Got a story to tell? Come tell it!
San Jose downtown 11/15 7-10pm, Pizza My Heart West San Carlos - Conference Room
Hi! I am interested in starting a small, informal group in which people will meet in person for the purpose of telling short stories from their own lives. We all have stories to tell about our own lives, and it can be profound / funny / moving to hear them.
Everyone is invited, regardless of any past performance or story-telling experience. This is not about giving a polished performance, but showing up and getting a chance to listen to a few honest moments from people’s lives. Anyone can come, and there is no obligation to tell a story - feel free to just come and listen.
Each session will have a loose theme, and anyone who wants will be given 3-4 minutes without interruption to tell a short story from their own life based around that theme. No one will be judged on either the content of their story, how they tell it or how it does or does not conform to the theme. There is no pressure to be either funny , profound or polished. This is not about an acting audition or performance, it’s about giving each other the gift of our attention to each person’s unique selves.
It would be great to have people from a broad spectrum of age/gender/ cultural background. The more variety we have, the more we can learn from and about each other.
This was inspired by my interest in the Moth story program on public radio. You can check it out at
http://www.themoth.or... to get an idea. It’s also loosely based on the “Reader’s Write” section in the back of The Sun magazine.
I will arrive at 7:00 pm, anyone who likes can arrive at that time for pizza and socializing. Stories will begin promptly at 8:00pm. Each person will be given 4 minutes of uninterrupted time. Anyone who wants to can speak. The only rules are 1) No interruptions during another person's speaking time and 2) Please do not get up and leave while someone is speaking. We will take a break at 8:45 for bathroom or food /drink purchases so that people are not coming/going during stories. The goal for this meeting is attentive, respectful listening. 3) No one will be judged by the content of their story or how they tell it. Anyone can talk about anything without being critiqued for what they say.
I am requesting a member contribution of $3.00 per person, however there is no obligation to pay the fee in order to attend. My long-term goal is to establish a Story-Teller's Society, and any funds collected at these meetups will be used towards that purpose. I would eventually like to be able to use a small theater for the meetings so that each person can be on stage during their story. That is part of what the $3.00 fee will go towards. However, if anyone has a conflict with the fee there is absolutely no obligation to pay in order to attend. I will pass around an envelope and members may contribute or not as they like. Your greatest contribution is your attendance, your stories and your attentiveness to others.
The theme of the first Story Session is: A Moment of Epiphany
Each person can decide for themselves how to interpret that theme. No one will be judged based on how closely their story conforms to the theme. If you think your story fits the theme, than please tell it!
Anyone wishing to tell a Story can put their name on a slip of paper. Names will be drawn at random to determine the order of speakers.
Meetup will be at Pizza My Heart , downtown san jose
117 E San Carlos St
San Jose, CA 95112
831 457 8167 - Jeff (Meetup organizer)
(408) 279-0555 - Restaurant #
Thank you, and we hope to hear your story!
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- Location: San Jose downtown 11/15 7-10pm
- it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests