For those of us who love stories, there’s nothing better than a live storytelling event. My first was to hear Catherine Tucker Windham at Sloss Furnaces when I was a kid.
While it’s hard to top, you can still hear amazing storytellers here in town. Read on for all the details.
Storytelling Event #1: Arc Stories at the Avon—Saturday, August 3, 7:30-10 p.m.
Every month and a half or so, you can go listen to the stories of 6 to 8 other people or tell one of your own. Their next event is August 3, from 7:30-10:00 p.m. at the Avon. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Click above to hear my pal Matt Layne with a story that will have you cringing, miserable and laughing. If he looks familiar, you’ve probably seen him hosting Day of the Dead or working at the Mountain Brook Library.
Get tickets for “See, what had happened was: stories that need an explanation.” Tickets are $12 or $25 VIP, and the event is a benefit for the Birmingham Education Foundation.
Event #2: Akousate Oral History Workshop for Writers at Sparks Writing Festival, UAB Hill Student Center – Friday, August 9, 3 p.m.
Oral histories go straight to the stories of everyday people. You know that country uncle who makes everyone laugh in tears when he talks about how he and his brother used to play with dynamite in the stream, or the great-grandmother who remembers pulling out the phone to save $3 a month during the Great Depression.
Akousate is an oral history collecting project led by Michelle Little. Here’s what she has to say about the project:
Akousate is a Greek verb meaning to hear, listen and learn. We capture oral history for this purpose – to inspire the world to hear life stories, listen to their meaning, and learn new perspectives.
If you feel more comfortable on the other on the microphone side, discover Akousate’s free oral history workshop at the Spark Writing Festival. Sponsored by the UAB English Department and held at the Hill Student Center, this conference is free and open to the public. Friday, August 9, 3 p.m.
Event #3: The Moth Story Slam at Saturn — Tuesday, August 20, 7:30 p.m.
Here is what WBHM Program Director Michael Krall had to say:
WBHM tunes Moth Radio Hour Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon. We are also the media sponsor of the Moth StorySLAM, (produced by The Moth)—the live storytelling at Saturn once a month. Participants are selected at random and tell a five-minute story on a particular theme.
The Moth StorySLAM takes place once a month at Saturn and tickets are $15. Details for the August 20 event here. Tickets go on sale one week before the show.
Storytelling Event #4: Storytellers Comedy Show at the Birmingham Festival Theatre—Sunday, August 25, 7 p.m.
Storytelling comedy show is the latest and greatest monthly show from goulash comedy. You will find it on the last Sunday of each month at Birmingham Festival Theater at 5 Points South. Tickets are $15.
Event #5: Screenings: A live storytelling event (for adults) at the Sidewalk Film Festival—Saturday, August 24, 7-8:50 p.m. at Lyric
Live storytelling at an awesome film festival – what could be better? Check out this event on Saturday night at the Sidewalk Film Festival. Tickets are $15 and you can bring them here.
If you’re in the mood for live storytelling, Birmingham has no shortage of events to choose from. Whether you want to laugh, cry, collect or tell stories, there is something for everyone.
