Campfire not required. 5 storytelling events in Birmingham are sure to warm your heart.
Reading time: 4 minutes
For those of us who love stories, there’s nothing better than a live storytelling event. My first was hearing Kathryn Tucker Windham at Sloss Furnaces when I was a kid.
While it’s hard to top that, you can still go hear some amazing storytellers here in town. Read on for all the details.
Storytelling event #1: Arc Stories at the Avon—Saturday, August 3, 7:30-10PM
Every month and a half or so, you can go hear 6-8 other people’s tales or tell one of your own. Their next event is August 3, 7:30-10:00PM at the Avon. Doors open at 7PM.
Click above to hear my buddy Matt Layne with a story that’ll make you cringe, wretch and laugh. If he looks familiar, you’ve probably either seen him emceeing 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 the Sparks Writing Festival, UAB Hill Student Center—Friday, August 9, 3PM
Oral histories get right at the stories of everyday people. You know, that country uncle who has everyone in tears laughing with the stories of how he and his brother used to play with dynamite in the creek, or the great-grandmother who remembers taking the phone out to save $3 a month during the Great Depression.
Akousate is an oral-history gathering project run by Michelle Little. Here’s what she has to say about the project:
Akousate is a Greek verb meaning hear, listen, and learn. We capture oral history for this purpose – to inspire the world to hear life narratives, listen to their meaning, and learn new perspectives.
If you feel more comfortable on the other side of the microphone, check out 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 talk is free and open to the public. Friday, August 9, 3PM.
Event #3: The Moth Story Slam at Saturn—Tuesday, August 20, 7:30PM
Here’s what Michael Krall, WBHM’s Program Director, had to say:
WBHM airs The Moth Radio Hour Sundays from 11AM-noon. We are also the media sponsor for the Moth StorySLAM, (produced by The Moth)—live storytelling at Saturn once a month. Participants are drawn at random and tell a five minute story on a particular theme.
The Moth StorySLAM happens once a month at Saturn, and tickets are $15. Details for the August 20 event here. Tickets go on sale a week before the show.
Storytelling event #4: Storytellers Comedy Show at Birmingham Festival Theatre—Sunday, August 25, 7PM
Storytellers Comedy Show is the latest and greatest monthly show from Goulash Comedy. You’ll find it the last Sunday of each month at the Birmingham Festival Theatre in 5 Points South. Tickets are $15.
Event #5: Projections: a Live Storytelling Event (for adults) at Sidewalk Film Festival—Saturday, August 24, 7-8:50PM at The Lyric
Live storytelling at an awesome film festival—what could be better? Check out this event on Saturday evening at the Sidewalk Film Festival. Tickets are $15 and you can get them here.
If you’re hungry for some live storytelling, Birmingham has no shortage of events for you to choose from. Whether you want to laugh, cry, collect or tell stories, there’s something for everyone.
