting building) for more information contact George Radcliffe gradcliffe@mcttelecom.com

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – Seacoast Storytellers storytelling guild meets first Wednesday of the month, September thru June, in the Hilton Garden Room at the Portsmouth Public Library from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. For more information contact Debra Ballou at dballou@aol.com or 603-749-9634


NEW MEXICO

Taos, New Mexico - April 7, 2012 Story Tellers of New Mexico Taos sponsored Story Swap at the Taos Public Library from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Bring a story to share or come to listen.
(575-751-3442)


TENNESSEE
 
Jonesborough, Tennessee - Weekly spoken word performances, 7-8:30 PM, the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild, Telling Tales Downtown since 1994. 100 W. Main Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659. Contact: Saundra Kelley, 423-913-2166; saundrakelley@hotmail.com .


WISCONSIN

Lacrosse, Wisconsin - Bluff Country Tale Spinners storytelling guild meets monthly, year-round 2nd Thursday of every month 7:00 pm at Grounded Specialty Coffee house 308 Main St. Storytellers and general public welcome. Contact: wachutateri@yahoo.com

Milwaukee, Wisconsin – The Milwaukee Area Story Tellers (M.A.S.T.) guild meets every third Friday of every month 7:00 pm at Mount Mary College – 92nd and Burleigh; parking lot at 92nd St. entrance. We've been meeting here for over 25 years as we pass the storytelling stick to share tales, welcome new tellers (and story-hungry listeners), encourage story crafting, and catch up with storytelling news. M.A.S.T. has sponsored TELLABRATION! since 1990. For more info contact Jean-Andrew: 414-962-4425 or jean-andrew@storylore.net .

St. Charles, Missouri - McClay Library, 2760 McClay Road, St. (636) 441-7577. Second Monday Story Swap -- May 9 (and subsequent second Mondays*), 6:30 p.m. The library will provide coffee. Feel free to bring snacks if you wish. Directions: Page Ave onto MO-364 W. Take the exit toward Muegge Rd. Keep left at the fork and merge onto Muegge Rd. Turn left at Old Missouri 94 W/N Outer Rd. Turn right at McClay Road. Library is on the left (before Hackmann Road.)

CANADA

A Storytelling Circle takes place every Tuesday afternoon from 2:15 to 3:15 at 6 Saint Joseph Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Saint Joseph Street is north of Wellesley Subway Station on the west side of Yonge Street. We tell personal stories and favourite tales. #6 Saint Joseph Street is an artists resource centre for people who are at a crossroads in life. Contact: Molly Sutkaitis . mollysutkaitis@hotmail.com .


STORY SLAMS

Asheville, North Carolina - The Synergy Story Slam - Join us every first and third Monday of the month for a community-based, open mic story slam at The Magnetic Field, 372 Depot St., Asheville, NC. Each slam features a different theme, and a portion of the proceeds from door donations with go to benefit a different community organization. Anyone can throw their name in the hat to tell a true, personal story on the theme of the night. Winner of the slam takes home a cash prize and an invite to tell at the annual Grand Gala Slam. More information at http://www.synergystoryslam.com/ , or by calling Fynn Crooks at (828)450-7293.

Boston, Massachusetts - massmouth, inc. has taken Boston and the surrounding area by storm with events geared towards the spoken word, modeled after The Moth in New York. Themes are changed each month and vary by location. Tellers have five minutes to tell their best true story based on the theme. For all of the information, locations, dates and times go to http://www.massmouth.com/

Connecticut - Campus Slammer – Modeled after massmouth story slams seven colleges go head to head in Story Slam competition. All the guidelines can be found on http://www.connstorycenter.org/ site and regular updates, samples and tips found on the blog http://www.anansihelps.blogspot.com/ .

Commerce, Michigan - RED Thread Stories Story Slam - Second Tuesday of every month through April, 2013. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., stories start at 7:30 p.m. LIFE...LIVE, SPOKEN AND TRUE. Share your true story live, on stage with our audience. Contact karen@redthreadstories.org, call 248-766-4323 or go to http://www.redthreadstories.org/.