Logo of Charlotte's slam

You can get daily podcasts from In The Loop from Minnesota Public Radio or New York’s The Moth. Story Slams are in Philly (First Person Arts) , West Chester Story Slam, Asheville (Synergy Story Slam)  and San Francisco (Porchlight) and gaining popularity as fast as a wildfire can jump the road. A few months ago I reported on Phoenix’s addition (Great Arizona Story Slam).

And now Tucson has joined the movement with Double O Story Slam. In Heat: Surviving the Summer is the theme for this all ages show on Monday, June 27 at Fluxx Studio and Gallery, 414 E. 9th Street. Come at 6:30 to sign up and the show starts at 7:15. Refreshments will be available.

In the simplest terms, a story slam is a contest where people tell real stories from their lives on a theme. No costumes, no props, no notes, no music…just the STORY. Each story is five minutes or less in length and there are a maximum of ten tellers.

Selected audience members will determine the winner who will receive a prize. The criteria may include how well the story is told, its construction, how it explores the theme and if the teller honors the time limit.

Anyone can tell a story. There is no preregistration. The slots will be filled by people who sign up at the event, and sign-up will start at 6:30 pm. We’ll pull names from a hat to determine the order. The first ten people will have their five minutes of fame and a chance to win.

If you want to tell a story consider these tips:

Tell a true (personal) story

Choose a story that has meaning to you

Organize your story with a beginning, middle, ending ~ and a point

Know your first and last line

You can start in the action (middle) and set up the stakes

Make the story succinct and have the point be obvious – but your method of getting to the point may be surprising and have punch

Add lots of details so that listeners can picture themselves in the story

Get your body and emotions into the story

Don’t worry about being funny or serious or both; just be yourself

A good time to get serious is right after a laugh

Don’t memorize, just remember an outline, your beginning, ending and a few lines of plot; storytelling is an oral art, not a literary recital

Stick to the 5 minute or less time limit

There will be reminders when you need to start wrapping up and when it’s time to stop

Don’t rant; this is a place for stories, not lectures or diatribes

Relax, breathe, play

Take time to finish. Look at people, smile, and enjoy their appreciation — it’s their chance to give you something back

For more info contact Maya Asher, 480-390-1063 or Penelope Starr (yes, that’s me), 520-730-4112, Penelope(at)odysseystorytelling.com

Our storytelling friend in Phoenix, Mark Goldman, is launching a new event, The Great Arizona Story Slam, on Friday the 13th at the Doubletree Suites, Atrium Lounge at 44th and Van Buren.

For those of you who many not know, a story slam is a contest where people tell short personal stories on a theme in hopes of winning a prize.  The fun takes place in a public venue with an audience and the tellers sign up at the door for a chance to compete.  Story slams are all over the country, from coast to coast.  Be on the lookout, Tucson will have a story slam soon!

The website describes a slam:

• A story slam is a contest where people tell real stories from their lives.
• No notes, no costumes, no props, no music…just the STORY.
• There is a “theme” for each show.
• Names are drawn from a hat at the begining of the show.
• There are a maximum of ten tellers.
• Each story is five minutes or less in length.
• A prize is awarded to the Judges’ Choice of Best Teller.
• A prize is awarded to the People’s Choice of the remaining tellers.

and tells the rules:

• Real Stories – All stories must be true, personal stories. 

  • Retelling any folktale, myth or fable is not permitted.
  • Retelling of literary works or someone else’s tale is not permitted.
  • Copyright laws apply.
• No Additional Aids – The storyteller may not use written notes, props, costumes, or musical instruments.
• No Poems - unless the poem is original and tells a story.
• Theme – Your story (not just the title or “punch line”) should connect in a meaningful way to the theme.
• Time – 5 minutes means…5 minutes. There is a 60 second grace period to wind up.Going over 6 minutes disqualifies the teller.
• Judging – Each story is judged on: 

  • How well it is crafted.
  • How well it is told.
  • How well the story explores, connects and/or reveals some truth about the theme.
• Disregard for any of the rules disqualifies the teller

For more information contact Info@AZStorySlam.com, 602-390-3858.